-Billy Condon
After extending his lead to five strokes, Bobby Heins now has a one-shot lead over amateur John Ervasti of Sleepy Hollow. Ervasti sank a bunker shot for birdie on the par-4 11th hole to move to +1, and he is -1 on the day.
Heins, after making birdies at two of the first three holes, has recorded four bogeys on the fifth, seventh, ninth and tenth holes and is at even par for the championship. Heins is looking to become the first three-time winner of this championship and a five-time MGA champion.
It has become quite hot out here at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton, Conn., and you can be sure the winner will be the competitor with the coolest nerves.
Showing posts with label Billy Condon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Billy Condon. Show all posts
August 31, 2010
Players and Conditions Heating Up at Senior Open
-Billy Condon
As the temperature passes 90 degrees, course conditions are getting more challenging. The greens are firming up and the breeze is challenging the field, but the top contenders are fighting back punch for punch - or in this case, putt for putt. Leader Bobby Heins is -2 thru three holes and stands at -4 for the championship. However, numerous other players are in red digits on this final day at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton, Conn. John Ervasti, Bruce Zabriski, Pete Busch and Mike Diffley are all 1-under for the day as well, and all besides Diffley are at +1 for the championship.
Battling right now for low amateur, although they are very much in the race for the title of MGA Senior Open champion are Ervasti and Ed Gibstein. Gibstein is even on the day and tied with Ervasti, Busch and Zabriski at +1.
As the temperature passes 90 degrees, course conditions are getting more challenging. The greens are firming up and the breeze is challenging the field, but the top contenders are fighting back punch for punch - or in this case, putt for putt. Leader Bobby Heins is -2 thru three holes and stands at -4 for the championship. However, numerous other players are in red digits on this final day at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton, Conn. John Ervasti, Bruce Zabriski, Pete Busch and Mike Diffley are all 1-under for the day as well, and all besides Diffley are at +1 for the championship.
Battling right now for low amateur, although they are very much in the race for the title of MGA Senior Open champion are Ervasti and Ed Gibstein. Gibstein is even on the day and tied with Ervasti, Busch and Zabriski at +1.
August 4, 2010
Pastore Wins 8th Carter Cup at Baltusrol
-Billy Condon
David Pastore of Greenwich, Conn., is the winner of the 8th Carter Cup. Pastore shot rounds of 70-70=140 to earn a three-stroke victory over Ryan McCormick of Middletown, N.J.
David Pastore of Greenwich, Conn., is the winner of the 8th Carter Cup. Pastore shot rounds of 70-70=140 to earn a three-stroke victory over Ryan McCormick of Middletown, N.J.
Can Anyone Catch Pastore?
-Billy Condon
With McCormick finished and in the clubhouse with a 1-under 143, David Pastore is still going strong and is -3 for the championship. The only player who can catch him is Mike Miller, who stands at even-par. And Miller has a chance as he is going into the par-5 17th and 18th holes. Stay tuned as the action plays out at Baltusrol.
With McCormick finished and in the clubhouse with a 1-under 143, David Pastore is still going strong and is -3 for the championship. The only player who can catch him is Mike Miller, who stands at even-par. And Miller has a chance as he is going into the par-5 17th and 18th holes. Stay tuned as the action plays out at Baltusrol.
Players Go Lower on the Lower
-Billy Condon
The Lower Course at Baltusrol, site of numerous U.S. Opens and the 2005 PGA Championship, has been the better-scoring course for the players at The Carter Cup. As the leaders are going low on the Lower (Peter Kim is 5-under thru 10 and numerous others are 3- and 2-under), the scores bring up an interesting discussion at Baltusrol. Why would the players go lower on a course that hosts major championships? Especially when it is their second 18 holes of the day, in hot and humid conditions, with no caddies? Here are a few explanations we came up with:
-The Lower Course has flatter greens than the Upper Course.
-The Upper Course requires much more intimate knowledge of the undulations on the greens and strategies for attacking the flag, something very hard to come by when playing the course for the first time or one time a year.
-Players gain a mental edge knowing they are playing a course where names like Nicklaus and Mickelson have won.
The Lower Course at Baltusrol, site of numerous U.S. Opens and the 2005 PGA Championship, has been the better-scoring course for the players at The Carter Cup. As the leaders are going low on the Lower (Peter Kim is 5-under thru 10 and numerous others are 3- and 2-under), the scores bring up an interesting discussion at Baltusrol. Why would the players go lower on a course that hosts major championships? Especially when it is their second 18 holes of the day, in hot and humid conditions, with no caddies? Here are a few explanations we came up with:
-The Lower Course has flatter greens than the Upper Course.
-The Upper Course requires much more intimate knowledge of the undulations on the greens and strategies for attacking the flag, something very hard to come by when playing the course for the first time or one time a year.
-Players gain a mental edge knowing they are playing a course where names like Nicklaus and Mickelson have won.
Miller Making Charge at Baltusrol
-Billy Condon
2010 Met Junior champ Mike Miller of Brewster, N.Y., is making a strong surge to catch the leaders as he is 3-under for his second 18 holes. Miller finished in fourth place at last year's Carter Cup and hopes to make one last push in his final year of eligibility in the event.
2010 Met Junior champ Mike Miller of Brewster, N.Y., is making a strong surge to catch the leaders as he is 3-under for his second 18 holes. Miller finished in fourth place at last year's Carter Cup and hopes to make one last push in his final year of eligibility in the event.
The Race is On at Baltusrol
-Billy Condon
David Pastore and Ryan McCormick have created a gap between themselves and the rest of the field as Pastore sits at 4-under and McCormick at 3-under. The next closest competitors are at even-par.
David Pastore and Ryan McCormick have created a gap between themselves and the rest of the field as Pastore sits at 4-under and McCormick at 3-under. The next closest competitors are at even-par.
Pastore Leads Going into Afternoon 18
-Billy Condon
2009 Carter Cup runner-up David Pastore of Greenwich, Conn., is the first-round leader after firing a two-under-par 70 and is one-under thru one hole in his afternoon 18 on the Lower Course. Pastore, who also won the Met Junior on two occasions (2009 & 2006), is playing with 2010 Met Junior champ Mike Miller and perennial Carter Cup contender Sean Kelly of Staten Island, N.Y.
Ryan McCormick of Middletown, N.J., is right on Pastore's heels as he is three-under on his afternoon round and two-under for the championship.
2009 Carter Cup runner-up David Pastore of Greenwich, Conn., is the first-round leader after firing a two-under-par 70 and is one-under thru one hole in his afternoon 18 on the Lower Course. Pastore, who also won the Met Junior on two occasions (2009 & 2006), is playing with 2010 Met Junior champ Mike Miller and perennial Carter Cup contender Sean Kelly of Staten Island, N.Y.
Ryan McCormick of Middletown, N.J., is right on Pastore's heels as he is three-under on his afternoon round and two-under for the championship.
Kim Makes an Ace on Third at Baltusrol
-Billy Condon
2008 MGA/MetLife Boys champion Peter Kim, who will be representing the MGA on the 2010 Williamson Cup team, made a hole-in-one on the 198-yard par-3 third hole. Kim has been a little sporadic early on, so the ace is sure to help. Through seven holes, he has recorded an ace, two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. The hole is playing as the 4th hardest in the early going.
2008 MGA/MetLife Boys champion Peter Kim, who will be representing the MGA on the 2010 Williamson Cup team, made a hole-in-one on the 198-yard par-3 third hole. Kim has been a little sporadic early on, so the ace is sure to help. Through seven holes, he has recorded an ace, two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. The hole is playing as the 4th hardest in the early going.
They Are Who We Thought They Were
-Billy Condon
No, Dennis Green is not spotting balls on the course at Baltusrol, but the sentiment of his words are ringing true early on at The Carter Cup. The final group of the morning is almost a third of the way done with their first 18 holes, and the scores are displaying seasoned MGA and Carter Cup vets at the top.
Leading the way is 2010 Met Junior champ Mike Miller (-3), followed closely by 2009 Met Junior winner and last year's Carter Cup runner-up David Pastore (-2). Rounding out the top-four, you have 2010 Met Junior runner-up Schuyler Stitzer and Dylan Crowley, who finished 4th at the Ike at Metropolis.
Let's see if these guys can keep the early momentum going in the hot humid conditions.
No, Dennis Green is not spotting balls on the course at Baltusrol, but the sentiment of his words are ringing true early on at The Carter Cup. The final group of the morning is almost a third of the way done with their first 18 holes, and the scores are displaying seasoned MGA and Carter Cup vets at the top.
Leading the way is 2010 Met Junior champ Mike Miller (-3), followed closely by 2009 Met Junior winner and last year's Carter Cup runner-up David Pastore (-2). Rounding out the top-four, you have 2010 Met Junior runner-up Schuyler Stitzer and Dylan Crowley, who finished 4th at the Ike at Metropolis.
Let's see if these guys can keep the early momentum going in the hot humid conditions.
8th Carter Cup at Baltusrol
-Billy Condon
Today is the 8th playing of The Carter Cup. An event on the MGA schedule that features some of the best young talent in Met Area golf. While the event distinguishes the top junior in the field, the tournament is played in, and celebrates the memory of Michael Carter. Here is a brief history on The Carter Cup from the MGA Media Guide:
The Carter Cup was founded in 2003 and named in honor of 20-year-old Michael J. Carter, an accomplished junior player at Baltusrol and standout member of the golf team at New Jersey’s Delbarton School. Carter died in a car accident in 2002, and Baltusrol approached the MGA about establishing an event in his memory. Carter had won junior club championships at both Baltusrol and Winged Foot Golf Clubs, and at the time of his death he was a member of the golf team at Penn State. The Carter Cup, which serves as the MGA Junior Stroke Play Championship, is a one-day, 36-hole invitational event held annually on the Upper and Lower Courses at Baltusrol. The only exception was 2005, when it was held at Winged Foot due to the playing of the PGA Championship at Baltusrol. The field is carefully selected by the MGA and includes the top junior players in the Met Area.
Today is the 8th playing of The Carter Cup. An event on the MGA schedule that features some of the best young talent in Met Area golf. While the event distinguishes the top junior in the field, the tournament is played in, and celebrates the memory of Michael Carter. Here is a brief history on The Carter Cup from the MGA Media Guide:
The Carter Cup was founded in 2003 and named in honor of 20-year-old Michael J. Carter, an accomplished junior player at Baltusrol and standout member of the golf team at New Jersey’s Delbarton School. Carter died in a car accident in 2002, and Baltusrol approached the MGA about establishing an event in his memory. Carter had won junior club championships at both Baltusrol and Winged Foot Golf Clubs, and at the time of his death he was a member of the golf team at Penn State. The Carter Cup, which serves as the MGA Junior Stroke Play Championship, is a one-day, 36-hole invitational event held annually on the Upper and Lower Courses at Baltusrol. The only exception was 2005, when it was held at Winged Foot due to the playing of the PGA Championship at Baltusrol. The field is carefully selected by the MGA and includes the top junior players in the Met Area.
July 22, 2010
Miller Takes the Fifth to Square Match
-Billy Condon
On the par-5 fifth, both players ripped drives down the middle with Miller edging Stitzer by a good 25 yards. Stitzer was first to play and made poor contact with a fairway wood. Miller knocked his second shot on the front left portion of the green.
Stitzer's third shot cleared the green and the bunkers behind it and ended up in the bushes. With Miller needing only two putts for birdie, Stitzer conceded the hole and in doing so, squared the match.
On the par-5 fifth, both players ripped drives down the middle with Miller edging Stitzer by a good 25 yards. Stitzer was first to play and made poor contact with a fairway wood. Miller knocked his second shot on the front left portion of the green.
Stitzer's third shot cleared the green and the bunkers behind it and ended up in the bushes. With Miller needing only two putts for birdie, Stitzer conceded the hole and in doing so, squared the match.
Miller Battles Stitzer in Final at 93rd Met Junior
-Billy Condon
After a grueling three days of heat and golf, the field of 64 at the 93rd Met Junior Championship at Ardsley Country Club has been narrowed down to the final two: Mike Miller and Schuyler Stitzer. Here is a quick recap of the first few holes.
On the first hole of the championship match, Stitzer got up and down from a bunker to save par while Miller three-putted for bogey. Stitzer took a 1 up lead.
Both players came away from the second holes with bogey fours.
On the third hole, Miller finished with a score of four and made par while Stitzer struggled and made bogey. The match went back to all square.
The fourth hole found Miller three-putting again and Stitzer took advantage of the hiccup and made birdie at the 511-yard par 5.
After a grueling three days of heat and golf, the field of 64 at the 93rd Met Junior Championship at Ardsley Country Club has been narrowed down to the final two: Mike Miller and Schuyler Stitzer. Here is a quick recap of the first few holes.
On the first hole of the championship match, Stitzer got up and down from a bunker to save par while Miller three-putted for bogey. Stitzer took a 1 up lead.
Both players came away from the second holes with bogey fours.
On the third hole, Miller finished with a score of four and made par while Stitzer struggled and made bogey. The match went back to all square.
The fourth hole found Miller three-putting again and Stitzer took advantage of the hiccup and made birdie at the 511-yard par 5.
July 8, 2010
Tie at 2-under
-Billy Condon
All of the groups have made the turn and some have even finished their morning 18. We have a three way tie at the top between Alex Edfort, Brian Komline and defending champ Josh Goldstein (pictured). They all shot 2-under 34's on their first nine holes. Goldstein, who is playing with Komline, caught fire with an eagle on 11th, his second hole of the day, and followed that up with two birdies on 13 and 15. Goldstein cooled off towards the end of his nine though with bogeys on the last two holes going into the turn. Komline, meanwhile, is playing steady golf with two birdies and six pars.
Chasing the Public Links Title at Spook Rock
-Billy Condon
A field of 68 public golfers have come to Spook Rock Golf Course in Suffern, N.Y., for the 63rd MGA/MetLife Public Links Championship. Play is under way in the 36-hole event and a number of players have made the turn in red numbers. Some of the top players in the field have yet to turn. Defending champ Josh Goldstein is playing with Ike runner-up Brian Komline (pictured) and are paired together in the last group on one side. Komline, who won the NJSGA Amateur Championship earlier this season, is looking for his first MGA victory.
Players are not only battling the course today but some sticky weather. With high humidity and temperatures around 90, one non-golf related advantage will go to the players who brought a shirt to change into for their final 18 holes.
June 29, 2010
Day Two at the Ike
-Billy Condon
There are some familiar faces atop the leader board at the Ike. Defending champ Mike Ballo Jr. and 2008 MGA Player of the Year Joe Saladino are recognizable names, but there are also a few relative unknowns who are in contention as well.
Meet Russell Giglio, a 25-year-old Iona graduate who works for IBM. Giglio is tied with Ballo and Saladino and he plays out of Orange County Country Club. Giglio is excited to be in contention and during the rain delay during the first round, texted his family telling them that we was in the lead at the Ike. Giglio took a day off from work to play at the Ike, and joked that now he has to tell his manager he is going to need another day off from work because he made the cut. If Giglio goes on to win, hopefully his manager will cut him some slack for his time out of the office.
The other player tied at the top is Chris Ferraro, who won the NJCAA Division III National Championship this past season for Suny Ulster. Ferraro was also named the Most Outstanding Player by the Mid Hudson Conference and he hopes that his strong finish to the college season continues here at Metropolis. He plays out of Twaalfskill.
At the end of the day it will be a new or familiar face holding the Ike trophy. Until then, let's get to some golf.
There are some familiar faces atop the leader board at the Ike. Defending champ Mike Ballo Jr. and 2008 MGA Player of the Year Joe Saladino are recognizable names, but there are also a few relative unknowns who are in contention as well.
Meet Russell Giglio, a 25-year-old Iona graduate who works for IBM. Giglio is tied with Ballo and Saladino and he plays out of Orange County Country Club. Giglio is excited to be in contention and during the rain delay during the first round, texted his family telling them that we was in the lead at the Ike. Giglio took a day off from work to play at the Ike, and joked that now he has to tell his manager he is going to need another day off from work because he made the cut. If Giglio goes on to win, hopefully his manager will cut him some slack for his time out of the office.
The other player tied at the top is Chris Ferraro, who won the NJCAA Division III National Championship this past season for Suny Ulster. Ferraro was also named the Most Outstanding Player by the Mid Hudson Conference and he hopes that his strong finish to the college season continues here at Metropolis. He plays out of Twaalfskill.
At the end of the day it will be a new or familiar face holding the Ike trophy. Until then, let's get to some golf.
June 28, 2010
Birmingham makes an ace
-Billy Condon
Michael Birmingham of the Nassau Players club on Long Island made a hole-in-one on the fourth hole, a par-3 from 188 with a 6-iron. Congratulations Michael!
Michael Birmingham of the Nassau Players club on Long Island made a hole-in-one on the fourth hole, a par-3 from 188 with a 6-iron. Congratulations Michael!
Saladino Leads at the Ike
-Billy Condon
The morning wave of players have finished and Joe Saladino sizzled out on the course with a 2-under 69. Saladino had 6 birdies on the round, no surprise because of his comfort level at Metropolis. Mike Stamberger and Robert Cronheim also came in under par with 1-under 70's. Saladino is the clubhouse leader but defending champ Mike Ballo Jr. and Cameron Wilson are on the course and also have the goods to go low.
The weather for the afternoon is continued heat and humidity with the possibility of storms, but a 100% chance of birdies.
The morning wave of players have finished and Joe Saladino sizzled out on the course with a 2-under 69. Saladino had 6 birdies on the round, no surprise because of his comfort level at Metropolis. Mike Stamberger and Robert Cronheim also came in under par with 1-under 70's. Saladino is the clubhouse leader but defending champ Mike Ballo Jr. and Cameron Wilson are on the course and also have the goods to go low.
The weather for the afternoon is continued heat and humidity with the possibility of storms, but a 100% chance of birdies.
Why to like the Ike
-Billy Condon
The MGA's amateur stroke play championship, the Ike, is one of the toughest tests of regional amateur golf in the country and brings out one of the premier Met Area fields. Looking at the numbers, it doesn't take long to comprehend why this event is so difficult to win, and why George Zahringer III's five Ike titles will probably never be matched.
20 former MGA champions are in the field of 110, with three of those being former Ike winners (Mike Ballo Jr., Greg Rohlf and Roger Hoit). Cameron Wilson and Joe Saladino, the last two winners of the MGA Player of the Year award are also competing, and both of them, along with Rohlf, played in the MGA's French-American Challenge at Metropolis in 2008, giving the trio an added knowledge of the course.
When you add in the accomplishments and recent strong play of players such as Mike Miller, Dave Pastore, Brian Komline and John Ervasti, the championship will surely be well deserved for the player who comes out on top.
With such a stacked field and outstanding golf course testing the competitors, it is hard to not like the Ike.
The MGA's amateur stroke play championship, the Ike, is one of the toughest tests of regional amateur golf in the country and brings out one of the premier Met Area fields. Looking at the numbers, it doesn't take long to comprehend why this event is so difficult to win, and why George Zahringer III's five Ike titles will probably never be matched.
20 former MGA champions are in the field of 110, with three of those being former Ike winners (Mike Ballo Jr., Greg Rohlf and Roger Hoit). Cameron Wilson and Joe Saladino, the last two winners of the MGA Player of the Year award are also competing, and both of them, along with Rohlf, played in the MGA's French-American Challenge at Metropolis in 2008, giving the trio an added knowledge of the course.
When you add in the accomplishments and recent strong play of players such as Mike Miller, Dave Pastore, Brian Komline and John Ervasti, the championship will surely be well deserved for the player who comes out on top.
With such a stacked field and outstanding golf course testing the competitors, it is hard to not like the Ike.
Ike kicks off in heat and humidity
-Billy Condon
The 55th Ike Championship is off and running and the field will be feeling the heat both from the competitiveness of one of the finest amateur golf fields, and also from the muggy conditions. It is just before 9:00 and the temperature is already in the high 80's with a heat index of 91.
Players such as 2009 Met Amateur runner-up John Ervasti, 2008 MGA Player of the Year Joe Saladino and 2009 MGA Senior Amateur champ Al Small all teed up in the early wave and are out on the course. They are looking to post solid rounds early before the championship reaches its hottest temperatures.
Two players familiar with MGA championships who will be facing the afternoon heat will be defending Ike champ Mike Ballo Jr. and 2009 MGA Player of the Year Cameron Wilson, who are paired together and tee off at 1:00.
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