Championship Season Opens at Montclair
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (May 1, 2019) – Championship season returns for the Metropolitan Golf Association, May 6-7, when the region’s top amateurs aged 55 and older compete in the 92nd MGA Senior Amateur Championship at Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, N.J. The excitement surrounding the championship remains high, with the field selling out within just a few weeks of opening for registration.
Related: Pairings | Senior Am History | Senior Am Records
Back-to-Back
Adam Kugler of Alpine overcame an eight-stroke deficit to capture the title in 2018 and this year aims to become the sixth player in the championship’s history to successfully defend the title. Should he repeat, Kugler would become the 16th player to etch his name twice on the Horace L. Hotchkiss trophy.
The Next to Three?
A quartet of champions have practically dominated the MGA Senior Amateur in recent years, claiming eight of 12 titles dating back to 2007. This year, Jay Blumenfeld of Mountain Ridge (2007, 2014), Al Small of Fairmount (2009, 2017), Ron Vannelli of Forsgate (2008, 2012), and George Zahringer III of Deepdale (2015-2016) all aim to become the sixth player in championship history with three career Senior Amateur victories.
Twice as Nice
While the MGA Mid-Am is still in its infancy, claiming the title twice has already been a common occurrence, as Lynch, Handley and Randolph have all done so. Following his win last year at Bayonne, Goldstein aims to become the fourth two-time winner and the third to successfully defend the title.
Past Champions
Jon Ervasti of Sleepy Hollow (2011) is also in the field, looking to join the current list of two-time champions.
Home Game
A total of five players competing in the championship call Montclair Golf Club home: Peter Broms, Craig Chenowith, Blaise Duffy, Lawrence Kopp, and Jack O’Neill.
Seeking Another MGA Title
A number of former MGA champions are in the field, aiming to get their grip on the Horace L. Hotchkiss Trophy for the first time. Included are Phil Fabrizio (2017 Mixed Pinehurst) Dennis Lynch of Nassau Players (2009, 2010 Mid-Am), David Pilossoph of Bronx River (2016 Senior Masters), and Mike Reardon of Tuxedo (2007 Mid-Am).
Names Upon Names
The deep pool of talented and accomplished players in the field continues with those seeking their first Senior Amateur title. Players to watch include 1997 U.S. Mid-Am champion Ken Bakst of Friar’s Head, 2018 U.S. Senior Amateur quarterfinalist Ned Zachar of GlenArbor and top-five finishers from last year’s championship Gary Zenkel of Old Oaks, Dave Scialabba of Meadow Brook, Jay Sessa of Gardiner’s Bay and Jon Doppelt of Fresh Meadow.
Format
- Ages 55 and over
- Two days, 36 holes of stroke play
- Field cut to the low 40 scores & ties (and anyone within five shots of the lead) following 18 holes
Montclair Golf Club
- Last hosted an MGA event in 2014 (Ike)
- Hosting an MGA event for the 12th time and is a host of a record-sharing eight different MGA championships
- Previously hosted the MGA Senior Amateur in 1933 (Alex Gray) and 1997 (Bob Housen)
- Championship will take place on the Donald Ross-designed second and third nines
Coverage
- 9 and 18-hole updates for Monday’s opening round
- Live hole-by-hole scores for final pairings during Wednesday’s final round
- Social Media: @MGA1897 on Twitter for updates throughout the day; additional content on Facebook and Instagram
- Scoring, recaps, interviews and photos on mgagolf.org