NEW YORK STATE
MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
CONDUCTED BY THE Shaker Ridge Country Club - Albany, New York
September 24-26, 2021
To all the participants, spectators, and volunteers, I bid you welcome to the New York State Men's Mid-Amateur Championship. The New York State Golf Association is privileged to join with the membership and staff of Shaker Ridge Country Club to provide a memorable challenge in crowning New York’s premier men's mid-amateur golfers.
It is a great pleasure to return to this Jim Thompson design, which has been the site of several memorable New York State Championships, including the 2004 NYS Men's Mid-Amateur and the 1997 NYS Boys' Junior & 14U Championships.
On behalf of the entire New York State Golf Association, I would like to offer our appreciation and thanks to the management, clubhouse staff, Golf Professional staff, and especially the course grounds crew of Shaker Ridge, whose combined efforts has provided us with this wonderful venue at located in the heart of the Capital District.
As past experience has demonstrated, we certainly expect an exciting championship competition, which will challenge the golfers to employ all of their golfing skills.
Additional thanks go out to our dedicated NYSGA staff who, with our tournament volunteers, work so hard to provide a tournament worthy of its talented competitors.
This is a wonderful opportunity to put the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and focus on the true enjoyment that the game of golf brings us. So, here’s wishing all the participants the best of luck and, no matter the outcome, please enjoy this experience and the great memories this beautiful venue will bring you.
Sincerely,
Joe Enright, President New York State Golf Association
ABOUT THE NYSGA
NYSGA Officers
President
Joseph Enright, Lancaster CC
1st Vice President
Henry Fust, Onondaga G&CC
2nd Vice President
Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC
Secretary
Iris Stanek, Lancaster CC
Treasurer
Robert Smith, Highland Park GC
General Counsel
Peter Jones, Drumlins CC
NYSGA Executive Committee
Shawn Baker, Oak Hill CC
Lee Bearsch, Binghamton CC
John Cooney, Burden Lake CC
Ryan Gabel, Trump National - HV
Jim Gifford, Mohawk GC
Lawrence Lessing, The Creek
Christy Schultz, Oak Hill CC
Frank Suits, Cortland CC
Doug Vergith, Chautauqua GC
Rich Weber, Brookfield CC
Brian Williams, Winged Foot GC
Warren Winslow, Western Turnpike GC
Tom Andrews
Michael Aquino
Fred Arliss
Larry Arliss
Norm Amyot
Christine Badger
Ray Badger
John Barry
John Bartholomew
Lee Bearsch
David Beattie
Al Belair
Marci Bevilacqua
Doreen Biviano
John Blain
Vincent Bonvino
Chris Boynton
Timothy Brady
Robert Branham
Dave Braunscheidel
Daniel Bronchetti
Gene Bullis
John Bullis
John Burns
Thomas Buonocore
Ron Case
Sue Chambers
Michael Chianelli
Cory Ciambella
Brian Clark
Matt Clarke
James Coleman
Andrew Conway
James Cook
NYSGA Staff
Bill Moore Executive Director
Andrew Hickey
Assistant Executive Director
Dan Thompson Director of Marketing and Partnerships
Jack Travers Manager of Competitions
Kara Cushman Foundation Manager
Mark Ackley Manager of Course Rating
Deb Spilman Office Manager
Jack Margaros Communications Intern
Dan Mort
USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
Michael Dirkes
USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
NYSGA Sectional Affairs Committee
John Cooney
Glenn Coons
Thomas Cotter
George Cretekos
Jerry Danielski
John Davis
Garrett Davitt
Dick Desorbo
Gerry Dewolf
Todd Dischinger
Renato Donato
Michael Donnelly
Patrick Donaghue
Dick Dorgan
Michael Drennen
Georgia Dusckas
Tom Eckert
John Ernst
Ed Evans
Vie Evans
Michael Fitzgerald
Mark Fitzgerald
Mary Beth Fiore
Georgette Folley
Bob Forward
Tim Frank
Adrian Forzani
John Gaffney
Tom Gallagher
Dick Galvin
Bill Geider
John Grajko
Walter Grajko
Brad Griffin
Tom Hahn
Greg Harden
David Hayes
Joe Hazard
Sherry Heath
Patrick Henry
Jeff Holmes
Braden Houston
Marge Hubbell
John Hudacs
Al Huggard
Don Hurley
Eric Ingalls
Thomas Inkpen
John Kaeselau
Bill Kaminski
Robert Kawa
Tim Kayes
Stephen Keeler
Mary Ann Keeler
David Kokes
Edward Koslick
John Kulesa
Nan Lanahan
Tom Lanahan
Rod Lindstrom
Bill Loehr
Janis Luce
Ron Mack
Kevin Mahoney
Shari Mantini
Susan Marsh
Robert Martin
Ron Mason
Pat Mayne
Jim McConnell
Pat Mckenna
James McKillip
Thomas McGibbon
Richard Meath
Jim Meyers
Gene Meyle
Ginny Meyle
Bill Moore, Sr.
Bill Moreland
Gregory Moreland
Albert Mowery
Jim Murrett
Jack Mulvey
Arthur Munson
Tim Murphy
Richard North
Tom Owen
Shelly Pargh
Brandon Payne
Rocco Palmieri
Joe Pucello
Richard Prestopnik
John Quijano
Nick Raasch
Bob Raimo
John Raunick
John Reagan
Tom Reidy
Joseph Riccio
Robert Rosen
James Roff
Sean Rotella
Tony Scarpello
Chris Schmidt
Tim Schum
Dan Scott
Martin Siefka
Bob Simms
Sue Sims
David Smith
Robert Smith
John Sniezyk
Ron Socash
Don Sommerville
Jerry Stahl
Edward Stanek
Sarah Stein
Al Stockholm
Nancy Stockholm
Wayne Stoughton
Peter Stoj
Joe Szyikowski
Thelma Taylor
John Urtz
David Vaneenenaam
Gale Warren
Mona Wasserman
Michael Walczak
Steve Wilber
Rich Weber
John Wheeler
Bryan Whooten
Richard Wilson
Doug Young
CONDITIONS OF PLAY
Eligibility
The Championship is open to male amateur golfers who are members of the NYSGA (defined as either belonging to an NYSGA member club or joining the NYSGA directly as an eClub member), and have an active USGA Handicap Index of 10.4 or less, issued by the NYSGA member club.
Format
This 37th NYS Men's Mid-Amateur will be in two stages, at stroke play:
Sectional Qualifying - 18 holes: Non-exempt players must qualify at one of the sectional qualifying sites listed below.
Championship - 54 holes: The championship field consists of place-winners from sectional qualifying and exempt players. There is a cut after 18 holes to the low 60 players and ties, and after 36 holes to the low-30 players and ties.
Thursday, September 23 // Practice rounds
Friday, September 24 // Round 1, 18 holes
Saturday, September 25 // Round 2, 18 holes
Sunday, September 26 // Rounds 3, 18 holes
Sectional Qualifying Sites
Albany | Normanside CC
Binghamton | Binghamton CC
Buffalo | Pendleton Creek
Long Island | St. George's G&CC
Mid Hudson | GC at Mansion Ridge
Exempt Players
N. Country | Malone GC
Rochester | GC at Blue Heron Hills
Syracuse | Tuscarora GC
Utica/Rome | Yahnundasis GC
Last Chance | Mohawk GC
E1. Winners of the NYS Men's Mid-Amateur Championship from the last 20 years.
E2. From the 2019 NYS Men's Mid-Amateur Championship, the 20 lowest scorers and anyone tied for 20th place.
E3. Winners of the NYS Men's Amateur Championship from the last 10 years.
CONDITIONS OF PLAY
E4. From the 2021 NYS Men's Amateur Championship, any player in the low 40 & ties.
E5. Winners of the 2021 NYS Men's Amateur Four-Ball Championships.
E6. From the 2021 NYS NYS Men's Senior Amateur Championship, the 5 lowest scorers and ties.
E7. Most recent (as of September 22, 2021) winner or low amateur (*professional events) of the following regional championships:
AIM Championship
BDGA Individual Championship
BDGA Mid-Amateur Championship
CCR Invitational
CRAGA Amateur Championship
Delaware County Amateur
Dutchess County Amateur
LIGA Individual Championship
MGA Ike Championship
MGA MET Amateur Championship
MGA MET Open*
NYC Amateur
NYS Open*
RDGA Individual Championship
RDGA Mid-Amateur Championship
SDGA Gerry Ashe Memorial
TCGA Amateur Championship
Ulster County Amateur
Watertown City Championship
WGA Individual Championship
E8. From the 2021 Monroe Invitational, any player who advances through the 36 hole cut.
E9. From the 2021 Porter Cup, any player who advances through the 36 hole cut.
E10. Players ranked in the top-4000 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
E11. Players qualifying for most current (as of 9/22/21) USGA Championships.
E12. Host club exemptions.
E13. Special exemptions as selected by the NYSGA.
SHAKER RIDGE CC
Shaker Ridge Country Club was established in 1929, originally designed by Jim Thompson and later remodeled by Stephen Kay and Doug Smith in 1998. Always known as one of the toughest courses in the area, the par-71 layout recently installed bent grass greens. Located next to the Albany airport, this course is placed in the heart of the Capital District and stretches to as long as 6,837 yards, featuring two par-fives and three par-three holes.
Shaker Ridge has hosted the PGA Empire State Open tournament, New York State Mid-Amateur, and the New York State Junior championships. The club was the original host for the Ellis Hospital “Skins Game” with PGA players like John Daly, Lee Trevino, Fuzzy Zoeller, Joey Sindelar, Scott Hoch and Arnold Palmer.
Thank you to the staff at Shaker Ridge for hosting this year’s championship!
Mark Jorgensen
PGA Golf Professional
Trent Kaufmann Director of Golf
Bill Sarver General Manager
Todd Czepiel Golf Course Superintendent
Shaker Ridge CC is located in Albany, New York.
Past Champions of the New York State Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
NYS MEN'S MID-AMATEUR
Year Host Club Champion
1984 Glens Falls CC
1985 Drumlins CC (East)
1986 Crag Burn GC
1987 CC of Rochester
1988 Wolferts Roost CC
1989 Bellevue CC
1990 Dutchess G&CC
1991 Brookfield CC
1992 Bristol Harbour GC
1993 McGregor Links CC
1994 Wayne Hills CC
1995 Ontario GC
1996 Normanside CC
1997 Elmira CC
1998 Yahnundasis GC
1999 Crag Burn GC
2000 Bellevue CC
2001 Leatherstocking GC
2002 Westwood CC
2003 Teugega CC
2004 Shaker Ridge CC
2005 CC of Rochester
2006 Brookfield CC
2007 Dutchess G&CC
2008 Elmira CC
2009 Glens Falls CC
2010 Crag Burn GC
2011 Dutchess G&CC
2012 Midvale CC
2013 Onondaga G&CC
2014 Teugega CC
2015 Wolferts Roost CC
2016 Stafford CC
2017 Yahnundasis GC
2018 Wanakah CC
2019 Tuscarora GC
Charles Murphy, Albany
Don Allen, Rochester
Ken Andrychuk, Clifton Springs
Don Allen, Rochester
Bruce Aubin, Poughkeepsie
Tom Flynn, Syracuse
Steve Nosonowitz, Poughkeepsie
John Baldwin, New York City
Alan Foster, Manlius
Cliff Earle, Saratoga Springs
David Benedict, Rochester
Alan Foster, Manlius
Mike May, Auburn
Michael Valicenti, Elmira
Luke Hobika, Utica
Jim Roy, Syracuse
Tim Hume, Williamsville
Jim Roy, Syracuse
Jim Roy, Syracuse
Patrick Pierson, Central Nyack
Jim Roy, Syracuse
Matt Clarke, Loudonville
Aaron Tallman, Lancaster
John Vaccaro, Albany
Tim Rose, Endicott
Ken Riter, Buffalo
Tim Hume, Cheektowaga
Jimmy Welch, Valatie
Tim Spitz, Pittsford
Jim Scorse, Churchville
Jamie Miller, Silver Creek
Luke Hobika, Dewitt
Jim Scorse, Churchville
Patrick Keegan, Rochester
Jamie Miller, Hamburg
Bradford Tilley, Easton, Conn.
2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic
Jamie Miller
Jim Scorse
Patrick Keegan
1
PAR FOUR
428 YARDS
3
PAR FOUR
435 YARDS
2
PAR FOUR
366 YARDS
4
PAR THREE
143 YARDS
PAR FOUR
340 YARDS
PAR FOUR
382 YARDS
PAR FOUR
405 YARDS
225 YARDS 9 10 11 12
PAR THREE
6,837
2019 CHAMPIONSHIP
Bradford Tilley came, saw and conquered during his debut at the 36th New York State Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Tuscarora Golf Club in Marcellus.
The player from Sleepy Hollow Country Club posted a record-setting 9-under 204 over 54 holes of stroke play, to secure his first state title by seven strokes. He was the only competitor to shoot under par during all three rounds on the Seymour Dunn par-71 layout, posting 69-66-69, going wire-to-wire in the historic victory.
“It’s incredible, what a great feeling. It’s setting in now, I’m looking forward to
Bradford Tilley of Sleepy Hollow Country Club ran away with the 36th NYS Men's Mid-Amateur title, winning by seven strokes
talking to friends and family.”
Tom Linehan of Brook-Lea Country Club and David May of Highland Park Golf Club tied for runner-up at 211 (-2).
Tilley, 36, who had a lengthy drive to Central New York for the championship and had never seen the golf course, ensured he scheduled a practice round for Thursday.
“Woke up really early to get up here. Played a full 18 holes even though it was raining and mapped out a game plan for the course. I talked to the guy in the pro shop and he said put it in the fairway, lay it back, give yourself numbers into the green. I tried to stick to that all week. Be aggressive when I had to be but also keep it in play and below the hole. The greens are very difficult, you need to be putting uphill or else you’ll have a tough time two-putting.”
He held a five-stroke advantage after posting a tournament-low 66 during the second round. “It was hard to focus in the beginning of the day. I had a long afternoon and evening last night knowing I had a big lead and sleeping on it,” said Tilley, who was staying in nearby Hamilton with a close friend.
Players in contention needed a few slip ups from Tilley, and post a low number during the final round to have a chance at catching him. “It’s tough, you go out and know that people are waiting for you to have a few hiccups. I had a couple early.”
He made bogey on Nos. 3 and 4, but regained momentum with only one other the rest of the way and five birdies. His highlights included a chip-in on the uphill par-3 eighth and a very lengthy putt for birdie on the par-3 thirteenth. “I knew I had a big lead still and was able to calm down after that (chip-in on 8). On thirteen I was just trying to make par. Really focused on the speed because it was up and then down, and as it crested the hill it was dead on line. I was not expecting it, but it sure helps push you forward,” he mentioned.
David May (left) and Tom Linehan (right)
This was 27-year-old Linehan’s best finish in an NYSGA event. He started competing again in 2018 for the first time since graduating college in 2014. Last year at Wanakah, he finished T6. This year at the Men’s Amateur, he finished T11. “It’s fun to learn how to play tournament golf again. Having fun being nervous again, practicing and grinding. I always want to finish the best I can and play the best round I’ve played yet.”
May, won two consecutive NYS Boys’ Junior titles in 2002 at Glens Falls and the following year at Tuscarora. After college, he turned professional for a period, before regaining his amateur status.
“It was a good week. The first round was a little sketchy and then It got better each day. Getting out there and playing, remembering where you need to miss on the course,” said the 32-year-old, referring to his rounds of 73-68-70.
First-round co-leader, Jim Gifford of NYSGA eClub – Capital District finished in solo fourth at 212.
Daniel Russo of Schuyler Meadows Club came in at 213, posting 68-68 during the final two rounds to climb up the leaderboard.
“I just love to compete. When I can’t I’ll be done, but for now at least I can still stay in the mix. I always want to see how I can stack up, sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t but it’s always fun,” mentioned the 61-year-old, who captured the NYS Men’s Senior title earlier in the week at Cavalry Club in nearby Manlius.
Tuscarora member Kevin Vandenberg, who joined Tilley and Linehan in the final pairing on Sunday, finished at 214.
Kyle Downey of Locust Hill Country Club fired the low round of the day with 67 and finished tied for seventh at 216 with Danny Edwards of the NYSGA eClub – Central NY.
Five finished at 218 including two-time champion Jim Scorse of Stafford Country Club, 2018 runner-up Billy Hanes of Crag Burn Golf Club, Nick Dilio of The Links at Union Vale, Jacob Katz of Brookfield Country Club and Louis Walsh of Ballston Spa Country Club.
Jim Gifford
Dan Russo
GOLF IN NEW YORK
We’d like to recognize our fellow regional golf associations in New York State for the exceptional work they do in promoting the game of amateur golf.
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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JOIN THE NYSGA FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Since its founding in 2003, the NYSGA Foundation has impacted thousands of people through golf related programs such as scholarships, junior golf programs, supporting local first tee chapters, free USGA GHIN Handicaps for juniors, recognizing the top contributors through the NYSGA Hall of Fame, and much more. The Foundation is a 501c(3) and all donations made to support these amazing programs are tax deductible.
HALL OF FAME
ESTABLISHED IN 2012
The NYSGA Hall of Fame’s mission is to identify, recognize, and enshrine the state's finest amateur and professional golf competitors, as well as those who have made outstanding contributions to the game throughout New York by their careers as golf teachers, coaches, mentors, and volunteers to the game.
NYSGA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS SINCE 1967
The NYSGA Scholarship Fund annually awards $30,000 to deserving students, with over $500,000 given since 1967. Eligible students must be in their second year of employment at an NYSGA member club, be in good academic standing, and demonstrate a financial need. The Foundation’s goal is to increase the amount raised in order to give out more awards through the NYSGA Foundation Membership Program.
FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
FOUNDED IN 2021
The money raised via the NYSGA Foundation Membership Program directly funds college scholarships for NYSGA member club employees. Supporters of the fund come from participating clubs and individual members across the state. Donations of $100 or more will be recognized on the NYSGA website, “Supporters of the Fund”.
YOUTH ON COURSE
PROVIDING AFFORDABLE GOLF TO JUNIORS
Youth on Course is a junior golf membership for boys and girls 6-18 to play participating courses for just $5.. Founded by the Northern California Golf Association in 2006, it is now offered in all 50 states, with over 70,000 members, 950,000 subsidized rounds of golf, and 15 million holes played. The NYSGA currently partners with 13 courses and has 60 junior members. Youth on Course promotes the game to today’s youth, allowing them to build strong long lasting relationships and instilling core values.
SCENES FROM THE 2019 MEN'S MID-AMATEUR
ALL PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR PAGE
