2023 NYS Men's Amateur & Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship Program

2023

NEW YORK STATE MEN’S AMATEUR & SENIOR AMATEUR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Turning Stone Resort and Casino - Verona, New York May 21 - 22, 2023

CONDUCTED BY THE

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2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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

Mark Ackley Manager, Course Rating

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

Deb Spilman Manager, Special Events & Volunteer Operations Michael Dirkes Manager, Regional Associations Christopher Buerle Communications Intern Damian Rodriguez USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern Alexander King USGA P.J. Boatywright, Jr. Intern Christina Van Allen 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

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 On behalf of the entire New York State Golf Association, welcome to the 12th New York State Men’s Amateur & Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championships!

The NYSGA is pleased to join with the leadership and staff at Turning Stone Resort & Casino to provide a memorable challenge in crowning New York State’s top men’s amateur four-ball teams.

We are proud to host this year ’s tournament at these award-winning golf courses at Turning Stone. We certainly anticipate an exciting and memorable competition over the next two days, and the golf courses 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, resort and pro shop staff, and especially the course grounds crews, whose combined efforts have provided us with these wonderful championship golf courses.

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

2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

TURNING STONE GOLF COURSES

Shenendoah GC at Turning Stone Resort

Kaluhyat GC at Turning Stone Resort

KALUHYAT GOLF COURSE Measuring in at just over 7,100 yards, this Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course is ranked as a Top Casino Course by Golfweek. Kaluhyat (the Oneida word for ‘the other side of the sky’) is marked by dramatic changes in elevation, measuring as high as 50 feet in some areas, with plateau settings offering seemingly endless, spectacular views of the surrounding terrain. Six lakes throughout the course add to the picturesque setting. Kaluhyat is a classic shot-maker ’s course, where accuracy and strategy are rewarded as much as length. Kaluhyat Golf Course previously hosted the 2015 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship, won by Trevor Sluman of Rochester.

SHENENDOAH GOLF COURSE Shenendoah offers 18 holes of PGA-level golf in a spectacular natural setting. The course was built and is maintained to comply with stringent Audubon International standards for environmental protection and preservation. Designer Rick Smith used the natural landscape to create wooded parkland holes, open pastures that capture the links feel, and beautifully simple low country-style holes. Designed, constructed and maintained to TOUR standards at more than 7,000 yards, the course offers conditions normally reserved for TOUR professionals. In 2006, Turning Stone Resort Casino’s Shenendoah was host of the PGA National Club Professional Championship.

Thank you to the leadership & staff at Turning Stone Resort & Casino for hosting this year’s championship!

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THE COURSE

HOLE NO. 1

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 2

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 3

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 4

KALUHYAT

PAR 5 I A Sky Journey Begins

SHENENDOAH

PAR 4 I Sugar Maple

PAR 4 I Just Believe

SHENENDOAH

PAR 4 I Little Bluestem

PAR 4 I Hidden Challenges

SHENENDOAH PAR 3 I White Ash

PAR 4 I At Wood’s Edge

SHENENDOAH PAR 5 I Fox Den

2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE COURSE

HOLE NO. 5

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 6

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 7

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 8

KALUHYAT

PAR 3 I Among the Forest

SHENENDOAH

PAR 4 I Hard Fescue

PAR 5 I Challenge of Courage

SHENENDOAH

PAR 4 I Black Willow

PAR 4 I Meadow Spirit

SHENENDOAH PAR 4 Marshland

PAR 3 I Whispering Grasses

SHENENDOAH

PAR 5 I Deer Crossing

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THE COURSE

HOLE NO. 9

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 10

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 11

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 12

KALUHYAT

PAR 4 I Journey of Choice

SHENENDOAH PAR 3 I Tamarack

PAR 4 I An Illusion

SHENENDOAH

PAR 5 I Flying Squirrel

PAR 5 I Uncertain Passage

SHENENDOAH PAR 4 I Black Ash

PAR 4 I Straight & Narrow

SHENENDOAH

PAR 3 I Pond View

2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE COURSE

HOLE NO. 13

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 14

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 15 HOLE NO. 16

PAR 5 I Big Water

SHENENDOAH

PAR 4 I White Pine

PAR 4 I Hidden Truth

SHENENDOAH

PAR 3 I Snapping Turtle Passage

KALUHYAT

PAR 3 I Peaceful Glen

SHENENDOAH

PAR 4 I Raccoon Den

KALUHYAT

PAR 4 I Edge of the Sky

SHENENDOAH

PAR 4 I Red Maple

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THE COURSE

HOLE NO. 17

KALUHYAT

HOLE NO. 18

KALUHYAT

PAR 3 I Turtle Den

SHENENDOAH

PAR 4 I Whitetail Deer

PAR 4 I Journey’s End

SHENENDOAH

PAR 5 I Apple Orchard

The 14th hole at Kaluhyat Golf Course at Turning Stone Resort & Casino.

2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Past Champions of the New York State

Men’s Amateur & Senior Amateur PAST CHAMPIONS Four-Ball Championships Year Host Club

Men’s Division

Men’s Senior Division

2011

Ravenwood GC

Jim Scorse, Churchville & J.P. Kircher, Pittsford

No championship

2012

Ravenwood GC

Jim Scorse, Churchville & J.P. Kircher, Pittsford

Mark Dugan, Pittsford & Tom Blank, Pittsford

2013

Leatherstocking GC

Matt Stasiak, Clarence & Jonathan Clark, Orchard Park

Bob Chalanick, Victor & Mark Battle, Honeyoye Falls

2014

Leatherstocking GC

John Kircher, Pittsford & Michael Mercier, Rochester

Paul Hart, Slingerlands & Kevin Broderick, Guilderland

2015

Leatherstocking GC

Jamie Miller, Orchard Park & Billy Hanes, Elma

Steve Nosonowitz, Pleasant Valley & Stew Blake, Port Ewen

2016

Leatherstocking GC

Bill Gaffney, Williamsville & Jeff Wolniewicz, West Seneca

Matt Clarke, Loudonville & Bob Rosen, East Amherst

2017

Leatherstocking GC

Jeff Wolniewicz, West Seneca & Jonathan Clark, Orchard Park

Bob Branham, Norwich & Kevin Webb, Bloomfield

2018

Leatherstocking GC

Billy Hanes, East Aurora & David Hanes, East Aurora

Tom Blank, Rochester & Mark Dugan, Rochester

2019

Leatherstocking GC

Nick Dilio, Hopewell Junction & Ryan Gabel, Beacon

Ken Ogden, Canandaigua & Wade Sarkis, Canandaigua

2020

Suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic

2021

Leatherstocking GC

Michael Dwyer, Scotia & Michael Stopera, Halfmoon

Mark Battle, Honeyoye Falls & Chris Sorci, Victor

2022

Leatherstocking GC

Carl Schimenti, Ithaca & Andrew Turker, Ithaca

Matt Clarke, Loudonville & Bob Rosen, Williamsville

PLAYER INFORMATION Entries These Championship are teams consisting of two male amateur golfers who are members of the NYSGA, defined as (1) belonging to an NYSGA member club or (2) as a 2023 NYSGA eClub member (NYS residency required). Players must have an active USGA Handicap Index issued through a licensed golf club.

Format These Championships will be conducted over 36 holes of four-ball stroke play. There will be a net and gross winner in each division.

Divisions There are three divisions in this Championship: the 12th NYS Men’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship (all ages), the 11th NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Championship (ages 55+), and the 1st NYS Men’s Super-Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championships.

Ties The team in each Championship with the lowest score for 36 holes will be the champion. In the event of a tie in the Championship, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play.

Schedule of Events Saturday, May 20 // Practice Rounds Sunday, May 21 // Round 1, Shotgun start at 1:30pm Monday, May 22 // Round 2, Shotgun start at 8:30am

Coverage Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NYSGA1923. Check out full photo galleries from all NYSGA tournaments and events at nysga.smugmug.com

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2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

SCHIMENTI AND TURKER WIN WITH BIRDIE ON 2ND PLAYOFF HOLE Carl Schimenti & Andrew Turker won the 11th New York State Men’s Amateur Four-Ball title at Leatherstocking

Carl Schimenti and Andrew Turker (Cornell University GC) sank a birdie putt in the 2nd playoff hole to win the 11th NYS Men’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Leatherstocking Golf Course.

PLACE

NAME

CLUB

SCORE

1*

C. Schimenti / A. Turker

Cornell University GC

66-65--131 (-13)

2

Y. Merkulov / S. Dobesh

Ridgemont CC / Locust Hill CC

68-63--131 (-13)

T3

E. Stauderman / C. Chapman

Links, Union Vale/ Cobblestone Creek

66-67--132 (-11)

T3

B. Hanes / D. Hanes

Crag Burn GC

68-65--133 (-11)

5

C. Lange / G. Hunter

NYSGA eClub - Capital District

65-69--134 (-10)

The Cornell University duo edged Rochester duo Yaroslav Merkulov (Ridgemont CC) and Shane Dobesh (Locust Hill CC) in a playoff to win the two-person championship. They started the day tied for the lead and never looked back and found themslves in a playoff for the championship The side took care of the scoreable par 5s on the classic Devereux Emmet design, with an eagle on No. 11 on day one and were able to make 12 birdies the weekend. They made a clutch birdie on the par-5 18th over Otsego lake, and with that putt, were able to force a playoff, which they eventually won.

“I am a little nervy when it comes to putting,” Turker said. “My main thought was just to be smooth with it. We picked out a line and I was Andrew Turker & Carl Schimenti

just trying to start it on that line and hopefully get it to the hole.”

2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

2022 CHAMPIONSHIP Both teams converted birdies on the f irst playoff hole, which was the par-5 eighteenth. Merkulov narrowly missed a short putt for eagle, and Turker was able to get up and down to force a second playoff hole.

On the short par-4 sixth, Schimenti and Turker both found the green in two, while both Dobesh and Merkulov’s approach shots rolled just off the back. Turker would go on to make a 20-foot birdie putt to seal the victory.

It marked the f irst NYS Tournament for the duo, but Schimenti won the 2021 NYS Mid-Amateur Championship, making this his second consecutive NYSGA trophy.

Shane Dobesh & Yaroslav Merkulov

Dobesh and Merkulov shot one of the tournament low rounds on Monday to force the playoff. They scored a 9-under 63 in round two, along with Joseph Fitzsimmons (Shaker Ridge CC) and Benjamin Bates (NYSGA eClub - Capital District).

Two teams f inished tied for third at 11-under 133, Erik Stauderman (Links of Union Vale) and 2016 NYS Boys’ Junior champion Christian Chapman (Cobblestone Creek CC) along with 2018 champions Billy and David Hanes (Crag Burn GC). The Hanes brothers improved on their opening round score, shooting 7-under 65 in the second round. ChapErik Stauderman & Christian Chapman

man and Stauderman posted a solid 5-under 67.

The victory earned Turker an exemption into the 2022 NYS Men’s Amateur at Onondaga Golf & Country Club in August, as well as the NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur at Seven Oaks Golf Club in September. Schimenti was already exempt for these championships after his Mid-Am win during the fall of 2021.

Joseph Fitzsimmons & Benjamin Bates

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2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

CLARKE AND ROSEN WIN SENIOR FOUR-BALL IN DOMINANT FASHION Matt Clarke and Bob Rosen won the 10th New York State Men’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball title

The 10th NYS Men’s Senior Amateur saw past champions return to glory last May. 2016 winners Matt Clarke (Cazenovia CC) and Bob Rosen (CC of Buffalo) finished the tournament at 9-under 135 to win by two strokes.

PLACE

NAME

CLUB

SCORE

1

R. Rosen / M. Clarke

CC of Buffalo / Cazenovia CC

71-64--135 (-9)

2

K Ogden / W. Sarkis

Oak Hill CC / Canandaigua CC

69-68--137 (-7)

T3

B. Paulsen / J. Mueller

Eagle Crest CC / Orchard Creek CC

69-69--138 (-6)

T3

B. Kumeiga / J. Schauger

CC of Buffalo / River Oaks GC

70-68--138 (-6)

T5

D. Ireland / C. Davis

CC of Troy

69-70--138 (-5)

T5

M. Battle / C. Sorci

Ravenwood Golf Club/RDGA eClub

70-69--138 (-5)

Mark Battle (Ravenwood Golf Club) and Chris Sorci (NYSGA eClub – Rochester) outlasted the defending champions Ken Ogden (Oak Hill Country Club) and Wade Sarkis (Canandaigua Country Club) after Sorci made a par on the second playoff hole, the uphill par-4 second.

Clarke knocked down three eagles over the tournament including two during the second round. He eagled #4 during both the first and second round.

The pair scored a double bogey on the #17 during round one. Monday, Matt Clarke & Robert Rosen

2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

they opened their round on the par-3 17th and saved par on the long intimi-

2022 CHAMPIONSHIP dating hole which requires a long carry over the edge of Otsego lake.

“We had dinner last night and I said can you believe we’re starting on 17,” Rosen said. “We took it as a positive and here we go, let’s get it out early.”

“I took two extra clubs and swung hard,” Clarke said. “Bobby hit a great shot on 17 today”.

2019 champions Wade Sarkis (Canandaigua CC) and Ken Ogden (Oak Hill CC) finished up in second place at 7-under 137. Ogden’s eagle on #15 proved to not be enough to push the pair to victory.

Bill Paulsen (Eagle Crest GC) and Jim

Wade Sarkis & Ken Ogden

Mueller (Orchard Creek GC) along with Brian Kumiega (CC of Buffalo) and Jeff Schauger (River Oaks GC) finished the tournament tied for third place at 6-under 138.

Two more teams finished in a tie for fifth place. Dan Ireland and Chris David (CC of Troy) along with 2021 champions Mark Battle (Ravenwood GC) and Chris Sorci (RDGA eClub) wrapped up their tournaments at 5-under 139.

Sunday’s leaders, Kevin Webb (Clifton Springs CC) and Robert Branham (Canasawacta CC) shot even par on Monday to fall to seventh place.

Robert Branham & Kevin Webb

Jeff Schauger & Brian Kumiega

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2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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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.

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2023 NYS MEN’S FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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