Met Area Team set for French-American Challenge

ELMSFORD, N.Y. (October 23, 2024) – The 21st French-American Challenge takes place Thursday and Friday, as 12 competitors from Team MGA square off against Ligue de Paris Il-de-France at Fontainebleau Golf Club in Fontainebleau, France on October 24-25. The matches, which began in 1990, features seven men and five women on each team that compete in Foursomes, Four-Ball, and Singles matches over two days of play.

The Met Area squad is aiming to capture its first victory on foreign soil and win the competition in back-to-back playings for the first time after a thrilling come-from-behind victory in 2022 at Quaker Ridge.

Related: French-American History | Match Portal

This year’s squad features a mix of veteran international team members and several new faces to the competition:

Pendleton Bogache, Deepdale (2nd international team appearance)
Christian Cavaliere, Hudson National (3rd)
Mark Costanza, Baltusrol (4th)
Chris DeJohn, Arcola (2nd)
Adam Friedman, Sterling Farms (1st)
Ami Gianchandani, Watchung Valley (1st)
Darin Goldstein, Deepdale (9th)
Ina Kim-Schaad, Deepdale (6th)
Matt Lowe, Bethpage (2nd)
Catherine McEvoy, Innis Arden (2nd)
Christina Parsells, Somerset Hills (1st)
Brad Tilley, Sleepy Hollow (6th)

MGA President Patrick Donnelly serves as the captain of the squad, with past competitors Greg Rohlf of Winged Foot and Gail Flanagan of Westchester Country Club serving as assistant captains.

The French-American Challenge was introduced as “Fred’s Cup” in 1990, named after sponsor and international jeweler Fred Joaillier. It was conducted annually from 1990-1998, and since 2000 has been played every other year while alternating between the Met Area and sites in France.

Despite many close matches through the years, the Ligue de Paris has had a stronghold on the trophy, with the Met Area’s team only winning in 1991 and 2022. Ties also occurred in 1995 and 2004. Fontainbleau previously hosted the French-American Challenge in 2010.