Fields' Day at The Bridge
BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y. (June 29, 2021) – Amidst challenging final round conditions in the 66th Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship, Matthew Fields of Quaker Ridge crossed the finish line in impressive fashion at The Bridge, making back-to-back birdies for the runaway six-shot victory.
Fields closed with a 3-over 75—seven shots better than the field average for the final round—to accompany his opening rounds of 73-70 en route to a 2-over-par 218 total. Max Buckley of Westchester logged his third career runner-up finish in the Ike as he made his return to MGA competition after regaining his amateur status, posting rounds of 74-74-76 for 8-over 224. Buckley and fellow Westchester member Tobin Whitman (+24/240) claimed the Ike Team Championship—which is awarded to the two individuals from the same club with the lowest combined score for 54 holes.
“Not many people have seen this place, maybe compared to some of the others out here,” said Fields, 38. “The greens are very fast, very firm. And with the wind, you just got to be careful on every single shot, whether it's an approach or a putt or a chip. You know, you just have to know where the wind is and just pay attention to everything because it's just tough golf.”
Fields and Christian Cavaliere of Mahopac entered the final round tied at 1-under. But, as Cavaliere and other contenders fell back, Fields continued his steady play. After opening with seven consecutive pars, Fields holed a 50-foot birdie putt on the par-4 eighth hole.
Though Fields hit a tough stretch from Nos. 9-16, in which he was 6-over-par, he maintained his composure knowing the field was facing the same challenges he was.
“I knew that I started in a good spot, so that I could afford a little bit of a rough patch,” said Fields. “And I knew if it was happening to me it was happening and other people too. So I just really tried to stay calm and just say, ‘hey, it happens, like let's move on and just stay in the moment.’”
Even though Fields had a large lead during the span, he hadn’t checked scoring and wasn’t aware of his lead until he was behind the par-5 18th green in two. On the previous hole Fields pulled driver and came up just short, right of the drivable par-4 17th. A deft touch with his pitch earned him a tap-in birdie.
From behind the 18th, Fields just wanted to finish things cleanly. After a pitch onto the green, he did more than that, holing a lengthy birdie putt from a lower tier to close in fashion.
“I didn't expect to contend when I came into it,” said Fields of the week. “So, it's a wonderful feeling. To be able to come in here and win is just, it's a dream come true. And for a normal guy that has a nine to five, it's just fantastic.”
Fields sealed the title with his wife and several friends in attendance, plus also shared the victory with one of his caddies from Quaker Ridge. “We’ve been together a lot and I wanted him out with me for some stuff,” said Fields. “So I was very happy that he could do it, because 54 holes by yourself, it’s kind of a lonely grind. Just having a friend and a psychotherapist out there is very helpful, for sure.”
Sam Goldenring of Brooklake and Cavaliere tied for third at 9-over 225, while Matt Goldman of Old Westbury rounded out the top-five at 10-over 226.
2020 Met Amateur champion Jack Wall of Manasquan River fired Tuesday afternoon’s low round of even-par 72, launching him up the leaderboard into a tie for seventh place.
The top 10 finishers earned an exemption into the 67th Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship, which will take place on Baltusrol Golf Club’s newly restored Lower Course.