Courtesy of Middle Atlantic Golf Association
Jay Mulieri (Boyds, Md.) took the lead of the 115th Middle Atlantic Amateur in round one with a 66 (-4) and never looked back, going wire-to-wire to capture the crown.
Mulieri followed up his 66 with 68-71 for a three day total of 205 (-5). Bart George, Annapolis, Maryland, opened with an even par 70 and added a 68 to get within four the closest after two rounds. George, who had not played any competitive golf for two years, had just regained his amateur status in mid August.
Bryan Kim (Brookeville, Md.), the current Maryland Junior Amateur Champion, and Kevin Johnson (Bethesda, Md.) were both at even par 140 after two rounds. The contest got close after the front nine in round three, with Mulieri turning with a one over 36 and Kim a two under 33 to get within three. George turned in 39, falling back too far. Johnson turned in 36 and and finished with a 73. On holes fourteen and fifteen Kim went par, double bogey while Mulieri covered the same distance in birdie, par, effectively ending the chase and winning the title by five.
In late July, Mulieri's father, Joe, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home, a devastating loss for the family and the family business that Jay and his brother Mike (a fine player as well, who played in the 2021 U. S. Mid Amateur) worked with. For Jay it was an emotional three days, especially as he came down the stretch to close the deal. His thoughts were of his father, “who was watching from the gallery.”
The famed East Course at the Baltimore CC, with a par of 70, played at 7,093 yards on the final day. The golf course was designed by A. W. Tillinghast and opened for play in September of 1926. After extensive restoration work by the club within the last 20 years the golf course stands relatively unchanged from its original design. Treacherous putting greens, a Tillinghast design trait, require near perfect execution and positioning on or near the putting greens to score well. Stimping at 11.5 each morning, and gaining speed through the day in the dry air and sunshine, the putting greens with their treacherous slopes, confounded most players.
ABOUT THE Middle Atlantic Amateur
54-hole stroke play championship. The field is cut to
the low 60 scores and ties after round two. Open to
members of member clubs of the Middle Atlantic
Golf
Association, and by invitation.
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