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Rutgers University Delivers a Summer Shootout as the APT Season Heads Toward the Finish Line
On Sunday, August 9th, the New Jersey Chapter of the Amateur Players Tour returned to Central New Jersey for a high-stakes day of tournament golf at the acclaimed Rutgers University Golf Course in Piscataway, New Jersey.
With the 2026 season rapidly approaching the finish line, every shot carried added significance. With just one regular-season event remaining—an Elevated Event at Great Gorge—followed by the Local Player of the Year Finals, players arrived at Rutgers knowing there was little room for error. Valuable Player of the Year points were up for grabs, and the races across our divisions were tightening with every swing.
And Mother Nature certainly wasn’t making things any easier.
A full field of 60 competitors took on Rutgers under brutal summer conditions, with temperatures pushing 95 degrees and humidity making it feel even hotter. From the opening tee shot to the final putt, players were tested not only by the golf course, but by the heat, the pressure, and the importance of every hole.
Rutgers proved to be a fitting stage for the battle. The par-71, 6,300-plus-yard layout, located on Rutgers University’s Busch Campus, is a classic tree-lined course designed by renowned architect Hal Purdy and opened as an 18-hole facility in 1963. Its narrow fairways, fast greens and water hazards on seven holes demand precision from tee to green.
There was nowhere to hide.
Players had to navigate demanding tee shots, carefully positioned hazards and tricky putting surfaces while trying to conserve energy in the sweltering conditions. A missed fairway, an errant approach or a three-putt could quickly turn a good round into a battle for position.
And with the Player of the Year races hanging in the balance, this wasn’t simply another Sunday on the golf course.
This was a pressure-packed championship test—and 60 players came ready to fight for every point.
With Great Gorge and the Local Finals still ahead, the race is officially entering the home stretch. The leaderboard is tightening, the stakes are rising, and there is still plenty of golf left to decide who will finish the season on top.
With strong competition from start to finish, players had plenty to play for at Rutgers University Golf Course. The event featured $1360 in Division Skins and Super Skins payouts, while $2,700 in total prize money was awarded across Divisions 1–5, as well as the Mid-Am Net and Senior Net competitions. Every division saw closely contested battles and impressive performances throughout the day.
Division 1: Downing Survives a Wild Finish
Division 1 may have featured just three players, but that didn’t stop the drama from unfolding.
Brian Downing, Aaron Williams, and first-time APT competitor Quinn Hamilton took on Rutgers with the top spot up for grabs. Downing came out firing, building a three-stroke advantage over Williams at the turn and putting himself firmly in control.
But on a brutally hot afternoon, the back nine had other plans.
Downing’s lead quickly disappeared when he stumbled on the par-5 – 12th, carding a costly quadruple bogey and suddenly opening the door for Williams. The momentum had shifted, and the pressure was on.
As the two players approached the 18th tee, Downing had managed to rebuild his advantage to three strokes. It looked like the tournament was his to lose. And then, one final twist.
Downing finished the 18th with a double bogey, leaving the door cracked open one last time. Williams knew exactly what was at stake—a birdie would force a playoff.
The attempt was there, but the birdie never came. Williams settled for par, and Downing could finally breathe.
With a final round of 84 (+13), Brian Downing held on to capture his first New Jersey Amateur Players Tour victory of the 2026 season, surviving a back-nine roller coaster and a dramatic finish at Rutgers.
Division 2: Stuart Holds Off the Charge at Rutgers
Ben Stuart came through with a big-time performance at Rutgers, capturing the Division 2 title with a 77 (+6) and surviving a spirited challenge from the field.
Stuart got his round off to a strong start, making the turn at 38 (+2). A birdie on the par-5 7th helped erase an early bogey and gave him momentum heading into the back nine.
But the pressure was far from over.
Adam Gamble and Rocky Dare were both lurking, and neither player was willing to give anything away. Gamble opened his back nine with a birdie on the par-3 11th, while Dareremained steady throughout the closing stretch. Both players posted 39 on the back nine, keeping the pressure firmly on Stuart.
Stuart answered with a steady 39 of his own, including a clean stretch through the closing holes. With the leaderboard tightening, he navigated the demanding final stretch without allowing a big number to derail his round.
Gamble and Dare ultimately finished at 79 (+8), just two shots behind, while Peter Iosso claimed fourth at 81.
When the final scores were posted, it was Stuart standing alone at the top. A composed 77 (+6) was enough to secure the Division 2 victory in a battle that stayed competitive right to the finish.
Three players separated by just two shots. One champion. Ben Stuart gets it done at Rutgers.
Division 3: D’Amato Delivers a Strong Finish—and Makes a Statement in the POY Race
D’Amato Delivers a Strong Finish—and Makes a Statement in the POY Race featured one of the largest and most competitive fields of the day, with 12 players battling for the championship at Blue Heron Pines Golf Club. Troy Isaksen Sr. of Cranford, New Jersey, emerged victorious after posting a 9-over-par 81, a steady round that earned him 172.8 Player of the Year points and $241 in prize money.
Dan Sadler of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, finished as the runner-up with a 13-over-par 85, collecting 100.8 Player of the Year points and $119. Jose Martinez of Northfield, New Jersey, and Richard Stack of Jersey City, New Jersey, shared third place after each carded 14-over-par 86, earning 65.7 Player of the Year points apiece.
The New Jersey Chapter also welcomed Steven Kuback and Jacob Apple, both competed in their first Amateur Players Tour event. We are excited to have Jacob join the Tour, and Steven played as a guest, we look forward see both compete in upcoming events this season, and next.
Division 3: D’Amato Delivers a Strong Finish—and Makes a Statement in the POY Race
With 16 players battling in Division 3, the stage was set for a tight race at Rutgers—and it delivered.
Dylan D’Amato entered the back nine with a slim advantage, but instead of letting the pressure mount, he turned it into separation. After making the turn at 43 (+7), D’Amato found another gear coming home, firing an impressive 38 (+3) on the back nine to finish at 81 (+10).
The key came down the stretch. D’Amato stayed composed, mixing solid pars with a birdie on the par-5 15th before closing with a pair of pars. His 81 was enough to secure the Division 3 victory.
Michael Gaytan came out firing, putting together the best front nine among the leaders with a 38 (+2). His round included a clutch birdie on the par-3 3rd, helping him build momentum and put himself firmly in contention heading into the back nine.
But the second half proved to be a different story. Gaytan posted a 44 coming home, allowing D’Amato to create some separation and ultimately finish just one shot behind at 82 (+11).
Nicholas Lazarchuck put together one of the day’s strongest closing stretches, shooting 41 on the back nine to finish third at 83 (+12). Dan Sadler also made a late push with a 40coming home, finishing fourth at 84.
But for D’Amato, the victory meant more than another trophy.
With the Division 3 Player of the Year race entering its final stages, the Rutgers win earned Dylan some serious points. He now sits second in the standings with 1,224 points, trailing Larry Barber’s 1,386.75. With the season winding down, every point matters—and D’Amato just made a significant move.
And perhaps even more importantly, D’Amato is now sitting atop the Mid-Am Net Player of the Year standings. With 303.62 points, he holds a narrow lead over Carmine L. Ciccarelli, who sits second with 298.75. Michael Gaytan currently sits third with 214.75.
That makes Rutgers a major day for D’Amato—not just because he walked away with the Division 3 victory, but because he strengthened his position in two separate Player of the Year races with the season rapidly approaching its conclusion.
One victory. Two Player of the Year races. And Dylan D’Amato is right in the middle of both.
Division 4: Ciccarelli Survives a Four-Hole Thriller—and Takes Over the POY Lead
Division 4 delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the day at Rutgers, with a strong 20-player field battling through 95-degree heat and punishing humidity. By the time the dust settled, Carmine Ciccarelli and Sal Leto were separated by nothing after 18 holes—and it took four playoff holes to crown a champion.
Ciccarelli made the turn at 43 (+7) and found himself in a tight battle with Leto, who opened with a 45. Leto came charging home, posting a terrific 41 on the back nine, including a birdie on the par-3 14th. Ciccarelli answered with a steady 43 of his own, and both players finished at 86 (+15), forcing a playoff.
But there was plenty of action behind them.
Carl Elliston put together a solid round from start to finish, making the turn at 43 before following it with a 44 on the back nine. His 87 (+16) earned him third place, just one shot outside the playoff.
Kurt Bonewitz also remained in contention throughout the day, posting a 44 on the front nine and a 45 coming home to finish fourth at 89 (+18).
Then came the playoff.
Ciccarelli and Leto battled through four additional holes, matching each other through the opening three. With the championship still hanging in the balance, Ciccarelli delivered when it mattered most on the fourth playoff hole, making par while Leto finished with a 6.
Four playoff holes. One champion. Carmine L. Ciccarelli survives and claims the Division 4 title at Rutgers.
But this victory carried serious Player of the Year implications for both players.
Ciccarelli entered Rutgers just a few points behind Darren Barberio in the Division 4 Player of the Year race. His victory provided the points he needed to make a major move, pushing him into first place with 566.28 points. Barberio now sits second at 494.38, while Leto remains in third at 479.65.
With just one regular-season event remaining before the Local Player of the Year Finals, both players have positioned themselves for an exciting finish to the season.
Ciccarelli leaves Rutgers as the new Division 4 Player of the Year leader.
Division 5: David Neder Holds Off the Field in a Tight Finish
Division 5 delivered a competitive battle from start to finish, with 10 players taking on the challenge and David Neder ultimately emerging on top. Neder posted a 90 (+19) to claim the Division 5 victory, but the race behind him remained tight throughout the round.
Neder got off to a solid start, posting a 46 on the front nine to establish himself near the top of the leaderboard. A birdie on the par-3 8th provided a key boost as he battled through a challenging opening nine.
The pressure continued on the back nine, where Neder carded a 44 to finish at 19-over par. His steady play down the stretch allowed him to hold off the competition and secure the win.
Anthony Smith pushed Neder throughout the round, finishing just four shots back with a 94 (+23). Smith made the turn in 45 and continued fighting on the back nine, ultimately securingthe runner-up position.
Just one shot separated second and third, with Paul Taylor finishing at 95 (+24). Taylor posted a 48 on the front nine before putting together a strong 47 on the back, keeping the pressure on the players ahead of him right through the finish.
Peter Kratzel was right there as well, finishing fourth at 96 (+25). Kratzel made the turn at 47 and followed with a 49 on the back nine, finishing just two shots behind Smith and one behind Taylor.
With only four shots separating the top four finishers, Division 5 proved to be a closely contested battle. Neder’s ability to stay steady over all 18 holes ultimately made the difference, earning him the Division 5 title in a competitive finish.
Mid-Am Net: Michael Gaytan Takes the Top Spot in a Tight Finish
The Mid-Am Net competition delivered an exciting battle at the top, with Michael Gaytan putting together the strongest 18-hole performance to claim the victory with a Net Score of 72 (+1).
Gaytan got off to a terrific start, posting a 33 on the front nine, three under par. He mixed in several birdies and an eagle to build an early advantage heading into the back nine. While the second nine proved more challenging, Gaytan stayed steady enough to close with a 39 and finish with a Net Score of 72.
Just one shot separated the next three players, making for a tight battle behind the winner. Carmine Ciccarelli and Dylan D’Amato both finished at Net Score 73 (+2), sharing second place.
Ciccarelli turned in a 36 on the front nine before closing with a 37 on the back, keeping himself within striking distance throughout the round. D’Amato, meanwhile, made a strong move on the back nine. After a 39 on the front, he caught fire coming home with an impressive 34, the lowest back-nine score of the field. That strong finish brought him back into the mix and secured a share of second.
Nicholas Lazarchuck finished alone in fourth with a Net Score of 74 (+3). After making the turn at 37, Lazarchuck matched that number on the back nine with another 37 to put together a consistent round from start to finish.
With Gaytan’s explosive opening nine giving him the cushion he needed and D’Amato making a late charge with the best back nine among the leaders, the Mid-Am Net division produced plenty of movement throughout the leaderboard before Gaytan ultimately secured the win.
Mid-Am Net Player of the Year Race Tightens
The Mid-Am Net Player of the Year race continues to be one of the closest battles on the New Jersey APT leaderboard, and this event added another important chapter.
Dylan D’Amato currently leads the race with 303.62 points, but Carmine Ciccarelli is right behind him with 298.75 points — just 4.87 points separating the top two. With both players finishing second in this event at a net 73, neither was able to create significant separation from the other.
Meanwhile, Michael Gaytan’s victory was especially important to the race, as he entered the event third in the standings with 214.75 points. His net 72 victory gives him valuable momentum as he looks to close the gap on the leaders.
With D’Amato and Ciccarelli separated by less than five points and Gaytan now adding a victory to his season, the Mid-Am Net Player of the Year race remains wide open heading into the final events of the season.
Senior Net: Sal Leto Takes Control in a Competitive 30-Player Field
With a strong field of 30 players opting into the Senior Net competition, the stage was set for a tightly contested battle—and it delivered. After 18 holes of net scoring, Sal Leto emergedat the top of the leaderboard with an impressive Net Score 71 (E), finishing one stroke ahead of the chasing pack.
Leto set the tone early, opening with a 1-over 37 on the front nine before finding another gear coming home. His back nine was the difference-maker, as Leto posted a Net Score 2-under 34, including an impressive stretch of steady scoring that allowed him to pull clear of the field and secure the Senior Net victory.
The battle for second was especially tight, with Anthony Smith and Keno Chambers both finishing at Net Score 72 (+1). Smith posted a 34 on the front nine before finishing with a 38 on the back, while Chambers followed a 35 on the front with a 37 coming home. Both players were unable to catch Leto’s late charge but finished just one shot off the winning score.
Mel Portalatin and Kurt Bonewitz shared fourth at Net Score 73 (+2). Portalatin put together a consistent round, matching his front-nine 36 with a 37 on the back. Bonewitz also finished at 73, closing with a 37 after his opening nine of 36.
Senior Net Player of the Year Race Takes a Major Turn
The Senior Net competition carried even more significance with the Player of the Year race hanging in the balance.
With Larry Barber not competing in the event, Leto had a valuable opportunity to close the gap—and he took full advantage of it. Leto delivered an outstanding Net Score 71 (E) to win the Senior Net competition, earning valuable Player of the Year points in the process.
Leto’s victory helped erase Barber’s 20-point advantage and move him into the lead in the Senior Net Player of the Year standings. Following the event, Leto sits at 365.30 points, while Barber is at 354.25, giving Leto an 11.05-point lead.
That’s a 31-point swing in the race from where things stood entering the event.
With the season winding down, Leto has now taken control of the Senior Net Player of the Year race—but with just over 11 points separating the two, there is still plenty of golf left to determine who will ultimately claim the title.
Folds of Honor Raffle – 50/50 winner of $140 – Brandt Cullen – The Rutgers Pro-shop also donated some SWAG to be won. Richard Guillod won both a Rutgers Golf Shirt, and GolfHat. Paul Taylor and Peter Iosso both won 2 sleeves of TP5 Rutgers Logo Golf Balls.
TO DATE – Players of the New Jersey Amateur Players Tour have raised: $2,637 to support the Folds of Honor!
Closing out the Season
Saturday, August 29th – New Jersey Player of the Year Championship at Royce Brook Golf Club (this is event is members only) This is straight tee times with first tee at 9:30am. Registration closes at 11:59pm on August 22nd
