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.