Panther Valley's Pat Wilson Has Breakthrough Victory At Met Am

It took a while, but Pat Wilson of Panther Valley finally got his breakthrough victory – and in impressive fashion.

Wilson, 23, a recent graduate of St. John’s University and a resident of Andover, defeated Trevor Randolph of Arcola, 8 and 7, in the 36-hole final to win the 111th Met Amateur on Sunday, August 4, at the Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn.

“I had been close so many times,” said Wilson, who was runner-up at the State Amateur in 2010, and third and fifth in other attempts; runner-up in the Arcola Cup in 2012, seventh at the State Open and sixth and seventh at The Ike.

“It was my putting and my belief in myself that carried me,” said Wilson, who will travel to Florida to find himself on a mini-tour this winter. Wilson made five birdies in the 29 holes he played in the final against Randolph, 40.

STAR-LEDGER ARTICLE ON PAT WILSON'S MET AM TRIUMPH

On Wednesday, Pat and his brother Cory Wilson who plays at Seton Hall, lost in the semifinals of the 81stNJSGA Four-Ball Championship to Domenic Gatto and Riley Powers of Eagle Oaks, 2 and 1, despite the fact that the Wilsons shot 5-under-par on the back nine.

“I’m going to Florida this winter and decide what to do,” Wilson said.

Wilson is the third St. John’s player to win the Met Am in the last four years (Ryan McCormick of Suburban won in 2012 and Evan Beirne in 2010).