Kim, Angelillo Take 8th South Jersey Cup at Atlantic City Country Club
NORTHFIELD, N.J. –– Justin Kim of North Jersey C.C. and Gregg Angelillo of Baltusrol Golf Club captured titles at the 8th South Jersey Cup at Atlantic City Country Club on Monday. Kim claimed the Men’s Amateur title with a 2-over-par 72, while Angelillo defeated Derrick Scenna of Deal Golf & Country Club in a sudden-death playoff after the two finished regulation at even-par 70.
This year marked a new chapter for the South Jersey Cup, which transitioned to an invitational format featuring the state’s top male competitors. Based on the Robert Housen Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year point standings, the event provided a final opportunity for players to earn valuable points as the season winds down. The championship also featured a charitable component, with $50 from each entry donated to the Gail Reilly Scholarship Fund, named in honor of the former South Jersey Golf Association president.
Despite challenging conditions and coastal winds gusting up to 25 mph, Kim put together a steady round to secure his first state title. Starting on No. 8, Kim opened with a par before a double bogey on No. 9 and additional bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12 put him over par early.
Kim responded to those early setbacks with birdies on Nos. 14 and 18 to regain momentum. From there, he settled into a rhythm, closing out his round with seven consecutive pars to post a winning 2-over par 72 on the 6,577-yard course.
“My game felt solid today,” Kim said. “I tried to keep the ball in play, put my best foot forward and give it my best shot to see what happened. I made some putts, hit some good tee shots, and it all kind of fell into place.”
The demanding conditions required Kim to remain patient and adjust his approach throughout the round.
“I've always practiced flighting shots, and today, with all the wind, you really need to keep the ball under it to maintain control,” Kim said. “I think I was taking two to three extra clubs on most of the holes and just trying to keep the ball down under the wind. That worked out really well.”
For Kim, the victory was made even more special by having his parents alongside him throughout the round.
“It was great to have them here, follow me around and watch me play,” Kim finished.
While Kim secured the outright victory in the Men’s Amateur division, the Senior division came down to a dramatic playoff between Angelillo and Scenna, who played together throughout the round.
Angelillo, a four-time New Jersey Pre-Senior Champion and the 2024 New Jersey Senior Open champion, put together a strong performance despite the difficult conditions. He recorded four birdies against four bogeys, relying on consistent driving and solid iron play to stay in contention throughout the round.
After a challenging stretch coming down the closing holes, Angelillo found a crucial spark with a birdie on No. 8. Facing a 156-yard shot directly into the wind, he hit a 5-iron to within a foot of the hole to pick up a timely stroke as Scenna remained close behind.
“That was a huge momentum swing for me because I was playing with Derek [Scenna], and he had picked up a couple of shots,” Angelillo said. “That birdie got me going and helped propel me forward.”
After the pair tied the first playoff hole, Angelillo delivered the decisive shot on No. 9, navigating the trees with a 3-wood from approximately 230 yards out and leaving himself a putt from about 15 feet.
“I've had so many chances, and I really wanted to prove something to myself to end the season,” Angelillo said. “I put this back on the calendar. I didn't want to play in it because it was so far away from me, but I've been playing with something to prove to myself that I can do it.”
Despite competing in the major tournaments throughout the season, Angelillo had been searching for another trip to the winner’s circle. His victory at Atlantic City Country Club provided a rewarding end to that pursuit.
“I drove it very well, so I was in play for the entire round,” Angelillo said. “I struck my irons solidly, which allowed me to get the ball on the greens, and I putted well. I made some long putts and missed some makeable ones, but that's the way the game goes. I think, given today's conditions, even par was a pretty solid round.”
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