PARAMUS – Trevor Randolph’s bid for a record third consecutive title at the New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship ended on the 18th hole of the quarterfinals.
The top-seeded Randolph lost, 1-up, at his home course, Arcola CC, after he missed a 10-footer for par on the par-4 18th and No. 8 Nick Desai of Baltusrol made a 4-footer for par.
“Any time you’re playing against Trevor you have to play really solid,” said Desai, 48, a West Orange resident and winner of this year’s NJSGA Pre-Senior title (ages 45-54.)
“I missed putts,” said Randolph, 42, a Franklin Lakes resident, “and he made putts.”
Three of this afternoon’s quarterfinals in this age 30-and-over event were decided on the 18th hole, which features a huge green that is treacherous because it has at least a half-dozen humps.
Marlton’s Michael Hyland of Little Mill, the 12th seed, rallied on the back nine and two-putted for par on the 18th to preserve his win, 1-up, over No. 4 Darin Goldstein of Bayonne.
Red Bank’s John Browndorf, 31, of Deal won, 2-up, over Morganville’s Marc Grinberg, 41, of Charleston Springs after his second short chip from the rough went in for par.
Only Woolwich Township’s Matt Finger, 38, of Darlington avoided the 18th. The No. 7 seed won his quarterfinal, 3 and 2, over Ridgewood’s Dan Macdonald, 34, the No 2 seed and Arcola’s reigning club champ.
Desai will face Hyland in Thursday’s 7 a.m. semifinal, and Finger will face Browndorf at 7:09 a.m., and weather permitting, the final is Thursday afternoon.
This afternoon’s quarterfinal results:
Desai def. Randolph, 1-up.
Hyland def. Goldstein, 1-up
Finger def. Macdonald, 3 and 2.
Browndorf def. Grinberg, 2-up.
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