GREENWICH, CONN. (August 2, 2013) – The match play portion of the 111^th Met Amateur Championship has begun at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn. and yesterday’s medalist for the 36-hole stroke play qualifying round, Sam Bernstein of Century, has already advanced to the final eight.

 

Matthew Lowe of Colonial Springs took the Yale senior to the 16^th hole, but that was where Bernstein would win it 3 and 2 with a par on the 165-yard par-3.

 

Pat Wilson of Panther Valley would put his match away a hole earlier than Bernstein did, ending it on the 15^th hole with a par. Bogeying to lose the match 4 and 3 to Wilson was Michael Cochrane of MGA eClub – West/Fairfield, who had the match at all square on the 11^th hole, but he would go on to lose the next four. Wilson will take on Bernstein in what should be an entertaining second round matchup.

 

The largest victory of the morning went to Elon University junior Stu Kaufman of Westchester. Kaufman ended his match on the 12^th hole carding four birdies to win 7 and 6 over last year’s runner-up Matt Mattare of Bethpage.

 

Kaufman wouldn’t have to wait long to find out who he would be taking on in the second round. John Jackopsic of MGA eClub – West/Fairfield will be Kaufman’s opponent after beating Ethan Wall of Brielle, N.J. 5 and 4. Jackopsic won on the 14^th with a birdie and never trailed in the match.

 

Dylan Newman of Bonnie Briar provided the first upset of the day, beating the defending champ Ryan McCormick of Suburban on the 18^th, 1 up. The players traded birdies throughout the match and on the final hole McCormick needed one more to go to extra holes, but he rolled his putt well past the cup allowing Newman to win with a par. He will move on to the second round to face Dylan Crowley of Glen Cove. After taking a 1 up lead through two holes, Crowley wouldn’t regain the lead again until the 12^th hole after making birdie. Like McCormick, Derrick Kim of Rolling Green had a long birdie chance on 18 to extend the match, but rolled it well by and Crowley two-putted his way to victory.

 

2013 NJSGA Amateur Champion Mike Stamberger of Spring Lake won his match 4 and 3 over Hans Albertsson of Winged Foot. Stamberger never trailed in the match and needed just two birdies to claim victory. He will take on Trevor Randolph of Arcola who provided the second upset of the day. Randolph took down current player of the year points leader Max Buckley of Westchester. After a grueling 18-hole match, Randolph would win in dramatic fashion on the 3^rd playoff hole and make his way to the final eight.

 

The round two matches are currently underway this after noon and the final four will be decided by this evening.