French-American Challenge Returns
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (October 24, 2022) -- The French-American Challenge, which pits a 10-player team of Met Area players against counterparts from the Ligue de Paris Il-de-France, takes place Tuesday and Wednesday at Quaker Ridge Golf Club as the competition returns to the calendar following its postponement in 2020 due to covid-19. The matches, which began in 1990, include six men and four women teams competing in Foursomes, Four-Ball and Singles matches over two days of play.
Related: French-American Challenge History
The Met Area team features a strong mix of experienced international team competitors as well as several newcomers. Darin Goldstein and Ina Kim-Schaad of Deepdale and Brad Tilley of Sleepy Hollow stand among the most seasoned, competing in six, five, and four team matches, respectively between the French-American Challenge and Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup events. Goldstein, Kim-Schaad, Tilley, Mark Costanza of Hamilton Farm and Noelle Maertz of Ridgewood all aim to keep their success going from last year's Carey Cup matches in which they earned a tie to retain the Cup. Costanza and Maertz are both making their second consecutive international team appearances. MGA eClub - New Jersey member Matt Mattare, this year's Travis Invitational champion, is making his second appearances as well, last competing in the 2018 French-American Challenge.
While Christian Cavaliere of Mahopac, Chris DeJohn of Arcola, Anina Ku of Neshanic Valley, and Jennifer Rosenberg of Glen Oaks are all making their first international team appearances, they all hold impressive accolades and victories. Cavaliere has been a proven match play champion, claiming the 2016 Met Junior Championship in addition to three consecutive Westchester Amateur titles. DeJohn claimed the 2021 MGA Mid-Amateur Championship, while Ku is this year's WMGA Stroke Play A Championship and New Jersey Women's Public Links Championship, while previously claiming the New Jersey Women's Amateur in 2019. Rosenberg qualified for match play in both the Women's Western Amateur and U.S. Women's Amateur this year.
The French-American Challenge was introduced as “Fred’s Cup” in 1990, named after sponsor and international jeweler Fred Joaillier. It was conducted annually from 1990-1998, and since 2000 has been played every other year while alternating between the Met Area and sites in France.
The Ligue de Paris has had a stronghold on the trophy, with the Met Area’s team only winning in 1991. Ties have also occurred in 1995 and 2004.
The French-American Challenge Am-Am precedes the matches, taking place on Monday, October 24. The event pairs each of the 20 team members with other amateurs in a best ball gross and net format, and raises funds for the MGA Foundation.
With Quaker Ridge hosting the event, it will become the first club to have hosted both the Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup (2003) and French-American Challenge. The club has strong history of hosting international team competitions already, serving as host of the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup in 1997 and 2018, respectively.