NEW YORK STATE
MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR AND SUPER
SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Springville Country Club - Springville, New York
September 14-15, 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
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 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 CC
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 65th NYS Men’s Senior and 26th NYS Men’s Super Senior Amateur Championships!
The NYSGA is pleased to join with the leadership and staff of Springville Country Club to provide a fair challenge in crowning New York State’s Men’s Senior and Super Senior winners.
We are proud host our first state amateur championship at this beautiful course, bordering Zoar Valley and Cattaraugus Creek.
We certainly 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 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
Nestled in the hills of Springville sits one of the most pristine country club facilities in all of Western New York.
Established by American football pioneer Glen “Pop” Warner, the Springville Country Club offers an unforgettable golf experience for all skill levels on its well manicured, lush fairways and greens.
The beautiful 14,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, grill and dining facilities offer our members and their guests a place to relax after golf or anytime.
We welcome new members and the opportunity to host your tournament, banquet or private event.
In addition to a true 19th hole, Springville has outstanding practice facilities.
Thank you to the staff at Springville for hosting this year’s championships!
Dave Thomas Head PGA Professional
Jeff Martin Assistant PGA Professional
Brian Coyne Golf Course Superintendent
Jeanne Ellis General Manager
The beginnings of Springville Country Club can trace its roots directly to the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh railroad.
Prior to becoming a golf course, the grounds the club sits on today was known as Cascade Park. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, men, women and children would climb aboard the railroad bound for Cattaraugus. The train would stop at Cascade Park, where there was a pavilion that could house more than 300 people, a merry go round and acookhouse, located near the present day #4 and #15.
In 1922, frequent travelers to the park, as well as local Springville business owner formed Springville Country Club, where a large portion of the Park’s grounds were turned into a small six hole golf course.
As the club began to grow, the course was expanded to 9 holes, and Dr. Ralph Waite donated $1,500 in 1929 to create bent grass greens.
In 1965, Ange Alberico, the PGA Golf Professional at the time, petitioned the board to pass the motion to expand the 9 hole course to a full 18 hole club, as well as build a new clubhouse for the increasing membership. The motion was passed, and Roger Bugenhagen, the Grounds Superintendent, took up the mantel and designed, built and cared for the entirety of the new holes, including an additional 19 th hole, as well as the original 9.
In 1990, Ange retired, and Dave Thomas became the PGA Golf Professional. Dave and Roger worked tirelessly to improve upon the golf course; they redesigned holes, added USGA spec green complexes, new bunkers, new teeing grounds and expanded upon the driving range.
Sadly, in 2006, a fire claimed the Pro Shop and Cart Barn. Dave and Roger were able to design a new Pro Shop, as well as a more cohesive cart barn, to allow for more club storage. Presently, Springville Country Club boasts a full membership, playing more than 20,000 rounds per year on our 19 wonderfully maintained golf holes.
In our 100th year, we are more than excited to welcome the NYSGA Senior Championship to our club this September.
Entries
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 13, 2022 and must have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less for the Senior Championship and 15.0 or less for the Super Senior Championship, issued by their NYSGA member club.
Format
65th NYS Men’s Senior - Stroke Play, 36 Holes (no cut)
26th NYS Men’s Super Senior - Stroke Play, 36 Holes (no cut)
Ties
In the event of a tie for either Championship, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, September 13 // Practice Rounds
Wednesday, September 14 // Round 1 (18 Holes)
Thursday, September 15 // Round 2 (18 Holes)
Coverage
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NYSGA1923 . Check out full photo galleries from all NYSGA tournaments and events at nysga.smugmug.com
PAST CHAMPIONS
Past Champions of the New York State Men’s
Senior Amateur Championship
1940 Onondaga G&CC LeRoy C. Crim, Binghamton
1941 CC of Troy Sherrill Sherman, Utica
1942 Niagara Falls CC Duane L. Tower, Niagara Falls
1943 Lake Placid Club F. R. Ryan, Roslyn, L.G.
1944 Lake Placid Club Duane L. Tower, Niagara Falls
1945 Oak Hill CC (East) Duane L. Tower, Niagara Falls
1946 Yahnundasis GC Duane L. Tower, Niagara Falls
1947 Westchester CC Jack A. Ahern, Hamburg
1948 Brookfield CC William B. Stark, Syracuse
1949 Lakeshore Yacht & CC Noble Miller, Canandaigua
1950 Binghamton CC Ted Stacy, Binghamton
1951 Knollwood CC Al Manginnes, Elmsford
1952 Oak Hill CC (East) Ed Randall, Rochester
1953-1969: Run under other auspices
1970 Lake Placid Club Jack Hendry, Syracuse
1971 Concord Course Jack Hendry, Syracuse
1972 Leatherstocking GC Burt Kling, Rochester
1973 River Oaks GC Ed Walsh, Fulton
1974 Grossinger's CC Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie
1975 En-Joie GC Burt Kling, Rochester
1976 McGregor Links CC Jack Creary, Tuckahoe
1977 Skaneateles CC John Simonaitis, DeWitt
1978 McGregor Links CC Anthony Maragno, Gloversville
1979 Dutchess G&CC William Bogle, Poughkeepsie
1980 Briar Hill CC William Bogle, Poughkeepsie
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
Past Champions of the New York State
1998 Midvale CC James Infantino, Rochester
1999 Stafford CC James Infantino, Rochester
2000 McConnellsville GC Charles Connolly, Queensbury
2001 Niagara Falls CC John Baldwin, New York
2002 Powelton Club Alan Foster, Manlius
2003 Normanside CC Richard Couch, Oneonta
2004 Lakeshore CC Michael Daniels, Albany
2005 Vestal Hills CC Larry Gresham, Conklin
2006 Lafayette CC Donald Van Gorder, Ithaca
2007 Powelton Club Ron Bayer, Newburgh
2008 Normanside CC Charles Connolly, Queensbury
2009 Stafford CC Matthew Haefele, Bergen
2010 Wayne Hills CC Charles Connolly, Queensbury
2011 Vestal Hills CC David Benedict, Honeoye Falls
2012 Wolferts Roost CC Steve Nosonowicz, Pleasant Valley
2013 Normanside CC Frank Broderick, East Aurora
2014 Cedar Lake Club Frank Plata, Cazenovia
2014 Onondaga G&CC Tom Fletcher, Syracuse
2016 Brookfield CC Paul Pratico, Schenectady
2017 Crag Burn GC Dave Prowler, Manhasset
2018 Mohawk GC Robert Hughes, Watertown
2019 Cavalry Club Daniel Russo, Hagaman
2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Powelton Club Daniel Russo, Hagaman
Super Senior Amateur Championship
Year Host Club Champion
1996 Westwood CC Bob Lindahl, Cortland
1997 Cedar Lake Club Robert Hoff, Rochester
1998 Midvale CC Hank Malfa, Mamaroneck
1999 Stafford CC Hank Malfa, Mamaroneck
2000 McConnellsville GC Hank Malfa, Mamaroneck
2001 Niagara Falls CC Coville Windsor, Seneca Falls
2002 Powelton Club Robert Botsford, Poughkeepsie
2003 Normanside CC Ralph Maru, Mechanicville
2004 Lakeshore CC Alfred Audi, Fayetteville
2005 Vestal Hills CC Perry Noun, Oswego
2006 Lafayette CC John Dennett, Lake George
2007 Powelton Club Mickey Gallagher, Groton
2008 Normanside CC Mickey Gallagher, Groton
2009 Stafford CC Alan Foster, Manlius
2010 Wayne Hills CC Charles Connolly, Queensbury
2011 Vestal Hills CC Charles Connolly, Queensbury
2012 Wolferts Roost CC Charles Connolly, Queensbury
2013 Normanside CC Earl Winchester, Glenmont
2014 Cedar Lake Club Randy Young, Jamesville
2015 Onondaga G&CC John Hathway, Brantingham
2016 Brookfield CC Jim Smith, East Aurora
2017 Crag Burn GC Jim Smith, East Aurora
2018 Mohawk GC Jim Hamburger, Poughkeepsie
2019 Cavalry Club John Hamilton, Tuckahoe
2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Powelton Club Scott Dean, Woodstock
DAN RUSSO SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS AT NYS SENIOR
The Schuyler Meadows Club member went wire-to-wire over 54 holes, finishing at three-over 213.
“It’s fantastic,” Russo said after the victory. “Anytime you win, no matter what tournament you’re in, it’s great and when it’s a state thing it makes it even better. There’s a lot of good players and I’m humbled and fortunate enough to come out on top.”
Russo was the only player to card two rounds under par, though he admitted his last round was tough, especially towards the end of the back nine. Russo entered his final round with a six-stroke lead.
“It’s very difficult to play with a bigger lead because everyone expects you to win,” Russo said. “As much as you try not to think about that it creeps in. Then you start to hit the ball horrendously, and now a couple doubts creep in.”
He described how he felt the momentum shift during that stretch toward his opponent, Kevin VandenBerg of Tuscarora Golf Club.
“There’s always going to be a couple holes during the round where there’s going to be a flip,” Russo said. “That happened on nine and then the back nine. After
Russo fired the tournament low round en route to the title.
Dan Russo
(hole) twelve everything seemed to be okay, then all of the sudden I couldn’t hit a golf shot.”
Though Russo was able to carry the momentum he built throughout the first two rounds to the end and come out on top. He won the championship by one stroke.
“It’s very difficult to win at any level so I’m thrilled,” Russo said. “The first round I putted fairly well. The second round I hit the ball well, and today was just none of the above. It happens.”
Vandenberg finished as the runner-up in his first year eligible at the senior amateur.
“It was a good week. I qualified Monday for the U.S. Senior Am in Detroit, then finished second here,” VandenBerg said. “Today was just kind of an average day. It was nothing really outstanding. Nothing really bad, nothing really good, but happy to finish runner-up.”
VandenBerg shot four-over 214 (68-74-72) over three rounds and nearly overcame a six-stroke deficit to begin the round. He kept pace with Russo throughout today’s round despite a couple shots not going his way on the back.
“I hung in there, kept making pars and then I had to do a little calculation on the seventeenth green and found out I was only one back,” VandenBerg said.
VandenBerg’s drive on the eighteenth hole drew to the right. His next shot hit the front side of the green, but wouldn’t stop and rolled nearly back down into the fairway. That set up a lengthy putt that could have potentially sent he and Russo into a playoff. The putt came close, but missed the cup as Russo was able to calmly tap in a par to secure the championship.
“I told Dan, this is hopefully the first of many duels between Dan and myself in the future,” VandenBerg said. “Dan’s a great player. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle today.”
Jim Mueller of Orchard Creek Golf Club (216), Dennis Lynch of Nassau Players Club (217) and Jack Weinerth (219) of Highland Park Golf Club rounded out the top five.
Kevin VandenBerg
Jim Mueller
Dennis Lynch
DEAN SECURES FIRST STATE TITLE AT POWELTON
In the concurrent Super Senior Division, Scott Dean of Woodstock Golf Club captured his first New York State title, winning by four strokes at The Powelton Club on Thursday.
“I’ve had a lot of thirds, numerous top tens in the state am. I’ve had fourth and eighth in the mid-am, third in the super senior,” Dean described. “As far as winning, this is it. It feels good.”
Upon winning, Dean dedicated his title to Betty Deeley, a long-time NYSGA chairwoman for over 40 years. Deeley and Dean would always connect during tournaments when she was officiating. She was inducted into the NYSGA Hall of Fame in 2012.
“I saw Betty at all the events and everyone knew Betty,” Dean said. “She kept saying, ‘Scott you’re going to win one of these days.’ Betty, this one’s for you.”
Dean entered his third round with a small lead, and kept trading spots at the top of the leaderboard with his playing partners, Bob Cooper of Schenectady Municipal Golf and Jim Burns of Canandaigua Country Club.
Dean came out of the gates strong in the second round to cruise to victory.
Scott Dean
“It was like that all day,” Dean said. “Luckily we made it through 18 and the dust settled and I was four ahead. I had (almost) zero pars on the back nine, that’s a first for me. Four birdies and that was enough.”
Dean started his back nine with three birdies in his first four holes, with a double-bogey sandwiched in between. He would go back and forth between birdies and bogeys for nearly the rest of the round. Though he bogeyed on 18, Dean was able to finish with a comfortable victory.
“The putting was good, it was very good,” Dean said. “The putting was as good as it has been in the last two days. Today I made the short putts. I made a couple 20 footers for birdies. I hit a couple good shots on ten, eleven, twelve.”
Cooper and Burns shared second place, shooting ten-over 220. Tom Yellin of MGA eClubNew York City finished fourth (221) while Michael McNulty of Park Country Club rounded out the top five (223).
Winners were also identified based on age groups: VandenBerg (55-59), Mueller (60-64), Burns (65-69), Randy Young of Bellevue Country Club (70-74) and Ray Kelly of Wolferts Roost Country Club (75+).
Jim Burns
Michael McNulty
Tom Yellin
Bob Cooper
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AMATEUR GOLF ASSOCIATIONS
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HALL OF FAME
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SCENES FROM THE 2021 MEN’S SENIOR & SUPER SENIOR
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