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The New Jersey Amateur Players Tour head back north to the lovely area of Sparta New Jersey where we played our second elevated event at the very majestic course – Skyview. The Skyview golf course weaves through the striking natural in the heart of Sussex County NJ. Unique outcroppings of stone, grand sheer rock cliffs and long vistas to the surrounding valleys frame and define the movement of the golf holes. These memorable features strategically and aesthetically engage the player’s senses throughout the golfing experience. SkyView was designed by Robert McNeil, Golf Course Architect of the Northeast Golf Company.
In Division 1; In a gripping showdown with three strong competitors vying for the crown, the course lived up to its reputation as the tale of two nines, posing a formidable challenge to all players on the front nine. At the turn, Nicholas Politis held a narrow three-stroke lead with a +8 (44), ahead of Lucas Hofmeister and Ryan Silvestri, both at +11 (47). Determined to close the gap, Hofmeister emerged on the back nine with renewed vigor, posting an impressive +2 (37). Silvestri, however, continued to struggle, recording a +6 (41). Ultimately, it was Politis who maintained his focus and composure, going +3 (38) to retain his lead and secure the win. Silvestri finished with a +17 (88), while Hofmeister’s strong back nine resulted in a +13 (84), just two strokes shy of the victor, Politis, who completed the round with a +11 (82).
In Division 2, With a field of seven ready to clash at the Sparta Hills Shootout, the stage was set for an electrifying battle to determine the Division 2 Champion. James Miller from the Metro NY Chapter made a powerful start, carding a +3 (39) on the front nine. Hot on his heels was Rich Mariner, just three strokes behind, followed by Michael Kraft and Bob Wallerius, both at +7 (43). Could Miller maintain his lead under the mounting pressure? Tom Welsh, Jeff Grubb, Kraft, Mariner, and Wallerius all had something to say about that. The back nine saw some remarkable performances: Kraft posted a +5 (40) for a final score of 83, and Welsh delivered a stellar +3 (38) to also finish with an 83, placing them tied for fifth. Grubb finished strong with a +3 (38) and a final score of 82, tying for third with Miller, who struggled to hold onto his lead with a +8 (43) for a final score of 82. The real battle for first was between Wallerius and Mariner. At the turn, Wallerius was just one stroke behind Mariner. A triple bogey by Mariner on the 15th opened the door for Wallerius, who seized the advantage. Heading into the 16th and 17th holes, Wallerius made bogey while Mariner made par on #17, placing them neck and neck as they approached the 18th hole. Mariner made par, finalizing his score at +10 (81). It was up to Wallerius to keep his nerve: a birdie for the win, par for a playoff, or a bogey for the loss. With the pressure mounting, Wallerius emerged victorious, sinking a birdie on the final hole to clinch the title with a +9 (80). The Sparta Hills Shootout crowned a new champion in a thrilling finish.
In Division 3, With a larger field of 15 players, the Sparta Hills Shootout promised to be a true test of endurance and skill over the challenging course known for its tale of two nines. Five players stood out on the front nine: Tyler Pratt and John Higgins both carded +7 (43), Cassidy Salvador and Richard Stack each at +8 (44), and Rich Zoon leading with a +4 (40). However, it was clear that the back nine would be the deciding factor in this fierce competition.
Nicholas Lazarchuck emerged from the middle of the pack with an impressive back nine, recording just three bogeys to finish +3 (38), securing a fourth-place finish with a final score of +13 (84). Unfortunately for Higgins and Pratt, the back nine proved more challenging; Pratt ended with +11 (46) for a final score of 89, and Higgins with +9 (44) for a final score of 87. Brandon Thomas made a valiant comeback from his front nine of +12 (48) to score +3 (38) on the back nine, finishing fifth with a final score of 86. The real story of the day in Division 3 came down Zoon, with a four-stroke lead over Stack and Salvador at the turn, faced intense pressure to maintain his lead. Salvador delivered a solid back nine, scoring +3 (38) to finish with +11 (82), surpassing Zoon’s +6 (41) on the back nine. However, Zoon’s overall score of +10 (81) kept him ahead. It all came down to the 18th hole. Stack would need a birdie for the win, a par to force a playoff, or a bogey would concede the victory to Zoon. In a dramatic finish, Stack landed his third shot on the green and sank his birdie putt, clinching the win with an impressive +1 (36) on the back nine and a final score of +9 (80). The 2024 Division 3 Sparta Hills Shootout champion was crowned in thrilling fashion, with Stack’s late heroics securing his place at the top.
In Division 4, Division Four was not short on theatrics at the Sparta Hills Shootout. With a field of 11 players, competitors knew they needed to stay focused and navigate the challenging mountain course with precision. At the turn, Dona Wallerius, Gregg Hafer, and Jacob Maramis from Corona, CA, were leading the pack, each carding a +6 (42). Close behind was Juan Ayala, just three strokes back with a +9 (45). The back nine proved to be a decisive battleground. Maramis struggled, recording a +14 (49) and finishing with a final score of (91). Ayala fared slightly better, scoring +8 (43) for a total of +17 (88), but it wasn’t enough to challenge the leaders. The real showdown was between Wallerius and Hafer. They remained neck and neck through hole #13, swapping bogeys and double bogeys. It was then that Wallerius made her move, parring out the rest of her card and finishing with a +3 (38) on the back nine, bringing her final score to +9 (80). Hafer put up a valiant effort with a +5 (40) on the back, but his final score of +11 (82) wasn’t enough to overtake Wallerius. Dona Wallerius’s clutch performance on the closing holes secured her the title of Division 4 champion, showcasing her skill and composure under pressure.
In Division 5, With a field of eight, the Sparta Hills Shootout had the makings of a tight race for the Division 5 trophy. The competition quickly narrowed down to four key players: Paul Taylor and Nicolas Vacca, both at +12 (48), Peter Kratzel at +15 (51), and Illyas Sarwari at +16 (52). The question remained: would there be any movement on the back nine? Taylor and Kratzel ended up tied for third with a final score of +24 (95). The real battle unfolded between Vacca and Sarwari. Despite Sarwari’s stronger performance on the back nine, it was too little, too late. Sarwari posted a +7 (42) on the back nine, finishing with a total score of +23 (94), securing second place. Vacca, who went +8 (43) on the back nine, held his lead to finish with a total score of +20 (91), clinching the title of Division 5 Champion at the Sparta Hills Shootout.
In Open Net, Nicholas Lazarchuck and Rich Zoon both tied for 1st, but it was Lazarchuck that took the trophy with a better back nine. took the trophy both with a score of Net -2 (69).
In Senior Net, Gregg Hafer with a score of NET -1 (70) took home the trophy, Richard Stack was close with a Net Even (71) for second.
The New Jersey Amateur Players Tour is heading south to Cape May New Jersey to play Avalon Golf Club on Saturday the 23rd, there are 3 spots still available. event.We then head into August with two outstanding private courses. August 6th at Forest Hill Field Club, then August 26th, we are west of Philly at the player favorite White Manor.
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