MGA mounts spectacular singles rally to regain Carey Cup
Trevor Randolph. P{cture: MGA
The Metropolitan Golf Association won back the Governor Hugh Carey Cup when they staged a spectacular final day singles comeback to beat a GUI selection 6.5-5.5 at Arcola Country Club in New Jersey.
Trailing 4-2 after the opening day's foursomes and fourballs, the hosts won four of the six singles to claim the biennial match for the first time since their 2013 victory at The European Club.
To add to the excitement, Arcola Country Club’s Trevor Randolph was the hero of the hour as he beat Rowan Lester 1 up in the final match on the course to secure the winning point.
The Carey Cup
The Americans took down Walker Cup trio Conor Purcell, Caolan Rafferty and James Sugrue in the top three matches and while Douglas’ Peter O’Keeffe won his match and Naas’ Robert Brazill claimed a half, Lester could not better Randolph’s par-five at the 18th and secure a 6-6 tie that would have seen the GUI retain the trophy.
Portmarnock star Purcell lost 8&7 to reigning New York State Mid-Amateur champion Brad Tilley, who produced an astonishing burst of scoring — eight birdies in 11 holes — to wrap up the first point on the 11th green.
Rafferty was two up after four holes against Thomas LaMorte who reacted by winning eight of the next 10 holes in seven-under figures to close out a 6&4 win.
James Nicholas then birdied the 17th and 18th to secure a 2 up win over Amateur champion James Sugrue in a nip and tuck affair.
WHAT A FINISH.
— Metropolitan Golf Association (@MGA1897) October 23, 2019
Trevor Randolph, a member at @ArcolaCC, wins the Carey Cup for the MGA on his home course with a 1 Up victory over Rowan Lester!
Final Tally: MGA 6.5 GUI 5.5 pic.twitter.com/Ae724Wwntk
O’Keeffe was three up with seven to play but he had to dig deep to beat Darin Goldstein 2&1 and after Brazill finished well to halve with Joe Saladino, the scores were tied 5.5-5.5.
That left Lester, who beat Tilley in the final of the Nassau Invitational 10 days ago, to battle it out with Randolph for the trophy.
The Hermitage man was three down after four holes but then won three and lost one of the next four to turn for home just one down.
The former North of Ireland champion twice squared the match with winning pars at the 13th and 16th. But Randolph birdied the par-five 17th to go in front, then made a 10 footer for par at the last.
Lester had a seven-footer for birdie to halve the match and retain the trophy but his putt burned the edge and slipped past.
Governor Hugh L. Carey Cup, Arcola Country Club, New Jersey
Final score - MGA 6.5, GUI 5.5
Singles (MGA 4.5, GUI 1.5) MGA names first
Bradford Tilley bt Conor Purcell 8&7;
Thomas LaMorte bt Caolan Rafferty 6&4;
James Nicholas bt James Sugrue 2 up;
Darin Goldstein lost to Peter O’Keeffe 2&1;
Joe Saladino halved with Robert Brazill;
Trevor Randolph bt Rowan Lester 1 up.
