Gumper Wins Open, Malench Makes It Back-to-Back in Senior Division at East Side Amateur
Madison, IL – The MAGA championship season got officially underway with the playing of the East Side Amateur, May 15-16, at Gateway National Golf Links. The 18th running of the tournament went 36 holes over two days.
Tony Gumper took home the win in the Open Division, shooting back-to-back rounds under par on his way to a five-shot victory. The Old Hickory Golf Club member went 4-under his last 13 holes today. After an opening 6-under 65, Gumper followed it up with a 3-under 68 Sunday for a two-round total of 133 (-9).
“I hit it really well both days, had a couple bad swings both days off the first tee that woke me up a bit,” Gumper said. “I played really solid from those points. Did a lot of work over the winter on my short game and it has certainly paid off.”
Gumper’s partner in the U.S. Amateur Four Ball next weekend at Chambers Bay, Ryan Eckelkamp, was also in the field and finished top-5 going 67-74–141 (-1).
“When I started the year, I had a goal of getting one win before heading out there to gain some confidence, was able to win two, winning the District Mid-Amateur on Tuesday which was nice going into here,” Gumper said.” Obviously, a strong field out there and a hard golf course, we’re going to need to take it one shot at a time and play as hard as we can and hopefully make it to match play.”
Chad Niezing claimed runner up after a final round 4-under 67, the low round of the day on Sunday. Niezing went 6-under his first 13 holes today, including four straight birdies from holes 2-5. His two-round total of 138 (-4) put him five shots back of Gumper and one clear of third place.
Adam Pfiefer joined Gumper in being the only two to fire two straight rounds in red figures. The Spring Lake Country Club member went 69-70–139 (-3) to finish in third place.
Joe Malench made it back-to-back wins in the Senior Division for him after an even par 71 on Sunday. Making the turn at 3-over, Malench knew he had to make up ground and did just that, making an eagle on the par 4 15th holing out from the fairway with a 3-wood. A birdie on No. 18 gave Malench a two-shot victory.
“After a bogey on the par 3 14th, I got really fortunate on 15,” Malench said. “I hit a drive a long way away, and then a great 3 wood that happened to go in the hole. A couple pars coming in and a long putt on 18, I was really fortunate to get back to even.”
Paul Neeman finished runner-up in the Senior Division after going 69-77–146 (+4). Neeman was the only player in the Senior Division to shoot an under-par round.
The 102-player field featured 31 players in the Senior Division and 71 in the Open Division.
This marked the first point event of the year for Metropolitan Player and Senior Player of the standings.
Next up on the MAGA calendar is Amateur Series Event No. 2,this Thursday, May 20th, at Woods Fort Golf Club.
For general news and updates on tournaments, follow MAGA on Twitter @MetAmateurGA.
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