ELMSFORD, N.Y. (August 1, 2006) - After a one-year hiatus due to Baltusrol’s hosting of the PGA Championship in 2005, the fourth annual Carter Cup-MGA Junior Stroke Play Championship returns to Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, on Wednesday, August 2. Attracting top young players from across the Met Area, this 36-hole, stroke-play event is contested over the Upper and Lower courses – both former U.S. Open venues – and in its short history has established itself as one of the premier junior championships in the country.

The Carter Cup is an invitational event open to juniors who have not reached 19 years of age.  It was named in honor of 20-year-old Michael P. Carter, an accomplished junior player and standout member of the Delbarton School (Morristown, N.J.) golf team who was killed in a car accident in 2002.  Carter was a junior club champion at both Baltusrol and Winged Foot Golf Clubs, and was a promising member of the golf team at Penn State University.

The 2006 Carter Cup will feature a field 42 talented and determined young players, including defending champion Morgan Hoffmann of Wyckoff, N.J., who claimed the 2005 title in a playoff with Dan Abbondandolo of Oyster Bay, New York.  Hoffmann won the title at Winged Foot Golf Club with a par on the first playoff hole, the par-three 10th on the West Course, after both players posted three-over-par scores of 145 for the championship. Hoffman has continued to distinguish himself as one of the Met Area’s hottest players, advancing to match play at the 2005 U.S. Amateur and the 2005 & 2006 U.S. Junior Championships. Hoffman also won the 2005 New Jersey High School Championship and New Jersey State Junior Championship, and will be among the favorites in this year’s field.

Other prominent players vying for the Carter Cup title include 14-year-old David Pastore of Greenwich, Connecticut. On July 27 at The Apawamis Club in Rye, N.Y., Pastore became the youngest winner of the MGA/MetLife Junior Championship with a 1-up victory over Chris Scialo of New City, N.Y.  Also in the field will be Tommy McDonagh of Wilton, Conn., winner of the 2006 Connecticut State Amateur; Timothy Pawul of East Setauket, N.Y., who qualified for the 2006 US Junior; Mike Ballo Jr. of Stamford, Conn., winner of the 2006 CSGA Junior Championship; Max Bischel, a finalist in the 2005 MGA/MetLife Boys Championship; and Mark Costanza, a former MGA/MetLife Boys Champion who finished 6th in the 2005 Carter Cup.           

Playing at Winged Foot during a day of extreme heat last year, the young players in the 2005 Carter Cup field showed a poise and maturity beyond their years in negotiating the difficult East and West Courses under difficult conditions.  Their enthusiasm and support for this event is inspiring, and a lasting tribute to the memory of Michael Carter and to his father, J. Michael Carter, who passed away in 2005.  

The Metropolitan Golf Association thanks Baltusrol Golf Club for once again hosting this prestigious event. Further, we also wish to recognize the Carter family for their continued courage and support, which will continue to make the Carter Cup one of the most coveted titles in The Met Area.