ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (May 7, 2006) -- Galloway National Golf Club in Galloway Township, New Jersey will play host to the 23rd New Jersey State Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship next Monday-Wednesday, May 8-10. 2006 marks the second time the Championship will be graciously hosted by Galloway National; in 2002, Tom Gramigna of Tavistock won his first of three titles at the Tom Fazio-designed gem. Gramigna, who is the defending (and 2003) Champion, will look to capture a record fourth victory in this five-round Match Play Championship. A fourth Championship for Gramigna would be a NJSGA Mid-Amateur record, and the perpetual Gigi Carnevale Championship Trophy will return to Tavistock for the ensuing year. Currently, there is only one other three-time Champion; Bruce Young garnered titles in 1992, 1994, and 1995.
Aside from Gramigna, this Championship features many of New Jersey’s premier Amateur golfers over the age of thirty. Defending NJSGA Amateur Player of the Year, Ron Vannelli of Metuchen, seeks his first title after winning medalist honors at his home club during sectional qualifying last week. 2004 NJSGA Amateur Champion (and 1986 NJSGA Mid-Am Champion) Allan Small finished second to Vannelli at the Metuchen qualifying round, and 2004 NJSGA Mid-Amateur Champion, Barry Wiseman placed third at Metuchen. Harris Podvey of Newton, the 2001 Mid-Am Champion, is the fourth defending Champion in the field looking to recapture the Carnevale Trophy.
In the other sectional qualifying round at Bamm Hollow, Tom Mensel of Mercer Oaks and Mike Paduano of Old Orchard were co-medalists; they will also join 2005 Runner-up Jamie Slonis of Tavistock as part of the Championship field. Unquestionably, the match play field boasts a number of title contenders.
This Championship field is made even more attractive by the host site. Galloway National Golf Club is considered one of the most challenging tests of golf in New Jersey. From the ‘tips’, Galloway National plays at 6900 yards; its location on Leeds Bay features eighteen picturesque holes that vary in design. One of the most notable holes in the entire northeast is the par-three, seventeenth hole which provides a view across the bay toward the Atlantic City skyline. The 440 yard, par-4 eighteenth hole is a true Championship-caliber finishing hole, as it includes a dogleg and uphill route to a well-protected green.
Championship play in the 23rd NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship begins Monday, May 8 at 7:30 a.m., with the second round scheduled Monday afternoon. Quarterfinal and Semifinal play will begin Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., and the eighteen hole, Championship finale will begin on Wednesday, May 10 at 8:00 a.m.
For the match play tree, click on the tournament link above
ABOUT THE New Jersey Mid-Amateur
Open to male amateurs age 30 or above who have
qualified from one of two qualifying sites or have
met
the exemption criteria. Format consists of 18 holes
of
stroke play followed by round of 16 match play.
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