Golf

By Matthew Ng, The Journal News


DANBURY, Conn. - After graduating from Pace University in May with a degree in finance, Michael Dominici has some big plans on the horizon.

But while other finance majors might be looking for work on Wall Street, Dominici seems to be heading in a different direction.

While at Pace, he made countless trips to Hudson Hills and other Westchester-area courses with one goal in mind. And yesterday at Richter Park Golf Course, all his hard work paid off.

Dominici won the marathon-like, 36-hole MGA/MetLife Public Links Championship, beating Peter Zeldin of Patriot Hills in Stony Point and Sean Davy of Plainfield (N.J.) West by two strokes.

"It's my second-to-last MGA event as an amateur - I plan on turning pro for the Met Open," said Dominici, who shot an even-par 144. "So it feels nice to get this one."

Dominici, a 21-year-old Norwalk resident, entered the clubhouse with a one-shot lead over Brian Komline in the morning, then shot a 2-over-par afternoon round as others faltered in the heat and humidity.

"Both rounds, I got off to good starts, and that was key," Dominici said. "It was tough out there all day playing 36 holes on this golf course, but I got through it and it feels great to win this."

Next on the agenda for the busy Dominici is the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in Aurora, Colo., next week.

With plenty of doglegs from the tee at Richter Park, Dominici found himself forgoing his driver. He managed to use his solid ball-striking ability to hit greens in regulation.

Dominici still had moments where he made mistakes. But what separated him from the rest in the field of 58 competitors was his ability to overcome them.

"I'd rather have a double bogey earlier in the round than later in the round," Dominici said. "I had it going pretty well in the first round. … I made three doubles for 36 holes and I still won. I am kind of proud of that."

Right behind Dominici was Zeldin, who shot a 33 on his last nine holes to catapult himself into a second-place tie.

J.F. Sorbella, a Port Chester resident who plays out of Maple Moor, finished five shots off the lead and tied for fifth place.

"The public courses in the area are good. This course I just played on is really nice, and I enjoyed it out there," said Sorbella, who will be a junior at Rutgers in the fall.

The top-five finish for Sorbella earned him an exemption for next year's tournament.

Suffern resident Brian Mackey, who plays out of Spook Rock, finished ninth, shooting a 36-hole total of 151 that was seven strokes back of Dominici.

His friend Justin Jacaruso, who also plays out of Spook Rock, finished tied for 23rd with a score of 155. Jacaruso was the 2007 MGA/MetLife Public Links champion.

"You have good players, but when you mix in the fact that you are walking close to 10 miles in one day, it's a lot. You are concentrating every shot," Mackey said. "The 36 holes and the endurance factor is the biggest thing."