Metropolitan Open Moves to New Date for 2017
12th Metropolitan Open Championship
The Country Club of St. Albans (Lewis & Clark Course)
June 14-16, 2017
METROPOLITAN OPEN MOVES TO NEW DATE IN 2017
The 2016 Open was arguably the most successful Metropolitan Open to date. It has the largest field ever with the most number of professionals competing, 105 in the 11-year history. With the dates falling one week ahead of the Web.com event in Springfield, IL, the timing was right and the strongest professional field showed up to compete for the $25,000 first prize.
Mini-tour journeyman Dan Woltman captured the 2016 title on the Lewis & Clark Course. Woltman started the final round at 10-under and a 4-shot advantage on 2015 champion Chris Brant and looked to have safe cushion toward the title. However, a few stumbling blocks on Sunday and a 4-over 74 brought a few more people into the picture. Even with a double bogey at the last hole Sunday, Woltman hung on for a 1 shot victory over 3 others.
Woltman would use his victory and the $25,000 first prize to springboard the rest of his summer and is exempt on the Web.com Tour for 2017.
MAGA Executive Director Curt Rohe commented on the Metropolitan Open, “We are excited to bring a 12th Open Championship to St. Albans this June. With Plaza Motors as the presenting sponsor once again and the Open Committee working to provide a first-class experience for the players, we are ensured another very successful Open. The golf course should be absolutely perfect with the new June date.”
The Country Club of St. Albans will be a busy spot in 2017, they are hosting the PGA Junior Championships, boys and girls in July, which also played a part in moving the date for 2017. However, with the Web.com event in Springfield going back to June it was a great fit to move the Open ahead of that event once again.
St. Albans is fully committed to continuing to make the Metropolitan Open the premier Open event in the Midwest. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, Members, and staff of The Country Club of St. Albans, we are looking forward to hosting the 12th Metropolitan Open Championship in 2017. Last year’s field was the strongest yet and we are excited to host another fantastic field of Professionals and Top Amateurs. Many thanks to Tom O’Toole, Curt Rohe, and the Metropolitan Open Committee for their leadership in making this event such a success.”
“As a life-long golfer, St. Louis Native, and PGA Professional, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to support the great game of golf and doing my part to make this event a great success!” stated Morgan Gonzales, PGA General Manager, The Country Club of St. Albans
A full field will be 156 players, amateurs who are members of MAGA with a USGA handicap index of 1.4 or below are eligible and professionals from around the country will comprise the field.
The Open will kick-off on Tuesday afternoon with the Pro-Am. This will be the fifth year of the Pro-Am and has become an excellent way to showcase some of the young professionals in the field and meet some of our great supporters of the Open. The Pros will play for a skins pool where $1,000 will be up for grabs.
Skip Berkmeyer (The Legends CC) and Sam Migdal (Norwood Hills CC) tied for Low Amateur honors in 2016, with Alex Cusumano (Norwood Hills CC) be the only other amateur to survive the cut. Migdal would go on to be named the 2016 Metropolitan Player of the Year.
Championship play will commence Wednesday with all competitors playing 36-holes Wednesday and Thursday before a cut to the Low 40 and ties is made for the Final Round Friday. The Championship is FREE for spectators to come out and see one of the strongest fields to tee it up in St. Louis!
If you should have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Curt Rohe, Executive Director, via email at /Blog/metropolitan-open-moves-to-new-date-for-2017 or phone at (314) 567-MAGA.
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