Metropolitan Open

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.

Metropolitan Open
Tournament information
Established1905
Organized byMetropolitan Golf Association
FormatStroke play
Month playedAugust
Current champion
Ryan Siegler

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.[2]

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.[4] 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."[2] 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.[2] 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
2022Ryan Siegler209−43 strokesMichael Graboyes
Max Greyserman
Tom Lovelady
David Pastore		Bethpage Black [11]
2021Andrew Svoboda200−102 strokesTom LoveladyHudson National [12]
2020Luke Sample (a)205−83 strokesPaul Pastore
Ben Polland		Mountain Ridge [13]
2019Matt Dobyns200−132 strokesMichael GraboyesPiping Rock [14]
2018Andrew Svoboda205−111 strokeJack Wall (a)Wykagyl [15]
2017Joshua Rackley207−62 strokesDanny Balin
Matt Dobyns
David Schuster		Hollywood [16]
2016Mark Brown206−44 strokesCameron Young (a)Glen Oaks [17]
2015Ben Polland210EPlayoff[lower-alpha 1]Tyler HallWinged Foot (East) [18]
2014Grant Sturgeon209−73 strokesFrank Bensel
Timothy Puetz		Trump Bedminster (Old) [19]
2013Mark Brown209−4Playoff[lower-alpha 2]Cameron Wilson (a)Old Westbury [20]
2012Danny Balin206−91 strokeMike Ballo Jr.
Bobby Gage
Morgan Hoffmann
Ryan McCormick (a)		Plainfield [21]
2011Tyler Hall206−41 strokeBobby GageSleepy Hollow [22]
2010Bob Rittberger213EPlayoff[lower-alpha 3]Danny BalinBethpage Black
2009Andrew Giuliani210−31 strokeJerry Courville, Jr.Ridgewood (N.J.) [23]
2008Mark Mielke205−53 strokesHeath WassemFairfield
2007Frank Bensel207−61 strokeRick Hartmann
Jim Herman
Bob Rittberger
Andrew Svoboda		Meadow Brook [24]
2006John Guyton210−6Playoff[lower-alpha 4]Rick HartmannCanoe Brook [25]
2005John Stoltz (a)211PlayoffCraig ThomasOld Westbury
2004Rick Hartmann209−11 strokeBrian LambertiHudson National [26]
2003Andrew Svoboda (a)2095 strokesRichard MasseyMetedeconk National
2002Johnson Wagner2075 strokesRob LabritzWinged Foot (West)
2001Johnson Wagner (a)206−43 strokesRick HartmannBethpage Black [27][28]
2000Michael Gilmore2071 strokeJerry Courville, Jr. (a)Mountain Ridge
1999Mark Brown2102 strokesCharlie Bolling
Mat Cannon		Tuxedo
1998Rick Hartmann203−71 strokeDarrell KestnerThe Creek [29][30]
1997Mike Burke Jr.2143 strokesRick HartmannPlainfield
1996Bruce Zabriski20812 strokesCharlie Bolling
Mike Burke Jr.
Chris Dachisen
George Zahringer (a)		Stanwich
1995Darrell Kestner208PlayoffBruce ZabriskiAtlantic
1994Charlie Cowell208−52 strokesRick Hartmann
Bill King		Ridgewood [31]
1993Bruce Zabriski2044 strokesLarry RentzQuaker Ridge
1992Mark Mielke2071 strokeRick VershureNassau
1991Mike Dillfey2053 strokesJim Albus
Mel Baum		Hollywood
1990Larry Rentz2046 strokesMel Baum
Rick Hughes
Tom McGinnis
Bruce Zabriski		Westchester
1989Bobby Heins210PlayoffGeorge Zahringer (a)Bethpage Black
1988Bobby Heins2101 strokeTom JoyceBaltusrol
1987Jim McGovern (a)2121 strokeDavid GlenzWinged Foot
1986David Glenz2081 strokeTom JoyceNassau
1985George Zahringer (a)2102 strokesBruce DouglassMountain Ridge
1984Jim Albus2102 strokesRick MeskellOld Oaks
1983Darrell Kestner2124 strokesJeff Foxx
Don Reese		Old Westbury
1982Darrell Kestner2074 strokesJim AlbusMontclair
1981Kelley Moser2112 strokesDavid GlenzKnollwood
1980George Bullock209PlayoffDick Siderowf (a)Woodmere
1979Bill Britton216PlayoffGeorge BullockPlainfield
1978David Glenz214PlayoffNick ManoliosQuaker Ridge
1977Marty Bohen214−22 strokesAustin StraubMeadow Brook [32][33]
1976Marty Bohen215−1Playoff[lower-alpha 5]Lloyd Monroe
Jimmy Wright		Upper Montclair [34]
1975Carlton White2113 strokesCarl LohrenMetropolis
1974Bob Bruno2092 strokesDave SmithMiddle Bay
1973Peter Davison2861 strokeTom JoyceHackensack
1972Don Massengale288PlayoffRon LetellierStanwich
1971Ron Letellier2791 strokeJimmy WrightFresh Meadow
1970Jim Albus288PlayoffJimmy WrightRidgewood
1969Jimmy Wright2842 strokeMike FetchickFenway
1968Jerry Pittman2748 strokesJimmy WrightInwood
1967Jerry Courville Sr. (a)2924 strokesBilly Farrell
Ron Letellier
Stan Mosel
Rick Rhoads
Terry Wilcox		Winged Foot
1966Tom Nieporte2773 strokesStan MoselMountain Ridge
1965Jerry Pittman2753 strokesWes Ellis
Jimmy Wright		Woodmere
1964Jack Patroni2842 strokesWes Ellis
Al Feminelli		Briar Hall
1963Wes Ellis2835 strokesDoug FordPlainfield
1962Miller Barber282PlayoffTom NieporteNassau
1961Wes Ellis2892 strokesClaude HarmonWinged Foot
1960Al Mengert27212 strokesWes EllisRidgewood
1959Jim Turnesa2861 strokeShelley MayfieldWoodmere
1958Bob Watson2793 strokesClaude HarmonMetropolis
1957Wes Ellis2963 strokesShelley MayfieldPlainfield
1956Doug Ford2883 strokesMike TurnesaInwood
1955Art Doering285PlayoffAl BroschFenway
1954Otto Greiner2901 strokeJay HebertThe Knoll
1953Pete Cooper2844 strokesPat CiciRockville Links
1952Chet Sanok (a)2892 strokesDick Mayer
Jim Turnesa		Winged Foot
1951Claude Harmon2752 strokesPete CooperForest Hill
1950George Stuhler2801 strokeClaude HarmonGarden City CC
1949Jack Burke Jr.2746 strokesGene SarazenMetropolis
1941–1948: Not played due to financial issues[2]
1940Craig Wood264−1611 strokesBen HoganForest Hill [35]
1939Henry Picard283−1Playoff1Paul Runyan (2nd)

Vic Ghezzi (3rd)

 Metropolis [36][37][38]
1938Jimmy Hines2873 strokesSam SneadFresh Meadow [39]
1937Jimmy Hines2791 strokeHenry PicardForest Hill
1936Byron Nelson2832 strokesCraig WoodQuaker Ridge [40] [41]
1935Henry Picard2844 strokesSid BrewsLakeville
1934Paul Runyan2871 strokeWiffy Cox
Walter Hagen		Echo Lake
1933Willie Macfarlane2911 strokePaul RunyanWinged Foot [42]
1932Olin Dutra2822 strokesWalter KozakLido [43] [44]
1931Macdonald Smith2855 strokesGene SarazenCrestmont [45]
1930Willie Macfarlane280Playoff[lower-alpha 6]Johnny FarrellFairview [46][47]
1929Bill Mehlhorn2883 strokesWiffy CoxLido [48]
1928Tommy Armour278−102 strokesJohnny FarrellShackamaxon [49]
1927Johnny Farrell2961 strokeBobby CruickshankWykagyl [50]
1926Macdonald Smith286Playoff[lower-alpha 7]Gene SarazenSalisbury [51][52][53]
1925Gene Sarazen2951 strokeJoe TurnesaGrassy Sprain [54]
1924Mike Brady2922 strokesWillie MacfarlaneEngineers [55]
1923Bob MacDonald295Playoff[lower-alpha 8]Jim BarnesCanoe Brook [56][57]
1922Marty O'Loughlin3093 strokesJohnny FarrellLido [58]
1921Bob MacDonald2944 strokesPat O'HaraSiwanoy [59]
1920Walter Hagen292Playoff[lower-alpha 9]Jim BarnesGreenwich [60][61]
1919Walter Hagen2943 strokesEmmet FrenchNorth Shore [62]
1917–1918: Not played due to World War I
1916Walter Hagen307Playoff[lower-alpha 10]Jim Barnes
Charles Hoffner		Garden City GC [63][64]
1915Gilbert Nicholls292Playoff[lower-alpha 11]Bob MacDonaldFox Hills [65][66]
1914Macdonald Smith2789 strokesWillie MacfarlaneScarsdale [67]
1913Alex Smith2911 strokeTom McNamaraSalisbury Links [68]
1912Tom McNamara2934 strokesGilbert NichollsApawamis [69]
1911Gilbert Nicholls2818 strokesJack HobensEnglewood [70]
1910Alex Smith3012 strokesJohn McDermottDeal [71]
1909Alex Smith3062 strokesGilbert NichollsWykagyl [72]
1908Jack Hobens3051 strokeAlex CampbellBaltusrol [73]
1907Not held
1906George Low2942 strokesAlex SmithHollywood [74]
1905Alex Smith300Playoff[lower-alpha 12]Willie AndersonFox Hills [75][76]

Sources:[77][78]

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.

  1. Polland won a 3-hole playoff with a score of 2-over-par.
  2. Brown won a 3-hole playoff with a score of 2-under-par.
  3. Rittberger won a 3-hole playoff with a score of 1-over-par.
  4. Guyton won three-hole aggregate playoff. (Scores: Guyton 11, Hartmann 12)
  5. Bohen won three-hole aggregate playoff. (Scores: Bohen 10, Monroe 11, Wright 14)
  6. Macfarlane beat Farrell 142 to 144 in a 36-hole playoff.
  7. Smith beat Sarazen 66 to 70 in a third 18-hole playoff. They had tied the first two with scores of 70 and 72.
  8. MacDonald beat Barnes 70 to 79 in an 18-hole playoff.
  9. Hagen beat Barnes 70 to 74 in an 18-hole playoff.
  10. Hagen won an 18-hole playoff, scoring 74, with Barnes scoring 75 and Hoffner 77.
  11. Nicholls beat MacDonald 73 to 78 in an 18-hole playoff.
  12. Smith beat Anderson 74 to 76 in an 18-hole playoff.

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