Morten Gotterup (New Jersey State Golf Association Photo)
Morten Gotterup once again hoisted the C.H. Smith Trophy for the second time in his career, claiming the 65th Senior Amateur Championship presented by NJM Insurance Group at Spring Lake Golf Club.
Gotterup, 56, bested the field by three strokes, carding rounds of even-par 72 and 1-over 73 over the 36-hole event.
"I'm very excited,” Gotterup expressed. “It was a tough run. The weather was brutal, but the course was amazing. Having my son (Patrick) with me for two days was amazing. Not quite the same as him being out on the Korn Ferry Tour, and, hopefully, the other tour next year, but he sucked it up and enjoyed it. It was amazing.”
On Tuesday, Gotterup, of Rumson Country Club, recorded two birdies and two bogeys through a rain and wind-filled round to end the day with the co-lead alongside Michael Guli.
Defending his title from 2022, Gotterup felt some pressure heading into the final round.
"Today, I was a little surprised. I was a little nervous, a little anxious,” Gotterup recalled. “Trying to get the speed on the greens down. I was 4-over on the front nine, and I wanted that last putt on No. 18 to shoot even par for the day, but I’ll take three under on the backside anytime.”
Despite the dry conditions on Wednesday, the wind remained cumbersome, causing the greens to speed up. Gotterup’s final round 1-over 73 marked the lowest round of the day alongside 2021 champion Adam Armagost. His round was highlighted by four birdies.
“I wasn't aware of what people were doing in front of me, but I knew it was pretty tough,” said Gotterup. “I thought that if I could get it back to close to even par or 1-over, I would have a really good chance.”
While not caddying for older brother Chris on the Korn Ferry Tour, Patrick Gotterup stepped in to help lead his father to a win.
“He just got back Sunday night from the Korn Ferry Tour event in Columbus, and he wasn't thrilled to be having to come out and get on the bag again two days later,” Gotterup teased. “He's such a great kid, and to be able to do that with him, I think one day he'll appreciate it when he gets a little older, and he gets fired up for – what my golfing son says, old man golf.”
The victory marked Gotterup’s fourth NJSGA title, previously winning the 64th edition at Navesink Country Club and owning the 2012 Pre-Senior Championship and the 2020 Four-Ball Championship.
“To come here, which is kind of a neighbor course, knowing a lot of folks here – it's a special place. I really love this club and this golf course. It's spectacular.”
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ABOUT THE
36-hole stroke play event for amateurs age 55
and
older. The Senior Championship is run
concurrently
with the Super-Senior Championship (a separate
event
played at
a shorter yardage for golfers age 65 and older).
Cut to
the low 40 players after the first round.
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