Croton-On-Hudson, N.Y.--Youth was served in today's 99^th Met Amateur Championship semifinal round at Hudson National Golf Club.  Both semifinal matches pitted former champions versus victory hungry youths.  In both matches the youths prevailed, with both seeking the biggest victory in their young careers in tomorrows 36-hole final.

The mornings first semifinal match pitted three-time Met Amateur champ Jerry Courville Jr. of Shorehaven GC versus qualifying medalist Johnson Wagner of Garrison GC.  Wagner, a former caddie at Hudson National, continued to thrive on his local knowledge and jumped out to an early 2-up lead with birdies on the par-4 fourth and fifth holes.  The resilient Courville bounced back, winning the par-3 eighth with a par and the ninth with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 ninth after reaching the green with a 260-yard three wood, leaving the match all square at the turn.  Both players matched pars on holes ten thru thirteen, and headed to the reachable par-5 14^th tee.  Johnson was first to play from the rough and hit "by far my best shot of the tournament" a 2-iron from the rough over water to within 20-feet of the hole.  "I had to show that I was for real," the 21-year old said after he nailed his eagle putt to regain the lead.  A bogey on the par-3 16^th by

Courville left Wagner dormie with two to play.  When Courville missed his birdie attempt on the 17^th, Wagner casually two-putted for par and a 2 & 1 victory and a trip to the finals in his first Met Amateur championship.  "I putted well all day and kept it around the hole.  To defeat a champion like Courville and to see all the great names on the trophy, make me extremely excited about tomorrow's final," the senior to be at Virginia Tech said afterwards.

Wagner will meet 18-year Jack Skirkanich of Rumson CC who earned his first trip to the finals by defeating 1999 champion Greg Rohlf of Wykagyl CC 4 & 3.  Skirkanich jumped out to an early 5-up lead after five holes as Rohlf struggled with his putting.  The young freshman to be at Vanderbilt in the fall, hit his best shot of the day on the par-3 twelve, a crisp iron to a few inches of the hole after dropping a hole at #10.  "It was a big shot for me, just when it looked like he had gained back some momentum.  Definetely the best shot of the tournament for me," the 2000 MGA Junior runner-up said afterwards.  Skirkanich continued his steady play, hitting fairways and greens, and closed the match out 4 & 3 with a par on the 15^th.  "Johnson and I played together in the practice round.  I'm looking forward to coming out and just playing my game.  Tomorrow should be fun," Skirkanich said afterwards.    

Tomorrow's 36-hole final will begin at 7:30 with the second match beginning at 12:30 p.m.

A complete list of today’s qualifiers is attached.  For more information contact Richard J. Cerame or Gene Westmoreland of the MGA @ (914) 347-GOLF or visit the MGA website at mgagolf.org.