Joey Russo Medalist At State Open Qualifier At Sea Oaks
Laurel Creek’s Joey Russo found a lightning delay much to his liking when he shot three-under-par over his final 10 holes following the stoppage during qualifying for the 97th NJSGA Open Championship on June 14 at Sea Oaks Country Club in Little Egg Harbor.
Russo’s even-par 72 earn him medalist honors in a field of 34 golfers with five of them who shot 75 or better garnering a berth into the State Open, which will be played July 11-13 at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson.
His 72 was one shot better than collegians Austin Devereaux of Jumping Brook, a rising freshman at Rider University, and 2016 Junior champion Anthony Colombino of Trump National in Colts Neck, who attends McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill.
The other two who made the cut were reinstated amateur Andrew Hurley, former professional at Pine Barrens, who shot 74, and amateur Troy Vannucci of Little Mill, who played in last week’s State Amateur and shot 75.
Surprisingly, in the field of 34 were 15 professionals, and none made the cut.
“The delay helped. I’m the type of guy who doesn’t like much of a warmup. So I went back out there and felt fine,” said Russo, 20, who plays golf at Wilmington University.
In fact, Russo, who was playing hole No. 8 during the mid-morning delay, went on to birdie the par-five Nos. 9 and 10, and the final par-five, No. 16. He had bogeyed the first three holes on the 6,877-yard course.
“I didn’t play to my full potential today,” Russo said. “I had a ton of snap hooks off the tee and actually was driving it 20 yards to the right to get it in the fairway. If I can straighten out my driver and get my game to where it should be, I can compete with the best guys at Metedeconk.”
Russo is a rising senior at Wilmington in Delaware,made All-East Region Division 2 as a freshman and sophomore, but a back injury curtailed his success this past season. At Washington Township High School, he helped lead the team to a 2014 New Jersey State Championship. He holds the record at the Gloucester County Tournament with a 65.
“I played Metedeconk once and I like it. it suits my eye. It’s a beautifully conditioned golf course.”
Devereux played three under over his final 15 holes. He is an All-State bowler out of Manasquan High School, averaging 229. He wil concentrate on golf at Rider.
Colombino averaged 73.5 at McKendree, which placed him in the Top 10 among all college freshmen, all divisions.
