Metropolitan Open Explained

Metropolitan Open
Establishment:1905
Org:Metropolitan Golf Association
Format:Stroke play
Month Played:August
Current Champion:Peter Ballo

The Metropolitan Open is a golf tournament organized by the Metropolitan Golf Association. In the early 20th century it was one of the top events in the country and was retroactively given PGA Tour-level status.

History

The tournament has been played annually since 1905.[1] It is the third oldest "open" golf tournament in the United States, after the U.S. Open and Western Open. It was staged for the first time in 1905 at Fox Hills Golf Club on Staten Island, which played the dual role of host and sponsor. In 1908, the Metropolitan Golf Association hosted the tournament for the first time.[2] In 1914, Macdonald Smith shot recorded a 278 aggregate, the lowest score ever for a 72 hole tournament.

In the 1920s, according to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, the event was "weakening" due to alleged neglect from the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA).[3] In addition, the event was often held in the middle of the summer in the interior of New Jersey or New York. The weather tended to be very hot which discouraged players from attending the tournament and sponsors for supporting the event. In addition, all three local sections in the tri-state regions "didn't want it."[4] However, in 1932 the MGA began scheduling the event immediately before the U.S. Open which was normally held in nearby northeast states. Most of the top golfers therefore played The Met Open as a warm-up for the national championship and the event's "prestige" increased. Some newspapers referred to it as one of the top five events in the world at the time, along with the U.S. Open, British Open, Western Open, and PGA Championship.[5] In 1936, "most of the nation's outstanding stars" played in the event, including Gene Sarazen, Craig Wood, Paul Runyan, and leading amateur Jess Sweetser.[6] A young Byron Nelson won the event, one of his first big wins.[7] In 1939, it was regarded as "richer in tradition than any tournament except the National Open" by The Daily Times.[8] In 1940, there was one of the most notable performances. Craig Wood scored at 264 (−16) total and won the event by 11 strokes over Ben Hogan. In addition, according to The Associated Press his 264 total was considered the second lowest 72-hole total any tournament ever, only behind Percy Alliss' 262 total at the 1935 Italian Open. He also broke the tournament record by 14 strokes, which had stood for 26 years.[9]

In 1941, however, the Metropolitan Golf Association "discontinued" the event citing that it was a "financial burden." At the end of the decade, however, the organization renewed the event and it has evolved one the premier local events in the tri-state area. In 1976, the Met Open became one of the first tournaments to use a 3-hole aggregate playoff, a style now adopted by most of the major championships.[10] The 2009 winner was Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Winners

YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-upVenueRef.
Met Open Championship
2024 215 −1 Playoff Wee Burn
2023 Dylan Newman209 −4 2 strokes Mark Costanza (a)
Arcola[11]
2022 Ryan Siegler209 −4 3 strokes Michael Graboyes
Max Greyserman
Tom Lovelady
David Pastore		Bethpage Black[12]
2021 200 −10 2 strokes Tom LoveladyHudson National[13]
2020 Luke Sample (a) 205 −8 3 strokes Paul Pastore
Ben Polland		Mountain Ridge[14]
2019 Matt Dobyns200 −13 2 strokes Michael GraboyesPiping Rock[15]
2018 205 −11 1 stroke Jack Wall (a) Wykagyl[16]
2017 Joshua Rackley207 −6 2 strokes Danny Balin
Matt Dobyns
David Schuster		Hollywood[17]
2016 Mark Brown206 −4 4 strokes Cameron Young (a) Glen Oaks[18]
2015 Ben Polland210 E Playoff Tyler HallWinged Foot (East)[19]
2014 Grant Sturgeon209 −7 3 strokes Frank Bensel
Timothy Puetz		Trump Bedminster (Old)[20]
2013 Mark Brown209 −4 Playoff Cameron Wilson (a) Old Westbury[21]
2012 206 −9 1 stroke Mike Ballo Jr.
Bobby Gage
Morgan Hoffmann
Ryan McCormick (a) 		Plainfield[22]
2011 Tyler Hall206 −4 1 stroke Bobby GageSleepy Hollow[23]
2010 Bob Rittberger213 E Playoff Bethpage Black
2009 210 −3 1 stroke Jerry Courville, Jr. Ridgewood (N.J.)[24]
2008 Mark Mielke205 −5 3 strokes Heath WassemFairfield
2007 Frank Bensel207 −6 1 stroke Meadow Brook[25]
2006 John Guyton210 −6 Playoff Canoe Brook[26]
2005 John Stoltz (a) 211 Playoff Craig ThomasOld Westbury
2004 209 −1 1 stroke Brian LambertiHudson National[27]
2003 Andrew Svoboda (a) 209 5 strokes Richard MasseyMetedeconk National
2002 207 5 strokes Winged Foot (West)
2001 Johnson Wagner (a) 206 −4 3 strokes Bethpage Black[28] [29]
2000 Michael Gilmore207 1 stroke Jerry Courville, Jr. (a) Mountain Ridge
1999 Mark Brown210 2 strokes Charlie Bolling
Mat Cannon		Tuxedo
1998 203 −7 1 stroke The Creek[30] [31]
1997 Mike Burke Jr.214 3 strokes Plainfield
1996 208 12 strokes Charlie Bolling
Mike Burke Jr.
Chris Dachisen
George Zahringer (a) 		Stanwich
1995 208 Playoff Atlantic
1994 Charlie Cowell208 −5 2 strokes Rick Hartmann
Bill King		Ridgewood[32]
1993 204 4 strokes Larry RentzQuaker Ridge
1992 Mark Mielke207 1 stroke Rick VershureNassau
1991 Mike Dillfey205 3 strokes Jim Albus
Mel Baum 		Hollywood
1990 Larry Rentz 204 6 strokes Westchester
1989 Bobby Heins210 Playoff George Zahringer (a) Bethpage Black
1988 Bobby Heins210 1 stroke Tom Joyce Baltusrol
1987 Jim McGovern (a) 212 1 stroke David GlenzWinged Foot
1986 David Glenz208 1 stroke Tom Joyce Nassau
1985 George Zahringer (a) 210 2 strokes Bruce DouglassMountain Ridge
1984 210 2 strokes Rick Meskell Old Oaks
1983 212 4 strokes Old Westbury
1982 207 4 strokes Montclair
1981 Kelley Moser 211 2 strokes David GlenzKnollwood
1980 George Bullock 209 Playoff Dick Siderowf (a) Woodmere
1979 216 Playoff George Bullock Plainfield
1978 David Glenz214 Playoff Nick Manolios Quaker Ridge
1977 214 −2 2 strokes Austin Straub Meadow Brook[33] [34]
1976 215 −1 Playoff Upper Montclair[35]
1975 Carlton White 211 3 strokes Carl Lohren Metropolis
1974 Bob Bruno 209 2 strokes Dave Smith Middle Bay
1973 Peter Davison 286 1 stroke Tom Joyce Hackensack
1972 288 Playoff Ron Letellier Stanwich
1971 Ron Letellier 279 1 stroke Fresh Meadow
1970 288 Playoff Ridgewood
1969 284 2 stroke Fenway
1968 274 8 strokes Inwood
1967 Jerry Courville Sr. (a) 292 4 strokes Winged Foot
1966 277 3 strokes Stan Mosel Mountain Ridge
1965 275 3 strokes Woodmere
1964 Jack Patroni 284 2 strokes Wes Ellis
Al Feminelli		Briar Hall
1963 283 5 strokes Plainfield
1962 282 Playoff Nassau
1961 289 2 strokes Winged Foot
1960 272 12 strokes Ridgewood
1959 286 1 stroke Woodmere
1958 Bob Watson 279 3 strokes Metropolis
1957 296 3 strokes Plainfield
1956 288 3 strokes Inwood
1955 285 Playoff Fenway
1954 Otto Greiner 290 1 stroke The Knoll
1953 284 4 strokes Pat CiciRockville Links
1952 Chet Sanok (a) 289 2 strokes Winged Foot
1951 275 2 strokes Forest Hill
1950 George Stuhler280 1 stroke Garden City CC
1949 274 6 strokes Metropolis
1941–1948: Not played due to financial issues
1940 264 −1611 strokes Forest Hill[36]
1939 283 −1Playoff1Paul Runyan (2nd)Vic Ghezzi (3rd)Metropolis[37] [38] [39]
1938 287 3 strokes Fresh Meadow[40]
1937 279 1 stroke Forest Hill
1936 283 2 strokes Quaker Ridge[41] [42]
1935 284 4 strokes Lakeville
1934 287 1 stroke Echo Lake
1933 291 1 stroke Winged Foot[43]
1932 282 2 strokes Walter Kozak Lido[44] [45]
1931 285 5 strokes Crestmont[46]
1930 280 Playoff Fairview[47] [48]
1929 288 3 strokes Lido[49]
1928 278 −10 2 strokes Shackamaxon[50]
1927 296 1 stroke Wykagyl[51]
1926 286 Playoff Salisbury[52] [53] [54]
1925 295 1 stroke Grassy Sprain[55]
1924 292 2 strokes Engineers[56]
1923 295 Playoff Canoe Brook[57] [58]
1922 Marty O'Loughlin 309 3 strokes Lido[59]
1921 294 4 strokes Pat O'HaraSiwanoy[60]
1920 292 Playoff Greenwich[61] [62]
1919 294 3 strokes North Shore[63]
1917–1918: Not played due to World War I
1916 307 Playoff Garden City GC[64] [65]
1915 292 Playoff Fox Hills[66] [67]
1914 278 9 strokes Scarsdale[68]
1913 291 1 stroke Salisbury Links[69]
1912 293 4 strokes Apawamis[70]
1911 281 8 strokes Englewood[71]
1910 301 2 strokes Deal[72]
1909 306 2 strokes Wykagyl[73]
1908 305 1 stroke Baltusrol[74]
1907 Not held
1906 294 2 strokes Hollywood[75]
1905 300 Playoff Fox Hills[76] [77]
Sources:[78] [79]

1Picard and Runyan tied with a 70 at the end of the first 18-hole playoff while Ghezzi was eliminated with a 77. In the second playoff, Picard defeated Runyan 69 to 71.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: August 21, 1910 . Open Golf Tourney Starts At Deal Next Wednesday . The Washington Post . February 22, 2015.
  2. Web site: 2012-03-08 . Met Open Championship Presented by Callaway History . 2022-12-26 . Metropolitan Golf Association . en.
  3. Web site: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 23 Apr 1934, page Page 20 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  4. Web site: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 07 Feb 1936, page Page 23 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  5. Web site: The Morning Call 18 Feb 1935, page 21 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  6. Web site: Lincoln Journal Star 22 May 1936, page 17 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  7. Web site: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 25 May 1936, page Page 23 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  8. Web site: The Daily Times 25 May 1939, page 9 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  9. Web site: The Baltimore Sun 27 May 1940, page 13 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  10. In It For The Long Haul . Field . Bill . Golf Digest . June 8, 2009 . 2020-01-09.
  11. Web site: 108th Met Open Championship Presented by Callaway - Arcola . December 25, 2023 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  12. Web site: Siegler's Stretch Run Secures Met Open . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  13. Web site: Svoboda Shines At Hudson National . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  14. Web site: Sample Captures 105th Met Open at Mountain Ridge . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  15. Web site: Bogey-Free 66 Propels Dobyns to Met Open Title . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  16. Web site: Svoboda Secures Met Open for Second Time . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  17. Web site: Rackley Claims 102nd Met Open, Joins Latest Podcast . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  18. Web site: Brown earns third career Met Open title . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  19. Web site: Ben Polland Wins 100th Met Open . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  20. Web site: Grant Sturgeon Wins Met Open . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  21. Web site: Mark Brown Wins Second Met Open Title . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  22. Web site: Balin Wins 97th Met Open After Final Round 66 . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  23. Web site: Tyler Hall Wins 96th Met Open at Sleepy Hollow . December 25, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  24. Web site: Giuliani Wins Met Open For His First Professional Title . December 26, 2022 . Metropolitan Golf Association.
  25. Web site: Newsday 25 Aug 2007, page 26 . 2022-10-25 . Newspapers.com.
  26. Web site: Newsday 25 Aug 2006, page 60 . 2022-10-25 . Newspapers.com.
  27. Web site: The Record 27 Aug 2004, page 31 . 2022-10-09 . Newspapers.com.
  28. Web site: Newsday 24 Aug 2001, page 71 . 2022-10-21 . Newspapers.com.
  29. Web site: The Central New Jersey Home News 24 Aug 2001, page 31 . 2022-10-21 . Newspapers.com.
  30. Web site: The Daily Times 21 Aug 1998, page 33 . 2022-11-11 . Newspapers.com . en.
  31. Web site: Newsday (Nassau Edition) 21 Aug 1998, page 76 . 2022-11-11 . Newspapers.com . en.
  32. Web site: Newsday 19 Aug 1994, page 100 . 2022-10-20 . Newspapers.com.
  33. News: White Jr. . Gordon S. . 1977-08-26 . Bohen Wins Met Open For 2d Year . The New York Times . 2020-01-09.
  34. Web site: Major League Box Scores . 2022-12-26 . timesmachine.nytimes.com . en.
  35. News: 1976-08-27 . Bohen wins Met Open . 48 . The Record . 2021-04-08.
  36. Web site: Record-Journal 27 May 1940, page 4 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  37. Web site: The Tampa Tribune 28 May 1939, page 16 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  38. Web site: The Spokesman-Review 29 May 1939, page 11 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  39. Web site: Wichita Falls Times 30 May 1939, page 7 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  40. Web site: The Herald-Sun 15 May 1938, page 27 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  41. Web site: Hartford Courant 24 May 1936, page 45 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  42. Web site: Miami Tribune 24 May 1936, page 26 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  43. Web site: Tampa Bay Times 28 May 1933, page 11 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  44. Web site: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 17 Jul 1932, page Page 27 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  45. Web site: The Fresno Bee 17 Jul 1932, page 12 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  46. Web site: Hartford Courant 19 Jul 1931, page 31 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
  47. Web site: Golfers to play off for title today: each scores total of 280 . Ralph . Trost . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 20, 1930 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  48. Web site: MacFarlane wins met open title by two strokes . Jimmy . Powers . Daily News . July 21, 1930 . 29 . Newspapers.com.
  49. Web site: Wild Bill Mehlhorn wins Met. open golf title on Lido course with 288 . Ralph . Trost . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 21, 1929 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  50. Web site: Mastery of the half-shot makes Armour great golfer . Ralph . Trost . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 21, 1928 . 10 . Newspapers.com.
  51. Web site: Farrell's 296 wins Met open title . Paul . Gallico . Daily News . May 28, 1927 . 10 . Newspapers.com.
  52. Web site: Smith and Sarazen tie for Met. open: Will play off today . Ralph . Trost . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 18, 1926 . 1C . Newspapers.com.
  53. Web site: Mac Smith and Gene Sarazen create golfing history . Ralph . Trost . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 20, 1926 . A3 . Newspapers.com.
  54. Web site: Gene Sarazen's 70 pales before Mac Smith's dazzling 66 . George . Trevor . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 25, 1926 . A3 . Newspapers.com.
  55. Web site: Gene Sarazen revives memory of 1922 by winning Met. open title . George . Trevor . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 19, 1925 . 1D . Newspapers.com.
  56. Web site: Mike Brady realizes his heart's desire by winning Metropolitan golf title . George . Trevor . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 12, 1924 . 10 . Newspapers.com.
  57. Web site: MacDonald boots "Met." title away on last three holes as Barnes ties him . George . Trevor . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 21, 1923 . 4 . Newspapers.com.
  58. Web site: Bob MacDonald overwhelms Jim Barnes by nine strokes in playoff for "Met." title . George . Trevor . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 22, 1923 . 1D . Newspapers.com.
  59. Web site: Marty O'Loughlin nearly tossed away his title because of a gallery . George . Trevor . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . September 16, 1922 . 10 . Newspapers.com.
  60. News: Bob MacDonald Wins Metropolitan Open Golf Championship. Arizona Republican. 1. July 29, 1921. Newspapers.com.
  61. Web site: Hagen and Barnes tie shows strange golf form reversals . William Everett . Hicks . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 31, 1919 . 5 . Newspapers.com.
  62. Web site: Hagen wins golf title for 3d time by beating Barnes . William Everett . Hicks . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . August 1, 1919 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  63. Web site: Hagen's great closing round gives him Met. golf title . William Everett . Hicks . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 12, 1920 . 4 . Newspapers.com.
  64. Web site: Three pros finish in a tie for Met. open golf title . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 15, 1916 . 2 . Newspapers.com.
  65. Web site: Walter Hagen wins Met. open title . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 15, 1916 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  66. Web site: McDonald's great golf shot onhome hole tied Nichols for title . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 10, 1915 . 3 . Newspapers.com.
  67. Web site: Gil Nichols wins Met. golf title . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 11, 1915 . 3 . Newspapers.com.
  68. Web site: Macdonald Smith deprives brother of big golf title . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . August 7, 1914 . 2 . Newspapers.com.
  69. Web site: McNamara loses golf title to Smith by missing putt . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . August 15, 1913 . 3 . Newspapers.com.
  70. News: Tom McNamara Wins Metropolitan Championship . Fitchburg Daily Sentinel . July 12, 1912 . February 22, 2015.
  71. Web site: Britisher takes title in M.G.A. open golf event . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 14, 1911 . 6 . Newspapers.com.
  72. Web site: Metropolitan golf title retained by Alex Smith . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . August 27, 1910 . 2 . Newspapers.com.
  73. Web site: M.G.A. open championship captured by Alex. Smith . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . September 18, 1909 . 5 . Newspapers.com.
  74. Web site: Exciting finish at Baltusrol in Metropolitan open event . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . September 25, 1908 . 4 . Newspapers.com.
  75. Web site: George Low Metropolitan champion after five years of effort . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . August 11, 1906 . 3 . Newspapers.com.
  76. Web site: Smith and Anderson tie at Fox Hills . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . September 16, 1905 . 3 . Newspapers.com.
  77. Web site: Alex Smith, Nassau pro, is M.G.A. open champion . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . September 17, 1905 . 8 . Newspapers.com.
  78. Web site: Met Open Championship Presented by Callaway History . Metropolitan Golf Association . 25 December 2022.
  79. Web site: 100th Met Open 1905–2015 Winger Foot . Metropolitan Golf Association . 26 December 2022.

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