2023 NYS Men's Senior Amateur Championship Program

2023

NEW YORK STATE MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Yahnundasis Golf Club - New Hartford, New York September 12-13, 2023

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ABOUT THE NYSGA NYSGA Officers

NYSGA Staff

President - Henry Fust, Onondaga G&CC

Bill Moore Executive Director

1st VP - Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC 2nd VP - Doug Vergith, Chautauqua GC Secretary - Iris Stanek, Lancaster CC Treasurer - Robert Smith, Highland Park GC

Andrew Hickey Assistant Executive Director Dan Thompson Director, Marketing and Partnerships

General Counsel - Peter Jones, Drumlins CC

Jack Travers Assistant Director, Rules & Competitions

NYSGA Executive Committee

Michael Dirkes Manager, Regional Associations

Shawn Baker, Oak Hill CC Lee Bearsch, Binghamton CC John Burns, Niagara Falls CC Ryan Gabel, Southern Dutchess CC Jim Gifford, Mohawk GC Megan Grehan, Hudson National GC Brent Herlihy, Glens Falls CC Lawrence Lessing, The Creek Christy Schultz, Oak Hill CC Frank Suits, Cortland CC Rich Weber, Brookfield CC Brian Williams, Winged Foot CC

Mark Ackley Manager, Course Rating Deb Spilman Manager, Special Events & Volunteer Operations Christopher Buerle Communications Intern Alexander King USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern Damian Rodriguez USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern

NYSGA Committee Norm Amyot Michael Aquino Fred Arliss Larry Arliss Gary Assad John Barry John Bartholomew David Beattie Al Belair Vic Bergsten Marci Bevilacqua Doreen Biviano John Blain Vincent Bonvino Chris Boynton Timothy Brady David Braunscheidel Gene Bullis John Bullis Ted Casey Sue Chambers Michael Chianelli Cory Ciambella Brian Clark Matt Clarke Andrew Conway James Cook Darrell Cornett Thomas Cotter George Cretekos Jerry Danielski John Davis Garrett Davitt Gordon Dewey Todd Dischinger Patric Donaghue Renato Donato Mike Donnelly Dick Dorgan Michael Drennen Georgia Dusckas 2023 NYS MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Tom Eckert Wayne Eckhardt Joe Enright Laurie Enright John Ernst Vie Evans Karen Feldman Mary Beth Fiore Mark Fitzgerald Michael Fitzgerald Georgette Folley Adrian Forzani Tim Frank John Gaffney Richard Galvin Bill Geider Brad Griffin Tom Hahn Julie Hamm David Hayes Joe Hazard Sherry Heath Patrick Henry Jeff Holmes Braden Houston John Hudacs Al Huggard Don Hurley Ed Kaczor Robert Kawa Tim Kayes Mary Ann Keeler Stephen Keeler Jeffrey Kennicutt Edward Koslick John Kulesa Peter Lalla Nan Lanahan Tom Lanahan Rod Lindstrom Bill Loehr

Janis Luce Ron Mack Patrick MacRae Susan Marsh Robert Martin Ronald Mason Patricia Mayne Jim McConnell Theresa McGibbon Thomas McGibbon Pat McKenna James McKillip Patrick McNierney Sean McPhee Richard Meath Brian Merritt James Meyers Gene Meyle Ginny Meyle Matthew Micheli Bill Moore Matthew Moran Bill Moreland Albert Mowery Jack Mulvey Art Munson Jim Murrett Thomas Oles Thomas Owen Rocco Palmieri Brandon Payne Mark Perry Noah Poskanzer Richard Prestopnik Joe Pucello John Quijano Nick Raasch John Raunick John Reagan Tom Reidy Joseph Riccio

James Roff Robert Rosen Sean Rotella Tony Scarpello Chris Schmidt Carl Schultz Tim Schum Dan Scott Martin Siefka Robert Simms Sue Sims Sarah Simson Jaspal “Ricky” Singh, M.D. David Smith John Sniezyk Ron Socash Don Sommerville Joseph Sorrento Jerry Stahl Edward Stanek Tom Steele Peter Stoj Joseph Strykowski John Sullivan Levin Sullivan Gale Sutton Thelma Taylor David Vaneenenaam Jerry Vereeke Mona Wasserman Rich Weber Bryan Whooten Loretta Whooten Steve Wilber Richard Wilson Doug Young Jon Zucarelli

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WELCOME

YAHNUNDASIS GOLF CLUB

On behalf of the entire New York State Golf Association, welcome to the 66th Men’s Senior Amateur Championship!

The NYSGA is pleased to join with the leadership and staff of Yahnundasis Golf Club to provide a memorable challenge in crowning New York State’s men’s senior amateur champion.

We are proud to return to this classic Walter Travis layout, which was the founding site of the NYSGA in 1923. This will mark our twelfth state championship hosted by Yahnundasis, and second NYS Men’s Senior Am (f irst time was in 1946).

We anticipate an exciting and memorable competition over the next couple of days, and the golf course and setup will surely challenge the players to utilize their full ability and skill.

I’d like to offer our thanks and appreciation to the management, club and pro shop staff, and especially the course grounds crew, whose combined efforts have provided us with this wonderful championship venue.

Finally, I’d like to thank our NYSGA staff and fantastic team of tournament volunteers, who work tirelessly to provide a f irst-class experience and support the talented players that participate in our competitions.

We hope you enjoy this year ’s championship and we appreciate your support of our association and tournaments. If there’s anything that we can do to make your experience more enjoyable, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the NYSGA staff.

Sincerely,

Henry W. Fust, President New York State Golf Association

No. 7 at Yahnundasis Golf Club located in New Hartford, N.Y.

Yahnundasis Golf Club is regarded across upstate New York for its magnif icent Walter J. Travis layout spanning over 6,800 yards and includes gently rolling hills, strategically dispersed bunkers and tricky undulating greens def ined by the land’s natural contours.

The club dates to 1897, where sixty-f ive prominent area citizens made a commitment to create an institution that would enhance the enjoyment of their leisure hours. They began a strong tradition of sportsmanship and camaraderie that would be built upon by those who followed.

The club’s name, Yahnundasis, means “around the hill”, which Native Americans called the area around Utica’s close by Genesee Street, the club’s original site.

On August 9, 1923, the New York State Golf Association was founded at Yahnundasis to foster closer and more intimate relations in and among the greater body of golfers in New York and to create an opportunity for an annual sanctioned (men’s) state championship. Yahnundasis member Sherrill Sherman also became the f irst NYSGA President and served on the executive committee for decades.

This will be the second NYS Men’s Senior at Yahnundasis (f irst in 1946), and twelth overall NYSGA championship. he venue has been a wonderful supporter of the NYSGA and has hosted numerous championships over the decades including: NYS Men’s Amateur in 1946, 1958, 1968, 1988 & 2007, the NYS Women’s Amateur in 1932, 1950, 1977 and 2018 along with the Women’s Mid-Am, and the NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur in 1998 and 2017.

Thank you to the leadership & staff at Yahnundasis for hosting this year’s championship!

2023 NYS MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

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2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

Four players tied for second to join Vandenberg on the exemption list.

2021 defending champion Dan Russo, of Schuyler Meadows; Dennis Lynch, of Nassau Players Club; Jeff Schauger, of River Oaks GC; and Chris Smithers, of Tuscarora GC, all finished at 6-over 148.

VANDENBERG ROUTS FIELD AT 65TH NYS MEN’S SENIOR VandenBerg broke through to win after finishing runner-up the previous year.

Once Kevin VandenBerg stepped onto the course at Springville on Thursday afternoon the outcome of the 65th NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Championship was never in doubt.

PLACE

NAME

CLUB

SCORE

1

Kevin VandenBerg

Beaver Meadows GC

66-73--139 (-3)

T2

Dennis Lynch

Binghamton CC

77-71--148 (+6)

“To come out here and be able to do this is great,” Smithers said. “I’m really happy about it.”

T2

Jeff Schauger

River Oaks GC

75-73--148 (+6)

The course played at 6,383 yards and to a par of 71.

T2

Daniel Russo

Schuyler Meadows GC

72-76--148 (+6)

T2

Chris Smithers

Tuscarora GC

73-75--148 (+6)

The member of Beaver Meadows fired the tournament low round on day one, a 5-under 66, and carried a six-stroke lead into the final round. All he had to do on Thursday was avoid major mistakes and he

After Round 1 Following heavy rain at Springville Country Club that forced players off the course during the practice rounds, the championship got underway with round one on Wednesday.

VandenBerg had surged to an impressive lead on the back of a 5-under 66. He strung together a stretch of four straight birdies, capped off with a 60-foot putt on the par-4 tenth.

While his round two performance was not blem-

“Everything was pretty stress free,” VandenBerg said. “I haven’t had a round like that in a long time.”

significant gap he opened on Wednesday.

The three-time Michigan state champion and recent Senior Porter Cup winner turned in a 73 on Thursday, which was more than enough to secure the title. He finished at 3-under 139 for the tournament.

“I was second last year to Dan, but it feels really nice to get a state championship under my belt.” Van-

2023 NYS MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Chris Smithers

would likely walk away with his first NYS title.

ish-free, the rest of the field could not close the

Kevin VandenBerg

Dan Russo

He totaled seven birdies on the day, which he chalked up to a good day off the tee and solid iron shots.

“You never know what’s going to happen, you never know what game shows up,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re up by three, four, five or you’re down by two. Usually, I’m a good chaser and run some people down.”

Three players sat tied for second after the opening 18 holes, including defending champion Russo. He along with Stafford CC’s Geoff Wormley and Onondaga G&CC’s Bruce Levinson all fired 72s to finish the day at 1-over.

denBerg said. “Hopefully I’ll get a couple more in the

Russo, who won the previous two NYS Men’s Senior Amateur titles, held the lead for much of the day

next few years, but it feels good.”

before Vandenberg took to the course in the afternoon.

The top five finishers in the Senior Amateur earned

“When you get under the gun, you have to have a little confidence and eventually you have to get up

exemptions into the 2022 Mid-Amateur at Seven

and hit a golf shot,” Russo said. “Whether you’re playing good, bad or indifferent, when you’re in the

Oaks and 2023 Men’s Amateur at Wykagyl CC.

heat you have to hit a golf shot.”

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THE COURSE

THE COURSE

PAR 71

9

10

461 YARDS

537 YARDS

PAR FIVE

6,441 YARDS

PAR FIVE

1

2

11

12

350 YARDS

425 YARDS

187 YARDS

380 YARDS

14

PAR FOUR

PAR FOUR

PAR THREE

3

4

13

378 YARDS

371 YARDS

145 YARDS

PAR FOUR

PAR FOUR

PAR FOUR

PAR THREE

PAR FOUR 400 YARDS

5

6

15

16

160 YARDS

504 YARDS

390 YARDS

400 YARDS

18

PAR THREE

PAR FIVE

PAR FOUR

7

8

17

145 YARDS

420 YARDS

370 YARDS

PAR THREE

2023 NYS MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

PAR FOUR

PAR FOUR

PAR FOUR

PAR FOUR 418 YARDS

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PAST CHAMPIONS

PLAYER INFORMATION Entries

Past Champions of the New York State

Men’s Senior Amateur Championship Year Host Club

Champion

Year

Host Club

Champion

1940

Onondaga G&CC

LeRoy C. Crim, Binghamton

1998

Midvale CC

James Infantino, Rochester

1941

CC of Troy

Sherrill Sherman, Utica

1999

Stafford CC

James Infantino, Rochester

1942

Niagara Falls CC

Duane L. Tower, Niagara Falls

2000

McConnellsville GC

Charles Connolly, Queensbury

1943

Lake Placid Club

F. R. Ryan, Roslyn, L.G.

2001

Niagara Falls CC

John Baldwin, New York

1944

Lake Placid Club

Duane L. Tower, Niagara Falls

2002

Powelton Club

Alan Foster, Manlius

1945

Oak Hill CC (East)

Duane L. Tower, Niagara Falls

2003

Normanside CC

Richard Couch, Oneonta

1946

Yahnundasis GC

Duane L. Tower, Niagara Falls

2004

Lakeshore CC

Michael Daniels, Albany

1947

Westchester CC

Jack A. Ahern, Hamburg

2005

Vestal Hills CC

Larry Gresham, Conklin

1948

Brookfield CC

William B. Stark, Syracuse

2006

Lafayette CC

Donald Van Gorder, Ithaca

1949

Lakeshore Yacht & CC

Noble Miller, Canandaigua

2007

Powelton Club

Ron Bayer, Newburgh

1950

Binghamton CC

Ted Stacy, Binghamton

2008

Normanside CC

Charles Connolly, Queensbury

1951

Knollwood CC

Al Manginnes, Elmsford

2009

Stafford CC

Matthew Haefele, Bergen

1952

Oak Hill CC (East)

Ed Randall, Rochester

2010

Wayne Hills CC

Charles Connolly, Queensbury

2011

Vestal Hills CC

David Benedict, Honeoye Falls

1953-1969: Run under other auspices 1970

Lake Placid Club

Jack Hendry, Syracuse

2012

Wolferts Roost CC

Steve Nosonowicz, Pleasant Valley

1971

Concord Course

Jack Hendry, Syracuse

2013

Normanside CC

Frank Broderick, East Aurora

1972

Leatherstocking GC

Burt Kling, Rochester

2014

Cedar Lake Club

Frank Plata, Cazenovia

1973

River Oaks GC

Ed Walsh, Fulton

2014

Onondaga G&CC

Tom Fletcher, Syracuse

1974

Grossinger's CC

Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

2016

Brookfield CC

Paul Pratico, Schenectady

1975

En-Joie GC

Burt Kling, Rochester

2017

Crag Burn GC

Dave Prowler, Manhasset

1976

McGregor Links CC

Jack Creary, Tuckahoe

2018

Mohawk GC

Robert Hughes, Watertown

1977

Skaneateles CC

John Simonaitis, DeWitt

2019

Cavalry Club

Daniel Russo, Hagaman

1978

McGregor Links CC

Anthony Maragno, Gloversville

2020

Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

1979

Dutchess G&CC

William Bogle, Poughkeepsie

2021

Powelton Club

Daniel Russo, Hagaman

1980

Briar Hill CC

William Bogle, Poughkeepsie

2022

Springville CC

Kevin Vandenberg, Pulaski

1981

Oneonta CC

Don Martin, Buffalo

1982

Corning CC

Robert Hoff, Rochester

1983

Onondaga G&CC

William Bogle, Poughkeepsie

1984

Deerfield CC

Robert Hoff, Rochester

1985

Moon Brook CC

Jack Klink, Syracuse

1986

Edison Club

Jack Hoff, Rochester

1987

Cortland CC

Robert Hoff, Rochester

1988

Stafford CC

Gerald Perkins, LeRoy

1989

Elmira CC

Gerald Perkins, LeRoy

1990

Teugega CC

Robert Gunnell, Jamestown

1991

Ontario GC

Gerald Perkins, LeRoy

1992

Wellsville CC

Gerald Perkins, LeRoy

1993

Bellevue CC

Robert Gunnell, Jamestown

1994

Blue Heron Hills GC

Don Allen, Rochester

1995

Colonie G&CC

John Pretak, Poughkeepsie

1996

Westwood CC

Don Allen, Rochester

1997

Cedar Lake Club

Don Allen, Rochester

The Championship is open to male amateur golfers. Players must be a member of the NYSGA, defined as either belonging to an NYSGA member club or an NYSGA eClub (NYS residency required of eClub members). Players must be at least 55 years old as of September 11, 2023 and must have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less and issued by their NYSGA member club.

Format

66th NYS Men’s Senior Amateur - Stroke Play, 36 Holes

Ties

In the event of a tie for either Championship, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play.

Schedule of Events Monday, September 11 9:30-4:00pm............Registration 10:30-3:30pm..........Practice rounds Tuesday, September 12 7:30-9:00am............Round 1, tees #1 and #10 11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch 12:30-2:00pm..........Round 1, tees #1 and #10 Wednesday, September 13 7:30-9:00am............Round 2, tees #1 and #10 11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch 12:30-2:00pm..........Round 2, tees #1 and #10 7:00pm....................Award ceremony

Bill Stark Bowl, established in 1940. Named in honor of the prominent NYSGA committee member from Syracuse.

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