Fitzsimmons, Tilley Lead 18th MGA Mid-Amateur
2019 MGA Mid-Amateur champion Brad Tilley.
BRIELLE, N.J. (October 14, 2024) – Matching rounds of 1-under 71 from Richard Fitzsimmons and Brad Tilley claimed the day one lead at Manasquan River Golf Club in the 18th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship. Both players took advantage of their morning starting times, as winds picked up just before noon and kept competitors from going low in the afternoon.
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Manasquan River’s own Fitzsimmons was in the fourth group of the day, and though a double-bogey on the par-4 ninth made him turn at 2-over, the 33-year-old made up for it on the second nine. He made birdie on the par-5 11th, then added birdies on Nos. 13 and 18 en route to his 71.
Sleepy Hollow’s Tilley, one group behind Fitzsimmons, made the turn in 1-over after making bogey on the par-4 second. He also rolled in a trio of birdies on the second nine, placing circles on his card on Nos. 10, 12 and 16. A bogey on the challenging par-4 17th – which played straight into the wind and to an average of 5.1 as the toughest hole of the day – led him to his 71. The 2019 MGA Mid-Amateur champion will look to become the fourth player to earn the title twice in their career.
Recent Farrell champion Tim Hegarty of Winged Foot, two-time MGA Mid-Amateur champion Trevor Randolph of Arcola, past MGA Public Links winner Jason Bataille of Raritan Valley and Chester Patterson of Hamilton Farm all turned in rounds of even-par 72 to sit one stroke off the lead. Patterson led the field with five birdies on the day.
Alex Pompey of Ridgewood made a big move on the first nine in his morning round. He turned in 4-under but fell off the pace as many did on the way in to card a 1-over 73. Despite limited reps and playing in just a couple tournaments this year, Pompey felt good about his game.
“I kept it in the fairway,” said Pompey. “I dont think I hit a driver until the seventh hole. But, I made one putt longer than five feet, hit it tight three times and made my birdies, so 4-under early. I’m not that upset with the back, it didn’t look good coming in but you know those are some really tough holes, 16 and 17 you have to be in the fairway and I missed them. Overall, it was great.”
Nos. 17, 16 and 18 ranked as the No. 1, 2 and 3 toughest holes on the day.
Andrew Biggadike of The Ridgewood Country Club, Tyler Cline of The Tuxedo Club and this year’s Long Island Amateur champion Jonathan Farber of Mill River all posted 1-over totals as well to round out the top 10.
Tuesday's final round will begin at 8:30 a.m., with groups of three going off both Nos. 1 and 10. The final group of Fitzsimmons, Tilley, and Hegarty go off the first tee at 9:47 a.m.
Manasquan River is hosting just its second MGA championship, last welcoming the MGA Father & Son Championship in 1998.