Greenwich, CT.--If there was ever a question on whether George Zahringer would ever make a competitive return to the amateur golf circuit he dominated in the 1980’s and early ‘90’s, he silenced all his critics yesterday by firing an impressive final round 5-under par 67 to capture his third Ike MGA/MetLife Stroke Play Championship yesterday at the spectacular Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, CT. 

The 48-year old member of Deepdale GC on Long Island and The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, entered the final round of the 54-hole tournament six shots behind 36-hole leader Andrew Svoboda of Winged Foot but finished the tournament at 3-under par 213 (70-76-67) in the MetLife sponsored event.  “I thought 68 was the number I needed to give myself a chance.  Although I didn’t swing well in the morning, I felt very confident that I could go low in the afternoon,” the eight-time MGA player of the year said afterwards.  Go low he did, equaling the competitive course at Fairview and edging out the 21-year old Svoboda by two shots who finished at one-under par 215 (70-70-75).  Zahringer finished with six birdies and only bogey while hitting 15 greens in regulation to capture a victory in his third straight competition after winning the Hochster Memorial last week and the National Singles Invitational over the weekend. 

Svoboda, a senior to be at St. John’s University and the 2001 Big East Champion, entered the final round with a two shot lead over his afternoon playing partner Jerry Courville, Jr. (70-72-77=219), a three-time Ike Champion and the 1995 U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion.  Both struggled with their putting in the afternoon, but finished second and third respectively.  “When you have such a strong field you really have to capitalize on all your opportunities.  It was a great week and the golf course was fabulous, I just came up a bit short,” Svoboda commented afterwards.                                             

In the team portion of the competition, Zahringer teamed up with fellow Deepdale member Peter VanIngen to capture their third and second team title respectively (440).  Bergen Community College’s team of Martin Catalioto and David Kwon finished second at 442, ahead of defending team champions Svoboda and Jim Graham of Winged Foot (452).  Ken Cohen of Villa Roma CC had the shot of the tournament, a hole-in-one on the 216-yard 14^th hole.

For more information on the 2001 Ike MGA/MetLife Stroke Play Championship, contact Richard J. Cerame or Gene Westmoreland of the MGA @ (914) 347-GOLF or visit the MGA website at mgagolf.org.