- NJSGA photo
After several days riddled with storms, Eric LeFante, 34, won the New Jersey State Golf Association 38th Mid-Amateur Champion after defeating Troy Vannucci, 5 and 3, on Thursday afternoon at Metedeconk National Golf Club.
“I was able to keep that good play up, build a nice lead and was able finish it,” LeFante said following his victory. “It’s amazing. I’m just so happy to win the Mid-Am. This is my third New Jersey Golf title, but 11 years ago was my last one, so this is a long time coming. I’m just thrilled.”
On a very windy afternoon in Jackson, LeFante opened up to an early 3-up lead over Vannucci through six holes of action. Vannucci, 29, won the 7th hole to close the gap, however, LeFante carded a par on the 9th, while Vannucci recorded a double-bogey to regain a 3-up lead heading into the back nine.
On the back nine, LeFante picked up where he left off, winning the 10th hole to open up his largest lead of the match. Vannucci kept fighting, carding a par on the 193-yard par 3, while LeFante suffered a bogey. LeFante sealed his victory and secured the Gigi Carnevale Championship Trophy on the 15th hole after Vannucci missed his par putt, which would have extended the match.
In the semifinals, LeFante took down Jason Bataille, 4 & 2, while Vannucci earned a spot in the finals by defeated Anthony Campanile, 4 & 3.
LeFante has also won the 2009 and 2010 NJSGA Public Links Championship. He was also a member of the victorious 2021 NJSGA Compher Cup team. Most recently, LeFante, of Somerset Hills Country Club won the 2021 Eagle Oaks Invitational by a whopping 11 strokes.
"I kind of just had a reset," LeFante explained. "Everyone says match play is totally different. I reset my mind and just played great. I hit it really well, which you have to do at Metedeconk. You have to keep it in play, and I did."
View results for New Jersey Mid-Amateur
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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