MGA Father/Son Gross Tournament to be decided by 18 hole playoff
RIVER VALE, N.J. (August 16,
2011) – After four
father and son duos all recorded four-under-
par rounds of 68, a playoff will be upcoming to
decide the winners of the 61st MGA Father
& Son Championship, which was
conducted today at Edgewood Country Club in
River Vale, N.J. An 18-hole playoff will take
place at Edgewood on a date to be
determined.
Chris and
Pat Connell of
Osiris,
Charlie and
Cole Meitner of
Tuxedo,
Ken and
William Bakst of Friar's
Head and
Jon and
Jason Doppelt of
Fresh Meadow all shot rounds of four-under-
par 68 to lead the field of 80 teams of father
and son tandems in the gross event that is
played over the Pinehurst format.
Chris (left) and Pat ConnellThe
Connells teed off to intermittent rain and wind,
which, in addition to the six inches that have
already fallen in the North Jersey area over the
past few days, could have easily led to
unplayable conditions. Edgewood, however,
remained in championship shape throughout.
After a bogey on the par-4 second hole, Pat
(47) and Chris (22), made the most of their
day and regrouped to play the next 16 holes in
five under par.
Charlie and Cole Meitner were the first
afternoon group to finish their round, and took
advantage of the ideal playing conditions. 49-
year-old Charlie was able to capitalize on the
superb positioning off the tee his son gave
him. “He [18-year old son Cole] drove
the ball great, and gave me short irons in
which I’m not at all used to
having,” Charlie said.
In the afternoon’s marquee group,
Ken and William Bakst walked the fairways with
their counterparts Jon and Jason Doppelt. The
teams fed off each other’s fine play,
with the Baksts dropping six birdies and the
Doppelts making five of their own. Both fathers
are accomplished players as Ken is a past U.S.
Mid-Amateur champion (1997), while Jon won
the Long Island Amateur that same year.
The play of the day came from
Tom Karger of
Century, a golfing veteran playing alongside his
son Michael, winner of the 2010 MGA Mixed
Pinehurst. Tom made a hole-in-one on the par-
3 third hole will no doubt become a cherished
family memory. “I’ve been playing
golf for 52 years and this is my very first hole-
in-one!” an elated Karger said after the
round.
Today’s championship was a gross
score competition, played under the rules of a
Pinehurst format. The championship thrives on
the encouraging interaction, participation and
sportsmanship between these family duos.
View results for MET Father/Son
ABOUT THE MET Father/Son
Format: Pinehurst (18 holes, Stroke Play). Partners
both drive from the tee and then each plays a
second
shot with the other's ball. After the second shot, a
choice is made regarding the ball with which the
hole
will be completed - alternate shots being continued
into the hole. On par three holes, the choice must be
made after the tee shots.
Eligibility: Both the parent (or legal guardian) and
child must be members of an MGA Member Club and
have an individual up-to-date Handicap Index based
on ratings for men.
View Complete Tournament Information