STONY POINT, N.Y. (July 18, 2006) - On a scorching day in Rockland County, the Broadacres Golf Club team of Steven O’Brien and Neil Carcaterra fired a 12-under-par net 59 to win the MGA/MetLife Men’s Net Team Championship at Patriot Hills Golf Club in Stony Point, N.Y.  The Ash Brook team of Juan Grana and Dave Upton finished one-shot back with a net 60.

O’Brien, an active New York City firefighter, and Carcaterra, a retired firefighter, were elated after their victory.  “You know we came out here for the day of golf and to play with friends, but you never expect that you will actually win,” said Carcarterra.  While Carcarterra has played in the Men’s Net Team at the club qualifying level, he had never reached the championship.  This was O’Brien’s first MGA championship and his first team event with Carcaterra.

After heavy thunderstorms on June 28 postponed the event, the teams returned to Patriot Hills and were faced with a different weather challenge - extreme heat.  The temperature reached into the mid-90s as players navigated the hilly, 6,100 yard course.  O’Brien and Carcarterra, who started on the 12th hole for the shotgun start, finished the back nine with a five-under 30.  However, it was the front nine where the duo sealed their victory.  The team had seven consecutive net birdies on the front nine for a seven-under-par 29.

The LaTourette team of Jack Ricciardi and Albert Sala and the Monmouth team of Doug Mihalick and Larry Neville finished tied for third with eleven-under-par 61s. 

This year 1,500 teams attempted to qualify (at the club level) for the MGA/MetLife Men’s Net Team Championship, before moving on to one of three Sectional Qualifying Rounds. Fifty-two teams advanced to today’s championship.  For more information please contact Gene Westmoreland or Bob Nielsen at (914) 347-4653.