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Tamarack Golf Course (East) Recap
On Sunday, June 7th, the New Jersey Chapter of the Amateur Players Tour traveled to East Brunswick, NJ, for an exciting day of championship golf at Tamarack Golf Course (East). A competitive field of 54 players across five divisions took on one of Central New Jersey’s most respected municipal layouts, setting the stage for a memorable day of competition.
Tamarack Golf Course’s East Course is known for its tree-lined fairways, strategically placed bunkers, challenging approach shots, and well-maintained greens that demand precision from tee to green. The classic parkland-style layout rewards smart course management while providing a fair test for players of all skill levels.
The day began under perfect golfing conditions, with sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and little wind greeting competitors as they teed off. Midway through the round, however, a sudden pop-up thunderstorm moved through the area, temporarily interrupting play. After a brief delay, players returned to the course and resumed competition, showcasing their resilience and focus despite the unexpected challenge.
Once play concluded, the excitement was far from over. Two divisions required playoffs to determine their champions, adding even more drama to an already thrilling day. The extra-hole battles provided a fitting finish to an event filled with outstanding performances, clutch shots, and competitive spirit.
Despite the brief weather interruption, Tamarack Golf Course (East) provided an excellent venue for another successful New Jersey Amateur Players Tour event, delivering a championship-caliber experience and memorable competition for all who participated.
With strong competition from start to finish, players had plenty to play for at Tamarack. The event featured $860 in Division Skins and Super Skins payouts, while $1889 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
Division 1 featured a competitive field of five players, including New Jersey Amateur Players Tour newcomers Samuel Ballinger and Aaron Williams, both making their APT debuts. Early on, however, it was Adam Fuchs who seized control of the leaderboard.
Fuchs made the turn at 1-under-par (35), holding a commanding three-shot advantage over Williams and showing the form that has made him one of the hottest players on the New Jersey APT circuit this season. Refusing to let up, Fuchs stayed on the attack coming home, adding another 2-under-par performance on the back nine to separate himself from the field.
While Fuchs was busy piling up birdies, Charles Lee mounted an impressive comeback. After a challenging front nine that saw him turn in 6-over-par (42), Lee found his rhythm on the inward side, grinding out a strong back-nine performance to climb the leaderboard.
When the final putts dropped, Lee and Williams shared runner-up honors at 7-over-par (78). But the day belonged to Fuchs, who delivered a wire-to-wire performance, firing a stellar 3-under-par (68)to capture his third victory in just four events on the 2026 New Jersey Amateur Players Tour schedule. With another trophy added to his collection, Fuchs continues to establish himself as one of the players to beat this season.
Division 2
While Division 2 featured a modest field of seven competitors, the race for the top of the leaderboard delivered some of the most exciting drama of the day. When all was said and done, just one stroke separated first place from third place, and a playoff was needed to crown a champion.
The action was tight from the start. At the turn, Connor Sinibaldi held a slim one-shot lead after posting a 4-over-par 40, with Peter Iosso right behind at 5-over-par 41. Lurking just two shots further back were Richard Stack, Fatmir Buqani, and Daniel Atkins, all tied at 7-over-par 43 and well within striking distance.
After a brief thunderstorm delay halted play, the championship battle shifted into high gear on the back nine. With every hole carrying added importance, players fought to stay in contention as the leaderboard continued to tighten. Along the way, both Peter Iosso and Michael DeLuca opted to withdraw, opening the door for others to make a charge.
Daniel Atkins took full advantage, putting together one of the strongest closing nines in the division with a 5-over-par 40. His steady play earned him a final score of 12-over-par 83 and solo third place.
At the top, however, Sinibaldi and Stack traded punches all afternoon, refusing to give an inch. After 18 holes, neither player could separate from the other, with both signing for matching rounds of 11-over-par 82. That deadlock sent the championship to a sudden-death playoff on the opening hole.
In the extra-hole showdown, Stack rose to the occasion. After Sinibaldi carded a double bogey, Stack calmly made bogey to secure the victory and capture the Division 2 title in dramatic fashion. It was a hard-fought battle from start to finish and one of the most thrilling finishes of the day at Tamarack.
Division 3
Division 3 delivered one of the most competitive battles of the entire day, featuring a strong field of 17 players and a leaderboard packed tighter than a Sunday back nine at a major championship. Remarkably, just five strokes separated first place from eighth place, leaving virtually no room for error.
At the turn, the race for the title was wide open. Gary Greener, Nick Lazarchuck, and Kevin Martyn shared the lead at 7-over-par (42), but the chasing pack was right on their heels. Just one stroke back sat a six-way tie featuring Stevie Stevenson, Dylan D’Amato, Jerry D’Ascoli, Larry Barber, Michael Gaytan, and newcomer to the New Jersey Amateur Players Tour Travis Mitchell, all within striking distance and ready to make a move.
Then came the challenge of the day. Players not only had to survive a tightly contested leaderboard but also a sudden thunderstorm delay that tested patience, focus, and mental toughness. When play resumed, it became a true battle of attrition.
As the final groups made their way toward the clubhouse, Larry Barber and Jerry D’Ascoli battled their way into a tie for fourth place at 12-over-par (83), while Gary Greener’s steady play earned him solo third at 11-over-par (82).
The championship, however, would come down to the final hole. Standing on the 18th tee, Stevie Stevenson held a one-shot lead over Dylan D’Amato. A par or better would lock up the title and complete a wire-to-wire finish. But golf has a way of creating drama when you least expect it.
Stevenson made bogey on the closing hole, opening the door and forcing a sudden-death playoff with D’Amato after both players posted matching rounds of 10-over-par (81).
The playoff returned to the opening hole, and the tension was palpable. With the Division 3 crown hanging in the balance, both players battled through the pressure. In the end, it took just one extra hole to decide a champion. D’Amato carded a triple bogey, while Stevenson managed a double bogey, enough to secure the victory and claim the Division 3 title.
For Stevenson, the win was especially sweet—capturing his first New Jersey Amateur Players Tour victory of the 2026 season in dramatic, playoff fashion after surviving both the weather and one of the deepest leaderboards of the day.
Division 4
Division 4 featured a competitive field of 13 players, and while the leaderboard appeared to have some separation early, the championship was far from decided as players made the turn.
Carmine Ciccarelli held the clubhouse lead at the halfway point after carding a solid 3-over-par (39), carrying a three-shot advantage over Mel Portalatin and a four-shot cushion over Darren Barberio, who turned in 7-over-par (43). With nine holes still to play and challenging conditions throughout the afternoon, the race for the title remained wide open.
As the final groups battled down the stretch, Mel Portalatin put together a steady round to secure solo third place with a final score of 13-over-par (84). Just one shot ahead was Ciccarelli, whose consistent play throughout the day earned him runner-up honors at 12-over-par (83).
But the story of the division belonged to Darren Barberio. Fresh off competing in his first Amateur Players Tour National Major and riding a wave of confidence after capturing the Division 4 title at the previous event, Barberio once again delivered when it mattered most. A strong back-nine charge propelled him to a tournament-best finish among the division contenders, posting a final score of 10-over-par (81) to claim the championship.
With the victory, Barberio continued his hot streak and secured his second Division 4 win of the 2026 New Jersey Amateur Players Tour season, further cementing himself as one of the division’s players to watch as the season progresses.
Division 5
Division 5 brought plenty of excitement to Tamarack, featuring a strong field of 12 competitors and one of the tightest leaderboards of the day. At one point, just three strokes separated first place from fifth place, leaving little room for error and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Paul Taylor came out firing and appeared to take control of the division early, posting a solid 7-over-par (43) on the front nine to establish a three-shot advantage. But the chasing pack wasn’t going anywhere. Stephen Kraus and Jeff Brodsky remained within striking distance at 10-over-par (46), while Rodney Johnson I, Steve Gentilumo, Nick Vacca, and Peter Kratzel sat just four shots off the lead at 11-over-par (47).
As the round progressed and the pressure mounted, the leaderboard continued to shift. Kraus and Gentilumo battled their way to a tie for third place, each posting a final score of 24-over-par (95).
The championship ultimately came down to the final hole. Standing on the 18th tee, Taylor held a slim two-shot advantage over Rodney Johnson I. The equation was simple: avoid a triple bogey and the title would be his. Easier said than done with the tournament on the line.
With the pressure at its peak, Taylor dug deep and delivered when it mattered most. After navigating a tense closing hole, he managed to limit the damage to a double bogey—just enough to keep Johnsonat bay.
When the scorecards were finalized, Taylor claimed the Division 5 championship with a winning score of 22-over-par (93), edging Johnson by a single stroke. Johnson’s strong finish earned him solo second place at 23-over-par (94), capping off a thrilling battle that wasn’t decided until the final putt dropped.
Mid-Am Net – The action didn’t end with the gross divisions, as 14 players also teed it up in the optional Mid-Am Net side game, adding another layer of competition and plenty of additional stakes for prize money and bragging rights.
It turned into a tightly packed race from start to finish, with just three strokes separating first place from third. Darren Barberio posted a steady Net Score of 1-under-par (70) to secure third place, while Carmine Ciccarelli followed closely behind in solo second at 2-under-par (69), adding yet another strong finish to his 2026 New Jersey Amateur Players Tour campaign.
But at the top of the leaderboard, it was Stevie Stevenson who rose above the field. With a composed and consistent performance, Stevenson carded a 3-under-par (68) Net round to capture the Mid-Am Net title, capping off the side game with a winning performance under pressure.
Senior Net – The Senior Net competition featured a strong field of 17 players aged 50 and over, all battling for one of the day’s most competitive side-game titles. With steady play across the board, the leaderboard tightened as the round progressed, but in the end only one player could rise above the field.
Larry Barber secured solo third place with a solid Net Score of 1-under-par (70), while Jerry D’Ascoli finished right on his heels in second with a Net Score of 2-under-par (69).
At the top, however, it was a dominant performance from Mel Portalatin. Playing with consistency and control from tee to green, Portalatin separated himself from the field and cruised to the Senior Nettitle with an impressive 7-under-par (64), sealing a commanding victory.
Folds of Honor Raffle – 50/50 winner of $120 was Jerry D’Ascoli.
TO DATE – Players of the New Jersey Amateur Players Tour have raised: $2,128 to support the Folds of Honor!
Two big events in JUNE and Three in JULY– Please Register TODAY!
June 20th – The Solstice at Crystal Springs – on Crystal Springs Golf Course. This is straight tee times with first tee at 10:00am. Registration closes at 11:59pm on June 13th.
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