NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (August 2, 2007) – Mark Issler of Pine Barrens (N.J.) was the only player in the Met Amateur field to put together two rounds in the 60’s, shooting 66-69, including 14 birdies over 36 holes, to claim medalist honors at nine-under 135 during stroke-play qualifying in the 105th Met Amateur Championship at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, N.Y. The 21-year-old Issler leads an extraordinary group of talented players into match play in the second oldest regional amateur championship in the country.

A field of 75 players began the day, and the top 16 finishers advanced to match play, which begins Friday, August 3. Colin Dolph of Nissequogue (N.Y.) finished two strokes back after rounds of 70-67 to claim the second seed. Among the other qualifiers was John Murphy of Brooklawn, who plays golf at Old Dominion. Murphy led with a 67 after the first round of qualifying and finished at five-under 139 along with 2006 MGA Player of the Year Andrew Giuliani of Van Cortlandt, who will be the number-four seed. Taking the number-five seed is Peter Wilson of Piping Rock. Reigning New York City Amateur champion Al Falussy (#6 seed) of Colonial Springs and Robert Cronheim (#7 seed) of Twin Brooks came in with totals of even-par 144. 

Kevin Foley of Neshanic Valley, finalist in the 2006 Met Amateur and a match play qualifier at the 2007 U.S. Public Links, joined Adam Fuchs of Hamlet Windwatch in a group of four players at one-over-par 145. Former Met Amateur champion and MGA Player of the Year Greg Rohlf of Winged Foot, winner of the 1998 Ike at Wykagyl – his home club at the time – carded rounds of 72-74 to qualify. The 2007 Long Island Amateur champion, Joe Saladino of Huntington, was also among the group at 146. Other than the 43-year-old Rohlff and 42-year-old Falussy, all the match play qualifiers are in their teens or 20’s.

Issler’s qualifying score of 135 is a tie for the third-lowest 36-hole qualifying score in the 105-year history of the Met Amateur, and his second-round 66 also ties for the third-lowest single round.

“I came in with no expectations, and I’m very pleased with the way I played on this course and against this field,” said the 21-year-old senior at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. “My mindset doesn’t really change for match play. I just hope to keep playing like I did today.”

A four-man playoff was needed to determine the final two qualifying spots. Emerging from the playoff as the number-15 seed was 2006 MGA/MetLife Boys champion Cameron Wilson, while former Met Junior and MGA/MetLife Boys champion Michael Quagliano will be the number-16 seed. Wilson and Quagliano made pars on the first playoff hole, while Patrick Pierson of Minisceongo and Richard Jung of Sterling Farms did not advance.

Notable players who failed to advance include defending champion Tommy McDonagh of Shorehaven, reigning Ike champion George Zahringer of Deepdale and 2006 Ike champion Roger Hoit of Baltusrol.

The Round of 16 will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday and will be followed by the quarterfinals. The semifinals will be played on Saturday afternoon. The final, a 36-hole match is scheduled to begin on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. Log on towww.mgagolf.org for scoring updates throughout the day.