MGA Father & Son Events To Be Held Monday and Tuesday
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (August 14, 2009) – Father and son golfers take center stage next week as the 59th MGA Father & Son Championship and the 20th MGA Father & Son Net Tournament are held on consecutive days at two outstanding Met Area courses: the championship on Monday, August 17 at Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, Conn., and the net tournament on Tuesday, August 18 at Glen Ridge Country Club in Glen Ridge, N.J.
The championship, begun by the MGA in 1951, has slightly lower Handicap Index restrictions and is one of the oldest father/son competitions in golf. The net tournament, now in its 20th year, allows players with slightly higher Handicap Indexes to compete. Both competitions are 18 holes in the Pinehurst format, in which both players hit tee shots and then hit their second shots with the other’s ball. After the second shot, the partners choose one ball to complete the hole, and alternate-shot is used until the ball is holed. On par-three holes, the choice must be made after the tee shots. These father-son competitions are annually two of the most popular events on the MGA calendar.
The MGA Father & Son Championship features a field of 92 father-son teams this year. The 2007 champions of this event, Pravin and John Singh of Kutsher’s, are playing and look to win a second Father & Son title. Other top contenders in the field include 13-year-old Carter Cup participantMatthew Lowe of Bethpage, who will play with his father, Michael Lowe; 2009 Met Amateur runner-up John Ervasti of Sleepy Hollow, who will team with his son, Jack Ervasti; and 1996 Met Amateur champion Ken Bakst of Friar’s Head, who will play with his son, William Bakst.
The 20th MGA Father & Son Net Tournament boasts a field of 58 teams who will tee it up at Glen Ridge. Defending champions Joseph Byrne and Joey Byrne of Canoe Brook will be on hand to defend their title. They are joined by 2006 champions Kevin & Kevin Brady Jr. of Ash Brook, along with 2007 MGA/MetLife Public Links champion Justin Jacaruso of Spook Rock, who is playing with his father, Joseph Jacaruso.
