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Siwanoy to Welcome 101st Met Junior

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ELMSFORD, N.Y. (July 13, 2018) – Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, N.Y., will usher in the second century of the Met Junior Championship Sponsored by MetLife, July 17-19, when the Met Area’s rising stars face off in the 101st playing of the nation’s oldest junior championship.

Related: Pairings | Met Junior History | Met Junior Records

The MGA Foundation conducts the Met Junior and its extensive youth programming thanks to the support of MetLife. Over the years, the Met Junior has produced a number of winners who have gone on to outstanding achievements on both the regional and national levels. Past winners of the prestigious Mandeville Trophy include Butch and Bill Harmon, Marc Turnesa, Andrew Svoboda, Mike Miller, David Pastore, and Cameron Young. The field once again contains the region’s top junior competitors, all aiming to add their name to the outstanding list of champions.

While the championship officially tees off on July 17 with 36 holes of on-site stroke play qualifying, a Pro-Junior precedes the tournament on July 16. A formal dinner then follows in the evening.

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In conjunction with 2017’s 100th playing of the Met Junior came the introduction of the MGA Junior Player of the Year Award, Presented by Callaway. Jake Mayer of Plainfield used his victory in the Met Junior to capture the honor in its inaugural year.

Returning Success
Half of the players that advanced to match play last season are back again looking to make deeper runs in the championship. Semifinalists Jack Maguire of Ridgefield, Conn., and Shane DeVincenzo of Port Jefferson, N.Y., are back, as is Jack Wall of Brielle, N.J. Meanwhile, Johnny Bush of Cranford, N.J., Jackson Fretty of Cos Cob, Conn., Matt Minerva, Jr., of Elmsford, N.Y., and Justin Susarchick of Summit, N.J., are all in the field again this year after playing in the Round of 16 at Plainfield. Bush and Wall have made it to match play each of the past two years.

Back in the Mix
Two-time Carter Cup champion Ethan Ng of New York City is looking to return to match play in this year’s Junior after having his streak of three consecutive appearances snapped last year at Plainfield. The Stanford signee is off to a strong summer already, having finished tied for third in the 63rd Ike and tying 10th in the Arcola Cup.

Adding a Junior Title?
A number competitors will aim to add a junior title to their resume, having already won area junior crowns in recent years. Those include 2018 Connecticut Junior titlist Connor Belcastro of Rowayton, 2017 Long Island Junior champion Charlie Mitchell of Roslyn, Charlie Berridge of Scarsdale and Minerva as the last two Westchester Junior winners, as well as 2017 New Jersey State Junior champion Wall.

Notable Finishes
Others with notable finishes capable of making a run at Siwanoy include Carter Prince of Centerport, N.Y., who advanced to the Round of 16 in the Long Island Amateur; Brendan Hansen of Spring Lake, N.J., who recently finished tied for eighth in the New Jersey State Amateur; Turner Foster of Southampton, N.Y., who advanced to sectionals for this year’s U.S. Open; and Luke Sample of New York City, who fired an 8-under 63 in qualifying to best the field by eight at Osiris.

Format/Eligibility

  • 36 holes of on-site stroke play qualifying (July 17), with top 16 advancing to match play
  • Round of 16 and quarterfinals conducted July 18, with semifinals and championship match taking place July 21
  • Field determined by x qualifiers held throughout the Met Area
  • Open to juniors who have not started attending college, are not yet 19 by August 1, and who reside in the MGA territory
  • Winner receives 250 points for the MGA Junior Player of the Year Award, Presented by Callaway

Siwanoy Country Club

  • Club was founded in 1901 and first played at several sites, finally settling in its present location in 1913, with Donald Ross designing the course
  • It’s layout is known for elevation changes, panoramic views, challenging greens and several small brooks that meander through the property
  • Professional Tom Kerrigan was instrumental in creating the PGA and staging the inaugural PGA Championship at Siwanoy in 1916
  • Club also known for its “Sno-Birds” who crown a champion during the winter months, no matter the weather conditions

Coverage

  • 9- and 18-hole scoring for stroke play qualifying
  • Live hole-by-hole scoring for each match
  • Social Media: @MGA1897 on Twitter for updates throughout the day; additional content on Facebook and Instagram
  • Scoring, recaps, and photos on mgagolf.org