Woodbury, N.Y.--Playing in his first MGA/MetLife Public Links Championship, 18-year old Martin Catalioto of Bergen Community GC played like a seasoned veteran firing a two-under par total of 138 (70-68) to earn his first victory in the event today at Oyster Bay Golf Course in Woodbury, NY.

The two-time MGA Junior Champion and freshman to be at Clemson University this fall, entered the afternoon round a mere one shot back of 18-hole leader Gary Schmitt of Pine Hills who finished with a one-under par 69 in the morning.  "I played pretty consistent this morning.  I hit all 18 greens but just couldn't make a putt.  Knowing that my 70 could have been a 67, I felt confident that I could begin to score well in the afternoon," the former Bergen Catholic High School standout said afterwards.                            

 Catalioto improved on his two birdie, two-bogey performance in the morning and carded three birdies to only one bogey in the afternoon to finish five shots ahead of Schmitt (143) who faded in the afternoon with a four-over par 74.  "I just couldn't make any putts today.  Coming to the 36^th, I knew I needed at least a birdie to give myself a chance and just got a little anxious," the runner-up said after finishing with a double bogey on the final hole.  Former three-time champion Lee Richardson of Spook Rock fired an afternoon one-under par 69 to finish tied for third at 145 (76-69) with Bill Bartell of Nassau Players (73-72).  Defending champion David Kwon of Bergen Community finished well off the pace after finishing with rounds of 76 - 81 = 157.

Next, Catalioto will next head to the Stoddard Trophy matches tomorrow at The Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, NY (the club where he has worked the last four years) to represent a New Jersey team that will square off against teams from Long Island and Westchester/Connecticut.  Then it's off to Hudson National for the 99^th Met Amateur Championship where last year he was a semi-finalist.  Kwon used his victory last year to springboard himself to victory ten days later in the Met Amateur, a feat Catalioto hopes to duplicate this year.  "I'm starting to feel like all my hard work is paying off.  I finished 4^th at the Ike last month which made me feel like a breakthrough was coming soon.  With such a strong field, this was a great win and confidence builder for me," the newly crowned champ said afterwards.  And with his 19^th birthday only six days away, you can expect to see more great things to come from Catalioto in the near future.