Peter Kim Wins MGA/MetLife Boys Title
Peter Kim of Metuchen, New Jersey, defeated Benjamin DeForest of Cottekill, N.Y., 2 and 1, to win the 40th MGA/MetLife Boys Championship on Friday at Rumson Country Club. This is the first MGA victory for the 13-year-old New Jersey native, who was able to go the distance as the top seeded player behind his steady play throughout the championship.
“I knew it was going to be a really tough [final] match, so I had to make sure I was really consistent and made a lot of pars,” said Kim afterward. That’s exactly what he did. After bogeying the first five holes to fall 2 down to DeForest, Kim ran off a string of pars and made only one bogey the rest of the way.
Kim, who was the championship’s top seed based on having the lowest score in sectional qualifying (73 at New Paltz Golf Club), rolled in a short par putt on the 17th to halve the hole and win the match and the Championship. DeForest proved to be the toughest test for Kim, who made relatively easy work of his competition leading up to today’s final. Despite being the top seed and rolling into the finals, Kim never really envisioned himself as the MGA/MetLife Boys Champion.
“It was an accomplishment to be in the semifinals, but to play in the finals and win the tournament is really exciting. This rewards a really great summer of tournament golf for me.”
The victory earns Kim exemptions into both the Met Junior Championship and the Carter Cup- MGA Junior Stroke Play Championship for as long as he is eligible. DeForest also earns an exemption into next year’s Carter Cup.
Peter Kim is coached by Bill Castner, Director of Instruction at Hyatt Hills Golf Complex in Clark.
