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20 in 2020 A look back at 2020 with the Metropolitan Golf Association

2020 provided plenty of challenges and changes, but it also left us with many memorable moments. Before turning the page on 2020, let's first take a look back at the year through our favorite photos.

Taking the Met Am, the MGA's oldest championship, to a public venue for the very first time produced a memorable week! Jack Wall rose to the occasion to become an MGA major champion, conquering the challenges thrown at him from both his opponents and Bethpage's famed Black Course.

The MGA Foundation wrapped up its season with the Fall Founders Challenge in October at Quaker Ridge Golf Club. Friends new and old played in support of the MGA's International Teams since the 2020 French-American Challenge was postponed.

Back to Back! Reed Greyserman became just the 4th player in the 52-year history of the MGA/MetLife Boys' Championship to win the title two years in a row. He did so convincingly, too, winning three of his four matches by a 4-and-3 margin or better at Glen Ridge Country Club.

Introduction to Women's Golf Clinics with our friends from Lexus provided fun evenings of instruction at Bethpage State Park & Sterling Farms Golf Course.

While most players dropped shots coming in, Tom Timby closed birdie-birdie at Somerset Hills to claim the title in the 14th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship and place his name on the Westmoreland Cup.
Our Member Clubs are generous every year, but we're especially thankful for their unwavering support in 2020. From welcoming championships and MGA Foundation events to Play Days and other special events, they went above and beyond in providing safe environments as hosts this season.

After contending in previous years at the MGA Senior Amateur, Ned Zachar used rounds of 69-72 at Mill River to claim a one-shot victory and earn the meaningful title for his first MGA victory.

Walk off. Mark Costanza's epic chip-in eagle on the 18th at Country Club of Darien won him the 65th Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship by one shot in unforgettable fashion. The win fulfilled a dream to win the championship and propelled him to MGA Player of the Year honors.
Westchester Golf Association events once again provided excitement, especially for Brad Tilley who won the Westchester Amateur for the second time (2005) in his career and defended his title in the Westchester Mid-Amateur.

Our MGA Play Days Presented by Callaway provide fun for players of all ages and abilities! These days compliment our competitive championships and offer great ways to meet new players, experience both public courses and private clubs, compete for prizes and test the latest from our friends at Callaway and Odyssey.

Our Women's Advisory Council this year hosted a 9-hole invitational, bringing women from courses and clubs throughout the Met Area together for a day of networking and conversations on how to expand women's involvement in the game. We're excited about what's to come from this Council!

Golf course superintendents and their crews provided outstanding playing conditions while facing their own unique challenges in 2020. A big thank you to all these workers (including the four-legged ones!) who went above and beyond to keep courses in top shape this season! We greatly appreciate your efforts, dedication and expertise!

Long Island Golf Association events produced a number of highlights, including Carter Prince defending home turf in the LIGA Amateur Championship at Huntington Crescent.

The WGA Caddie Scholarship Fund golf marathon reached new heights in 2020, raising approximately $110,000 in support, with host club Shorehaven's own Caddie Manager Joe Pica raising an incredible $62,000 in pledges!

After seven consecutive top-10 finishes in the MGA Senior Open, Frank Esposito, Jr., closed the deal in 2020, winning the title in a playoff at Essex County Country Club.

We captured a few fist pumps from Luke Sample this summer, with the first coming at Rockaway River on the way to capturing the 103rd Met Junior Championship Sponsored by MetLife.
The Father Son Championship is one of the most loved MGA events on the schedule. Dave & Peter Scialabba of Meadow Brook Club earned the win this season!

Clutch play down the stretch, including an eagle and two birdies in the final six holes, led James Allen to a two-shot win at the 18th MGA Carter Cup which took place at Canoe Brook Country Club for the first time.

George Zahringer III continued to add to his storied list of victories in 2020, claiming the Senior Masters Tournament in a three-way playoff for his 19th career MGA title.

Our look back at 2020 wraps up with Luke Sample's historic victory in the 105th Met Open Championship Presented by Callaway, as the 17-year-old became the eighth amateur to place their name on the Walker L. Trammell Trophy and the youngest-ever winner in the event's storied history.