Terga, Roman Share Medal At NJSGA Open Qualifier At Green Brook
Assistant professionals Richard Terga of Mountain Ridge and Domenick Roman of Bayonne each shot 3-under-par 68 to share medalist honors at qualifying for the 96th State Open Championship on Thursday, June 23, at 6,567-yard Green Brook Country Club in North Caldwell.
Terga, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is in his second season at Mountain Ridge. He works as an instructor in the winter at The Breakers in Palm Beach. His hometown is Miami and.he golfed at Florida International University.
Tied for third at 69 were amateur Steven Zychowski of Mendham and pros Peter Springstead of Hackensack and Drew Jordan of Hamilton Farm.
The top 22 golfers who shot 2-over 73 or better from the field of 117 qualified for the State Open, which will be contested July 11-13, at Galloping Hill G.C. in Kenilworth, the first county-owned golf course the host the Open Championship.
“I came to Mountain ridge because I wanted to better my career,” said Terga, who once was low pro and earned $12,500 at the Florida State Open. He spent nine years on the South American Tour and Golden Bear Tour. “My career has always been solid but I never broke out..”
Terga has been playing well of late. Two weeks ago, he finished fourth in the NJPGA Charity Clambake.
“I had to get used to New Jersey. The fairways are tighter, the greens are faster and more complicated,” said Terga, who said he has had top five finishes in his last six NJPGA events.
At Green Brook, he recorded five birdies and two bogeys.
“I really hit it solid all day. I had one dumb bogey when I blocked it right and couldn’t get up and down. My goal is to win the State Open.”
Roman, 29, a native of Paramus, has been an assistant at Bayonne for five years. He will be playing for the first time in the State Open. His round also included five birdies and two bogeys.
“I hit it off the tee well and my irons are good. If I can figure my putting, I’ll be alright. I’m really excited to be playing in the State Open,” said Roman, who two years ago played in a U.S. Open Sectional at Century and Old Oaks. He is a graduate of Bergen County’s Pioneer Tour.
