HAWORTH, N.J. (July 30, 2024) – The semifinals are set at the 56th MGA/MetLife Boys Championship Sponsored by MetLife at White Beeches Golf and Country Club in Haworth, N.J.
Zach Berger of Remsenburg, N.Y., was the first to punch his ticket, defeating Rory Asselta of Ramsey, N.J., 3 & 2 in the quarterfinals. Berger won three holes on the front nine, giving him a 2-up lead at the turn after Asselta took the fourth. A bogey from Asselta on No. 13 extended Berger’s lead. The two were tied through the par-4 16th, where Berger secured his place in the semifinal.
Asselta, the No. 1 seed to start the morning, was the first to advance to the quarterfinal by defeating Graham Erickson from Rye, N.Y., 6 & 5. Also in the morning, Berger defeated Chase Simms of Westfield, N.J., 5 & 4 in the Round of 16. Berger won four of five holes to finish the front nine with a 3-up lead. Berger continued this momentum with three wins in five holes.
New York, N.Y., native Colin McAskin was the next to secure his spot, winning 5 & 4 over Jiajun Wang of Old Westbury, N.Y. Three wins on the front nine helped McAskin establish a 3-up lead at the turn. McAskin won three more on the back nine and wrapped up the match on the 14th.
McAskin defeated Rhett duPont of New Canaan, Conn., 2 & 1 in the morning. After making the turn all square, McAskin picked up the pace, winning three of the four holes from No. 12 to 15. Despite ties on No. 16 and 17, it would not be enough for duPont. Wang won 4 & 3 against Henry Blake of Westfield, N.J., to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
The third player to punch his ticket to the semifinals was Samuel Gao of Scarsdale, N.Y. After beating Owen Kirchner of Chatham, N.J., 1-up in the Round of 16, he took down Ryan Liu in a repeat performance. Before facing Gao, Liu dominated against Alex Pluzter of Tenafly, N.J., winning on No. 14, 5 & 4.
Last but certainly not least, CJ Antifonario of Tenafly, N.J., beat Charles Doyle of New York, N.Y., 2 & 1. He maintained the lead through most of the round, securing his win after two bogeys from Doyle on Nos. 15 and 16. Antifonario earned a spot in the quarterfinals by beating Jack Stamberger of Brielle, N.J., 5 & 4. Meanwhile, Doyle beat Quinn Egan of White Plains, N.Y., 2 & 1 in his opening match.
In tomorrow’s semifinals, Berger will face Gao, while McAskin faces Antifonario. Berger and Gao will tee off at 7:30 a.m., with McAskin and Antifonario following at 7:40 a.m.
