FOR RELEASE: Sunday, July 25, 2021

MIKE SMITH CAPTURES ELUSIVE JACKSONVILLE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BY ONE AT MARSH LANDING

-Ponte Vedra Beach resident birdies 15 and 16 to beat Japan’s Kotaro Murata-

JACKSONVILLE, FL – After several near misses in the past, Mike Smith of Ponte Vedra Beach got the monkey off his back and won his first Jacksonville Amateur Championship in his 11th try on Saturday at Marsh Landing Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Smith’s 209 total (68-69-72) was 7-under for the three trips around the 6,800-yard Marsh Landing layout.

Coming up one stroke shy at 210 was Japan’s Kotaro Murata, whose second- and third-round scores of 68-67 were five better than anyone else in the field. He opened with a 75.

Murata, who resides in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. and is transferring from the University of Hawaii to San Jose State next month, had a 25-foot eagle putt from just off the green on the final hole that came up two feet short.

Four players tied for third with a score of 212 (-4) – Michael Bradham, Charles Collings and first-round leader Osborn Theam, all of Jacksonville, and teenager Aaron Jarvis of Champions Gate, Fla.

Another shot back at 213 was the reigning JAGA Match Play champion Mark Spencer, who was one shot off the lead starting the final round.

The Amateur is conducted by the Jacksonville Area Association (JAGA). This was the 60th edition of JAGA’s showcase event.

Smith became only the third player in JAGA history to record wins in both the Jacksonville Amateur and Match Play championships, joining Travis Trace and Jordan Batchelor.

2021 Jacksonville Amateur Champion Mike Smith

“I’ve been chasing this title for 11 years now,” the champion said. “I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to finally come out on top. It feels really good to know my name will be added to the long list of great champions - many of them friends - who are already on the trophy.”

You could say it was Smith’s turn to win the Jacksonville Amateur having come so close on several occasions. Two years ago, the James Madison University graduate was runner-up by two shots to Jordan Batchelor at Sawgrass Country Club. Other close calls came in 2015 at San Jose Country Club, 2014 at Marsh Landing and 2011 at Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. In the end, perseverance paved the way in 2021 for the former Nease High School state champion team member.

With three early birdies, the 31-year-old reached 9 under and had a three-shot lead. Playing three groups ahead of the leader, Murata raced out in 32 and caught everyone’s attention. History was looking like it might repeat itself when Smith bogeyed Nos. 7, 9, 10, 12 and 14. Smith’s spirit was buoyed, however, when he managed to salvage a 6 on the par-5 14th after hitting his tee shot out-of-bounds.

He bounced back with birdies on 15 and 16 and made routine pars on 17 and 18 to become the 60th name engraved on the JAGA Jacksonville Amateur silver trophy.

Runner-up Kotaro Murata stares down his eagle attempt on the final hole.

Smith is engaged to be married to Karen DiPesa on August 7th in nearby Vilano Beach. Friend and fellow competitor Toby Ragland will officiate.

Smith’s amateur golf career is very connected to business. His company, ForeCollegeGolf, is a college recruiting consulting business which guides junior golfers and families during the college recruitment process and assists with player development.

Complete Jacksonville Amateur results may be found at jax.bluegolf.com or via www.jaxareagolf.org (“Tournaments” tab > “2021 Tournament Schedule” > “60th Jacksonville Amateur”).

Page 1 of the final 2021 Jacksonville Amateur leaderboard.

“JAGA is grateful to owner Chester Stokes, general manager Chet Stokes, and the entire staff at Marsh Landing for making JAGA and the 80 contestants so welcomed and for presenting such championship conditions,” said Championship co-chairmen John Milton and Jeff Adams. “The was a true test and despite some rain over the three days, players raved about the condition of the fairways and greens. When you hear virtually no complaints from the participants, you know you’ve had a pretty darn good tournament. The Marsh Landing staff accommodated our every need and made conducting the tournament very easy, which is so very much appreciated. Congratulations to Mike Smith for his long overdue Jacksonville Amateur win.”

The championship featured 80 players, with 15 entries accepted from outside JAGA’s Northeast footprint. Those 15 hailed from all over Florida, plus Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ontario, Canada, Argentina, and Japan.

The Amateur is one of three JAGA-conducted events in which the top finishers are awarded World Amateur Golf Ranking points. The JAGA First Coast Amateur and the JAGA Match Play Championship are the others.

The 2022 Jacksonville Amateur moves to , followed by San Jose Country Club (2023), Timuquana Country Club (2024), Jacksonville Golf and Country Club (2025), Sawgrass CC (2026) and Jax Beach GC (2027).

EDITOR’S NOTE: 1) Details that appeared in Garry Smits’ Florida Times-Union recap are used in this press release. Thank you, Garry. 2) Credit “JAGA” for any photos used.

NEXT UP FOR JAGA: Four-Ball, Club Team and Family Tournaments

Things quiet down for JAGA on the tournament front in August and September before wrapping up 2021 with tournaments in October, November and December (JAGA chairman in parenthesis):

• Oct. 18 JAGA Fall Four-Ball @ Deercreek CC (Lee Fields) • Nov. 22 Club Team Championship @ WGV-Slammer & Squire (Cary Helton) • Dec. 18 The Family Championship @ Jax Beach GC (Duke Butler III)

For information, registration and payment details, go to: www.jaxareagolf.org.

-JAGA-

ABOUT JAGA

Established in 1954, JAGA celebrates its 68th year in 2021. It is a not-for-profit corporation comprised of approximately 40-member golf clubs/courses located in Northeast Florida. JAGA’s mission is to promote golf and goodwill through tournaments and related events and activities. It conducts 12 tournaments, including six championship events and six others that feature team formats. JAGA also manages a college scholarship program that can maintain financial aid for as many as 28 deserving students per year. Since 1974, the program has generated approximately $1.8 million in financial aid to approximately 375 students. Each year between five and eight new scholarships are awarded. Anyone interested in receiving monthly JAGA’s “Northeast Florida Golf News” and announcements about JAGA and its tournaments via email may do so by signing up at WWW.JAXAREAGOLF.ORG. Simply click on the home page link that reads "Subscribe to JAGA Email”.

Contact: Jeff Adams JAGA Cell: 904-607-6142 Email: [email protected]