BAITING HOLLOW, N.Y. (May 16, 2013) – The U.S. Open Local Qualifier at the Baiting Hollow Club provided arguably the most difficult test of the four rounds conducted by the MGA. Professional Paul Dickinson of Montauk, N.Y., was named medalist after an impressive 1-under 69. Dickinson, who played in one of the final groups of the afternoon, was the only player in the field to finish under par and was one of seven players to advance to the U.S. Sectional Round at Old Oaks Country Club and Century Country Club on June 3.

Amateur Willis Huynh of Syosset, N.Y., who won the 2012 MGA/MetLife Boys Championship, went out in the first group of the day and came in with round of even-par 70. About an hour later, Paul Selvaggio of Valhalla, N.Y., an assistant pro at Wykagyl Country Club, also came in with a 70 to tie for second.  

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Matt Mahoney of Ridge, N.Y., a former MGA Foundation GOLFWORKS intern and Baiting Hollow Club employee, finished alone in fourth with a 1-over 71.

Amateur Dylan Crowley of Glen Cove, N.Y., a sophomore on the St. John’s golf team, and Stephen Clark of Rye, N.Y. both tied for fifth with 2-over 72s.

A total of 128 of the Met Area’s top players vied for seven spots (plus two alternate positions) at Baiting Hollow. Thick rough off the fairways and consistent 15 mph breezes produced a lot of high scores. 

Five players played off for the final spot and two alternate positions including Jimmy Hazen of Miller Place, N.Y., William Van Orman of Bogart, Ga., Andrew Bostrom of Larchmont, N.Y., amateur Guillermo Benenati of Guaymallen – Mendoza, and amateur Matt Lowe of Farmingdale, N.Y., who captured the 2010 MGA/Metlife Boys Championship

Matt Lowe grabbed the final qualifier spot with a par on the first playoff hole.  Andrew Bostrom won the first alternate and Jimmy Hazen won the second alternate position on the second playoff hole.  This will be the second consecutive year that both Lowe and Crowley advance to Sectional Qualifying.