Max Buckley (2013)

Buckley’s late-season dramatic win at the Nassau Invitational – on the final week in which Player of the Year points are awarded – closed out one of the tightest races in recent mem­ory with Buckley winning by a mere 40 points, making it one of the narrowest wins in the past 20 years.

Right from the get-go, one had the feeling it was going to be a special season for Buckley. It began in April while he was competing overseas as a member of the MGA Carey Cup team against the Golfing Union of Ireland. Playing in the second to last singles match, Buckley overcame a three-down deficit with four to play to win his match and secure the retention of the Cup.

In May, he edged Pat Wilson in a playoff to win the New York City Amateur, the first of four victories on the season. In June, he recorded his second consecutive runner-up finish at the Ike Championship. A few days later, he took home the Mittelmark Invitational at Fenway with a birdie on the first hole of a three-way sudden death playoff. He took sole possession atop the standings after he finished tied for third at the Westchester Open and won the Arcola Cup by three shots in late July.

Buckley saved his finest performance for last, qualifying for match play and winning all four matches en route to the Nassau crown and Player of the Year title.

Being a factor in the Player of the Year race wasn’t unfamiliar territory for Buckley; he made the past three Player of the Year Honor Rolls (awarded to the top 10 players in the standings). He now joins an elite list of players who’ve claimed the Met Area’s most coveted amateur title.