STAMFORD, CONN. (June 12, 2013) –  Darlington’s Kevin Purcell earned medalist honors after firing a 1-under round of 71 at Wednesday’s MGA/MetLife Public Links sectional qualifying round at Sterling Farms Golf Course in Stamford, Conn.  Purcell, the general manager of five Bergen County golf courses, tied for 25th at last year’s Public Links at Bethpage Black.

A total of 77 players competed for 10 qualifying positions (plus ties) into the 66th MGA/MetLife Public Links Championship which will be held at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, Conn., on July 11. When play was complete, 11 players advanced, all posting scores of 77 (5-over) or better.

Home-course favorite Kamaiu Johnson of Sterling Farms qualified second behind Purcell, posting an even-par 72. Three players tied for third with 3-over rounds of 75 including fellow Sterling Farms member Jason Denker, Matthew Herr of McCann, and Goran Hagegard of the MGA eClub – W/CT.

Three more players tied for sixth with scores of 76, including Jeffrey Warminsky of the MGA eClub – W/CT, James Starr of Forest Park, and Chris O’Keefe of Bethpage.

Rounding out the players who will compete at Richter Park are Jackie Barnes and Richard Feldman of Centennial, and Jacob Henry of Oak Hills, all of whom shot 77s.

The MGA will host their final two qualifiers tomorrow at Bowling Green Golf Club and Tallgrass Country Club to determine the final field before the championship begins on July 11.

The competition is open to all amateur golfers who play out of a public course and carry a Handicap Index of 8.0 or better.

- By David Gordon, MGA Communications Intern