Mike Miller (2011)

Recording the best season of his young career, Mike Miller’s 2011 season was highlighted by two victories, two second-place, and two runner-up finishes.

Coming from a family of Met Area golf royalty, including Millers and Turnesas, Miller had large amounts of support throughout his breakout season.

Miller’s game was sharp from the get-go. He tied for third at the New York City Amateur followed that up with a semifinal finish at the Westchester Amateur, and recorded a second-place finish at the Hochster Memorial at Quaker Ridge. He carried the momentum from the Hochster into the Brae Burn Invitational and won by three strokes. This gave Miller an early lead in the points system.

Talented professional Greg Bisconti of Saint Andrew’s edged out Miller at the Westchester Open, where Miller finished tied for second as well as the low amateur. However, Miller’s biggest victory of the season came at the 109th Met Amateur. There, in the 36-hole final match, Miller carded five birdies and two eagles in a nine-hole stretch ultimately winning 3 & 1and earning 275 points in his most prestigious career win.

After, Miller rounded out his summer by qualifying for the U.S. Amateur at Erin Hills in Wisconsin and placing second at the Bergen County Amateur.

Down the stretch, Mike Stamberger of Spring Lake became Miller’s biggest threat for the Player of the Year title. However, Miller put on the afterburners and secured enough late-season points to claim the title outright with a tie for third at the Boff Invitational and runner-up finish at the Nassau Invitational, losing to defending champion and two-time MGA Player of the Year (2010 & 2008), Joe Saladino.