ELMSFORD, N.Y. (July 1, 2013) – For the sixth time in the championship’s history and the first since 2008, Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, Conn. will host 61 of the Met Area’s top public course players for the 66th MGA/MetLife Public Links Championship on July 11, 2013.

With water coming into play on 14 of the 18 holes, the 6,744 yard par-72 layout should provide a great challenge and exciting one-day, 36-hole stroke play championship for a field filled with talent.

RELATED: Pairings & Starting Times | Qualifying Coverage

Leading the competitors is reigning champion Eric LeFante of MGA eClub – N.J., who outlasted the competition a year ago with a three stroke victory at Bethpage Black to claim his first career MGA title. It was as if LeFante was due to breakout, as the Branchburg, N.J., resident finished runner-up in 2009 and 2011.

University of Richmond commit and last year’s runner-up Mark Reilly of Peninsula Golf Club (who was exempt into the field for top 5 finish) is paired with LeFante, as well as Richter Park club champion Howie Busse (who also earned an exemption).

Dennis Lynch of Nassau Players Club is also a player to watch this year. Lynch, 52, a member of the MGA Executive Committee, not only has two MGA Mid-Amateur titles to his credit, but he also fired a 2-under 69 at the Tallgrass sectional qualifier to earn medalist honors.

Lynch is paired with Kevin Purcell of Darlington, another sectional qualifying medalist who earned his spot at Sterling Farms Golf Course with a one-under round of 71.

As always, the MGA saw a high number of entries for this popular championship, and five sectional qualifying rounds were necessary to determine the final field. Ed Haliasz Jr. of Smithtown Landing and Michael Sporton of MGA eClub – L.I. won medalist honors at sectionals at Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course and Stony Ford Golf Course, respectively. The final qualifying medalists were Jaewon Lee of Riverdale, Michael Corbo Jr. of MGA eClub – N.J., and Ryan Seigler also of MGA eClub – N.J., all whom shot rounds of 2-over 74 at Bowling Green Golf Club.

Other notable players in the field include Dave Segot of Bethpage, who finished as a semifinalist in the 2013 Long Island Amateur and made cuts at the Ike and Long Island Open; Jack Maerki of MGA eClub - L.I., who tied for fourth in last year's championship; John Yu of Bethpage, who finished T10 at the Ike; Joe Auletta of Hudson Hills, who earned an exemption based on his 2012 WGA Public Links victory; Ryan Williams of Bethpage, who finished T8 at last year’s championship; and David Prowler of Bethpage, who competed in the 2012 U.S. Senior Open.

The MGA/MetLife Public Links Championship dates back to 1936, when Hendricks Field Golf Course hosted the first championship. After ten years of no competitions between 1973 and 1983, the MGA reinstated the event and partnered with MetLife to host the championship at some of the nation’s most prestigious public courses. The competition is open to all golfers who play out of an MGA public course and hold a Handicap Index not exceeding 8.0.

Richter Park poses both spectacular views of lakes and ponds amongst its rolling layout. With over 40 newly renovated bunkers, the course, established in 1968, is primed and ready to test these 61 golfers in July 11.

Nine-hole scoring will be used during the first round, and live hole-by-hole scoring will be available for the second round, allowing family and friends to follow the competition in real-time. As always, media and spectators are encouraged to attend the event.

Full coverage throughout the day can be found on mgagolf.org, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

- By David Gordon, MGA Communications Intern