12 former MGA champs advance to U.S. Open sectional qualifying

ELMSFORD, N.Y. (May 26, 2010) – Former Met Open champs Andrew Giuliani (2009) and Jim McGovern (1987), as well as PGA Tour players Kevin Stadler and Len Mattiace, will be joined by 58 other professionals and amateurs at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., for U.S. Open Championship sectional qualifying on June 7. Mattiace, a two-time winner on Tour, is originally from Mineola, N.Y., and his brother Robert, is a past winner of the Met Junior and MGA/MetLife Boys Championships.

U.S. Open local qualifying at four Met Area sites completed with several professionals and amateurs from the tri-state area one step away from playing in the USGA’s signature event. Advancing through to the final round of qualifying for the 110th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, are a number of Met Area natives as well as 12 former MGA champions.

Included in this mix are three panelists from this year’s MGA Media Day. Reigning Met Amateur champion and MGA Player of the Year Cameron Wilson, of Rowayton, Conn.; 2009 Met Open winner Andrew Giuliani of New York, N.Y.; and defending Ike champ Mike Ballo Jr. of Stamford, Conn. Joining this trio of golfers are other competitors with extensive championship golf experience. This mix of players include Greg Bisconti of South Salem, N.Y., the low club pro at the 2009 PGA Championship; 2007 Met Open champion Frank Bensel of Greenwich, Conn., who qualified for the 2007 U.S. Open;  and former MGA/MetLife Public Links and two-time Met Junior champ Martin Catalioto of Hilton Head, S.C.

A group of Long Island professionals highlighted the final qualifier at Noyac Golf Club in Sag Harbor, N.Y. These pros include Paul Dickinson of Montauk, N.Y., a two-time MGA/MetLife Public Links champion; Atlantic Golf Club pro Rick Hartmann of Sag Harbor, N.Y.; Mike Meehan of Bayville, N.Y., and Nassau Country Club; and Jack Druga of Southampton, N.Y., the head pro at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.