Ron Vannelli (2005)

2005 was a good year from Ron Vannelli. The real estate broker from Edison, NJ reached the third round of the U.S. Senior Amateur, tied for second at the MGA Senior Open, tied for eighth at the Ike, and qualified for both the US Mid-Amateur and the US Senior Amateur. Finally, as if that were not enough, the also won the area’s biggest event, the Met Amateur.

All of these accomplishments are not bad for someone who didn’t start to play golf until his was 24 years old and didn’t play in his first tournament until his early 30s. Vannelli was inspired by a friend to try the game and quickly found himself hooked.

Shockingly, his dominant season followed a period of only minimal training, with Vannelli suffering from sickness and pulled muscles restricting him from much practice. Fortunately, his game did not suffer.

Vannelli’s undeniable highlight of the season was his victory at the Met Amateur, where he defeated Patrick Pierson in extra holes at The Creek. This made Vannelli the oldest winner of the Met Am, a record he still holds today.

Vannelli finished the year with a tie for second place at the MGA Senior Open, which propelled him to the top of the points list, edging off then nine-time Player of the Year, George Zahringer III.