| Scott Dominates Metropolitan Championship |
 After two rounds of competition, Nick Scott’s six shot lead was within reach of a handful of players hoping for a strong weekend finish. But after two inches of rain on Saturday, and the shortening of the championship to 54 holes, that lead was now insurmountable. Beginning the day at six under par, Scott got off to a hot start by making three birdies on the front nine and carding a two-under-par 34. The unwavering Scott finished his back nine at even par, and carded a final round 69 to claim the 2013 Miami Valley Metropolitan Amateur. His three rounds of 72-64-69 totaled for an eight-under-par 205.Miles behind Scott was a battle for the runner-up position between numerous players who had nothing to lose in light of Scott’s lead. Getting off to a hot start was Ben Hogenkamp who birdied his first four holes and held strong to finish with a three-under-par 68 which came to be the low round of the day. After starting the day tied for 17th, he would finish tied for 4th. Two groups behind Hogenkamp was Craig Harden who shot a two-under-par 69 to get into a tie for second at two over par. In that tie with Harden was the 2011 champion, Michael Bernard, who shot an even-par 71 to finish his tournament. Matt Buse and Pete Betzold would shoot 73 and 74 respectively to finish in the tie for 4th with Hogenkamp at a total of three-over-par. Austin Sipe, our first round leader, and Brady Marinangeli would finish at four over par to tie for 7th place, and Jeff Scohy and Caleb Wolters would tie for 9th place at six over par. In the midst of the dog fight for second place, Nick casually strolled the fairways with his father who was on the bag for the final round. The care-free, final-round 69 for Scott was product of a strong résumé that led him to this victory. He capped off his sophomore year at Kent State with three great rounds at the NCAA DI National Championship, shooting 68-75-75. Earlier this month, he finished in a tie for 9th at the Ohio Amatuer. Just two weeks ago, Scott was making a run at the US Amateur Public Links title. After finishing in a tie for fifth in stroke play with the Jack Nicklaus award winner, Michael Kim, he was defeated in the round of 32. He will enter his third year at Kent State as one of the best players on a top-25 team in the country.
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The association would like to thank everyone involved in the Metropolitan Amateur Championship; that includes Miami Valley Golf Club for hosting the event, their maintenance staff for keeping the course in absolutely great shape even through Saturday’s rain, their golf staff for providing amenities to all 117 players, our volunteers, Larry Litscher, Mike O’Bryan, Dick Roots, Mike Thill, and Nancy Stringer for their rules and officiating duties, and all the competitors for making the Metropolitan Amateur everything that it has become through the years. We hope everyone enjoyed the competition, and hope to see another great turnout for next year’s championship.