Met Open Makes Return to Hudson National
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (August 18, 2021) – With an incredibly deep and talented field set to take on Hudson National Golf Club the 106th Met Open Championship Presented by Callaway stands set to produce yet another exciting chapter to its storied history, August 24-26. Since hosting the Met Amateur in 2019, Hudson National has focused on creating firmer, faster conditions, which paired with it's narrow fairways and rugged landscape are sure to test the region's top amateurs and professionals and determine a worthy champion in the battle for the coveted Walker L. Trammell Trophy.
Related: Pairings | History | Records
Field Breakdown
The field contains 146 competitors, with 99 professionals and 46 amateurs and 1 applicant for amateur reinstatement.
Past Champions
A total of 17 past champions are in the field at Hudson National, including 9 of the last 11 winners:
Matt Dobyns, Meadow Brook (2019)
Andrew Svoboda, Engineers (2018, 2003)
Josh Rackley (2017)
Mark Brown, Pine Hollow (2016, 2013, 1999)
Grant Sturgeon, Arcola (2014)
Danny Balin, Fresh Meadow (2012)
Tyler Hall, Upper Montclair (2011)
Bob Rittberger, Garden City GC (2010)
Frank Bensel, Century (2007)
John Guyton, Rockville Links (2006)
John Stoltz, Black Oak (2005)
Johnson Wagner, Hudson National (2001, 2002)
Mike Gilmore, Winged Foot (2000)
Darrell Kestner, Deepdale (1995, 1983, 1982)
Mike Diffley, Pelham (1991)
Bobby Heins, Old Oaks (1989, 1988)
Jim McGovern, White Beeches (1987)
No Repeat in 2021
With reigning champion Luke Sample already off to Duke University for his first year of college, there will be no chance in 2021 at a repeat champion—something last achieved in 2001-02 by Johnson Wagner, who is in the field and is making his first appearance in the Met Open since 2002.
2021 Met Area Champions in the Field
Danny Balin, Fresh Meadow – New York State Open
Peter Ballo, Silvermine – Westchester PGA Championship
Garett Engel, Old Westbury – Met Amateur
Tyler Gerbavsits, Huntington Crescent – LIGA Amateur
Tyler Hall, Upper Montclair – NJSGA Open
Patrick Healy, Huntington – Hochster Memorial
Bill Hook, Knickerbocker – NJPGA Charity Clambake
Rob Labritz, GlenArbor – Westchester Open, Met Professional Championship
Danny Lewis, Hollywood – NJPGA Match Play Championship
James McHugh, Pine Barrens – NYC Amateur
Del Ponchock, Hudson National – Met PGA Stroke Play Championship
Grant Sturgeon, Arcola – NJPGA Head Pro Championship
Brad Tilley, Sleepy Hollow – Richardson Memorial
10-Year, 5-year Top-10 Trends
While Cameron Young owns the most top-10s (6) in the last 10 years, three players in the field own a quartet of top-10s and will aim to add to that total at Hudson National: Danny Balin of Fresh Meadow, Tyler Hall of Upper Montclair and Michael Miller of Knollwood. Narrowed down to the last five years, James Nicholas of Westchester owns the most top-10 finishes of those in the field with three, all coming when Nicholas was an amateur.
Former MGA Player of the Year Winners in the Field
James Nicholas, Westchester – 2017
David Pastore, Fairview – 2014
Michael Miller, Knollwood – 2012, 2011
Andrew Svoboda, Engineers, 2003
Player of the Year Race x2
As the competitive calendar winds down, the Met Open certainly stands out as a grand opportunity for players to solidify their spot in the MGA Player of the Year race. In the field this week are four players currently within the top 10 of the year-long race: Christian Cavaliere of Mahopac, Brad Tilley of Sleepy Hollow, Garett Engel of Old Westbury and Jackson Fretty of Greenwich. Additionally, the MGA Junior Player of the Year Award, Presented by Callaway is quickly coming to a close. Ranking third and fourth in the current standings, Dean Greyserman and Reed Greyserman are the lone junior competitors in the Met Open field this year.
All in the Family
With golf being a family pastime, there's no wonder there are several family ties in the Met Open field, including a trio of brother pairs: Luke and Michael Graboyes of Watchung Valley, Dean and Reed Greyserman of Hamilton Farm and David and Paul Pastore of Fairview. Plus, there's a father-son tandem with past champion Bob and Ryan Rittberger of Garden City Golf Club.
Major Players
The field contains a number of players who played in professional majors in 2021, including PGA Championship competitors Danny Balin of Fresh Meadow, Pete Ballo of Silvermine, Alex Beach of Westchester, Frank Bensel of Century and Rob Labritz of GlenArbor. Bensel also competed in the Senior PGA Championship, as did Mark Brown of Pine Hollow, Frank Esposito of Forsgate and Jim McGovern of White Beeches.
Touring Tested
This year's field includes several competitors with high-level professional experience, including past Met Open champion Johnson Wagner of Hudson National, Jason Gore of Hamilton Farm, Tom Lovelady of Silo Ridge, Korn Ferry Tour players James Nicholas of Westchester, Michael Miller of Knollwood, past Met Open champion Josh Rackley who has recently competed on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica, plus Minor League Golf Tour career earnings leader and past MGA/MetLife Boys champion Sunny Kim of Clearview Park.
Hosting Duties by Hudson National Golf Club
Since opening, Hudson National has been committed to welcoming the MGA and the region’s top events. It last hosted the Met Open in 2004 (Rick Hartmann) and has also welcomed the MGA’s Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup (1996, MGA), the Met Amateur (2001, Johnson Wagner; 2019, Chris Gotterup) and the MGA Mid-Amateur (2007, Michael Reardon).
Right at Home
Hudson National has five members in the field this week, including professionals Del Ponchock and Ryan Skae and amateurs Michael Koeneke, Thomas Lee and David Weisfeld.
Met Open Money
Continued support from MGA partners including championship partner Callaway Golf has allowed the Met Open’s total purse to remain strong, once again standing at $150,000 for its 106th playing. Danny Balin has earned the most at the championship since 2003.
| Prize Money | Wins |
| $85,454 – Danny Balin | 2012 |
| $81,748 – Mark Brown | 2016, 2013 |
| $78,242 – Frank Bensel | 2007 |
| $72,584 – Ben Polland | 2015 |
| $68,733 – Tyler Hall | 2011 |
| $62,785 – Matt Dobyns | 2019 |
| $58,180 – Andrew Svoboda | 2018 |
Format
• Three days, 54 holes of stroke play
• Field cut to low 54 scores & ties after 36 holes
Coverage
• Live hole-by-hole scoring throughout the championship
• Social media: @MGA1897 on Twitter for updates throughout the day; additional content on Facebook and Instagram
• Scoring, recaps, photos and videos on mgagolf.org