ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 23, 2014) - On Tuesday, April 22, Trump National Golf Club - Bedminster hosted the MGA’s annual MGA Media Day in advance of the 2014 Met Open which will be played on the Old Course at Trump-Bedminster on August 19-21.

Guest panelists included Donald Trump, defending and two time Met Open Champion Mark Brown, 2013 MGA Player of the Year Max Buckley and MGA president Jeff Holzschuh. The program also included special guest Teresa Belmont of the USGA who gave a preview of the two upcoming USGA events in the Met Area this summer - the U.S. Women's Amateur at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y., and the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal, N.J. Brian Mahoney, the MGA's Managing Director of Rules, Competitions, and GHIN Services also included an overview of the MGA’s spectacular lineup of championship sites for 2014.

PHOTOS: MGA Media Day

President Holzschuh commented on the MGA’s growing sponsor relations including our long-time partner MetLife, who has recently shifted their focus to supporting MGA Foundation initiatives and extended our contract for another five years, making it the longest running sponsor relationships in sports. Holzschuh noted the continued success of our partnership with Lexus, now in the second year, and announced the launch of the second annual Lexus Perfect Drive Contest which includes a spectacular trip to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Holzschuh was also pleased to announce two new exiting MGA partnerships with vineyard vines, which will become the official apparel of the MGA, and with CitiBank, who will be providing MGA and Citi card members with access to golf opportunities in the Met Area.

The distinguished panel fielded questions for a group of about 50 local media and friends of the MGA and covered a variety of topics such as Max Buckley’s plans to turn pro later this season and Mark Brown’s preparations for his bid for a third Met Open title. Mr. Trump took the opportunity to cover a variety of topics including his excitement at hosting the Met Open, and discussed his plans for a number of his other properties including Ferry Point Golf Course in NYC and his  property at Doral.  Commenting on the recent NY Times article regarding the state of the game, he noted  "I believe the state of the game has never been more healthy... I believe golf is something that you should aspire to do and be good at...those are the people we want playing the game."

This year's media day provided attendees an opportunity to preview the Met Open site which by all accounts will provide a perfect championship experience for this year’s Met Open contestants.  For more information, please contact Brian Mahoney or Jeanne McCooey at bmahoney@mgagolf.org or jmccooey@mgagolf.org.