Sayville, N.Y. (July 9, 2013) – Xander McDonald-Smith of Marine Park posted a 3-under 68 to take medalist honors at the Met Amateur Sectional Qualifying Round at Island Hills Golf Club in Sayville, N.Y. on Monday, June 8.

McDonald-Smith, a rising junior on the Penn State golf team, shot six birdies to go along with only three bogeys to finish with the low score of the day.

Dean Franzese of Bethpage State Park, Tim Rosenhouse of MGA eClub-Long Island, the 2012 Long Island Amateur champion; and Hans Albertsson of Winged Foot, the 2012 MGA Mid-Am runner-up; all shot 2-under 69 to claim earn their spots in the championship field.

Two more players in the field of 129 advanced through the qualifying round. Rounding out those who qualified are Matthew Demeo of Nassau Players Club and Peter Minikes of Friar’s Head who both shot a 1-under 70.

Island Hills played to par 36-35-71 at 6,471 yards. 

The six players who qualified during today’s round will advance to the highly competitive championship at Tthe Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn., in the MGA’s oldest championship from August 1-4. After 36-holes of on-site qualifying, the top 16 players advance to match play to determine the champion.