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. 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. 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). 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." 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. 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. A young Byron Nelson won the event, one of his first big wins. In 1939, it was regarded as "richer in tradition than any tournament except the National Open" by The Daily Times. 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.
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. The 2009 winner was Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Winners YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-upVenueRef.Met Open Championship2026 Brent Ito 201 −12 3 strokes Matthew Lowe (a) Essex County2025 David Pastore 211 −2 1 stroke Ryan McCormick Meadow Brook2024 Peter Ballo 215 −1 Playoff Ethan Ng Wee Burn2023 Dylan Newman209 −4 2 strokes Mark Costanza (a) Arcola2022 Ryan Siegler209 −4 3 strokes Michael GraboyesMax GreysermanTom LoveladyDavid Pastore Bethpage Black2021 Andrew Svoboda 200 −10 2 strokes Tom Lovelady Hudson National2020 Luke Sample (a) 205 −8 3 strokes Paul PastoreBen Polland Mountain Ridge2019 Matt Dobyns200 −13 2 strokes Michael Graboyes Piping Rock2018 Andrew Svoboda 205 −11 1 stroke Jack Wall (a) Wykagyl2017 Joshua Rackley207 −6 2 strokes Danny BalinMatt DobynsDavid Schuster Hollywood2016 Mark Brown206 −4 4 strokes Cameron Young (a) Glen Oaks2015 Ben Polland210 E Playoff Tyler Hall Winged Foot (East)2014 Grant Sturgeon209 −7 3 strokes Frank BenselTimothy Puetz Trump Bedminster (Old)2013 Mark Brown209 −4 Playoff Cameron Wilson (a) Old Westbury2012 Danny Balin 206 −9 1 stroke Mike Ballo Jr.Bobby GageMorgan HoffmannRyan McCormick (a) Plainfield2011 Tyler Hall206 −4 1 stroke Bobby Gage Sleepy Hollow2010 Bob Rittberger213 E Playoff Danny Balin Bethpage Black2009 Andrew Giuliani 210 −3 1 stroke Jerry Courville, Jr. Ridgewood (N.J.)2008 Mark Mielke205 −5 3 strokes Heath Wassem Fairfield2007 Frank Bensel207 −6 1 stroke Rick HartmannJim HermanBob RittbergerAndrew Svoboda Meadow Brook2006 John Guyton210 −6 Playoff Rick Hartmann Canoe Brook2005 John Stoltz (a) 211 Playoff Craig Thomas Old Westbury2004 Rick Hartmann 209 −1 1 stroke Brian Lamberti Hudson National2003 Andrew Svoboda (a) 209 5 strokes Richard Massey Metedeconk National2002 Johnson Wagner 207 5 strokes Rob Labritz Winged Foot (West)2001 Johnson Wagner (a) 206 −4 3 strokes Rick Hartmann Bethpage Black2000 Michael Gilmore207 1 stroke Jerry Courville, Jr. (a) Mountain Ridge1999 Mark Brown210 2 strokes Charlie BollingMat Cannon Tuxedo1998 Rick Hartmann 203 −7 1 stroke Darrell Kestner The Creek1997 Mike Burke Jr.214 3 strokes Rick Hartmann Plainfield1996 Bruce Zabriski 208 12 strokes Charlie BollingMike Burke Jr.Chris DachisenGeorge Zahringer (a) Stanwich1995 Darrell Kestner 208 Playoff Bruce Zabriski Atlantic1994 Charlie Cowell208 −5 2 strokes Rick HartmannBill King Ridgewood1993 Bruce Zabriski 204 4 strokes Larry Rentz Quaker Ridge1992 Mark Mielke207 1 stroke Rick Vershure Nassau1991 Mike Dillfey205 3 strokes Jim AlbusMel Baum Hollywood1990 Larry Rentz 204 6 strokes Mel BaumRick HughesTom McGinnisBruce Zabriski Westchester1989 Bobby Heins210 Playoff George Zahringer (a) Bethpage Black1988 Bobby Heins210 1 stroke Tom Joyce Baltusrol1987 Jim McGovern (a) 212 1 stroke David Glenz Winged Foot1986 David Glenz208 1 stroke Tom Joyce Nassau1985 George Zahringer (a) 210 2 strokes Bruce Douglass Mountain Ridge1984 Jim Albus 210 2 strokes Rick Meskell Old Oaks1983 Darrell Kestner 212 4 strokes Jeff FoxxDon Reese Old Westbury1982 Darrell Kestner 207 4 strokes Jim Albus Montclair1981 Kelley Moser 211 2 strokes David Glenz Knollwood1980 George Bullock 209 Playoff Dick Siderowf (a) Woodmere1979 Bill Britton 216 Playoff George Bullock Plainfield1978 David Glenz214 Playoff Nick Manolios Quaker Ridge1977 Marty Bohen 214 −2 2 strokes Austin Straub Meadow Brook1976 Marty Bohen 215 −1 Playoff Lloyd MonroeJimmy Wright Upper Montclair1975 Carlton White 211 3 strokes Carl Lohren Metropolis1974 Bob Bruno 209 2 strokes Dave Smith Middle Bay1973 Peter Davison 286 1 stroke Tom Joyce Hackensack1972 Don Massengale 288 Playoff Ron Letellier Stanwich1971 Ron Letellier 279 1 stroke Jimmy Wright Fresh Meadow1970 Jim Albus 288 Playoff Jimmy Wright Ridgewood1969 Jimmy Wright 284 2 stroke Mike Fetchick Fenway1968 Jerry Pittman 274 8 strokes Jimmy Wright Inwood1967 Jerry Courville Sr. (a) 292 4 strokes Billy FarrellRon LetellierStan MoselRick RhoadsTerry Wilcox Winged Foot1966 Tom Nieporte 277 3 strokes Stan Mosel Mountain Ridge1965 Jerry Pittman 275 3 strokes Wes EllisJimmy Wright Woodmere1964 Jack Patroni 284 2 strokes Wes EllisAl Feminelli Briar Hall1963 Wes Ellis 283 5 strokes Doug Ford Plainfield1962 Miller Barber 282 Playoff Tom Nieporte Nassau1961 Wes Ellis 289 2 strokes Claude Harmon Winged Foot1960 Al Mengert 272 12 strokes Wes Ellis Ridgewood1959 Jim Turnesa 286 1 stroke Shelley Mayfield Woodmere1958 Bob Watson 279 3 strokes Claude Harmon Metropolis1957 Wes Ellis 296 3 strokes Shelley Mayfield Plainfield1956 Doug Ford 288 3 strokes Mike Turnesa Inwood1955 Art Doering 285 Playoff Al Brosch Fenway1954 Otto Greiner 290 1 stroke Jay Hebert The Knoll1953 Pete Cooper 284 4 strokes Pat Cici Rockville Links1952 Chet Sanok (a) 289 2 strokes Dick MayerJim Turnesa Winged Foot1951 Claude Harmon 275 2 strokes Pete Cooper Forest Hill1950 George Stuhler280 1 stroke Claude Harmon Garden City CC1949 Jack Burke Jr. 274 6 strokes Gene Sarazen Metropolis1941–1948: No tournament due to financial issues 1940 Craig Wood 264 −16 11 strokes Ben Hogan Forest Hill1939 Henry Picard 283 −1 Playoff1 Paul Runyan (2nd) Vic Ghezzi (3rd) Metropolis1938 Jimmy Hines 287 3 strokes Sam Snead Fresh Meadow1937 Jimmy Hines 279 1 stroke Henry Picard Forest Hill1936 Byron Nelson 283 2 strokes Craig Wood Quaker Ridge1935 Henry Picard 284 4 strokes Sid Brews Lakeville1934 Paul Runyan 287 1 stroke Wiffy CoxWalter Hagen Echo Lake1933 Willie Macfarlane 291 1 stroke Paul Runyan Winged Foot1932 Olin Dutra 282 2 strokes Walter Kozak Lido1931 Macdonald Smith 285 5 strokes Gene Sarazen Crestmont1930 Willie Macfarlane 280 Playoff Johnny Farrell Fairview1929 Bill Mehlhorn 288 3 strokes Wiffy Cox Lido1928 Tommy Armour 278 −10 2 strokes Johnny Farrell Shackamaxon1927 Johnny Farrell 296 1 stroke Bobby Cruickshank Wykagyl1926 Macdonald Smith 286 Playoff Gene Sarazen Salisbury1925 Gene Sarazen 295 1 stroke Joe Turnesa Grassy Sprain1924 Mike Brady 292 2 strokes Willie Macfarlane Engineers1923 Bob MacDonald 295 Playoff Jim Barnes Canoe Brook1922 Marty O'Loughlin 309 3 strokes Johnny Farrell Lido1921 Bob MacDonald 294 4 strokes Pat O'Hara Siwanoy1920 Walter Hagen 292 Playoff Jim Barnes Greenwich1919 Walter Hagen 294 3 strokes Emmet French North Shore1917–1918: No tournament due to World War I1916 Walter Hagen 307 Playoff Jim BarnesCharles Hoffner Garden City GC1915 Gilbert Nicholls 292 Playoff Bob MacDonald Fox Hills1914 Macdonald Smith 278 9 strokes Willie Macfarlane Scarsdale1913 Alex Smith 291 1 stroke Tom McNamara Salisbury Links1912 Tom McNamara 293 4 strokes Gilbert Nicholls Apawamis1911 Gilbert Nicholls 281 8 strokes Jack Hobens Englewood1910 Alex Smith 301 2 strokes John McDermott Deal1909 Alex Smith 306 2 strokes Gilbert Nicholls Wykagyl1908 Jack Hobens 305 1 stroke Alex Campbell Baltusrol1907: No tournament1906 George Low 294 2 strokes Alex Smith Hollywood1905 Alex Smith 300 Playoff Willie Anderson Fox Hills Sources:
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.
References
External links Metropolitan Golf Association