Havay Captures 42nd New Jersey Mid-Amateur Championship
MORRISTOWN, N.J. –– John Havay of High Bridge Hills Golf Club won the 42nd Mid-Amateur Championship on Thursday, June 5 at Morris County Golf Club beating Pat Wilson of Hamilton Farm Golf Club, 3 and 2.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Havay said after securing his New Jersey Golf major championship title. “I couldn't be happier. I thought about it when I went to sleep last night that this would be ironic that my first NJ Golf championship experience was back in 2007 when I played in the New Jersey Junior here. It's really cool to come back and get a win.”
Havay, 32, took an early 2 up lead in the title match, highlighted by a 4-foot birdie putt on No. 3, a 130-yard par 3. Wilson, the 2022 Metropolitan Golf Association Mid-Amateur champion, went on to make a par on No. 4 to cut the deficit to 1 up. The pair tied on No. 5, before Havay moved his lead back to 2 up through six holes.
Pushing through temperatures as high as 87 degrees, Havay played four matches that spanned 18 holes, including a semifinal match that went 19 holes. In his semifinal bout, Havay defeated James Arbes, of Watchung Valley Golf Club. The pairing also met at the 2021 Mid-Amateur Championship, where Havay defeated Arbes in the Round of 16.
“With all the heat it was very difficult going the full distance,” Havay remarked. “I was fortunate enough to make some putts in the first match earlier today. It was definitely a lot of stress, a lot of pressure and I'm happy I'm now done with this heat.”
In the final match, Wilson, a former standout at St. John’s University, rolled in a 15-foot putt on the 440-yard, par-4 7th hole to tie the hole and remain 2 down.
Havay, the 2023 Four-Ball Championship alongside Erik Diamond, made a key par putt to increase his lead to 3 up heading into the turn.
On No. 14, Wilson got up and down to cut the deficit to 2 up heading into No. 16, the 438-yard par 4.
“I grinded hard,” Havay said. “Made a lot of pars, hit a lot of greens, and didn't make too many mistakes.”
Havay, the caddie manager at Trump National Bedminster, responded once more on the 15th hole, extending his lead to 3 up with three to play. Staying composed, he secured the championship with a par on No. 16, winning the match 3 & 2.
With the support of many caddies from Trump National Bedminster, Havay hoisted up the Gigie Carnevale proudly.
“I love my guys,” Havay said. “I grew up caddieing. I started in 2011 at Trump [Bedminster] and a lot of these guys are my friends now. They call me their boss, but they're all my friends. I couldn't have done it without my caddie Jon Haas, my best friend. It's really fun having them come out and have my back. It's cool to see.”
Semifinal Results
Pat Wilson def. Craig Langslet, 5 and 3
John Havay def. James Arbes, 19 holes
Final Result
John Havay def. Pat Wilson, 3 and 2
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