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Polland wins Assistant PGA Professional Championship

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ELMSFORD, N.Y. (October 30, 2016) -- A final-round 69 led Deepdale assistant professional Ben Polland to a one-shot victory in the 40th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship on Sunday at PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Golf Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla., earning the 100th Met Open champion another impressive victory.

Related: Complete Results | Photos

Several players had a chance at the title down the stretch, but a birdie from Polland on the par-5 16th led to his 7-under, 281 tournament total and a one-shot edge over reigning champion Andy Mickelson as well as Shawn Warren and Danny Lewis. Polland carded scores of 72-68-72-69 en route to the victory.

"It's a big win for me," remarked Polland. "It's a tournament that two of my great mentors have won. Darrel Kestner won in 1982 and 1987 and Kirk Satterfield won in 2004. Those guys have been instrumental in my career as a PGA Professional and it feels good to be right alongside them."

"I knew there were going to be a lot of birdies today," continued Polland. "Guys were playing aggressive since it was the last day. My approach was to keep the ball in front of me since it was another windy day. I was really just trying to play my own game.” Polland played steadily all weekend long, missing just a pair of greens in regulation.

Upper Montclair assistant Tyler Hall, the 2011 Met Open champion, finished tied for 12th at 1-over. Hall posted his best round of the week during the final round, carding a 2-under 70. Peter Ballo of Old Oaks and Dylan Malafronte of TPC Jasna Polana also registered a top-20 finish, tying for 19th at 3-over.

The 72-hole championship included many additional Met Area representatives. Those making the cut to play through the weekend included Brian Mackey of White Beeches, Kyle Higgins of Inwood, Richard Terga of Mountain Ridge, Colin Corrigan of Friar's Head, 2006 Met Open winner John Guyton of Wheatley Hills, Craig Smith of Morris County, Joshua Rackley of Tam O'Shanter, 2014 Met Open titlist Grant Sturgeon of Winged Foot, Anthony Aruta of North Shore and Jeffrey Maines of Montclair.