2021 NYS Men's Mid-Amateur Championship Program

2021

NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Shaker Ridge Country Club - Albany, New York

September 24-26, 2021

CONDUCTED BY THE

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WELCOME 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

2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

ABOUT THE NYSGA NYSGA Officers President Joseph Enright, Lancaster CC

NYSGA Staff

1st Vice President Henry Fust, Onondaga G&CC

Bill Moore Executive Director

2nd Vice President Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC

Andrew Hickey Assistant Executive Director

Secretary Iris Stanek, Lancaster CC Treasurer Robert Smith, Highland Park GC

Dan Thompson Director of Marketing and Partnerships Jack Travers Manager of Competitions

General Counsel Peter Jones, Drumlins CC

Kara Cushman Foundation Manager

NYSGA Executive Committee

Mark Ackley Manager of Course Rating

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

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 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

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

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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

N. Country | Malone GC

Binghamton | Binghamton CC

Rochester | GC at Blue Heron Hills

Buffalo | Pendleton Creek

Syracuse | Tuscarora GC

Long Island | St. George's G&CC

Utica/Rome | Yahnundasis GC

Mid Hudson | GC at Mansion Ridge

Last Chance | Mohawk GC

Exempt Players 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.

2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

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

MGA MET Open*

BDGA Individual Championship

NYC Amateur

BDGA Mid-Amateur Championship

NYS Open*

CCR Invitational

RDGA Individual Championship

CRAGA Amateur Championship

RDGA Mid-Amateur Championship

Delaware County Amateur

SDGA Gerry Ashe Memorial

Dutchess County Amateur

TCGA Amateur Championship

LIGA Individual Championship

Ulster County Amateur

MGA Ike Championship

Watertown City Championship

MGA MET Amateur 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.

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SHAKER RIDGE CC

Shaker Ridge CC is located in Albany, New York.

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.

Than k you to th e sta ff a t Sh a ker Rid g e f or ho s t ing th is yea r’s ch a mpion s h ip!

Mark Jorgensen

Bill Sarver

Trent Kaufmann

Todd Czepiel

PGA Golf Professional

Director of Golf

General Manager

Golf Course Superintendent

2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

PAST CHAMPIONS

Past Champions of the New York State

NYS MEN'S MID-AMATEUR Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship Year Host Club

Champion

1984

Glens Falls CC

Charles Murphy, Albany

1985

Drumlins CC (East)

Don Allen, Rochester

1986

Crag Burn GC

Ken Andrychuk, Clifton Springs

1987

CC of Rochester

Don Allen, Rochester

1988

Wolferts Roost CC

Bruce Aubin, Poughkeepsie

1989

Bellevue CC

Tom Flynn, Syracuse

1990

Dutchess G&CC

Steve Nosonowitz, Poughkeepsie

1991

Brookfield CC

John Baldwin, New York City

1992

Bristol Harbour GC

Alan Foster, Manlius

1993

McGregor Links CC

Cliff Earle, Saratoga Springs

1994

Wayne Hills CC

David Benedict, Rochester

1995

Ontario GC

Alan Foster, Manlius

1996

Normanside CC

Mike May, Auburn

1997

Elmira CC

Michael Valicenti, Elmira

1998

Yahnundasis GC

Luke Hobika, Utica

1999

Crag Burn GC

Jim Roy, Syracuse

2000

Bellevue CC

Tim Hume, Williamsville

2001

Leatherstocking GC

Jim Roy, Syracuse

2002

Westwood CC

Jim Roy, Syracuse

2003

Teugega CC

Patrick Pierson, Central Nyack

2004

Shaker Ridge CC

Jim Roy, Syracuse

2005

CC of Rochester

Matt Clarke, Loudonville

2006

Brookfield CC

Aaron Tallman, Lancaster

2007

Dutchess G&CC

John Vaccaro, Albany

2008

Elmira CC

Tim Rose, Endicott

2009

Glens Falls CC

Ken Riter, Buffalo

2010

Crag Burn GC

Tim Hume, Cheektowaga

2011

Dutchess G&CC

Jimmy Welch, Valatie

2012

Midvale CC

Tim Spitz, Pittsford

2013

Onondaga G&CC

Jim Scorse, Churchville

2014

Teugega CC

Jamie Miller, Silver Creek

2015

Wolferts Roost CC

Luke Hobika, Dewitt

2016

Stafford CC

Jim Scorse, Churchville

2017

Yahnundasis GC

Patrick Keegan, Rochester

2018

Wanakah CC

Jamie Miller, Hamburg

2019

Tuscarora GC

Bradford Tilley, Easton, Conn.

2020

Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

Jamie Miller

Patrick Keegan

Jim Scorse NYSGA.ORG I #PLAYNYSGA

THE COURSE

1 PAR FOUR 428 YARDS

PAR 2 FOUR 366 YARDS

3

PAR FOUR 435 YARDS

PAR 4 THREE 143 YARDS

2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

THE COURSE

PAR 5 FIVE

570 YARDS

PAR 6 FOUR 405 YARDS

PAR 7 FOUR 420 YARDS

PAR 8 FOUR 423 YARDS

2021 NYS WOMEN'S AMATEUR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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THE COURSE

9

PAR FOUR

340 YARDS

PAR 10

FOUR 405 YARDS

PAR 11 FOUR 382 YARDS

PAR 12 THREE 225 YARDS

2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

THE COURSE

PAR 13 FIVE

513 YARDS

PAR 14 FOUR 326 YARDS

PAR 15 FOUR 408 YARDS

PAR 16 THREE 191 YARDS

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THE COURSE

PAR 17 FOUR 462 YARDS

PAR 18 FOUR 395 YARDS

COURSE OVERVIEW

71 PAR

2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

6,837 YARDAGE

2019 CHAMPIONSHIP

TILLEY GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE IN RECORD-SETTING FASHION DOMINANCE

|

Bradford Tilley of Sleepy Hollow Country Club ran away with the 36th NYS Men's Mid-Amateur title, winning by seven strokes

PLACE

NAME

CLUB

SCORE

1

Bradford Tilley

Sleepy Hollow Country Club

204 (-9)

T2

Tom Linehan

Brook-Lea Country Club

211 (-2)

T2

David May

Highland Park Golf Club

211 (-2)

4

Jim Gifford

NYSGA eClub - Capital District

212 (-1)

5

Daniel Russo

Schuyler Meadows Club

213 (E)

6

Kevin Vandenberg

Tuscarora Golf Club

214 (+1)

T7

Danny Edwards

NYSGA eClub - Central NY

216 (+3)

T7

Kyle Downey

Locust Hill Country Club

216 (+3)

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 NYSGA.ORG I #PLAYNYSGA

2019 CHAMPIONSHIP

David May (left) and Tom Linehan (right)

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.

2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

2019 CHAMPIONSHIP

Dan Russo

Jim Gifford

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.

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2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

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2021 NEW YORK STATE MEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

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