Stewart Hagestad in action at the Carey Cup
(MGA Photo)

The MGA won two points early during Thursday's singles matches after Darin Goldstein got off to a hot start and defeated Alex Gleeson 4 & 3. "The short game was key for me today," said Goldstein.

"I got up and down four times on the front nine to build a little lead, and kept it going on the back."

Ethan Ng took on the GUI's Mark Power and added a point for the MGA when he sunk a 20-foot putt on 17 to win 3 & 2. "I was happy with how solid I played today. Yesterday I was not putting very well so I really tried to focus on that today," the youngest member of the team said. "I made a few mid-range putts from 10-12 feet, and then I made a couple of longer putts, especially on my last hole, that obviously really helped." Ethan won his foursomes match yesterday morning when he teamed up with Tyler Cline.

Cline contributed to two of the MGA's points yesterday but struggled in his singles match against Jonathan Yates. Yates gave the GUI a point as he defeated Cline 3 & 2.

Trevor Randolph won the MGA's third point and final point from singles play. He went to 18 against Kevin LeBlanc but closed out the match to secure the sixth point for the MGA. "I really picked up momentum on the back nine," Randolph said. "I was 2-under par and just kept going for fairways and greens. I was trying to be patient and it paid off on 10, 11 and 12, which I played in 1-under. That was really the turning point, I went from 1 down to 2 up."

Brian Komline held strong on the first nine, but it was the inward nine where the GUI's Conor O'Rourke picked up momentum and ultimately won another point for the GUI. Stewart Hagestad helped win a point for the MGA during play on the opening day, but the GUI's Colm Campbell started quickly during the duo's singles match. Hagestad was unable to rally, with Campbell closing out the match 4 & 3.

The tie is just the second in the event's 14 playings, allowing the GUI to retain the cup thanks to their 2015 win at Metedeconk National. The GUI now owns an 8-4-2 advantage all-time in the series, though the record stands square at 2-2-2 since 2007. The 15th Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup will be played in the U.S. in 2019.

MGA President Michael Sullivan and Jay Mottola co-captained this year's MGA team. Sullivan was busy this week, he also caddied for Stewart Hagestad in all three matches. "We had a really great week with our team and the GUI at Galway," Sullivan said. "The spirit of the competition and the camaraderie between the two teams always exceeds expectations. It was a really unique opportunity to be able to caddie for Stewart this week and be amongst the players. The entire team had such a great time here. We'll look forward to welcoming the GUI back to the U.S. in two years."

Sullivan was not the only captain to pull double duty at Galway, as Jay Mottola caddied for his fellow Tuxedo Club member Tyler Cline. MGA Executive Director Brian Mahoney carried for Trevor Randolph, and past Carey Cup team member and MGA Executive Committee member Dennis Lynch did the same for Brian Komline.

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