Mark Costanza wins Men's Player of the Year

Mark Costanza wins Men's Player of the Year

2020 is the year Mark Costanza of Hamilton Farm will never forget.

A heralded teenage golfer who had yet to live up to some lofty expectations, the 31-year-old native of Bergen County burst onto the scene with two major victories and some very close calls on a few other possible wins.

“I am most proud of my commitment and focus through all the events I played. To overcome adversity in this crazy game and play to your potential – even for a round, a tournament, or a season – is very gratifying,” said Costanza, who captured the 100th NJSGA Open Championship in a three-hole playoff and the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Ike Championship on a dramatic chip-in for eagle on the final hole. He was also runner-up in NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship, third in the NJSGA Amateur Championship, and tied for fourth at the MGA Mid-Amateur.

Costanza’s year for the ages culminated in winning the 2020 NJSGA Robert Housen Player of the Year Award by a wide margin.

“It’s obviously been a fantastic year for me. For many years, I wasn’t able to win a big tournament. Now I feel if I play well, I should either be in contention or be able to win the tournament,” said the Jersey City resident who also earned MGA Player of the Year laurels and became only the third person to win both the NJSGA and MGA POY honors in the same year (Chris Gotterup, 2019; Ron Vannelli, 2005).

As a youngster who was known to be taller and bigger than most, Costanza always held his own against older competition. His early career included a victory in the MGA Boys Championship in 2003, the same year he made the cut at the MGA Open as a 14-year-old.  Four years later, he claimed the MGA Junior Championship.

After high school, Costanza began his college career at SMU in Texas and later transferred closer to home and attended St. John’s University where he enjoyed a decent career. But, despite not reaching the heights that some had predicted years ago, his success in 2020 validated the faith that he, and many others, always had in his game.

“In a way, I silenced my biggest critic – myself. I think it (the success) will settle in as I get older, to know I was able to win some really prestigious events in my career. I feel very blessed to have do so," explained Costanza.

As a NJSGA Player of the Year, he joins his former St. John’s teammates, Pat Wilson of Panther Valley (2013) and Ryan McCormick of Suburban (2012), who preceded him with the same honor. McCormick is currently one of the top performers on the PGA Tour’s Korn-Ferry Tour. 

“It’s nice to have my name mentioned with them,” Costanza said.

Costanza arrived on the scene at the NJSGA Open Championship in July when he fired a seven-under-par 65 in the second round at Knickerbocker Country Club, followed by a 68 in the final round for a 10-under-par total of 206.

His total of 206 got him into a three-hole aggregate playoff with professional Tony Perla of Canoe Brook (73-66-67). Costanza edged Perla by a single stroke as he shot par-par-birdie, against Perla’s par-bogey-birdie. Costanza became the second consecutive amateur to win the Open championship, following Chris Gotterup’s victory at Trump National in 2019.

Costanza’s performance at The Ike was the stuff of legend. He chipped in from just off the green from 30 feet with a lob wedge on the 18th hole at the Country Club of Darien in Connecticut to surpass Ethan Ng of Knickerbocker by one stroke – and to the championship.

“Over the last six holes, I knew I needed one birdie to catch Ethan,” stated Costanza. To have that moment makes you feel really special.”

The NJSGA’s Robert Housen Player of the Year Award is named in honor of one of the most successful amateur players in state history. Housen won the NJSGA Amateur Championship six times, the NJSGA Senior Championship twice, and the Pre-Senior Championship seven times. He is widely respected as one of New Jersey’s true gentleman competitors.

In 2020, Costanza won the Housen POY in convincing fashion. Ethan Ng of Knickerbocker finished second – a distant 532.5 points behind Costanza with a total of 685 points. Determined by a structure which assigns point values to high finishes in numerous state, regional, and national championships and invitational events, the award honors the best male NJSGA golfer. The NJSGA POY was first awarded in 2002 when it was won by Chris Nallen.

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