Huynh Wins 44th MGA/MetLife Boys Championship
SHELTER ISLAND HEIGHTS, N.Y.(August 10, 2012) – Despite an hour and a half rain delay and an exhausting day of competition, 15-year-old Willis Huynh of Syosset, N.Y., was able to keep his focus and capture the first major victory of his career with the 44th MGA/MetLife Boys Championship at Gardiner’s Bay Country Club on Shelter Island, N.Y. Huynh defeated Vincent Palazzolo of Colts Neck, N.J. 3 and 2 in the final match, which took just over five hours and 15 minutes to complete.
With the match all square after the 13th hole, Huynh, won the 14th, 15th, and closed out the match with a difficult 15-foot right- to-left putt on the 16th green. Palazzolo, who dominated his first three matches, grabbed momentum early on a after a brilliant chip-in on the difficult par-3 fourth hole for birdie and a clutch up-and-down to save par on the par-4 fifth. But any energy Palazzolo gained was halted when a severe thunderstorm entered the area.
Following a 90 minute delay, Huynh went out and won the par-4 eighth hole and the two youngsters traded wins on the 10th and 12th holes. That’s when Huynh took control of the match, sinking critical putts on the next four holes to put him on top. With his win, Huynh earns an exemption into next year’s Carter Cup and Met Junior Championship sponsored by MetLife.
Semifinalists David Lee-Tolley of New York, N.Y. and Dawson Jones, of Howell, N.J., as well as Palazzolo will also earn exemptions into the Met Junior.
Gardiner’s Bay, located on the northwest tip of Shelter Island, provided a phenomenal track for match play. The MGA/MetLife Boys Championship will return next year at Bedford Golf and Tennis Club in Bedford, N.Y.
