Johnson Leads U.S. Senior Am Qualifiers from NJ National

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. (July 24, 2023) -- With five spots up for grabs at New Jersey National Golf Club for the 68th U.S. Senior Amateur, Robert Johnson of Putnam Valley, N.Y., topped the leaderboard after shooting a 1-under 71. Remaining qualifiers carded rounds of 1-over 73 or better to advance to Martis Camp Club for the August 26-31 championship.

Related: Results

Johnson, 55, had a steady day at New Jersey National, using birdies on the par-5 eighth and the par-4 17th to help offset a single bogey and finish as the lone player under-par.

David Boccia of Huntington, N.Y., and David Weiniger of Warren, N.J., came in close behind, finishing at even-par 72 on the day. Both players had similar rounds, carding four birdies along with four bogeys to finish level for the round. Boccia's highlight was a string of three-consecutive birdies on Nos. 5-7. Weiniger had three in a four-hole stretch, making birdies on Nos. 11, 12, and 14.

Rounding out the qualifiers were Dave Scialabba of Oyster Bay, N.Y., and Roger Hoit of Delray Beach, Fla., who both shot 1-over 73 for the day to secure their spots at Martis Camp Club. Scialabba did his scoring on the par-5s, making birdie fours on Nos. 2 and 18 while adding three bogeys throughout the rest of the round. Hoit made the turn in 2-under 34 thanks to birdies on Nos. 6 and 9 before making a trio of bogeys coming in for his 1-over.

A playoff determined alternate positions, with Alan Lefevre of Boca Raton, Fla., earning first alternate and John Capra of Martinsville, N.J., taking second alternate.