10/8/06 5th Annual GS Grudge Match                        photos by Tom Spader


The 5th annual Garden State Grudge Match went down in NE conditions on the south side of Casino Pier in Seaside Hts.  All eyes were on Lavallette local Sam Hammer to see it there would be a repeat win.  While Sam, by far the most consistant GSGM competitor, surfed all the way to the final, the waves just weren't there for him.  Every wave it took in the final was answered by Monmouth Co.'s Mike Gleason.  Hammer pulled a floater in the closing conditions, Gleason pulled a better one.  And that was the story ... so, in the five years the contest has been held, no repeat winners.  Past winners Matt Keenan and Frank Walsh were sent packing in the early rounds.  Dean Randazzo got as far as the semis.  Hammer a very familiar face in the final, bowed to a hungry Gleason who surf solid through the day.  Perfect weather, decent waves and a backdrop of the annual Columbus Day parade. nice.