Meurer and Gabriel Lee of Bayside each finished the day with one-under 71s and proceeded to a sudden death playoff. Meurer, a retired FDNY firefighter, rolled in a 3-foot part putt on the par-5 No. 14 to secure his first professional tournament triumph.
``I played pretty good,'' said Meurer, a teaching pro at Staten Island Golf Practice Center who received $2,000 for his first career victory. ``I haven't been to Marine Park in 20 years until last Friday. I was very pleasantly surprised with the course. I shouldn't say this is a hidden gem because it is in Brooklyn. The course is fabulous."
Meurer, who turned pro in 2005, recorded four birdies during his round on the 7,079- yard Robert Trent Jones designed course. It's the first New York City tournament to play more than 7,000 yards.
``This is great for Brooklyn'' said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who awarded the winner's check. ``This is a world class golf course right here in Brooklyn. The operators really should be commended for their dedication to the borough of Brooklyn and surrounding local communities.''
Neal Fredericksen, 54,of Staten Island was the overall amateur champion after carding a 3-over 75. ``I love what they are doing here,'' said Fredericksen, a current FDNY firefighter. ``(Co-operators) Mike Giordano and Adam Giordano, (superintendent) Don Askinski and (golf director) Rich McDonough are doing a great job.''
Fredericksen opened the day with three birdies on his first nine holes. Ironically, both Fredericksen and Meurer play out of Silver Lake Golf Course on Staten Island.
The inaugural Brooklyn Open Championship greeted a sold-out field of 112 players, representing all five boroughs as well as from Long Island, Westchester County and New Jersey. The Brooklyn Open Championship will be an annual tournament.
Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf
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