ELMSFORD, N.Y. (August 6, 2009) – The 107th Met Amateur Championship began with 63 top Met Area players teeing off for 36 holes of stroke play at Hackensack Golf Club, and at the end of the day, 16 remained to advance to match play in the MGA’s oldest and most prestigious amateur championship.

Mike Stamberger of Plainfield, the 2003 Met Amateur champion, earned on-site medalist honors with a 70 in the morning followed by a 67 in the afternoon, for a two-round total of five-under-par 137. Stamberger, 37, will be the number-one seed in match play. Tying Stamberger at 137 was Eric LeFante of Royce Brook, the number-two seed, who also shot a five-under 137. As per championship guidelines, Stamberger was the medalist due to his lower afternoon round (67, vs. 70 for LeFante).

“I could have shot a lot lower,” said Stamberger about his afternoon round. “I was hitting it close the last few holes but didn’t make a putt. I like match play, and I enjoy this golf course. It’s a comfortable feeling for me to be here. I’m looking forward to match play.” LeFante will play the number-15 seed,Sean Curtin of Orange County, who had a one-over 143.

Scoring conditions on the par-71, 6,856-yard Charles Banks layout were ideal. David Weisfeld of Fenway, who will be the number-five seed tomorrow morning after a three-under 139 total, fired a 65 in the morning to take the midday lead. Weisfeld will take on 2008 MGA Player of the Year Joe Saladinoof Huntington, who earned the number-12 seed with a 141 total. Colin Dolph of Nissequogue shot two consecutive rounds of 69 to take the number-three seed, and he will take on number 14 Matt Dubrowski of White Beeches, who was at even-par 142.

Other highlights of the day included an afternoon 65 by Conor Casey of Rock Spring. Casey, the number-nine seed, shot 139 and will play 1996 Met Amateur champion Ken Bakst of Friar’s Head, who is also at 139. At 51, Bakst is the oldest player in the field to advance to match play.   

The newly minted Carter Cup champion, Cameron Wilson of Shorehaven, earned the number-six seed after rounds of 71 and 68, and will take on another pre-tournament favorite, Michael Quaglianoof GlenArbor, in a highly anticipated match tomorrow morning. Quagliano shot a 66 in the morning and a 74 in the afternoon to finish at two-under 140.

This year’s Ike champion, Mike Ballo Jr. of Woodway, had a consistent day, shooting 70-68 for a 138 total to gain the number-four seed. Ballo will play Chris DeForest of Rondout, who finished second to Ballo at the Ike at Nassau Country Club. Besides Bakst, the other senior amateur to make match play isEd Gibstein of Engineers, the 1994 Ike champion. Gibstein shot 68-72 for a 140 total to earn the number-10 seed. He will play Chris Scialo of Spook Rock.

The shot of the day was a hole-in-one, made by Brian Whitman of Knickerbocker on the 160-yard sixth hole. Whitman, however, finished four strokes away from making match play with a 147 total.

Two past Met Amateur champions (Stamberger and Bakst), along with two former Ike champions (Gibstein and Ballo) advanced to match play in the 107^th Met Amateur. The schedule for Friday is first-round matches in the morning followed by the quarterfinals in the afternoon, and the main storyline will be whether tournament experience or youthful legs will be more valuable as play progresses at the Met Amateur.

Day One Results