Reed Greyserman Wins 70th Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship in Thrilling Playoff

24 Jun 2025
by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: View results for The Ike, Hamilton Farm Golf Club - Hickory Course, Reed Greyserman Rankings
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Reed Greyserman delivered a hometown triumph for the ages, emerging victorious in a three-man playoff to claim the 70th Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, New Jersey. With the win, Greyserman becomes the first player to lift the prestigious Ike trophy on home turf since Greg Rohlf did so in 1998 at Wykagyl Country Club.

Playoff Drama at Hamilton Farm

The final round on Tuesday, June 24, saw fireworks from three elite amateurs—Greyserman, Mike Rothberg (Mill River), and Nathan Han (MGA/USGA GC)—who each finished 54 holes tied at 9-under-par 207. Han carded a scorching 7-under 65, Rothberg posted a 66, and Greyserman closed with a 68 to force the playoff.

The playoff featured three holes—Hamilton Farm’s par-3 7th, par-4 8th, and par-5 9th—and tested the nerve and shotmaking of the contenders. Greyserman played them flawlessly, opening with a steady par and following it up with back-to-back birdies to seize control. Rothberg, despite starting with a bogey, clawed back with a birdie and nearly forced sudden death with an eagle try on the final playoff hole that narrowly missed.

Greyserman’s two-birdie finish sealed a remarkable home-club victory, delighting the local gallery and stamping his name into the championship’s storied history.

A Championship with Deep Roots

First played in 1953 and founded by New York Daily News sportswriter Dana Mozley, the Ike has become the Metropolitan area’s signature amateur stroke play event. After waning during the late 1970s and early 1980s due to a lack of sponsorship, the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) revived the championship in 1986 at The Tuxedo Club. Since then, it has seen a renaissance, producing unforgettable performances and cultivating top amateur talent.

The 2025 edition marks the 40th Ike contested under the MGA’s stewardship, and Hamilton Farm’s championship course provided a fitting stage for its milestone moment.

A Decade of Iconic Finishes

Greyserman’s triumph adds to a recent stretch of dramatic Ike conclusions. In 2024, Peicheng Chen fired a brilliant 65 at Nassau to capture the title. A year prior, Melan Dhaubhadel triumphed in a playoff at Brooklawn. The 2020 edition saw Mark Costanza chip in for eagle to win at Country Club of Darien, and PGA TOUR star Cameron Young went back-to-back in 2015 and 2016.

Hamilton Farm, one of New Jersey’s premier championship venues, now etches its name into this rich legacy.

Looking Ahead

With the Ike’s popularity and competitive quality continuing to surge, Greyserman’s win represents the next chapter in a championship that has become synonymous with excellence in amateur golf. As rising stars and seasoned players look to leave their mark on the Ike, the bar continues to rise—alongside the drama and prestige that define this cornerstone event on the MGA calendar.

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ABOUT THE The Ike

The Ike tournament was founded in 1953 by Daily News sportswriter Dana Mozley and nurtured through the years by Mozley and former MGA President George Sands. Although always immensely popular, the event suffered during the late 1970s and early ‘80s after The Daily News dropped its sponsorship. In 1986, the MGA (with the financial support of MetLife) purchased the rights to the Ike. With the MGA’s involvement, the event regained its stature and quickly became the area’s premier stroke-play amateur event. The Ike today attracts more entries than any other MGA championship for individuals. The Ike is Open to male golfers who are members of an MGA member club. 54-hole stroke play championship with a cut after the first round.