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Matt Mattare wins 2018 Pennsylvania Mid-Amateur
September 20, 2018
UPPER SAUCON TWP. — The state mid-amateur title will remain in the region for another year.
Matt Mattare, a 32 year-old Lower Saucon Township native, shot 6-under-par 33-33–66 over Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18 to win the rain-shortened 25th Pennsylvania Middle-Amateur title at the Saucon Valley Country Club Weyhill Course.
The event was originally scheduled for 36 holes. The Pennsylvania Golf Association decided Monday to halt play at 2:30 p.m. due to heavy rainfall, then finish the remaining holes Tuesday in a one round format.
Playing at his home club, Mattare shot 3-under 33 on the front nine Monday to pull within one shot of the lead. He birdied holes 3, 6, and 7 (25 foot putt); and had six pars.
When play was halted Monday, Mattare had a 15 foot par-putt remaining on the tenth green; which he sank when play resumed at 9:02 a.m. Tuesday morning.
“I made the putt coming out of the chute,” Mattare said. “That was huge.”
Mattare reeled off three consecutive birdies on holes 12, 13, & 14 Tuesday to reach 6-under-par, then finished with four pars. Mattare won by two strokes over William Naylor of Applebrook Golf Club.
Overall, Mattare hit 15 greens in regulation, scrambled for par saves on holes 1, 8, and 10, and had 27 putts.
Mattare joins Jason Wilson of South Whitehall Township (2017) and Brian Johnson (2010) as the third regional amateur golfer to win the tournament. Mattare earned a five-year exemption to the Pennsylvania Amateur and Pennsylvania Open.
“It has a great meaning being at Saucon,” Mattare said. “To win a major event at Saucon is on the bucket list for my career.”
Mattare is the son of Gene Mattare, the Saucon Valley Country Club General Manager and Director of Golf. Gene Mattare was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
A Lower Saucon Township native, Mattare is a former Central Catholic golfer (2004) and 2008 University of Notre Dame graduate. As a senior in 2003 at Central Catholic, Mattare qualified for the PIAA state championship tournament.
A financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, Mattare works both in Allentown and in Greenwich, Conn. He resides in Jersey City, NJ. He is a member at Saucon Valley Country Club.
Matt Mattare
U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship qualifications:
1. 2012: quarterfinalist in the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois
2. 2013: earned qualifying medalist honors in the U.S. Mid-Amateur at the Country Club of Birmingham, Alabama
3. 2014: advanced to the sweet 16 in the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Saucon Valley Country Club
4. 2016: lost in a playoff to advance to match play at the Stonewall Links in Elverson, Pa.
5. 2017: will compete at Charlotte Country Club and Carolina Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Golf Tournament Victories
2018 Pennsylvania Mid-Amateur
2017 Philadelphia Open
2017 MET Amateur
2016 Philadelphia Middle-Amateur
2011 Lehigh Valley Inter-Club Championship
2010 Washington (D.C.) Metropolitan Golf Association 91st Metropolitan Amateur Championship
2010 Northern Virginia Amateur
2008 Lehigh Valley Medal Play Championship
2008 Eastern Pennsylvania Amateur
Other Top Tournament Finishes
2017 Metropolitan Golf Association Stroke Play Championship “Ike” runner-up
2017 New Jersey Mid-Amateur runner-up
2016 Philadelphia Open third place
2012 MET Amateur runner-up
2008 Golf Association of Philadelphia Patterson Cup runner-up
Awards
2017 Golf Association of Philadelphia Player of the Year
2008 Lehigh Valley Player of the Year
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