FAIRFIELD, Conn. (July 19, 2007) - Mark Costanza of Tuxedo Park, N.Y., defeated Max Bichsel of Cranbury, N.J., 3 & 2 in the final of the 90th Met Junior Championship, sponsored by MetLife, at the Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn. With this win, Costanza becomes only the 10th player in MGA history to win both the Junior and MGA/MetLife Boys championships.

Costanza, who will attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, on a golf scholarship in the fall, started the day by defeating 15-year-old Jonathan Renza of Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., in 19 holes. Renza was able to stay close with Costanza throughout most of the match, but the longer and more experienced Costanza eventually won with a birdie on the first extra hole. Bichsel, who will be a senior at the Peddie School in New Jersey in the fall, defeated Ryan McCormick of Middletown, N.J., in the semifinals, one-up, after holding the advantage through most of the back nine.

In the final match, Costanza’s short game and putting came alive, as he carded six birdies and jumped out to an early lead. Bichsel was able to hang tough and cut what was a three-down deficit to two at the eighth hole. However, Costanza answered immediately with a birdie at the ninth. After a Bichsel bogey at the par-four 12th hole, Costanza drained his par putt to extend the lead to four up with six to play.

“Mark played really well this afternoon,” said Bichsel, a former Williamson Cup team member. “I was making pars, but its tough to come back when he is making birdies.”

Bichsel would make a birdie of his own at the par-four 13th and par at the 14th to win both holes and cut Costanza’s lead to two-up. But it wouldn’t be enough, as Costanza nailed a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-three 15th to take a commanding three-up lead with three holes to play. A halve at the short par-four 16th earned Costanza his second MGA title and an important victory.

“This was a very satisfying win for me,” said Costanza. “Some people have written me off in the past few years, so it was good to get a win and gain some confidence for SMU next year.”

The win earns Costanza an exemption into the Met Amateur Championship which begins on August 2 at Wykagyl CC. Bichsel will look to continue his successful season when he heads to the U.S. Junior Championship in Augusta, Mo., on July 23.

 

For complete results from today’s semifinal and final rounds, please visit the MGA Web site at www.mgagolf.org.

 

Sponsored by