Arbes Completes Dominant Week at Alpine; Wins 43rd New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship
DEMAREST, N.J. – One year ago, James Arbes left the New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship one step short of the final. Twelve months later, he left Alpine Country Club with the trophy.
After several deep runs and years of contention, Arbes broke through on Thursday afternoon, defeating three-time Robert Housen New Jersey Player of the Year Troy Vannucci, 3 and 1, to capture the 43rd New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship.
The victory capped a dominant week for the Watchung Valley Golf Club member, who won his Round of 16 match on the 13th hole, his quarterfinal match on the 14th, his semifinal match on the 13th and ultimately closed out the championship match on the 17th green.
"I'm so happy," Arbes said following his victory. "This was a very long week. Not only is this golf course tiring and you really can't take any shots off, but I'm really proud of the way that I hung in. You can't hit all perfect shots, but even the ones that I missed, I was able to recover really well. I'm proud of myself and I'm just so happy and thrilled that I was able to get over the hump."
The final began with an early exchange of momentum.
Arbes grabbed the first lead of the match on the par-4 second after Vannucci three-putted, moving 1-up. Vannucci answered immediately on the third hole when Arbes found a penalty area off the tee and was forced to take relief. Both players two-putted, but Vannucci claimed the hole to tie the match.
From there, however, Arbes steadily took command.
Pars proved valuable throughout the afternoon on Alpine's demanding layout, and Arbes used them to win the fourth, sixth and eighth holes while Vannucci struggled to recover from a handful of untimely mistakes. With neither player recording a birdie on the outward nine, Arbes turned with a commanding 3-up advantage.
Vannucci managed to trim the deficit to two with a par on the 10th hole, but it would be the closest he would get the rest of the day.
The two finalists traded tied holes throughout much of the back nine as Arbes continued to avoid mistakes and force Vannucci to chase. Time and again, the reigning Player of the Year searched for an opening, but Arbes consistently matched every challenge.
"There's a little bit of luck involved in match play," Arbes explained. "You can run into a player that just has it going and there's nothing you can do about it. I had some tough matches, but I battled. I'm very thankful and very proud."
With Arbes holding a 2-up lead heading to the drivable par-4 17th, both players finished just short of the putting surface with their tee shots. The hole ultimately came down to the short game.
Arbes was able to knock his approach close, resulting in a match-clinching birdie.
Arbes repeatedly relied on patience, precision and recovery rather than overpowering the golf course.
"Definitely some of the best golf I've played," Arbes added. "I think this course plays really well to my game. I hit it kind of far, but not nearly as far as some people in the field. I pride myself on distance control and thinking my way around the course. There's a lot of trouble here. It's tight. I played great, but I do think the course plays well into my game."
The path to the title included a convincing 7-and-5 semifinal victory over Andrew Biggadike earlier Thursday morning. Arbes never trailed in the match and advanced to the championship with yet another decisive performance.
Vannucci's route to the final required considerably more work.
In a tightly contested semifinal against Clifford Lindholm, neither player was able to gain separation through 18 holes. Vannucci finally broke through on the fourth playoff hole, winning with a par to secure his place in the championship match.
While Vannucci's pursuit of another major New Jersey title fell short, his runner-up finish added another impressive result to a résumé that already includes a May victory at the 94th New Jersey Four-Ball Championship.
For Arbes, however, the week belonged entirely to him.
After falling in the semifinals a year ago, he returned with unfinished business and never allowed a match to reach the 18th hole. Four matches, four victories and a championship trophy later, Arbes had finally achieved the goal he had long believed was within reach.
"I always thought that I could win," Arbes said. "I just wasn't sure if it was going to happen. I'll remember this day forever."
Semifinal Results
James Arbes def. Andrew Biggadike, 7 and 5
Troy Vannucci def. Clifford Lindholm, 22 holes
Final Results
James Arbes def. Troy Vannucci, 3 and 1
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