GALLAWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ (May 10, 2006) -- Fifty-four year old Allan Small of Fairmount Country Club today won the 23rd New Jersey State Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship, defeating Jamie Slonis of Tavistock Country Club, 3 & 2 at the par-71, 6900 yard Galloway National Golf Club in Galloway Township. Small’s victory marks his second career NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship, as he captured the Gigi Carnevale Championship Trophy in 1986, besting Robin McCool at Colonia Country Club. Small is also the 2004 NJSGA Amateur Champion and 2004 NJSGA Amateur Player of the Year.
Consistent strong play was the mark of Small throughout the five-round match play Championship, as the 6’8” Florham Park resident did not have to play the eighteenth hole during his Championship run. Small’s most difficult test came in his second round match Monday when he defeated Ivan Field of Montammy, 2 & 1. Small finished off Bill Henry of Forsgate 4 & 2 in the quarterfinals, then followed with a decisive win against Ron Vannelli of Metuchen in the semifinal match, 4 & 3.
Today’s Championship match versus Slonis started well for Small, as he was 3-up after the first nine holes. Birdies on the par-four fourth and par-five ninth hole highlighted Small’s first nine, then a birdie on the par-five eleventh hole provided a commanding four hole lead. A birdie by Slonis on the par four thirteenth hole brought him to within three holes, but each player halved holes fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen, where Small claimed victory.
The 24th NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship will be held in early May of 2007, when Small will look to defend his title and become the third golfer to take home the Gigi Carnevale Championship Trophy for a third time (Tom Gramigna- ’02, ’03, ’05, and Bruce Young- ’92, ’94, ’95).
Following is a listing of Small’s Match Play Results:
Round 1: Small def. Sean Leonard, Tavistock – 5 & 4.
Round 2: Small def. Ivan Field, Montammy – 2 & 1.
Quarterfinals: Small def. Bill Henry, Forsgate – 4 & 2.
Semifinals: Small def. Ron Vannelli, Metuchen – 4 & 3.
Championship: Small def. Jamie Slonis, Tavistock – 3 & 2.
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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