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Allied Association of the MGA

Westchester Amateur - Day 1 Recap

Day 1 -  Results

 

Amateur Championship

Click here to view the match play tree for the 97th Amateur Championship   

At the beginning of the day 32 players had hopes of hoisting the coveted Paul Adler Trophy.  Now, only 8 have that opportunity.  Onto the Quarterfinals we go!  

Day 1 was filled with a bunch of highlights, but probably nothing has darwn more buzz amongst the players than 32-seeded James McHugh (GlenArbor) defeating Defending Champion Luke Feehan (Mahopac) on his way to the Quarterfinals.  McHugh was first alternate after last months qualifier, and made the most of his opportunity on Day 1.  Just last week, McHugh won the New York State Federation Golf Tournament at the famed Bethpage Black.  McHugh is riding a hot hand into the Quarters where he faces 19-year old Josh Goldenberg (Fenway).

The 15th hole had its fair share of drama.  The short downhill par-4 with water guarding the front of the green has seen its share of heartache and joy. 

In the morning, Michael Karger (Century) found himself taking a drop (after putting hi ssecond shot in the water).  He then stepped up and holed out from 65 yards to win his morning match.  Karger won his afternoon match in 19 holes and will face Owen Elliot (MGA eClub) in the Quartfinals. 

That same 15th hole saw Rob Johnson (Dutchess) end Matt Minerva's (Hudson National) run.  Minerva was looking at a birdie putt to extend the match from inside of 10 feet, while Johnson sat in the greenside bunker in two.  Johnson holed out from the bunker, not allowing Minerva to get back into the match.  In the Quarters Johnson will face Current WGA Caddie Scholar Gray Barnes (Centennial).

The last Quarterfinal Match is made up of our Qualifying Co-Medalist in Germay Medina (Pelham/Split Rock) and Jonny Emmerman (Fenway).  Both players had different paths to get to the Quarterifinals.  Medina defeated two young rising stars in our area.  First Medina squeaked by The Host Clubs Club Champion Thomas Corrigan (Ardsley).  Then Germay outlasted Christian Cavaliere (Mahopac) in 19 holes.  Emmerman defeated two solid veterans from the area.  First Emmerman gutted out a tough win over Pat Pierson (Hollow Brook), and then another solid showing from Jonny, this time over Brian Krex (Whippoorwill).

The Quarterfinals & Semifinals will be played on Wednesday.

 

Senior Amateur Championship

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The Senior Division has wittled its way from 16 to just 4 players.  The semifinals will take place Wednesday, and here is how we got there:

Herrol Pryce (Baychester) exacted a little revenge after last years heartbreaking loss in the Semifinals.  Pryce first beat a solid competitor in Peter Rymer (Spook Rock), and then defeated Defending Champion Rich Feldman (Centennial) on the 20th Hole.  Pryce rolled in an 18 foot birdie putt to seal the victory.  Herrol will meet Jack Kiernan (Stanwich) in the Semifinals.  13-seeded Kiernan took out 4-seeded Tom Fox (Apawamis) and then 5-seeded Bruce Crystal (Salem) on his way to his semifinal birth.

The Senior Divisions most recently eligible member, Dana Pike (Apawamis) took advantage of his new age bracket, on his way to the Semifinals.  The 15 seed took out last years runner-up Tom Yelin (Stanwich), and then defeated the 2014 WGA Senior Amateur Champion in Jim Romaniello (Shorehaven).  Pike will meet Two-Time WGA Senior Amateur Champion in Jon Groveman (Connecticut).  Groveman knocked out Randall Keleher (Sterling Farms) and then Phil Halpern (Westchester) both in convincing fashion.

 

Super-Senior Amateur Championship

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The Super Senior Division played just one match today, and if you went with the chalk, you'd be correct.  The top 4 seeds each won their matches, all in large victories, and look forward to a fantastic lineup of Semifinals on Wednesday.

Two-Time Defending Champion, Shawn McLoughlin (Ridgewood), looks to keep his three-peat hopes alive, and his takes on long hitting Rick Blank (Metropolis).  The second Semifinal match features Qualifying Medalist Rick Lawrence (Ridgewood) against Jim Hamburger (McCann) in what should be a shotmakers match.