By David Gordon, MGA Communications Intern

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (July 30, 2013) – 146 players competed in the 98th Met Open Championship sectional qualifier on a day that brought perfect golf weather to the 6,302 yard par-70 greens of Westchester Hills Golf Club in White Plains, N.Y. Sixteen spots (plus ties) were for the taking Tuesday and at the end of the day, 22 players solidified spots and a trip to Old Westbury Country Club, all posting scores of even-par or better.

P.J. Cowan of Eisenhower Park Golf Club won medalist honors posting a superb four-under round of 66. Cowan, a teaching professional, is a three-time winner of the New York State Open and looks to use his round as momentum before the Open begins in late August. 

Dylan Crowley of Glen Cove shot 67 and was the low amateur, placing second before a crowd of players that finished between 68 and 70. Crowley, who recently qualified for the U.S. Amateur at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. will look to continue his stellar summer when he reaches the turf at Old Westbury.

Six players qualified at two-under par 68. Will Bernstein of Century, Andrew Bostrom of Quaker Ridge, 2013 Long Island Amateur champion Matthew Lowe of Colonial Springs, Anthony Casalino of Willow Ridge, J.J. Amoruso of Elmwood, and Luke Feehan of Mahopac were among those who punched their ticket to the Open.

Seven more players qualified tied for ninth. Daniel Levin of Century, Dennis Ward of Sterling Farms, home-course head professional Jason Gobleck of Westchester Hills, Rick Vershure of Quaker Ridge, Jonathan Renza of Hollow Brook, Chris Ferraro of Lazy Swan, and Sean Quinlivan of Piping Rock all beat par today posting one-under rounds of 69 to qualify for the championship.

Seven additional players snuck into the 98th Met Open Championship field with scores of even par, including home-course player Ryan Hudson. Garden City Golf Club native Jesse Fitzgerald shot even-par even with a one-stroke penalty assessed for hitting from a flower bed. Sean Farren from The Creek, Phil Wildermuth of Pelham, Ben Polland of Deepdale, Philip Cardwell of Quaker Ridge, and Westchester Country Club’s Max Christiana were the final qualifiers for the day and will all join the stellar Met Open field that consists of the best professionals and amateurs in the met area.