10th MGA Mid-Am Heads to Tamarack
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| Randolph earned his first MGA title at the 2015 MGA Mid-Amateur. |
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (September 29, 2016) – The MGA Mid-Amateur Championship celebrates its 10th playing, October 5-6 at Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, Conn., where the Met Area’s best amateurs aged 35 and above will compete over 36 holes of stroke play.
Related: Pairings & Starting Times | MGA Mid-Am History
Reigning champion Trevor Randolph of Arcola is aiming to carry his stellar play into the fall, having claimed titles at the Travis Invitational, Hochster Memorial, and NJSGA Mid-Am—his third win at the event in the last four years. More recently, Randolph advanced to match play at the U.S. Mid-Am, and is competing in the USGA Men’s State Team Championship this week. Should Randolph successfully defend his title, he’d join Dennis Lynch of Nassau Players (2009, ‘10) and Niall Handley (2011, ’14) as players to claim the Westmoreland Cup twice. Lynch and Handley are in the field, both seeking an unprecedented third title in the championship. Lynch has had a strong season, capturing low amateur honors in both the MGA Senior Amateur and MGA Senior Open. Past champions Michael Karger of Century (2013) and Michael Reardon of Tuxedo Club (2007) are also in the field.
A number of decorated players are looking to claim the MGA Mid-Am for the first time, including Darin Goldstein of Noyac, who is making his debut in the event. Goldstein won the LIGA Amateur earlier this season, competed in the U.S. Amateur and recently advanced to match play at the U.S. Mid-Amateur. Mike Stamberger of Manasquan River and Brian Komline of Black Oak are two more competitors that have claimed titles this year—at the Eagle Oaks Invitational and Bergen County Amateur, respectively—who could capture the title at Tamarack. Both have both finished as runner-up in the event—Stamberger in 2015 and 2007 and Komline in 2001—and are playing alongside Randolph representing New Jersey in the Men’s State Team Championship.
Two-time MGA Player of the Year Joe Saladino of Huntington missed several events early in the season but has played strongly as of late as evidenced by his advancing to match play in the U.S Mid-Am. Last season, Saladino finished tied for third at Nassau alongside John Ervasti of Sleepy Hollow, who is also in the field.
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| Tamarack's par-3 7th hole, Redan. |
Other competitors to watch include 1997 U.S. Mid-Am champion Ken Bakst of Friar’s Head, 2014 MGA Senior Open titlist Adam Kugler of Alpine, and consistent MGA competitors Jonathan Jeter of Nassau Players and Nick Desai of Baltusrol, who both finished inside the top-10 last year.
Tamarack last hosted an MGA event in 2009 as it welcomed the Father and Son Championship. The classic Charles Banks design, which recently finished a restoration by Brian Silva, is highlighted by rolling terrain, elevated greens, and deep, grass-faced bunkers. All are sure to create a quality challenge for competitors of the 10th MGA Mid-Amateur.
The Mid-Amateur is the MGA’s second youngest championship, making its debut in 2007 at Hudson National Golf Club. The two-day, 36-hole event is an invitational to competitors at least 35-years of age based on finishes in MGA and Met Area events. Following the first round of play, the field is cut to the top 40 and ties, plus anyone within five strokes of the lead. The trophy, the Westmoreland Cup, is named for longtime MGA Tournament Director Gene Westmoreland.
The MGA will provide 9 and 18-hole scoring updates during the first round and hole-by-hole scores for the majority of groups during the final round on Thursday. Additional live updates and behind-the-scenes coverage will also be available on the MGA’s Twitter (@MGA1897) and Snapchat (mgagolf1897) accounts.