Tracy Takes MGA's Inaugural "Carter Cup" Junior Stroke Play Invitational Championship
Springfield, N.J.-Brendan Tracy of New York City captured the inaugural MGA “Carter Cup” Junior Stroke Play Invitational Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club with a birdie four on the first hole of a sudden death playoff with Marc Issler of Tom’s River, NJ. The two tied at 109 after a rain shortened tournament played over the Upper and Lower courses of one of the country’s most storied clubs.
There was little doubt on Wednesday morning that spirit of young Michael J. Carter was present at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey as the skies cleared after an early morning downpour to allow the 43 select juniors to begin their quest for the MGA’s newest junior title. The invitation-only field of top Met Area juniors was scheduled to play the 6449-yard Upper Course in the morning and the Lower Course, site of five U.S. Opens, in the afternoon, to determine the first winner of the Carter Cup.
The event is named in honor of 20-year-old Michael J. Carter, an accomplished junior player and standout member of the Delbarton School golf team who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2002. Carter was also junior club champion at both Baltusrol and Winged Foot Golf Clubs and was an up-and-coming golf team member at Penn State.
Tracy was the lone player under par after the first round posting a 37 – 34 = 71 on the Upper Course, one shot ahead of 17-year old Marc Issler who posted an even par 72, and two shots ahead of 2002 MGA/MetLife Boys finalist Ryan Shallcross of Westfield, NJ.
The afternoon round on the 7,015-yard Lower Course would prove a challenge however, as severe thunderstorms forced several rain delays. The tournament was officially concluded after 27 holes with Issler and Tracy tied for the lead at 109. On the first hole of sudden death, the par-5, 470-yard first hole of the Upper Course, Tracy, on in three, and sank a 15 footer for bridie to clinch the win and the Carter Cup, a magnificent silver cup donated by the club.
An emotional awards reception followed the event at which Michael Carter’s parents, J. Michael and Marylou Carter acknowledged the event as a tremendous lasting tribute to their son and MGA President Paul Dillon presented the Carters with a portrait of young Michael.
The winner of this event gets a qualifying to the 2004 Ike Championship at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Scarsdale, NY.
Real time scoring, provided by Blue Golf, was featured on the MGAwebsite, www.mgagolf.org, for live up to date match information and a complete tournament analysis for each round.
