Low Scoring at the Halfway Point

By Greg Midland

The combination of perfect weather and receptive greens at both Old Oaks and Century is setting the stage for an afternoon shootout at U.S. Open sectional qualifying. Three players shot 68 in the morning round, including Sean Farren, the head pro at Creek Club on Long Island, and Michael Tulacz, from the Hudson Valley town of Connelly, N.Y.
Other Met Area players in good position to earn one of the four available spots in the 109th U.S. Open Championship include Saint Andrew's head pro Greg Bisconti (69), former MGA/MetLife Public Links champion Paul Dickinson of Montauk, N.Y. (69), and two former Met Open champions, John Stoltz and Andrew Svoboda, who both shot 70.
Stay tuned to www.mgagolf.org for updated scoring all afternoon and video interviews with the qualifiers at the end of the day.

They're Off! 77 for 4 spots

By Greg Midland

We're underway at Century Country Club and Old Oaks Country Club, as 77 professionals and amateurs compete for 4 spots in the 109th U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage. Scoring conditions are ideal, as there is no wind adn the greens were softened a bit by overnight rain showers. It should give the players an opportunity to display their talents as they compete for a coveted spot in the national championship.
The field includes Mathias Gronberg, who won this weekend's Nationwide Tour event in Maryland in a 36-hole final day. Gronberg will be playing his second consecutive 36-hole day, but this time the prize will be a spot in the toughest tournament in golf.
We did have one withdrawl: Frenchman Jean Van de Velde, who was replaced in the field by Kirk Oguri of Huntington, N.Y.

One Ticket to Bethpage, Please

By Billy Condon

The hottest ticket in town this summer is not to see the American Idols concert tour or even the Jonas Brothers, but rather one of the remaining qualifying spots to play in the 2009 U.S. Open…and StubHub won’t be able to help. The only chance to punch a ticket to the Black is to earn a spot at one of 13 sectional qualifiers being held nationwide on June 8. Vying for these spots are a cast of characters that ranges from teenagers, college All-Americans, club professionals, pros with multiple Tour victories, and guys who work 9-5 jobs but pack a summer schedule of golf. The exciting thing is that all of these people have an equal chance to qualify…whether your name is Brad Faxon, an eight-time PGA Tour winner or Mike Stamberger, a finance broker in New York City.

Here is a quick breakdown on some of the Met Area amateurs looking to qualify:
• Morgan Hoffmann – Too many accolades to list after a tremendous freshman debut at Oklahoma State (see post below). Qualifying in Columbus, Ohio.
• Michael Quagliano – Qualified for Torrey Pines last year from the Memphis, Tenn. qualifier. Looks to again qualify in the Volunteer State – why mess with a good thing?
• Cameron Wilson – At 16 is the second-youngest competitor to make it to Sectionals and who just finished his junior year of high school. A strong lefty that backs down to no one and thrives in competition.
• Max Buckley – Recently finished his freshman year at SMU. A past Carter Cup champion that did a post-grad year at the Hank Haney International Golf Academy.
• Mike Stamberger – A past Met Amateur champion that advanced to the quarters of the 2008 U.S. Mid-Am.

Top Freshman Honors for Hoffmann

By Billy Condon

Morgan Hoffmann, Oklahoma State’s freshman phenom who now holds the top-ranked spot in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings, was recently awarded the Phil Mickelson Award, as the most outstanding freshman in Division I men's golf. Hoffmann, who finished as the medalist in three events, including the Big 12 championship, was also named first-team All-American, All-Big 12 and Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Year. He was also named to the U.S. Palmer Cup team and a semifinalist for the Hogan Award as the top player in college golf. It is an understatement to say that Hoffmann’s freshman campaign as a Cowboy was impressive as he now sets his sights on qualifying for the U.S. Open in Columbus, Ohio.

Photo Credit: Oklahoma State Athletics

"So, What's Your Handicap?"

By Billy Condon

With the U.S. Open less than a month away, the worldwide golf buzz has already started. People at bars, courses, and walking down the street are excited to watch Tiger & co. tackle Bethpage once more, and golfers are debating about how they would fare teeing it up with the big boys. This conversation often turns to: “So, what’s your handicap?”

Therefore, in tune with this week’s poll, we’ll tackle one of golf’s greatest mysteries…the handicap. True or false: every golfer keeps a handicap? False. Fact: every golfer SHOULD have an official USGA Handicap Index, even if they don’t entirely understand the purpose of that double — but hopefully one day single — digit number. Here is a quick overview of the handicap system and why, no matter the skill of the player, you should keep one.

1) It allows players of all abilities to compete on an equitable level…making it your only chance to beat Tiger Woods outside of video games
2) It allows players to track their games as they improve
3) It allows players to track their games as their game falls apart
4) It allows a player to enter tournaments, outings and other events where handicaps are required
5) And if nothing else, it makes you look like you are serious about the game…and it’s cheap!

Now that you are excited about the handicap system, here’s how to sign up:
-You can click here: I am ready to start my handicap journey
-If you are an existing member of a golf club, men’s league, or any other organized group, you can talk to your handicap chairman about getting started with an official USGA Handicap Index.
-If not, contact a club near you and sign up today!

Catch the Trend

By Billy Condon

Trends come and go, especially in sports. From the short-shorts in the NBA to the oversize visors in golf that were sported by the likes of Tom Kite and Laura Davies (sorry David Toms), sports trends are in and out of style as often as Sergio changes putters.

Like all trends, it just takes an individual to spark the idea before others adopt a similar routine. From LeBron’s baby powder toss before a game, Big Papi’s pre-swing spit-clap and Paula Creamer’s pink outfit and golf ball, athletes have become synonymous with their individual trends. Not to mention that guy who wears red on Sundays. Here is a short list of examples in golf that help make our game unique, exciting and the source of conversation at the 19th hole.

-Any outfit by Ian Poulter

-John Daly’s new clothing endorser

-Boo Weekley and camouflage

-Bubba Watson and pink shafts

-Camilo Villegas’s Spider-man approach to reading putts

-Jim Furyk’s “back-off” putting routine

-Anthony Kim’s belt buckles

-Shingo Katayama’s cowboy hats

-Gary Player’s all-black attire

Photo Credit: Stuart Franklin - Getty Images

Despite Unfavorable Outcome, MGA Enjoys the Emerald Isle

By Kate Keller

Thursday, May 7

Several of the MGA Team members departed this morning for New York Mike Reardon, Cameron Wilson and Robert Cronheim all stayed at Portmarnock to play in the Irish Amateur Open Championship beginning Friday, May 8 at Royal Dublin.

A few of us, Al Small and his wife Patti, Gene Westmoreland and his wife Mary and I, traveled to The North. The drive along the cost of Ireland is spectacular! Everywhere you looked there was natural beauty in some form, whether it was the mountains on our left or the Irish Sea on our right.

We visited Royal County Down Golf Club. It was just as picturesque as one can imagine, and all were raving about the experience of playing this world famous course. Mary and I toured the quaint town of New Castle and sampled the local shopping and cuisine. Then it was back into the car to head further north to Port Rush!

Wednesday, May 6

It was another great finish today, although the outcome didn't come out the way the MGA had intended. Members of both teams played great and the awards reception was lovely. MGA President Al Small and team captain Gene Westmoreland stressed how much pride they had in their team, and how impressive the caliber of play was this week. Gene said it best, "When we arrived on Monday, there were some new friends and some old friends, and after today, we are ALL old friends".

We made plans with P.J. Collins, President of the GUI, and Rollo McClure, Honorary Treasurer of the GUI, to meet up when they visit New York for the U.S. Open in June. They were also invited to join us at the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association Dinner on June 16th where Gene will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award. All in all, it was a great day for the game of golf.

MGA, GUI Tied After First Day of Carey Cup

The MGA and the Golfing Union of Ireland are tied after the first day of competition at the Carey Cup Matches at the Portmarnock Links and Hotel in Dublin, Ireland. Visit www.mgagolf.org for complete coverage. Kate Keller, the MGA Director of Special Events, sent us another update from across the pond:

May 5
I never fully understood how difficult playing golf under true links conditions could be...until today. The wind knocked over golf bags, blew golf balls off tees, and almost sidelined a few golf administrators! Nevertheless, both teams played very well and impressed us all. The MGA team made a great comeback in the afternoon, winning two of the three matches.

The GUI treated the MGA and Portmarnock officials and staff to a wonderful dinner at Bon Appetite in Malahide. The 7 course tasting menu was exquisite—a truly special evening that we will never forget!

I also had a conversation with MGA team captain Gene Westmoreland on what he thought of the day’s play:

“Despite winds of 40-50 miles per hour, the caliber of play was incredible,” said Gene. “The fourball scores in all matches were unbelievably under par. We're happy to be tied 3-3 going into the singles matches and looking forward to another great day of competition.”

MGA Carey Cup Team Set for Matches

The Carey Cup Matches began Tuesday morning at The Links Portmarnock in Ireland. Visit www.mgagolf.org for live scoring and full coverage. Kate Keller, Director of Special Events at the MGA, sent an update on the Matches:

May 4
Today the lads from the Golfing Union of Ireland arrived and both teams and officials played a practice round at The Links Portmarnock to get ready for the matches. Following golf, there was a cocktail reception and an official dinner to formally introduce the two teams. It was wonderful to see old friends from the GUI again and to meet new friends from both the GUI and The Links Portmarnock. MGA team captain Gene Westmoreland and MGA President Al Small spoke on behalf of the MGA and the Carey Family, expressing the spirit of the matches and the great pride everyone has in representing their respective group. Tomorrow morning the matches begin at "half 8"!

Kate Keller

MGA Carey Cup Team Arrives in Ireland

The six-man MGA Carey Cup team traveled to Ireland over the weekend for the 8th Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup, a Walker Cup-style event against a team from the Golfing Union of Ireland, on May 5 and 6 at the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links (left). The MGA team is led by 2008 MGA Player of the Year Joe Saladino of Huntington and includes 2008 MGA Mid-Amateur champion Greg Rohlf of Winged Foot, 2007 MGA Mid-Amateur champ Mike Reardon of Tuxedo, and Ed Gibstein of Engineers, who is playing in his ninth MGA international competition. Sixteen-year-old Cameron Wilson, the low amateur at the 2008 Met Open, and 20-year-old Robert Cronheim of Twin Brooks, who finished tied for 9th at the 2008 New Jersey State Open, round out a strong MGA team. MGA Director of Special Events Kate Keller will send updates on all the action from the matches:

May 3
WE MADE IT! We arrived this morning at Dublin Airport at 10:15 a.m. Our flight was a little late, but Seamus Smith, the General Secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland, was there to greet us with our bus. We picked up our rental cars, loaded the bus and checked into the Portmarnock Hotel. The team got a quick bite to eat, then it was off to golf at the K Club, site of the 2006 Ryder Cup. The group reconvened for a lovely dinner at one of the hotel's three restaurants. The weather has been great so far with just a few showers throughout the day, but that's typical here in Ireland!

Kate Keller