ELMSFORD, N.Y. (September 4, 2012) – On Thursday, September 6, 76 teams will compete in the 49th MGA/WMGA Mixed Pinehurst Championship at The Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. The defending champions, husband and wife duo Michael and Valerie Reardon, will attempt to take home the trophy for the second consecutive year as they tee it up at their home course, which is hosting this championship for the third time. Only two other teams in the history of the MGA Mixed Pinehurst have successfully repeated as champions: Ken and Marianne Springer in 1984-’85, and Adam Kugler and Helen Bernstein in 1995-’96.

Mike Reardon, the 2007 MGA Mid-Amateur champion, and his wife beat the field by two strokes last year at Forest Hill Field Club. Charles Cerimido of Glen Ridge and Maggie Pizzone of White Beeches will pair up again after claiming first-place honors in the net division a year ago.

The Pinehurst format is one in which teammates (one man and one woman) both hit drives and then each plays a second shot with the other’s ball. After the second shot, a choice is made regarding the ball with which the hole will be completed, with alternate shot used from there. On par threes, the choice must be made after the tee shots.

Other past champions are also gunning for another title. Two-time (2010 and 2002) champions Michael Karger of Century and Gale Brudner of Glen Arbor will have to contend against accomplished players like Gail Flanagan of Westchester, who has won the event three times (2006, 2003, and 1993). Flanagan, the 2006 Women’s Met Open champion, is playing with a new partner this year, Joe Sommers of Winged Foot. The Wee Burn duo of Jay Rice and Becky Montgelas will try to take home their fourth trophy after winning in 2009, 2007, and 1997. Helen Bernstein won the Mixed Pinehurst in 1996 and 1995, and this year is teaming up with Barry Bernstein. Also competing are Adam and Becky McDaid. Adam is the head pro at Friar's Head and is a former assistant at Tuxedo, while his wife Becky is a former U.S. Women's Amateur champion.

This is the first year that the MGA is partnering with WMGA to host the event, and along with that change is the addition of a Professional Division. Headlining the pro division is Mark McCormick of Suburban Golf Club, who will play with amateur Roberta Potter, also of Suburban. McCormick competed in this year’s U.S. Open, and recently made the cut in the Met Open. Chris Muldoon, the head professional at Tuxedo, will take on his home course with partner Sarah Stone of Trump National-Westchester.

The Tuxedo Club will be hosting its third MGA/WMGA Mixed Pinehurst event, with the most recent being in 1988. The Robert Trent Jones design has also played host to the Met Amateur, Met Open, Ike Championship, and MGA Senior Open. There is a gross, net, and professional division, with prizes awarded in each.