In Maryland Amateur, Mulieri shooting for a family repeat
When defending champion Mike Mulieri, 22, was knocked out of the Maryland Amateur Saturday morning, it was younger brother, Jay, 19, who came to his defense.
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Defeating Phil Fairbanks in 19 tension-filled holes Saturday afternoon, Mulieri avenged his brother’s surprising loss. Two days later, Jay Mulieri has a chance to make history.
With a win Tuesday over Zach Lese, 26, in the 36-hole final at Chevy Chase, Mulieri can become the first player in the 88-year history of the Maryland Amateur to match the accomplishment of his brother.
“We want to keep the family name on the trophy,” said Mulieri, a member at Avenel. “Winning here would be special. I work with [Chevy Chase pro] Jim Fitzgerald. This course is like my second home.”
Mulieri, a Gonzaga grad who just completed his freshman year at Loyola, advanced Sunday with a pair of clutch victories, beating Brendan Kelly (Naval Academy) in 19 holes and Charlie Weingardner (Old South), 1 up.
Against Kelly, Mulieri was one down on the 18th green, but after Kelly three-putted from 30 feet, Mulieri made a four-footer for par to extend the match. On the first playoff hole, after Kelly’s approach came up short and his ensuing chip stayed on the fringe, Mulieri two-putted from 20 feet for a par to move into the semifinals.
“I’m not hitting the ball very well, but I’m putting okay and finding ways to win,” said Mulieri, after the quarterfinal victory.
In the next round, however, Mulieri put all of his talents together, making six birdies, including three straight on the front nine to take a 4 up lead.
Winegardner, who recently completed his freshman year at Coastal Carolina, fought back with three birdies on the next seven holes to square the match at No. 14. But Mulieri had another birdie left in his arsenal, draining a 35-foot bomb for the decisive birdie.
Lese (Argyle) promises to be a formidable opponent today. Lese’s semifinal victory, 2 up, over Jordan Steinfelder (Woodholme) was his first match that went the distance. Lese trailed on the back nine, but the turning point came at No. 13 where he jarred a 35-foot birdie putt to draw even, After that, Lese hit some off-line drives, but kept saving par as Steinfelder wilted.
Lese played two seasons at Sherwood, but is relatively new to tournament golf. With his recent improvement, however, he plans to make a run at the Tar Heel Tour later this summer.
“This would be the first individual thing I’ve won in, well, a long time,” said Lese. “I was nervous today and I probably will be Tuesday. But that’s because it means so much. A little nervous can be a good thing.”
