Mike Smith captures elusive Jacksonville Amateur title

Ponte Vedra Beach resident birdies 15 and 16 for 1-stroke win at Marsh Landing Country Club

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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, July 24, at Marsh Landing Country Club.

 Smith’s 209 total (68-69—72) was 7-under par 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 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.

 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 Golf 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.

 “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.

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

Complete Jacksonville Amateur results may be found at jax.bluegolf.com or via www.jaxareagolf.org.

Some details that appeared in Garry Smits’ Florida Times-Union recap are used in this press release.