SUMMIT, N.J. (June 5, 2006) – After a week of record media attention, Michelle Wie fell five strokes out of the playoff for the last qualifying spot and a chance to be the first woman to reach the U.S. Open Championship at sectional qualifying at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J..  However, as Wie’s playing partner and two-time Met Open champion Rick Hartmann said, “she’s good, she is really good.”  The young teenager impressed not only her playing partners but also the galleries with her tremendous drives and consistent play.  Wie was, unfortunately, unable to match the play of the eighteen qualifiers in the field of 153 professionals and amateurs, especially Brett Quigley, who fired a seven-under-par 63 to lead the qualifiers with a 131 total and break the South Course record by one stroke.  Four players, including Kevin Stadler, son of 1982 Master’s Champion Craig Stadler, finished three shots back at 134.

Former PGA Championship winner Mark Brooks and former Met Area standout J.J. Henry also qualified with a 135 stroke total.  Four players, including PGA Tour pro Tom Pernice, advanced to the U.S. Open Championship after carding six-under-par 136s.  One of only four players two simultaneously hold the Met Open and Met Amateur titles, Andrew Svoboda, will move on to his home club to play in the U.S. Open.  Svoboda is joined by Chris Nallen, two players who stood out at the 2004 U.S. Amateur Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club.  Svoboda made it to the quarter-finals that year, while Nallen made it to the semi-finals.

After a two-hole playoff, Canadian Brad Fritsch birdied the two playoff holes to capture the final spot.  Travis Williams of Erie, Colo. and Tyler Hall of Wayne, N.J. took the first and second alternate spots, respectively.

The Metropolitan Golf Association conducts sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open Championship.  Eighteen players advanced to the Championship after 36 holes of stroke play.  The sectional qualifier attracted over 4,000 spectators and 250 members of the media due to the draw of Michelle Wie.  For more information please contact Jeanne McCooey or Gene Westmoreland at the MGA offices at (914) 347-4653 or visit the MGA website at www.mgagolf.org.