Tournament Director Matt Zuntag with Thomas LaMorte and Senior winner Ned Zachar
(Staten Island Advance/Stephen Hart photo)

LaMorte, who plays college golf at Campbell University in North Carolina, recently finished as runner-up in the Big South Conference Championship and was named to the all-championship team. His stellar play continued at La Tourette. Following an opening 71, LaMorte moved into contention with a second-round 68 that moved him within one of Cooper, who shot the low round of the tournament with a 67 on day one.

Cooper, who won last year's Richardson Memorial at The Seawane Club, shot 71 in round two to set up a duel with LaMorte in the final round. Two others--Matt Lowe of Farmingdale, NY and Brendan Davis of Bedminster Township, NJ--started the day three shots back at 141 but never threatened the lead in the final round.

As Cooper faded to a 75, LaMorte held steady with a 71 for a six-under 210 total. Cooper, Lowe and first-round co-leader Tyler Cline of Tuxedo Park, NY finished tied for second at 213.

Trevor Randolph of Franklin Lakes, NJ, who won last year's Metropolitan Mid-Amateur, Travis Invitational, and Hochster Memorial, finished solo sixth at 215

For LaMorte, the next stop is Tavistock Country Club to defend his New Jersey Amateur title, which he won last year at Montanny Golf Club.

In the Senior division, Ned Zachar (68-72--140) won by two shots over Marc Coleman and David Prowler. Stephen Boyd (74-71--145) won the Super Senior division by three shots over Bill Henry.