JERICHO, N.Y. (August 22, 2007) – A familiar name is on top of the leaderboard after the first round of the 92nd Met Open Championship, sponsored by MetLife, at The Meadow Brook Club in Jericho, NY. Rick Hartmann of Atlantic Golf Club fired a four-under 67 and holds a one-stroke lead heading into the second round on Thursday. Hartmann is a two-time Met Open winner, capturing the title in 1998 and 2004, and was runner-up in last year’s Met Open at Canoe Brook.

Being a Long Island pro, Hartmann, 48, is no stranger to Meadow Brook, a course that rewards precision over power. “I hit it pretty straight off the tee today and made some good putts along the way,” he said. “I missed some opportunities coming down the stretch, but overall I played well today.” Hartmann made five birdies in his round to only one bogey, which came at his second hole, the 417-yard 11th. 

One stroke behind Hartmann at three-under 68 is a trio of professionals: Mark Schaare of Knob Hill (N.J.), Charlie Meola of Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, Conn., and Anthony Casalino of Willow Ridge in Westchester County. Meola’s round was highlighted by an eagle two on the par-four fifth hole, where he holed a 7-iron from the fairway. “That kind of got me going,” said Meola. “I had it to five-under after a birdie on 14, but then I three-putted 17 and 18. So it could have been really good, and it was kind of bittersweet.” 

After Tuesday’s heavy rainfall that forced the cancellation of play, course and weather conditions at Meadow Brook were ideal for low scores. Light wind and soft greens allowed players to play aggressively on approach shots, and they took advantage. At the end of the day, 39 players shot par or better, including 12 who shot in the 60s, on the 7,128-yard, par-71 Meadow Brook layout. Among the players who finished in red figures were some Met Open veterans like David Glenz of Crystal Springs. The two-time Met Open champion (1978 and ’86) had a one-under 70. “I didn’t expect this to be a good course for me, because it’s so long. I hit one 8-iron and one wedge on my approaches, and nothing else under 4-iron. I got it on a lot of greens and I made some putts today,” said Glenz.

Eight players are in a logjam at two-under 69, including former Met Open champ (1979) and reigning MGA Senior Open champion Bill Britton of Twin Brooks Golf Center; Frank Bensel of Century Country Club, who played in this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont; Jim Herman of Trump National-Bedminster, who finished in third place at the 2006 Met Open; two-time Met PGA Head Pro champ Craig Thomas of Metropolis, and Martin Catalioto of Darlington. Catalioto is a two-time Met Junior (1998, 2000) champion and also won the 2001 MGA/MetLife Public Links Championship.

The field of 145 includes 41 amateurs, currently led by Ken Bakst of Friar’s Head, who had a one-under 70. Andrew Giuliani of Van Cortlandt, the 2006 MGA Player of the Year, was one stroke back at even-par 71, along with Sean Semenetz of Villa Roma. Speaking of the course conditions, Giuliani commented, “It definitely made the golf course a lot easier because it rained. You can get away with some errant shots into the greens.” The 2005 Ike champion and Duke University junior added, “I hit a lot of fairways today and look forward to getting out there tomorrow and try to get under par a little bit.”

Defending Met Open champion John Guyton of Trump National-Westchester opened his title defense with an even-par 71. He is part of a large group at that score, which also includes current New York State Open champion and 2003 Met Open champ Andrew Svoboda.

After Thursday’s second round, the field will be cut to the low 60 and ties. Follow all the action with updated scoring on the MGA Web site,www.mgagolf.org.