Patterson Secures Mid-Am Title at Manasquan River
BRIELLE, N.J. (October 15, 2024) – A pair of clutch pars on the final two holes led Chester Patterson of Hamilton Farm to a 2-under 70 at Manasquan River Golf Club on Tuesday as he captured the one-shot victory in the 18th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship.
Patterson, who entered the day one shot off the pace set by Brad Tilley of Sleepy Hollow and Richard Fitzsimmons of Manasquan River, faced lengthy putts on both Nos. 17 and 18, but solid lags led to a pair of putts just inside five feet. Both dropped and helped the 42-year-old earn his first MGA victory. The win was also redemption for Patterson, who in 2019 finished as runner-up to Tilley in the MGA Mid-Amateur at Wee Burn Country Club.
“I kept the ball in play for the most part, but I putted very very well today,” said Patterson. "I one-putted the first four greens today, which helped.”
That start put Patterson 2-under through the first four holes and sparked momentum for the day. He added another birdie on the par-5 seventh.
Though bogeys came on Nos. 9 and 10, Patterson remained focused with the help of his caddie, Eric Stevens – who he paired with earlier in the season to win New Jersey State’s Four-Ball Championship at Hollywood.
“Eric, my caddie, was tremendously helpful in times where it got a little bit tight out there,” said Patterson. While Patterson questioned checking the leaderboard early on the second nine, Stevens encouraged him to just keep playing like he was playing.
Patterson made birdie on the par-4 12th, then hit a close tee shot on the par-3 15th, which he converted for another birdie to maintain a lead as Tilley made birdie just behind him on the par-4 14th.
“I think that hole might set up a little bit better with the wind for a lefty than a righty,” said Patterson of the 15th that crosses water. “I can kind of just start it out left and let the wind take it back. It just ended up right below the hole and it was a left-center putt. It was fun.”
Though Patterson just missed a sand save on the par-4 16th, his closing pars clinched the victory.
“Eric and I saw the same lines on the greens, which helped the confidence with the putts,” said Patterson of the closing putts. “It was nice – a second set of eyes confirming the read, trust the read and hopefully make a good stroke and it goes in.”
After his early season win with Stevens, Patterson was pleased to close the season in similar fashion.
“Winning down here is a great way to end the year,” said Patterson, noting his friendship with Manasquan Head Professional Chris Dymek and others at the club. “You want to test your game and see where it is against the best players, and I was fortunate enough to come out on top this week, which is nice.”
With a back hole location on the 18th, Tilley had a long birdie look from the front of the green to force a playoff, but the bid fell short. He carded an even-par 72 in the final round for a 1-under 143. The second-place finish is Tilley’s third in the event, which he won in 2019. Overall, he has six top-10 finishes in the championship.
Jack Skirkanich of Rumson and Jason Bataille of Raritan Valley finished tied for third at 2-over 146 for the championship.
Two-time MGA Mid-Amateur champion Trevor Randolph of Arcola and recent Farrell champion Tim Hegarty of Winged Foot rounded out the top five at 3-over 147.
Competitors were thrilled with the MGA’s return to Manasquan River, which previously had hosted the MGA’s Father and Son Championship in 1998. The field enjoyed outstanding playing conditions and a variety of challenges, from the rolling terrain across the opening 11 holes to the more flat, windswept holes that play near the Manasquan River. Firm, fast conditions and challenging afternoon winds tested players from tee to green.
The MGA Mid-Amateur Championship debuted in 2007 at Hudson National and has since visited some of the region's most respected courses, with Friar's Head, The Tuxedo Club, and Country Club of Fairfield hosting the most recent playings. Players earn the highly sought-after invite based on finishes in MGA and other Met Area events. The trophy, the Westmoreland Cup, is named for longtime MGA Tournament Director Gene Westmoreland who was instrumental in launching the championship and has a great passion for the mid-amateur game.
The top 30 finishers earned the first invites to the 19th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship, which will take place at Laurel Links Country Club in Laurel, N.Y.