Qualifying: 122nd Met Amateur Championship
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (June 28, 2024) -- With the 122nd Met Amateur Championship approaching, players will compete for the chance to advance to Somerset Hills Country Club in Bernardsville, N.J., for the August 1-4 event. The qualifiers will complete the field for the championship, with many players no doubt aiming to repeat Josh German’s path from 2023, when he went from qualifier to champion at Friar’s Head.
Related: Met Amateur History | Met Amateur Records
The tournament is one of the MGA's most challenging competitions. After successfully qualifying, players begin with 36 holes of stroke-play followed by seeded match-play between the top 16 players remaining. The MGA’s oldest tournament – first played in 1899 – has produced some of the MGA’s greatest champions, from 14-time MGA winner Jerry Courville, Sr., and record 20-time MGA champion George Zahringer to some of the event's earliest winners Walter Travis and Jerry Travers. The Met Am continues to provide plenty of excitement and deliver deserving champions, with former Players of the Year Chris Gotterup and Brad Tilley taking home victories in 2019 and 2022, respectively.
For the first time in 20 years, the Met Amateur will return to Somerset Hills Country Club, which will host the event for the third time in its history. Known for its prestige and rich history, Somerset Hills is the perfect host site for one the MGA's marquee amateur championship. The club is a familiar host of MGA events, having welcomed the Met Amateur, the Women’s Met Amateur, the Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship, and the MGA Mid-Amateur, with the club's most recent hosting of an MGA event happening in 2020 (14th MGA Mid Amateur). Without a doubt, players are anticipating the event, ready to write the next chapter in MGA history.
The six qualifiers this year will take place between July 1-22.
Monday, July 1 - West Hills Country Club, Middletown, N.Y.
Nolan Forsman of Winged Foot claimed the top qualifying position at West Hills Country Club with an impressive score of 4-under par. Forsman's collection of birdies and consistent performance throughout the round propelled him to the top of the leaderboard. Diego Ocasio of Blue Hill Golf Association finished at even par, while MGA eClub - New Jersey members Tyler Wright and Ethan Weinberg, Michael Clemente of Echo Lake, Stephen Lindhold of Arcola, and Ethan Weinberg completed the list of qualifiers for the day, each posting 1-over-par rounds and securing their places at the 122nd Met Amateur.
Results
Sunday, July 7 - Rock Spring Golf Club, West Orange, N.J.
Max Bichsel of Baltusrol topped a tight leaderboard after shooting a 6-under 65, featuring five birdies and an eagle. Following closely behind and finishing at 5-under 66 was Tommy Mangan of Apawamis Club and Patrick Ryan of Essex County. Rounding out the qualifiers was Edward Hjerpe of Sleepy Hollow, Brandon Capone of Springdale and Derek Gutierrez of Galloping Hill, who all finished at 4-under 67.
Results
Tuesday, July 9 - Rye Golf Club, Rye, N.Y.
Ben Loomis of Winged Foot led the way for six qualifiers, posting four birdies on his back nine to claim the top entry spot with a 3-under 68. James McHugh of Pine Barrens, John Lee of MGA eClub Long Island, Jake Meskin of Sleepy Hollow, AJ Depaolo of MGA eClub New York City and Jonas Young-Borra of Lake Success all carded 2-under 69s to round out the qualifiers. Outside of Young-Borra, all four competitors at least birdied the final hole to advance, while Depaolo made eage to punch his ticket to Somerset.
Results
Thursday, July 18 - North Hills Country Club, Manhasset, N.Y.
Eric Terminello of Knollwood Country Club and Tyler Vitolo of Golf Performance Center carded scores of 4-under 68 to earn co-medalist honors at North Hills. 4 birdies helped each golfer secure their spot at the 122nd Met Open. James Alden IIII, Harrison Browne, Quinn Reilly and John Hiller all followed close behind, finishing 3-under 69 advance to Somerset.
Results
Monday, July 22 - Siwanoy Country Club, Bronxville, N.Y.
Pairings | Qualifying Positions: 6 & ties
Monday, July 22 - Rockway River, Denville, N.J.
Pairings | Qualifying Positions: 5 & ties