Long claims “biggest win” of his career at 18th Metropolitan Amateur

Wentzville’s Adam Long fired a final round 71 to finish at 1-over par 211 and win the 18th Metropolitan Amateur Championship Saturday at Norwood Hills. Long, a junior to be at Duke University, edged Norwood Hills’ Skip Berkmeyer (67-72-73-212) by one shot and Meadowbrook’s Justin Bardgett (68-70-75—213) by two. Old Warson’s Ross Millman, who fired the day’s only under par round, finished fourth at 214. 

With the 20-year-old Long and his family and friends awaiting the outcome off to the right of the 18th green, Berkmeyer and Bardgett each had opportunities to tie and force a playoff. First Bardgett, chipping from the collar, lipped out his chip from 22 feet. Berkmeyer, who birdied No. 17 to creep within one shot of Long, hit his approach to Norwood’s 450-yard final hole to 13 feet. But the area’s top amateur grimaced as his birdie attempt skidded just to the left of the cup.

“I figured with two of the better players in the area, one or maybe both would make birdie,” Long said. “I was prepared for a playoff.”

Long said his strategy to make as many pars as possible worked nearly to perfection in claiming his first significant amateur event. “I made 11 straight pars to start my round,” he said. “I knew I was in good shape at that point.”

Long, who was introduced to the game by his parents, Gordon and Jane Long, at age four, has played competitively since age nine. “I made a hole-in-one in a tournament at age nine and haven’t made one since,” he said.

While his resume is loaded with high finishes, his trophy case is not yet full.

“Yeah, I’ve competed all over the country but it really feels great to win at home,” Long said. “I won an AJGA event in Tampa when I was a senior in high school which was really an important win for me, and I’ve contended a lot. You have to play that kind of schedule to get recognized by college programs, but truthfully I haven’t had a lot of wins. This is easily the biggest win of my career."

With the victory, Long joins a prestigious list of champions, including: Don Bliss (1991, 1993), Derre Owsley (1992), Jim Holtgrieve (1994), Craig Schnurbusch (1995), Tom Barry (1996), David Estes (1997-1998), Brian Kennedy (1999), Bob Beckmann (2000), Scott Fann (2001), Mike Sabo (2002), Scott Edwards (2003), John Kelly (2004), Parker LaBarge (2005), Darren Lundgren (2006), Ryan Franks (2007).


SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR HOST CLUB - NORWOOD HILLS
The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association wishes to thank the members and staff of Norwood Hills Country Club for their hospitality and cooperation in conducting the 18th Metropolitan Amateur Championship. The MAGA wishes to thank General Manager John Wright (pictured above with MAGA President Stan Grossman), Head Professional Mike Mueller, Greens Superintendent Mike Null and Club President Skip Berkmeyer for their help in securing the club and preparing the course for the event.