ARDSLEY-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - In what turned out to be a battle of the number one & two seeds, and also close friends, Martin Catalioto, of Ramsey, N.J., capped off an exceptional week by defeating Jack Skirkanich, of Rumson, N.J., 3 & 1 to capture his second MGA/MetLife Junior Championship at Ardsley CC in Ardsley-on-Hudson, N.Y. The event was again sponsored by MetLife.

After cruising through his first 4 matches, Catalioto was forced to bear down in todays’ semifinal and final matches. After being taken to the 19th hole in his morning semifinal match against Skirkanich’s neighbor John Browndorf (the reigning MGA/MetLife Boys Champion), also from Rumson, N.J., Catalioto knew he would have to be on top of his game to capture the title he won in 1998. Skirkanich gained his berth in the finals with a 2-up win over Steven Shapiro of Millwood, N.Y.

The Bergen Catholic standout, who will turn 18 next week, jumped out to an early lead birdieing 2 of the first 3 holes and gaining a 3-up lead after 7 holes.  Skirkanich never recovered, eventually falling on the 17th.

Although the two have been friends for years, today was oddly the first time they have squared off head-to-head in competition. “It was a bit awkward at first, but I knew Jack wanted it as much as I did. It was a tough match until the end”, said Catalioto, who is currently 76th ranked junior in the nation.

After shooting 68 and capturing the Met Amateur qualifying medal at the Powelton Club last week, Catalioto figured to be the player to beat coming into this week's tournament. Relying on a hot putter and a steady tee-to-green game, Catalioto become the first two-time MGA/MetLife Junior champion in more than a decade, the last being Adam Spring in 1987.