Berger Claims 56th MGA/MetLife Boys' Championship
HAWORTH, N.J. (July 31, 2024) - Zach Berger of Remsenburg, N.Y., edged Colin McAskin of New York, N.Y., 1-up to claim the 56th MGA/MetLife Boys' Championship at White Beeches Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
With the win, Berger is exempt into next year's Met Junior Championship.
The championship match this afternoon was a thrilling contest of skill and determination. The first nine holes saw Berger and McAskin locked in a fierce battle, with neither golfer leading by more than one. The two golfers went back and forth. Berger struck first by winning the par-4 fourth, McAskin leveled the match by winning the par-3 seventh, and after Berger won the eighth, McAskin answered on the ninth to level it at the turn.
As the players transitioned to the back nine, Berger began to pull ahead. His precision was evident as he took a one-hole lead over McAskin on No. 10 and held it until the 15th, where he extended his lead to 2-up. Facing a 2-hole deficit with two holes to play, McAskin responded by winning on the 16th. On No. 17, both players rolled in birdie putts, allowing McAskin to force the match to the 18th hole. Burger secured the victory by tying the last.
The day commenced with an intense semifinal round where Berger and McAskin shined, securing their spots in the championship match later in the afternoon. In Berger and Samuel Gao's of Scarsdale, N.Y., match, Berger took the lead by winning the first hole and maintained his advantage until No. 4. He then won back-to-back holes on Nos. 5 and 6, extending his lead with additional wins on Nos. 11 and 14, before closing out the match on the 16th. In McAskin and CJ Antifonario's of Tenafly, N.J. semifinal, they remained tied through the opening six holes. McAskin then took a one-up lead on No. 7 and steadily increased his advantage, ultimately closing out the match on the 15th hole to win 4 and 3.