PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — New Jersey catches a lot of unnecessary flak. I say that as someone who was born, raised, and still resides there. But it’s true. And it often comes from folks who have never stepped foot in the Garden State. I’m sure Californians can relate.
If the haters actually did come through, they’d find out we have some of the best beaches, the most quaint and clean—yes, clean!—little towns, and the best pizza and bagels and diners in America. Oh, and the best golf courses. By far. Check the tape.
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Don’t believe me? Well, you don’t have to take my word for it. Just ask Max Greyserman, a fellow New Jerseyean who posted a five-under 66 on Friday at the Genesis Invitational, which has him at eight under and in a tie for fifth after 36 holes. Speaking of New Jersey natives, have you guys heard about this Chris Gotterup dude? Pretty good golfer. No. 7 in the world. Played four years at Rutgers, grew up down the shore (we call it “DTS”).
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I’m not here to suggest that New Jerseyeans are the only people who take serious pride in our state, or the only ones who beam with pride when a fellow N.J. native succeeds in their respective field. But the way Greyserman spoke about Gotterup when asked about him on Friday, and the way he used that opportunity to pump up Jersey golf, proved that we continue to lead the league in defending our state’s honor.
“We’ve kind of known each other for a while,” Greyserman said of Gotterup, who he is four years older than. “I think probably the only two New Jersey guys out here.
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“He went to Rutgers. My parents both started at Rutgers, my brother-in-law went to Rutgers. Basically most of my family went to Rutgers, so always rooting him on, always rooting New Jersey people on. There’s not many of us out here even though it might be the best state for golf in the country. I’m not going to say it is, but it’s definitely up there.”
No argument here.
Unlike Gotterup, Greyserman has not yet won on the PGA Tour, though he’s certainly come close a number of times. He had two runners-up last season alone, three the season prior. None so far in 2026, a season that’s started T-56/MC/MC/T-37 for the Duke alum.
Riviera arrived at just the right time, a course that reminds him a little of the ones back in the Northeast he grew up playing on.
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“I would say the bunkers. It’s more of a northeast style golf course I would say,” Greyserman said. “The bunkers kind of remind me of Winged Foot, very deep, below the green, high lips. The greens as well.”
Winged Foot? In New York? We’ll let that slide. Probably had it confused with Baltusrol, Plainfield, or Essex County, where Greyserman won the N.J. State Open in 2014.
Naturally, both Greyserman and Gotterup now reside and play most of their golf in Jupiter, Fla., where “most guys from New Jersey play their golf,” he says.
“I’ve played with him down there a little bit,” he said. “We’re members of the same club down there. Yeah, hopefully, I mean, he’s got quite a few wins so I’ve got to catch up to him.”
If and when he does, one thing is for certain: people from New Jersey are going to make sure everyone knows about it.
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