Brooklyn Open Champs Return to Defend

Both the professional and the amateur champions of the first Brooklyn Open will be back to defend their titles at the Second Annual Brooklyn Open Championship Monday, July 7 at Marine Park Golf Course. Professional champion Pete Meurer of Staten Island and defending amateur champion Neal Fredericksen of Staten Island will be in the full field of 120 golfers that includes 26 professionals and representatives from all five boroughs and surrounding counties. 

"I’m really looking forward to this tournament because it was my first professional tournament victory," said the 57-year-old Meurer, a retired FDNY firefighter and current teaching professional at Staten Island Golf Practice Center. "I have that trophy placed in a nice place to honor in my house. I thought Marine Park did a great job with the changes to the golf course. Before last year I hadn’t played it in 15 years. I went out there the Friday before the tournament and was blown away.”

Last year both Meurer, the 2004 Metropolitan Golf Association Player of the Year, and Gabriel Lee of Bayside carded 1-under 71s before Meurer won the tournament on the fifth playoff hole.  Fredericksen shot a 3-over 75 to capture the amateur title.

Players are scheduled to begin teeing off at 8:30 a.m. on the par-72 Robert Trent Jones designed course. The links-style design will be stretched to 7,091 yards for the professional and top amateur players, making it the longest challenge in New York City.

"The second Brooklyn Open Championship at Marine Park should prove to be a different test than last year’s inaugural tournament in October," said Rich McDonough, Brooklyn Open Tournament Director and Director of Golf Operations at Marine Park. "Summer conditions are more conducive to faster and firmer fairways and greens. The course definitely will provide a different challenge.”

Professionals will be vying for a purse expected to exceed $7,500. Gift certificates will be awarded to the top amateur finishers in each division based on individual flight size. The overall professional and amateur champion will receive a Brooklyn Borough President Trophy. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams is scheduled to be on hand to present the Brooklyn Borough President trophies at 3 p.m.

Overall four amateur divisions have been prearranged by handicaps and each will crown a champion. The area’s top amateurs with a handicap index of 8.9 or less are in the first division vying for the amateur’s Brooklyn Borough President Trophy. Amateurs playing in divisions 2-4 will play Marine Park at 6,600-plus yards.

"I’d probably take a 71 again," Meurer said. "As good as that place is they can put those pins in some really tricky spots. With the speed of the greens they can make the course as tough as they want to."

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Marine Park Boasts Grand Tournament Schedule

Marine Park Golf Course will become tournament central this season. The highlight will come on July 7, when many of the area’s top professional and amateur players will compete in the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Open Championship. Entries in the tournament are sold out with a field of 120 players. The professional purse is expected to exceed $7,500.

Last October, Staten Island teaching professional and retired FDNY firefighter Pete Meurer won the $2,000 first prize in a sudden-death playoff that extended five holes. Meurer defeated Gabriel Lee of Bayside after the two players carded 1-under par 71s on the 7,091-yard layout. A field of 112 players participated in the inaugural Brooklyn Open Championship.

"With all our course renovations in place and continued outstanding playing conditions you naturally want to see how Marine Park stacks up under tournament conditions," said Mike Giordano, co-operator of Marine Park Golf Course. "We believe hosting tournaments can only help put a spotlight on Marine Park."

In partnering with the Marine Park Players Club, the Robert Trent Jones Sr. course in Brooklyn will host seven inaugural Volvik Cup Series tournaments for both professionals and amateurs. Marine Park will host a Volvik Cup event on June 30, July 14, July 21, July 28, August 11, August 18 and conclude August 28 with the Volvik Cup Championship.

The Volvik Cup will include one division for professionals and four divisions for amateur players. Professionals and amateurs will compete during each tournament for points and to qualify for the Volvik Cup Championship.

``Players of all talent levels can enjoy the excitement of tournament golf on a weekly basis at Marine Park and keep track of their points standings all the way through a `season-ending’ Volvik Cup Championship event,’’ said Rich McDonough, Director of Golf Course Operations at Marine Park.

On June 28 from 4-8 p.m., the RE/MAX Regional Long Driving Qualifier will take place on Marine Park’s opening. Prior to the RE/MAX main event there will be a skills competition. Both events are open to the public.

The inaugural Jamaica Open NY Golf Championship is scheduled for August 4 at Marine Park.

Earlier this month Marine Park hosted a sectional qualifier for the 67th Annual Metropolitan Golf Association Public Links Championship where 65 of the area’s top amateurs competed for 14 qualifying spots.  

Marine Park is an 18-hole, par-72 Championship Course open to the public year-round and is a member of New York City Parks. Located in southern Brooklyn, this links-style course was designed in 1964 by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. It boasts panoramic water views, country club quality greens and fairways, a beautifully manicured driving range and prevailing winds off Jamaica Bay. It measures 7,091 yards from the Championship tees.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Pete Meurer Takes First Brooklyn Open Championship

Pete Meurer, 56, of Staten Island, parred the fifth playoff hole to win the professional division of the Inaugural Brooklyn Open Golf Championship at Marine Park Golf Course on Monday afternoon.

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

Marine Park Fills Brooklyn Open Championship Field

Hole #14 at Marine Park Golf Course

The Inaugural Brooklyn Open Championship has reached a full field of 112 players representing some of the area's top professional and amateur golfers according to Tournament Director Rich McDonough. The event will take place Monday, October 21 at Marine Park Golf Course.

Players are scheduled to begin teeing off at 8:30 a.m. on the par-72 Robert Trent Jones designed course. The field consists of players from all five boroughs and surrounding counties. The links-style design will be stretched to 7,091 yards for the professional and top amateur players, making it the longest challenge in New York City.

"We're extremely gratified that the response for our first Brooklyn Open Championship was so strong," said Michael Giordano, co-operator of Marine Park Golf Course. "We look forward to building on this for the future."

Professionals will be vying for a purse of more than $5,000. TD Bank Visa gift certificates will be awarded to the top amateur finishers. The overall professional and amateur champion will receive a Brooklyn Borough President Trophy. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is scheduled to be on hand to present the Brooklyn Borough President trophies at 3 p.m.

Overall four amateur divisions have been prearranged by handicaps and each will crown a champion. Thirty-three players with a handicap index of 8.9 or less are in the first division vying for the top amateur's Brooklyn Borough President Trophy. Amateurs playing in divisions 2-4 will play Marine Park at 6,600-plus yards.

There will be an opportunity for an amateur who aces the par-3 No. 5 to win a 2014 Cadillac, courtesy of Kristal Auto Mall.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

An Open in Brooklyn

 

The inaugural Brooklyn Open will crown a professional and an amateur champion for the metropolitan NY area at Marine Park Golf Course. The one day medal play tournament will be held Monday, October 21 on the links-style, Robert Trent Jones design.

"We are excited to host the inaugural Brooklyn Open for top metropolitan area professionals and amateurs," said Marine Park Golf Course operator Mike Giordano. "This gives us an opportunity to showcase improvements made at Marine Park and at the same time deliver a first-class golf tournament experience in Brooklyn. We firmly believe Marine Park Golf Course will be a daunting challenge when it's stretched more than 7,000 yards."

The professional purse is expected to exceed $5,000. The top professional and amateur champion each will receive a Marty Markowitz Trophy, in honor of the Brooklyn borough president. Amateur winners will receive gift certificates. Ams must have a USGA index. The field will be capped at 90 players. The entry fee for pros is $175 and $100 for amateurs. Entries close on October 14 at www.brooklynopen.com.

Marine Park Golf Course is an 18-hole Championship Course open to the public year-round and is a member of New York City Parks. Located in southern Brooklyn, this links-style course was designed in 1964 by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and boasts panoramic water views, country club quality greens and fairways, a manicured driving range and prevailing winds off Jamaica Bay. It's been operated since 2008 by the father-son team of Michael and Adam Giordano.
 
Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Marine Park GC Swings Into Social Media

Marine Park GC  photo courtesy of the course Golfers at Marine Park Golf Course now enjoy the ability to turn to a free mobile app to stay in the know about the Robert Trent Jones design on or off the course.

 

Marine Park Golf Course officials recently released a "Marine Park" mobile app that provides everything from up-to-date weather conditions, tee time booking, score keeping, and a GPS yardage system on the course. With the app - available in the Apple App Store or Android Market - players receive updates about Marine Park including course updates, event announcements, and promotions.

 

Recently, golfers with the Marine Park app received the following:

 

"Is your local course aerating? Marine Park's greens are fast and true as ever. Come down to MPGC and enjoy the day."

 

"Our new mobile golf app has provided us with a fantastic tool to engage our customers," said Richard McDonough, Director of Golf Operations at Marine Park. "The ease in which our customers can book a tee time from anywhere with their phone is invaluable. The on-course GPS works fantastic without the expense of a separate GPS device. Players can also use the interactive scorecard to track their round by round stats or keep score for an entire group."

 

Marine Park Golf Course is an 18-hole Championship Course open to the public year-round and is a member of New York City Parks. Located in southern Brooklyn, this links-style course was designed in 1964 by world-renowned architect, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. It boasts panoramic water views, country club quality greens and fairways, a beautifully manicured driving range and prevailing winds off Jamaica Bay. It measures 6,866 yards from the Blue tees, 6,609 yards from the White tees, 5,793 from the Gold tees and 5,323 from the Red tees.Since 2008 Marine Park Golf Course has been under the management of father-son team Michael and Adam Giordano. Since the Giordanos took over, golfers at Marine Park have welcomed the addition of a driving range and learning center, renovations to the clubhouse and grille and currently a course restoration project under the guidance of golf course architect Stephen Kay.   

 

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf