NEW YORK STATE WOMEN’S
AMATEUR & SENIOR AMATEUR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Stafford Country Club - Stafford, New York
June 13, 2022
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NYSGA Officers
President - Henry Fust, Onondaga G&CC
1st VP - Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC
2nd VP - Doug Vergith, Chautauqua GC
Treasurer - Robert Smith, Highland Park GC
General Counsel - Peter Jones, Drumlins CC
Secretary - Iris Stanek, Lancaster CC
NYSGA Executive Committee
Shawn Baker, Oak Hill CC
Lee Bearsch, Binghamton CC
John Burns, Niagara Falls CC
John Cooney, Olde Kinderhook GC
Joseph Enright, Lancaster CC
Ryan Gabel, Trump National - HV
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
Brian Williams, WInged Foot GC
Warren Winslow, Western Turnpike GC
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
James Coleman
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
Ryan Drake
NYSGA Staff
Bill Moore Executive Director
Andrew Hickey Assistant Executive Director
Dan Thompson Director, Marketing and Partnerships
Jack Travers Assistant Director, Rules & Competitions
Mark Ackley Manager, Course Rating
Deb Spilman Manager, Special Events & Volunteer Operations
Fred Wilkes Communications Intern
Parker Gauthier USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
Michael Dirkes USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
NYSGA Committee
Michael Drennen
Georgia Dusckas
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
Steve Wilber
Richard Wilson
Doug Young
Jon Zucarelli
On behalf of the entire New York State Golf Association, welcome to the 4th New York State Women’s Amateur and Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championships.
The NYSGA is pleased to join with the leadership and staff of Stafford Country Club to provide a memorable challenge in crowning New York State’s top women’s amateur four-ball teams.
We are proud to return to Stafford for the first time since 2016, when it hosted the NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The club has also hosted three Men’s Seniors in 1988, 1998 and 2009, Boys’ Junior and Sub-Juniors in 1975 and 1981, a Girls’ Junior in 1966 and a Women’s Amateur in 1993.
We certainly anticipate an exciting and memorable competition, 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 membership, 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 first-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
In the early 1920’s, a small but prominent and influential group of businessmen from Batavia and LeRoy, took the first major step towards fulfilling their vision of a first-class country club for Genesee County. After careful consideration, they acquired several acres of rolling farmland bordering Black Creek in the small hamlet of Stafford. In short order, they brought the esteemed golf course designer, Walter J. Travis, to inspect the site and commissioned him to design memorable course.
In October 1921, during his first visit to Stafford, Walter Hagen declared the course “second to none, and worthy of the interest of its members for years to come”. Subsequent visits by professionals such as Gene Sarazen, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and Julie Inkster brought similar acclaim. Over the years, there have been few alterations to the original Travis course.
Over eighty years later, Hagen’s pronouncement holds true. The founding members’ vision has been realized and carefully nurtured throughout the years. With the quiet beauty of its rural farmland setting, Stafford Country Club offers a rich and varied source of recreational and social pleasures for its members and their guests.
Thank you to the staff at Stafford for hosting this year’s championship!
Eric Haile, PGA PGA Professional
Michael Armstrong Superintendent
Lynn Garlock House Supervisor
Stafford Country Club is located in Stafford, New York
HOLE #1 - The first hole is a dogleg right par 4 that provides an interesting and challenging start to each round. The player who accurately places the drive in the fairway is faced with an approach shot requiring a deft touch. The small green is well-bunkered, with a spine across its middle that demands careful placement of shots to the green. Par or better on this hole is a great jump-start to your round at Stafford Country Club.
HOLE #2 - The second hole is a slight dogleg left that plays longer than the yardage, and has earned its rating as the number one handicap hole. The newly restored fairway bunker situated on the right at 240 yards from the tee creates an added challenge for the tee shot.The second shot must be threaded through a narrow slot between two greenside bunkers, or carried to a large, elevated green with a false front. The player who is even par after finishing the first two holes probably gained a stroke on the field.
HOLE #5 - The fifth hole is a straight-away par 5 with a blind tee shot. Trees lurk to snare a wayward drive and fairway or greenside bunkers threaten shots that follow. The contours of the green require a carefully placed approach shot and a keen eye for reading putts. For most players, a par is a very satisfying score.
HOLE #11 - Many would describe the 11th hole as Stafford’s signature hole. It is a par 4 with out-of-bounds left and right, and a creek angling across the fairway within 120 yards of the green. The green contours represent Travis at his most creative or, some would insist, diabolical best. A drive in the fairway and careful placement of the approach shot are keys to success on this hole. Many players accept their bogey with a smile and proceed to the next hole.
HOLE #14 - The 14th hole is considered by many as one of the best par 3 holes in the region. The hole requires a shot to a slightly uphill, well-bunkered, and rather small original Travis green.
HOLE #18 - The finishing hole is a short par 4, that creates a “risk/reward” dilemma for the longer hitter. Fairway and greenside bunkers are well-placed to catch the errant shot, and a drive just short of the small green will result in a very delicate second shot. With the 18th hole in full view of the clubhouse lounge and the two covered patios, it has been named “the best finishing hole for spectators” in the Rochester District.
Hole #18 at Stafford Country Club in 1922
AMATEUR DIVISION
SENIOR DIVISION
Teresa Cleland & Carina Watkins 2018 Senior Champions
Pennie Carlo & Lauren Cupp 2019 Amateur Champions
Julia Zigrossi & Emily Gresham 2021 Amateur Champions
Teresa Cleland & Carina Watkins 2019 Senior Champions
Patricia Mayne & Karen Feldman 2021 Senior Champions
Samantha Gaffney & Amanda Gaffney 2018 Amateur Champions
Entries
The Championship is teams consisting of two female amateur golfers who are members of the NYSGA, defined as (1) belonging to an NYSGA member club or (2) as a 2022 NYSGA eClub member (NYS residency required). Players must have an active USGA Handicap Index issued through a licensed golf club.
Format
This Championship will be conducted over 18 holes of four-ball stroke play. There will be a net and gross winner in each division.
Divisions
There are two divisions in this Championship: the 4th NYS Women’s Amateur Four-Ball (all ages) and 4th NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball (ages 50+).
Handicap Allowances
Women will receive 95% of their Course Handicap. If a side has a Course Handicap difference of more than eight strokes, an additional 10% reduction will be applied to the Course Handicap of both members of the side (per USGA recommendations).
Ties
In the event of a tie, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play (gross only). All other ties will be broken using the USGA recommended method of matching scorecards.
Schedule of Events
Monday, June 13 // Tee Times, 10:00am - 11:30pm
Coverage
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NYSGA1923. Check out full photo galleries from all NYSGA tournaments and events at nysga.smugmug.com
Hole #2 at Stafford Country Club
Gresham and Zigrossi Dominate en Route to Four-Ball Victory
Emily Gresham of the NYSGA eClub - Southern Tier & Julia Zigrossi of Ridgemont Country Club finished five strokes ahead of the field to capture the 3rd New York State Women’s Amateur Four-Ball title at Lakeshore Yacht & Country Club.
1 E. Gresham / J. Zigrossi
The duo carded a four-under 68 to secure the title. This is each of their first New York State championship victories.
“Julia putted really well today so that helped us out a lot,” Gresham said.
“The (four-ball) format is different from what we’re used to. It was a lot of fun to be playing together instead of just by yourself all the time.”
This is the first time Zigrossi and Gresham have teamed up together. The duo combined for seven birdies.
“We’ve played in multiple tournaments back and forth for a couple years and Emily reached out,” Zigrossi said. “It worked well.”
Zigrossi and Gresham captured the Amateur Women’s Four-Ball title in their first appearance.
Emily Gresham (left) and Julia Zigrossi (right)
Claire Yioulos of Oak Hill Country Club and Amber Pennington of Wilwyck Golf Club took runner-up honors, shooting one-over 73.
Lauren Cupp of Yahnundasis Golf Club and Pennie Carlo of Crestwood Golf Club, champions in the 2019 Women’s Four-Ball, finished third at six-over 78, along with 2018 champions Amanda and Samantha Gaffney of Brookfield Country Club, and Gwendolyn and Caronline Yarnall of Crag Burn Golf Club.
Michelle Krasodomski of The Edison Club and Debra DiMaggio of Ballston Spa Country Club won the low-net category with a combined handicapped score of six-under 66.
Pennie Carlo (left) and Lauren Cupp (right)
Amber Pennington (left) and Claire Yioulos (right)
Caroline (left) and Gwendolyn Yarnall (right)
Mayne & Feldman Capture Senior Four-Ball by Two Strokes
In the Senior division, Patricia Mayne of Western Turnpike Golf Club & Karen Feldman of Olde Kinderhook Golf Club won by a two-stroke margin.
1 P. Mayne / K. Feldman
P. Schiek / M. Sicard
The teammates finished at two-under 70, ahead of Carolyn Mancini & Robin Mead of Binghamton Country Club. The two sides, in addition to Julie Hamm of Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club and Patty Riedel of Penfield Country Club, were all square at even par after nine holes.
Feldman sank a birdie on their 14th hole to give her side the lead, then sealed the victory with another on their final hole.
“I checked the score when we had five holes to go and saw that we were tied for second,” Mayne said. “I didn’t tell Karen and then she birdied the hole ... she wanted to know but I didn’t tell her.”
Mayne and Feldman’s victory marks the first New York State title for each of them. They’ve teamed up
Mayne and Feldman were the only senior team to shoot below par at Lakeshore Y&CC.
Karen Feldman (left) and Patricia Mayne (right)
to play in similar tournaments for a couple of decades now, but never won a New York State title.
“It’s been an incredible 20 years playing together,” Feldman said. “There are a lot of things you can do with four or five hours in a day but to go out and do something you really love and enjoy the person you’re playing with, it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Mancini/Mead took home runner-up honors, shooting an even par-72. Hamm/Riedel and Kim Kaul of East Aurora Country Club and Janice Lavingne of Ravenwood Golf Club finished tied for third place, shooting a combined two-over 74.
Teresa Cleland of Bellevue Country Club and Carina Watkins of Beaver Meadows Golf Club, winner of the last two Women’s Four-Ball events, finished T8 shooting five-over 77.
Robin Mead (left) and Carolyn Mancini (right)
Julie Hamm (left) and Patty Reidel (right)
Carina Watkins (left) and Teresa Cleland (right)
Kim Kaul (left) and Janice Lavigne (right)
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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.
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. ESTABLISHED IN 2012
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 over 60 junior members and counting. 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 2021 WOMEN’S FOUR-BALL
ALL PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR PAGE
