Qualifying: 68th Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship
The 18th green and clubhouse at Brooklawn Country Club. Photo: USGA/Russell Kirk
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (May 8, 2023) -- For the fourth consecutive season, the Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship will head to a first-time host of the event, as Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn., welcomes its first MGA major since the 1919 Met Amateur Championship. The historic club and its A.W. Tillinghast layout has proven time and time again its ability to produce incredible champions, having hosted five USGA championships that have produced winners such as Gary Player (1987 U.S. Senior Open) and Annika Sorenstam (2021 U.S. Senior Women's Open).
Related: Ike History | Ike Records | Past Champions
The Met Area's premier stroke play championship has produced exciting finishes in recent years, whether it has been Cameron Young's back-to-back wins in 2015 and 2016, Matt Lowe's record-setting final round of 61 in 2017, Mark Costanza's thrilling eagle chip-in for the one shot win at Darien in 2020, or Luke Sample's victory in 2022 at Baltusrol.
Qualifying for the Ike takes place at six qualifying sites between May 8 and June 8.
May 8 - Fairview Golf Club, Greenwich, Conn.
Greg Reilly of Darien led 21 qualifiers for the 68th Ike, carding a 2-under 70 that included seven birdies at Fairview. MGA eClub - NYC member Nicholas Li posted the only additional sub-par round, using three birdies and an eagle for a 1-under 71. John Casey, also an MGA eClub - NYC member, rounded out the top three with an even-par 72. While Michael DiTursi of Westchester opened with a 7-over 43 on the back nine, he used four birdies an no bogeys en route to a 4-under 32 over his final nine, allowing him to finish inside the qualifying number at 3-over 75. Those advancing shot 4-over 76 or better to earn their spot at Brooklawn.
Results
May 15 - Cherry Valley Country Club, Skillman, N.J.
A total of 12 competitors qualified at Cherry Valley, led by Derek Gutierrez of Galloping Hill, who carded a 4-under 68 to earn a spot in the championship. Gutierrez recorded four birdies and an eagle to finish as the medalist. Jason Salameno of North Jersey and Jordan Lerner of Metedeconk both finished one shot back at 3-under, while Conor Bekefi of Manasquan River and John Havay of High Bridge Hills finished at 2-under. Brendan Jonland of Arcola recorded a sub-par round as well, posting a 1-under 71. Six additional competitors advanced to Brooklawn with scores of 1-over 73 or better.
Results
May 15 - Westhampton Country Club, Westhampton, N.Y.
Three competitors shared medalist honors and led the 19 to qualify at Westhampton: Jackson Weisbrot of Green Dot Golf Club, Andrew Wesnofske of USGA/MGA Golf Club, and Michael Auerbach of Bellport all carded scores of 2-over 72. Eric Barber of The Bridge, James McHugh of MGA eClub - N.J., and Ryan Hom of North Hempstead finished two strokes behind at 4-over. Another 13 competitors qualified, all with scores of 8-over 78 or better, and will compete at Brooklawn.
Results
May 22 - Huntington Country Club, Huntington, N.Y.
A total of 20 competitors qualified at Huntington Country Club, led by James Arbes of Watchung Valley and Patrick Healy of Huntington, both carding rounds of 4-under 66 to earn spots in the championship. Arbes tallied six birdies during his round, while Healy made five, en route to claiming co-low-medalist honors. Carter Prince of Huntington Crescent finished one shot back, shooting -3/67. Griffin McQuilling of Garden City, Rob Pepi of Nassau, and Andrew Osofsky of Huntington all finished at 2-under. Five players carded rounds of even par. Nine additional competitors advanced to Brooklawn with scores of 2-over 72 or better.
Results
May 23 - Black Oak Golf Club, Long Valley, N.Y.
Elliot Parker of Suburban led 16 qualifiers to Brooklawn, shooting 4-under 68. Edmund Broderick of Fiddler's Elbow posted 3-under 69 to advance, three weeks after advancing through U.S. Open local qualifying. Peter Byrne of Rock Spring rounded out those in red figures with a 1-under 71. Qualifiers carded rounds of 2-over or better to move on.
Results
June 8 - Leewood Golf Club, Eastchester, N.Y.
Anthony Guerrera of Sterling Farms shot 1-under 69 to earn medalist honors and punch his ticket to Brooklawn Country Club in the final Ike qualifier. Next behind him were MGA eClub - Connecticut member Michael Kennedy and Charles Schrohe of Burning Tree, who posted scores of 1-over 71. Two-time MGA/MetLife Boys' champion Reed Greyserman of Hamilton Farm, past Carter Cup champion James Allen of Scarsdale, and reigning MGA Junior Player of the Year Tyler Lee of Ridgewood were all part of a strong group of seven players advancing with 3-over 73s. Overall, 23 players advanced with scores of 5-over 75s or better.
Results