Vannucci, Gianchandani and Gotterup Tabbed NJSGA Players of the Year
Pictured (L-R): Troy Vannucci, Ami Gianchandani, Morten Gotterup
KENILWORTH, N.J. - The New Jersey State Golf Association has announced its Men’s, Women’s and Senior Players of the Year on Tuesday. Troy Vannucci of Little Mill Country Club garnered Robert Housen Player of the Year honors, Ami Gianchandani captured Women’s Player of the Year accolades, and Morten Gotterup grabbed Senior Player of the Year.
Troy Vannucci, Robert Housen Men's Player of the Year presented by Donnelly Industries
Vannucci, 32, captured his first Player of the Year accolades in New Jersey after a standout season. The Marlton-native edged Jack Simon in the standings by 200 points. His 2023 season was highlighted by low amateur honors and a t-3 overall finish at the 103rd Open Championship at Hackensack Golf Club. At the beginning of the season, Vannucci notched a runner-up finish at the Mid-Amateur Championship hosted by Deal Golf & Country Club. Vannucci came up big in yet another NJSGA major championship, earning a 6th place finish at Manasquan River Golf Club in the 122nd Amateur Championship.
On the national stage, Vannucci qualified and competed in the U.S. Mid-Am and U.S. Four-Ball. He also earned medalist honors at the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) Amateur Championship.
“This is very special,” Vannucci reflected. “Looking at recent winners of the Player of the Year - you have three Tour players now, Max (Greyserman), Ryan (McCormick) and Chris (Gotterup). To have my name next to theirs is super special and going forward, this is a big stepping stone for bigger goals to come. Although I didn't have any wins this year, I know my game is in the right place and this definitely gives me the confidence and the self belief going forward.”
Ami Gianchandani, Women's Player of the Year
Gianchandani, of Watchung Valley Golf Club had yet another solid season. A recent graduate of Yale University, Gianchandani earned a runner-up finish and low amateur honors in the Inaugural New Jersey Women’s Open Championship at Montclair Golf Club. The 23-year-old captured the 98th Women’s Amateur Championship at Springdale Golf Club in August, claiming her second title in the event after winning in 2021. The current Auburn University graduate student racked up Player of the Year points after making a run to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship in May, competing alongside former teammate Kaitlyn Lee.
“Player of the Year is something really special because it's not just defined on one event,” said Gianchandani. “You have to have a couple really strong performances over the course of the year. The field is getting stronger every year in New Jersey, so it means all the all that much more winning it for the second time.”
Morten Gotterup, Senior Player of the Year
It was a tight race for the Senior Player of the Year but a victory at the 65th Senior Amateur Championship at Spring Lake Golf Club propelled Gotterup of Rumson Country Club atop the standings, edging Michael Guli by 17.5 points. Gotterup, who won 2022 Senior Player of the Year grabbed a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Golf Association Senior Amateur in May. He closed out his season with a spot on the Senior Challenge Matches.
“I wouldn't say it was expected because I wasn't playing great coming in,” Gotterup reflected. “I’m pleased and I'm a little surprised. For me, it shows that I still have a little bit of, you know, game in the tank left - so that was really cool for me.”
The three Player of the Year honorees will be recognized on Thursday, October 26 at Canoe Brook Country Club in the annual Celebration of Golf.
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