SCARSDALE, N.Y. - It took 39 holes for Jim Miller of Metuchen G&CC to capture his first MGA Senior Open Championship today at Fenway Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y. A three-hole aggregate playoff was needed to decide the tournaments fourth edition after Miller finished tied with Baltusrol head professional Doug Steffen at five-over-par 145 after 36-holes.

The two headed to the par-five third hole at the A.W. Tillinghast designed Fenway to begin the playoff. Both players made routine pars and marched to the par-three fourth still tied. The action began to heat up as Miller and Steffen each matched birdies with only one hole remaining. Miller took advantage of his length and was left with only 142 yards on the monstrous 458-yard par-four fifth while Steffen's three wood and four-iron approach left him short of the green. Miller calmly followed with a 9-iron to 15-feet below the hole. After Steffen's 12-foot par attempt narrowly slide by the hole, the 53-year old Miller converted his two-foot par putt and earned his $5,000 winner's check in the Buick Motor Division sponsored event.

Miller, the 1998 New Jersey Senior Open Champion, was all smiles afterwards. "To win in a playoff after losing in one last year makes this extra special. I really enjoyed this golf course. Although it's my first time playing it, I feel it's every bit as good as it's neighbors Winged Foot and Quaker Ridge," the champion said afterwards.

Steffen, who bogeyed four out of the last five holes in regulation, couldn't have agreed more. "The course played very difficult both days. You really had to be in the right spots on these severely undulated and contoured greens," the 51-year old remarked.

Larry Hall of Packanack GC in New Jersey earned low amateur honors after finishing five shots back at 150 (74-76) while two-time defending champion Russell Helwig of Essex Fells finished 22nd with a total of 155.