To all the tremendously skilled golfers participating in this year’s New York State Men’s Amateur Championship, we at Marvin and Company would like to wish you the best of luck.
To all the tremendously skilled golfers participating in this year’s New York State Men’s Amateur Championship, we at Marvin and Company would like to wish you the best of luck.
A fun fact – the first NYS Men’s Amateur Championship was held in 1923, which is the same year Charles L. Marvin founded Marvin and Company in Schenectady, NY.
A fun fact - the first NYS Men’s Amateur Championship was held in 1923, which is the same year Charles L. Marvin founded Marvin and Company in Schenectady, NY.
Latham office: Queensbury office:
Latham Office:
Kevin O’Leary, Managing Director Jim Amell, Director
Kevin O’Leary, Managing Director
11 British American Boulevard
Latham, NY 12110‐1405
11 British American Blvd
Ph: 518.785.0134
Latham, NY 12110-1405
Ph: 518.785.0134
Queensbury Office: Jim Amell, Director
111 Everts Avenue
111 Everts Ave
Queensbury, NY 12804
Ph: 518.792.6595
Queensbury, NY 12804
Ph: 518.792.6595
Welcome to the 98th New York State Men’s Amateur Championship at Schuyler Meadows Club
WELCOME
WELCOME LETTER 2
RONALD LANZETTA
President, Schuyler Meadows Club
Welcome!
We are honored to have been chosen to host the 98th New York State Men’s Amateur Championship here at Schuyler Meadows Club. This is the second time we have been selected to host this prestigious event and we couldn’t be more proud.
Our original course was designed by Deveraux Emmet and completed in 1927. Golf has remained our most popular activity for the past 95 years. The course evolved over the years and had lost many of its original characteristics and personality. Over the past 15 years, we have been hard at work, guided by architect Bruce Hepner, implementing The Hanse Master Plan which restores much of the course’s original integrity. I believe all of the competitors will find the course challenging yet fair.
Lastly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the entire membership, staff, and volunteers for their enthusiastic support. Special thanks to our Green Chair- John Puig, Golf Course Superintendant- Jeff Joedicke, General Manager- Michael Rezey, PGA Professional- Steve Jensen, and David Hayes who accepted the mantle of event coordinator.
Sincerely,
Ronald Lanzetta, President Schuyler Meadows Club
WELCOME
JOSEPH ENRIGHT
WELCOME LETTER 1
President, NYSGA
I am honored to welcome you to the 98th playing of the New York State Men‘s Amateur Championship hosted this year by the members and staff of Loudonville’s historic Schuyler Meadows Club, which was founded in 1926. We expect this spectacular Devereaux Emmet design, enhanced and modernized by Gil Hanse, to provide a rigorous challenge to the finest amateur men players in New York State, and to combine that with unparalleled amenities which should combine to provide a memorable event for all participants.
This past year and a half have arguably provided the most difficult set of circumstances that NYSGA has ever faced in providing tournaments at the New York State Championship level. While conditions are slowly returning to normal, the precautions necessitated during the Covid-19 pandemic have required all participants, including NYSGA volunteers and staff, the players, the staff of the host club, and spectators, to exercise caution and follow common sense guidelines established to enable us to protect the health of all participants. Hopefully, we can now focus on allowing the players to test their skills against this challenging golf course in order to determine the winner of the 98th Ganson Depew Cup.
I would like to thank all of our dedicated volunteers and staff who work so hard to provide a premier tournament experience of the highest level. I especially thank the members, Governors, and staff of Schuyler Meadows Club who have so generously provided this outstanding venue for this year’s competition and whose efforts on behalf of the players to provide the finest conditions for competition possible are what make this competition possible. I wish all of the players the best of luck in your play, and hopefully, your years of practice and competition will pay off for you in being named the New York State Men’s Amateur Champion for 2021.
Joseph Enright, President New York State Golf Association
NYSGA COMMITTEE & STAFF
NYSGA Officers
President
Joseph Enright, Lancaster CC
1st Vice President
Henry Fust, Onondaga G&CC
2nd Vice President
Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC
Treasurer
Robert Smith, Highland Park GC
General Counsel
Peter Jones, Drumlins CC
Secretary
Iris Stanek, Lancaster CC
Bill Moore Executive Director
Andrew Hickey Assistant Executive Director
Dan Thompson Director of Marketing and Partnerships
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 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 CC
Warren Winslow, Western Turnpike GC
NYSGA Staff
Jack Travers Manager of Competitions
Mark Ackley Manager of Course Rating
Kara Cushman
Foundation Manager
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 Committee Members
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
Schuyler Meadows Club was the vision of a small group of gentlemen of means who, in 1926, acquired the Hartman Farm in Loudonville, a quiet country hamlet away from the busy state capital. The club’s iconic falcon logo stems from one of the original overseers of the old farm and the new enterprise.
Schuyler Meadows Club was founded on the principle that the pursuit of sport was beneficial for families and friends who regarded sportsmanship as an excellent medium for responsible social conduct. These are the principles that permeate every SMC sporting event and make the 2021 New York State Men’s Amateur Championship and Schuyler Meadows an excellent fit.
The Schuyler Meadows Club golf
experience is best personified by two of the club’s truly unforgettable personalities. Dr. Richard T. Beebe was an avid golfer as well as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the Albany Medical College. He had a remarkable relationship with his patients and students and a deep and abiding love for sports.
Dr. Henry Hun was one of the earliest members of Pine Valley Golf Club and a longstanding member of the Albany community as well as Schuyler Meadows. Upon his return from the war, he was asked to preside at Schuyler Meadows where he served as President from 1946 to 1964. He shaped the club, the course and the amenities. He generously contributed to not only the governance and management but is responsible for much of the tradi-
Schuyler Meadows Clubhouse - 1929
tion that characterizes the club we know today. Dr. Hun’s memorial plaque oversees the course east of the 12th tee.
Construction of the clubhouse commenced in 1926 under the collaborative supervision of renowned Albany architect J. Worthington Palmer and historic Albany construction contractor John B. Waldbilig. Palmer’s clubhouse vision resembled the center portion of George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. The building proudly features the recently renovated colonnade and patio overlooking the first hole. The clubhouse remained substantially
unchanged until 1985 when the membership approved the sale of a section of land, east of the golf course, to private developers. Proceeds from the sale were used to rebuild the club’s infrastructure, kitchen, air-conditioning and heating systems and allowed the addition of the grillroom, known as the McCahill Room named after the presiding president and longtime member.
These changes marked the transition from the traditional era and transformed Schuyler Meadows into
Dr. Richard T. Beebe (right)
Proud to support the NYS Amateur Golf Championship
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SCHUYLER MEADOWS CLUB
a more accommodating restaurant-bar operation. The days of song, light-fare vittles, ample grog, memorable dice encounters and sociability amidst a quirky setting has gradually given some ground but remains at the core of the club. The founders retained the services of prolific golf course architect Devereaux Emmet to design the 18-hole golf course. Emmet’s most famous course designs are the Blue and Gold Courses at Congressional Country Club in Washington D.C and the Garden City Golf Club in Garden City on Long Island in New York. In the face of the game’s new technology, Schuyler Meadows saw fit to modernize the golf course and ultimately retained the services of Gil Hanse. He developed a Master Plan intended to modernize the course while preserving as much of the integrity of the original Emmet design as possible.
The plan lay dormant until former Green chairman David Hayes spearheaded the effort to undergo a tree management program and comprehensive bunker renovation in 2010. Architect Bruce Hepner oversaw the project along with Kye Goalby, who did much of the shaping. Subsequent work continued in 2015 under the continued guidance of Hepner along with Green chairs Bob Peck and the current chair John Puig. The project included a new short game practice facility, new practice putting green 1st tee complex, improved Billy bunkers, drainage, green ex-
pansions, fairway expansions, and the leveling and expansion of numerous tees.
Current Schuyler Meadows President, Ronald Lanzetta, working in concert with Director of Golf and PGA Professional Steve Jensen, has continued a tradition of offering innovative events throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Jensen has achieved an enviable record with the club’s junior boys and girl’s golf programs, bringing these programs into the 21st century.
Schuyler Meadows has provided ample venues for healthy participation in other sports. The old skeet-shooting house, which rests off the second and
Deveraux Emmet
ninth tees, was constructed in 1930 with funds volunteered by a small group of members wishing to fill their weekend afternoons with shooting. At one time, a brave caddy, who still makes the rounds at SMC, shared pulling duties behind the log barrier where clay shells were discharged.
Beverages were run from the clubhouse to warm the chill of the winter afternoon that occasionally lingered into the early evening. With the addi-
tion of the first paddle courts, interest in skeet shooting waned but memories of roaring fires, wonderful song, generous portions and camaraderie still linger.
Schuyler Meadows has a long history of outstanding men and women’s tennis. Long regarded as the bedrock of Albany racquet sports, the tennis program was active and inspiring for children and adults. In one glorious year, Texan Cliff Richey, father of Cliff and Nancy Richey, both nationally ranked players and Cliff a member of The U.S. Davis Cup team, agreed to teach at SMC
Competitors, guests and officials at an early tournament at the Schuyler Meadows Club.
An entrant in an early tournament tees off at the Schuyler Meadows Club.
while they prepared on the clay courts for the US Open at Forrest Hills. Seeded eighth in the world, Nancy lost to top seed Maria Bueno of Brazil in the quarterfinals.
In the 60’s, a club member donated two wooden paddle courts. Skeet shooting came to a fairly abrupt halt and the club developed a coterie of lively players that kept the club active in the winter. The popularity of the sport induced Paddle Chairman Charles Foresman to raise contributions to construct the three aluminum, heated courts and hut that reside behind the ninth green.
Over several seasons, the level of play improved immeasurably. In one remarkable season, Charles Poe and Tom Houlihan won the prestigious national President’s Cup and followed their five wins against the top seeds from other regions with a 6-0 run through the 132-team draw to claim the national championship and world’s top ranking.
The August 2021 New York State Men’s Amateur Championship will be a welcome addition and another chapter in our unique history.
Edmund Driggs (right) with Charles Blair Macdonald.
You’ve thought about it. Talked about it. Daydreamed about it. And talked about it some more. Today’s the day to make it happen. We’ll look at your financial big picture and design a plan to help you do what’s important today, and every day after.
NYS MENS’ AMATEUR PAST CHAMPIONS
1923 - Garden City CC
Edmund Driggs Jr.
1924 - Orchard Park GC
Lee Chase
1925 - Lido CC
Jack Mackie Jr.
1926 - McGregor Links CC
Al Brodbeck
1927 - Oak Hill CC
Arthur Yates
1928 - Biltmore CC (West)
George Dawson
1929 - Mohawk CC
Maurice McCarthy
1930 - Lakeville CC
Jack Mackie Jr.
1931 - Oak Hill CC
Phil Perkins
1932 - Niagara Falls CC
Tommy Goodwin
1933 - Garden City CC
Edmund Driggs Jr.
1934 - Sagamore GC
Edmund Driggs Jr.
1935 - Winged Foot (West)
Ray Billows
1936 - Bellevue GC
Tommy Goodwin
1937 - Oak Hill CC
Ray Billows
1938 - Oak Ridge GC
Willie Turnesa
1939 - Siwanoy CC
Richard Chapman
MENS’ AMATEUR RECORD BOOK
7 6 4 3
Ray Billows (1935, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1945, 1949)
Donald Allen (1961, 1963, 1964, 1970, 1972, 1973)
Tommy Goodwin (1932, 1936, 1946, 1953)
Edmund Driggs (1923, 1933, 1934)
John Konsek (1958, 1959, 1960)
William Tryon (1962, 1965, 1968)
Billy Shields (1951, 1952, 1955)
Ray Billows
MENS’ AMATEUR RECORD BOOK
13 & 12
13 & 11 11 & 10
*During match play era
Kevin Haefner (2001)
Joe Ruszas (1944)
Dirk Ayers (1995)
Joe Gagliardi
39 HOLES
Ray Billows def.
Johnny Ward (1949)
1940 - Onandaga G & CC
Ray Billows
1941 - CC of Troy
Ray Billows
1942 - Niagra Falls CC
Alex Stevenson
1943 - Lake Placid Club
Ray Billows
1944 - Lake Placid Club
Joe Ruszas
1945 - Oak Hill CC
Ray Billows
1946 - Yahnundasis GC
Tommy Goodwin
1947 - Westchester CC
Richard Mayer
1948 - Brookfield CC
Sam Urzetta
1949 - Syracuse Yacht & CC
Ray Billows
1950 - Binghamton CC
Mike Dudik
1951 - Knollwood CC
Billy Shields
1952 - Wolfert’s Roost CC
Billy Shields
1953 - Yahnundasis GC
Tommy Goodwin
1954 - Fairview CC
Robert Monk
1955 - Moon Brook CC
Billy Shields
1956 - Dutchess G&CC
Joe Gagliardi
Nick Raasch
Nick Raasch (1966)
Yaroslav Merkulov (2009)
Will Thomson (2018)
Joe Gagliardi (1956)
Donald Allen (1973)
Dominic Bozzelli (2012)
1973 - The Concord Course
Don Allen
1974 - Wayne Hills CC
George Burns
1975 - Bellevue CC
Alan Foster
1976 - Grossinger’s CC
Radford Yaun
1977 - Albany CC
Rich Serian
1978 - Moon Brook CC
Jeff Sluman
1979 - Drumlins CC (East)
Mark Balen
1980 - Vestal Hills CC
Joey Sindelar
1981 - Wanakah CC
James Roy
1982 - McGregor Links CC
David Boeff
Joey Sindelar (1980)
1983 - Elmira CC
William Boland Jr.
1984 - CC of Troy
George Zahringer
1985 - Ridgemont CC
Christopher Lane
1986 - Knollwood CC
Jay Gunning
1987 - Oak Hill CC (East)
Tim Straub
1988 - Yahnundasis GC
Tim Straub
1989 - Vestal Hills CC
Tim Marsh
1990 - Albany CC
Joe Wilson
1991 - Brook-Lea CC
Leonard Lasinsky
1992 - Drumlins CC (East)
Todd Dischinger
1993 - Seven Oaks GC
Jeffery Peck
1994 - Cobblestone Creek CC
David Bonacchi
1995 - Moon Brook CC
Dirk Ayers
1996 - Links at Hiawatha GC
Michael Valicenti
1997 - Dutchess G&CC
Greg Rohlf
1998 - Pinehaven CC
Bryan Smith
1999 - Wanakah CC
John Gaffney
2000 - Monroe GC
Michael Valicenti
2001 - Seven Oaks GC
Kevin Haefner
2002 - Transit Valley CC
Kyle Hess
2003 - Ravenwood GC
Kyle Hess
2004 - Wiltwyck GC
Matt Thomas
Sam Urzetta (1951, 1953) 2 2 2
Donald Allen (1965, 1967)
Ray Billows (1938, 1949)
Allen Will Thomson, 2018 MENS’ AMATEUR RECORD BOOK
Donald
MENS’ AMATEUR RECORD BOOK
Ray Billows (1939, 1940) 3 2
Donald Allen (1965, 1966, 1967)
2005 - Ontario GC
James Scorse
2006 - CC of Troy
Andrew DeBitetto
2007 - Yahnundasis GC
John Duthie
2008 - Pinehaven CC
Jeff Wolniewicz
2009 - Ravenwood GC
Yaroslav Merkulov
2010 - Albany CC
Doug Kleeschulte
2011 - Oak Hill CC (West)
Dominic Bozzelli
2012 - Elmira CC
Dominic Bozzelli
2013 - Schuyler Meadows
Matt Stasiak
2014 - Bellevue CC
Luke Feehan
2015 - Kaluhyat GC
Trevor Sluman
2016 - Mohawk GC
Tyler McArdell
2017 - Bethpage Black
Adam Condello
2018 - Irondequoit CC
Will Thomson
2019 - Crag Burn GC
Ben Reichert
2020 - Suspended COVID-19 Pandemic
Sam Urzetta
Dominic Bozzelli, 2012
Ray Billows, whose seven NYS Men’s Amateur titles is the most in the tournament’s 98-year history.
Matt Stasiak
2013 Men’s Amateur Champion, held at Schuyler Meadows
The New York State Golf Association’s first responsibility, upon its formation in 1923, was to conduct NYS Men’s Amateur Championship. Previously it had been noted by Grantland Rice that New York was the only state in the 48 without a state golf association, and thus no governing body to administer the state’s amateur golf championship.
Sherrill Sherman of Utica was voted the first president of the NYSGA at the Association’s first meeting at the Yahnundasis Golf Club and he quickly approved Garden City Golf Club’s request to host the inaugural playing of the NYS Men’s Amateur Championship. In the finals at Gar-
den City, Edmund Driggs of Cherry Valley Country Club defeated S. Clifton Mabon of Garden City Golf Club 8&7 in a 36-hole match to become the first champion.
Since this first playing, the championship’s format has changed three times. From 1923 until 1969, the championship was decided by match play. In 1970, the decision was made to go to 72 holes of stroke play, until it was switched back to match play in 1992. But in 2009 the format was once again changed to 72 holes of stroke play, as it remains today.
The number of participants who have attempted to qualify has in-
creased immensely as golf’s popularity has grown. In 1923, 61 entries were fielded at Garden City as compared to 1992, when a record of 726 golfers registered to qualify to compete in the championship at Drumlins Country Club.
Throughout the years the NYSGA has been fortunate to witness the transformation of many amateur golfers from great players into champions. Included below you will find a brief description of some of these golfers whose wins in this championship have propelled them on to fruitful careers in the game of golf.
In 1935, a young Ray Billows of
Poughkeepsie won in his debut Winged Foot Golf Club’s West Course. Billows’ was a true ‘rags to riches’ Cinderella story in golf. At the time he was 21 and worked as a printing clerk making $17 a week. He arrived at Winged Foot in a $7 car, slept on the clubhouse porch to save money for a caddie, and ended up winning over one of the greatest fields in state golf history. Billows went on to have a terrific amateur golfing career, winning a record seven NYS Men’s Amateur Championship titles, getting to the U.S. Amateur Championship finals three times, and representing the U.S. in the Walker Cup matches at St. Andrews in 1938 and at Winged Foot in 1949.
Another past champion who would make a name for himself in the amateur circuit was Rochester’s Don Allen. The former Colgate University golf captain defeated the defending champion John Konsek in 1961 at Onondaga G&CC to claim the first of his six titles. This first win was very meaningful to Allen, since he considered Konsek to be the most talented golfers he had ever seen. Allen would go on to represent the U.S. in two Walker Cup Matches, the first at Baltimore Country Club in 1965 and the second at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in 1967.
The majority of the past champions would play as amateurs for the entirety of their careers, although a select few would turn to the professional ranks and find success. Sam Urzetta, another successful Rochester golfer, won the 1948 championship at Buffalo’s Brookfield Country Club. Urzetta would win the U.S. Amateur Championship title in 1950, where he defeated renowned amateur Frank Stranahan in 39 holes at the Minneapolis Golf Club. Urzetta, not interested in tour golf, became an assistant golf professional in 1954 and in 1956 joined CCR as their head golf professional, where he would remain for the next 37 years.
In 1978, a young golfer named Jeff Sluman won the state amateur by four strokes over Radford Yaun at Jamestown’s Moon Brook Country Club. Sluman turned professional in 1980 upon graduating from Florida State University, but wouldn’t find immediate success on the PGA Tour. At the age of 30 he won his first tournament, the 1988 PGA Championship at Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. Sluman went on to win five PGA Tour
Joey Sindelar 1980 Men’s Amateur Champion
events from 1991-2001, and is now a enjoying a successful career on the PGA’s Champions Tour where he has won six times.
Another prominent PGA Tour player, Joey Sindelar, would etch his name on the Ganson Depew Cup in 1980 with a record breaking performance at Vestal Hills Country Club in Binghamton. Sindelar, a collegiate All-American at Ohio
State University, fired a four-round total of 280 (8-under) to beat Jeff Sluman by seven strokes. This record four round total would stand until Dominic Bozzelli shot a blistering 277 (11-under) to claim his second title in 2012 at Elmira Country Club. Sindelar turned pro in 1980 and won the first of his seven PGA Tour events at the Greater Greensboro Open in 1985.
CONDITIONS OF PLAY
The Field
The field is comprised of approximately 144 players, including sectional qualifiers and exempt players. The field is cut after 36 holes of play to the low-40 players and ties.
Format and Ties
The championship will be conducted in two stages, at stroke play:
1. Sectional qualifying - 18 holes. Required for all non-exempt players
2. Championship - 72 holes
If a tie exists at the end of 72 holes, the champion will be determined by a hole-by-hole playoff.
Ganson Depew Cup
The champion will be awarded possession of the Ganson Depew Cup for one year.
Players Exempt from Qualifying
1. Winners of the NYS Men’s Amateur Championship from the last 20 years.
2. From the 2019 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship, the 20 lowest scorers and anyone tied for 20th place.
3. Winners of the NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship from the last 10 years.
4. From the 2019 NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, the 10 lowest scorers and anyone tied for 10th place.
5. Winners of the 2019 and 2021 NYS Men’s Amateur Four-Ball Championships.
6. From the 2021 NYS Boys’ 18U Amateur Championship, the 5 lowest scorers and ties.
7. Winner of the 2021 NYS Boys 14U Amateur Championship.
8. From the 2019 NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Championship, the 5 lowest scorers and ties.
9. Most recent (as of August 6, 2019) winner or low amateur
(*professional events) of the following regional championships:
Apogee Investment Management Championship
BDGA Buffalo District Individual Championship
CCR Invitational
CRAGA Capital Region Amateur Championship
Delaware County Amateur Championship
Dutchess County Amateur Championship
LIGA Individual Championship
MGA Ike Championship
MGA MET Amateur Championship
MGA MET Open*
NYC Amateur
NYS Open*
RDGA Rochester District Individual Championship
SDGA Gerry Ashe Memorial
TCGA Amateur Championship
Ulster County Amateur Championship
Watertown City Championship
WGA Westchester Individual Championship
10. From the 2021 Monroe Invitational, the 20 lowest scorers and anyone tied for 20th place.
11. From the 2021 Porter Cup, the 20 lowest scorers and anyone tied for 20th place.
12. Players ranked in the top-3000 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
13. Players qualifying for most current (as of August 10, 2021) USGA Championships.
14. Host club exemptions.
15. Special exemptions as selected by the NYSGA.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday, August 9
9:00am.....................Practice facility open
9:00-4:00pm...........Registration
9:30-4:00pm........... Practice rounds
11:00-2:00pm..........Player lunch
Tuesday, August 10
6:00am.....................Practice facility open
6:30am......................Registration opens
7:30-9:30am.............Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch
12:30-2:30pm...........Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
Wednesday, August 11
6:00am.....................Practice facility open
6:30am......................Registration opens
7:30-9:30am.............Round 2 from tee #1 and #10
11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch
12:30-2:30pm...........Round 2 from tee #1 and #10
Thursday, August 12
6:00am.....................Practice facility open
6:30am......................Registration opens
7:30-9:30am.............Round 3 from tee #1 and #10
11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch
12:30-2:30pm...........Round 4 from tee #1 and #10
7:30pm......................Award ceremony
REICHERT CAPTURES SECOND NYS TITLE AT CRAG BURN
Ben Reichert of River Oaks Golf Club claimed the 97th New York State Men’s Amateur Championship by one stroke at Crag Burn Golf Club.
Reichert carded a one-over 73 in the fourth and final round on Thursday evening to finish at four-over 292 and secure his second NYS championship.
“It feels unbelievable,” Reichert said after the final day in 2019. “We looked at a four-shot lead at one point, and I made it a little harder on myself than I wish I would have. But, I was able to get it done and it’s all good now.”
Prior to the Men’s Am, Reichert won the 2019 Florida State Amateur Championship in a sudden-death playoff. He felt that the tournament was good preparation for the Men’s Am.
“One-hundred percent. I knew exactly what I’d be feeling coming down the stretch. I knew how to handle it. Trust is the biggest thing. Trust what you do, and you can’t really go wrong.”
After the first day of play, Clinton Lange of Capital Hills at Albany held a one stroke lead. Lange converted five birdies en route to a one-under 71 finish.
2019 RECAP
As the day went on, the winds picked up around Crag Burn with storms hitting the surrounding cities. Clinton was part of the morning wave, essentially dodging the winds, making for advantageous conditions.
“We had an overwhelming advantage,” Clinton said. “There wasn’t any wind until we got to our last four holes. It was really calm, and I had a bunch of birdie putts. We didn’t have this weather everyone else is starting to deal with.”
Reichert did not take hold of the lead until after the second round, where he shared a one-stroke lead with Colin McGaugh of Seven Oaks Golf Club. Reichert and McGaugh sat at even par 144.
Reichert, the 2015 NYS Boys’ Junior Champion, carded a 67 in round two, ten strokes better than his firstround score. His day two scorecard included five birdies and an eagle on 16, a 529-yard par 5.
“I got off to a slow start today,” he said after his second round performance. “I was two-over through six. I pretty much played flawless golf from that point out. I think I maybe missed one fairway the rest of the way.”
McGaugh also converted five birdies
Chris Blyth
2019 RECAP
during the second round.
“I kept it in the fairway and that’s step one. My putting was really solid throughout the day. My wedge game was probably the best part of my game today. I feel really confident going into (the final rounds).”
Reichert and Blyth each shot fourover 148 in the final two rounds. Inclement weather delayed play twice. Tony Hejna nearly made a comeback run at the end, shooting an even par 72 in his final round, but finished two strokes away from the title.
For the second year in a row, Chris Blyth of Mendon Golf Club finished as runner-up at five-over 293.
“To come up a shot short again this year is disappointing, but I can’t be too upset with the way I played. It’s always a lot of fun playing in this tournament. Coming in second this year and last year is an honor and hopefully next year, I will do better,” Blyth said.
Two Crag Burn players tied for third at six-over 294, including three-time NYS Champion Jamie Miller and Hej-
Final Round of the 97th NYS Men’s Amateur Championship at Crag Burn Golf Club
2019 RECAP
na, former NYS Sub-Junior Champion.
“I think this place is fantastic,” Hejna said. “The course played great. I think it was a great event for the club and we were glad to host it.”
Miller added, “I thought the course was awesome; it held up really well. We had all different types of weather so that was cool too, since we get that every day here.”
Rounding out the top five was Adrian Norford of Willowbrook Golf Club at seven-over 295. Prescott Butler of
Piping Rock Club and Billy Hanes of Crag Burn finished T-6 at eight-over 296. Christian Chapman of Cobblestone Creek Country Club and Kyle Ritchie of Cherry Valley finished T-8 at twelve-over 300. James McHugh of Rye Golf Club finished with a total of 301 to earn tenth place.
Defending champion, Will Thomson of Oak Hill Country Club, finished the 72-hole tournament at 305 (T-18).
1st Hole
Par 4 / 422 yards
The longer hitter has an edge off the first tee if they can carry their tee shot to the down slope in the fairway to get the maximum amount of roll. The opening tee shot will be over a cross bunker that frames the hole. The best spot to hit the tee shot is down the right side of the fairway. A fairway bunker on that left side will catch a shot that is off line to the left. The two fairway bunkers on the right will come into play for the longer hitters. Second shots will be with short to middle irons into the prevailing wind. The green has a false front that slopes toward the fairway. Greenside bunkers on both sides protect the green.
Off2nd Hole
Par 5 / 520 yards
the tee there are fairway bunkers left and right that are staggered. The fairway bunker on the left will catch a lot of tee shots. Out of bounds goes down the whole right side. The second shot will carry the dip in the fairway to a plateau that flows into the green. The aggressive second play will put you on the plateau fairway that is level with the green. A conservative second shot will make the third a blind shot to the green. The green is open in the front, allowing an approach shot to run up onto the green. A small greenside bunker left and a bunker long on the right protect the green.
3rd Hole
Par 4 / 426 yards
An ideal tee shot is down the left center for at look at the green for the second shot. An extremely well placed fairway bunker on the left side is on the corner of the dogleg. A tee shot veering right center will present a blind second shot over two elevated cross bunkers. The player will be hitting a short-to-mid iron into the green. Missing the green left will present a tough up and down. The expanded green runs from front to back.
4th Hole
Par 3 / 185 yards
One of the best par 3’s around, an old throw back hole! The tee shot is all carry and the player will hit anything from short-iron to hybrid depending on the tee location. Distance control is paramount; a player must get the ball up to the hole without going long over the green and out of bounds. The player capable of hitting a high, soft-landing shot to the large green will have an advantage. The shot plays a full club more because of the elevation to the hole. A ball coming up short will roll down the slope above the fairway bunkers. If you get past the flagstick on this hole it’s very quick coming back down to the hole.
5th Hole
Par 5 / 515 yards
The target off the tee is inside of the grass mound on the right. A left-to-right movement off the tee is the best to avoid having the ball run through the fairway. There is out-of-bounds down the entire left side. A player will have to make a choice to go for the green in two or to lay-up. Laying up short of the two cross-bunkers would be the conservative play and will leave you a little over 100 yards to the green. Missing the green short will challenge your skills with the different slopes and tight lies. The green is well protected with bunkers left and right.
6th Hole
Par 4 / 418 yards
Though this hole appears innocent enough from the tee, there’s trouble around the green. The best tee shot is down the left side of the hole over the right side of the fairway bunker at the top of the hill. The trees down the right side will come into play off the tee. The player will be hitting a shortto-mid iron into the green. The challenge will be on the second shot, where three greenside bunkers surround the front of the green. The wonderful mounding around the sixth and eighth greens are trademarks of Devereux Emmet’s style. Missing short with the second shot leaves a tough up and down to save par.
7th Hole
Par 4 / 412 yards
One of the best and hardest holes at Schuyler Meadows, the seventh is yet another risk/ reward hole that presents several options to the player. The fescue left and the bunker at the top of the hill are what you need to avoid. From the tee, longer hitters can rip driver down into the small but flat landing area. The ideal tee shot is down the right center where the fairway is the flattest. The creek goes along the right side of the fairway and then cuts in front of the green. The green has been expanded and a new short grass approach added on the right side to allow balls to chase onto the putting surface. It’s an exciting golf hole.
8th Hole
Par 4 / 380 yards
Astraightaway hole with no apparent trouble in sight, except for the very penalizing rough on both sides of the fairway. This hole is fairly short and will afford players several options to consider. Long and straight hitters may just launch their drivers, but a collection of four fairway bunkers protect the left side of the hole. The cluster of trees on the right side will cause some issues for players who can’t control their tee shot. A short iron or wedge will be the play into the green, which has a false front. This is the largest putting surface on the golf course, so finding the hole may be a challenge.
9th Hole
Par 4 / 413 yards
This hole has two different teeing areas, giving it two different looks off the tee. From the left tee you can see the fairway and the right tee is a blind shot. The best tee shot will be down the right center of the fairway, a fairway bunker will catch tee shots that drift too far left. The second shot will most likely be a short iron into a green complex that sits on top of a hill with a bunker on the left and a short grass approach. Second shots that are short or right will kick down the hill, making a poor shot even worse. Missing the green short, long, or right could be disastrous. The subtle breaks on this green will drive you crazy.
10th Hole
Par 4 / 310 yards
The tenth hole is a classic; a slight dogleg left that appears routine but is often quite difficult. A player that is feeling really aggressive can drive this green. A more conservative play is to the right center of the fairway. A lay up shot will have to contend with the bunkers off the tee and the right to left slope of the fairway. The second shot can be delicate with the side and downhill lies. The putting green has been expanded since 2013, with many new hole locations on what used to be one of the smallest greens on the course.
11th Hole
Par 5 / 515 yards
Another hole with multiple tees, the 11th will either play as a straightforward tee shot with a fairly generous landing area from the right teeing ground or it will require a draw from the back teeing area near the tree line. There is out of bounds on the left side with trees and fescue on the right side. The second shot is over cross bunkers that give the illusion of being next to the green, but there is thirty yards of fairway between the bunkers and the green. Play the second shot a half club to a full club more up the hill to a beautiful plateau green. Avoid missing the green to the right as it drops off and grass mounds come into play. The putting surface on this hole is very tricky.
12th Hole
Par 3 / 170 yards
Enjoy the panoramic view and take a breath because the golf course gets tough starting here! The twelfth hole is a beautiful downhill par three. The tee shot will be with a mid to long iron. There are five deep bunkers around the bowl-shaped green. The deep bunkers on either side of the green make the task trickier, depending upon the flagstick’s position. The shot plays a full club less going down to the hole.
13th Hole
Par 5 / 505 yards
Areachable par five with tall fescue down the right side of the hole. Avoid the deep bunkers left and right of the fairway at the top of the hill. The penalty area on the left can come into play off the tee. This hole has many hills and valleys and its rolling and side-tilt fairway offers the most challenging stances. For the player laying up for their second shot, it’s best to lay back 60 yards to avoid the fairway bunker on the left. The smallish double-tiered green is well guarded by the left greenside bunker, but has an opening in the front. The player who makes the mistake of being long will find more trouble than he can imagine behind this green.
This14th Hole
Par 4 / 403 yards
is one of the most beautiful holes on the course. There are three fairway bunkers that frame the left side of the hole beyond the ravine. Long hitters will be tempted to rip a driver over the ravine, a carry of 255 yards that, if successful, leaves only a 90 to 100 yard wedge to the green. This is a classic risk and reward hole. But if the shot doesn’t come off as planned, the woods on the right side will catch your errant tee shot. The right fairway bunker at the top of the hill will challenge the longest hitters. A fairway wood or a long iron off the tee can be a wise decision. The second shot plays a half a club longer because of the elevation. This is the smallest green so it is quite a feat to hit in regulation. The left greenside bunker is quite deep and the right side of the green drops off.
15th Hole
Par 3 / 170 yards
Acreek goes along the right side of this par three. The tee shot will be a mid-to-long iron. It’s very tough to read the wind because of a bank of trees that protect the right side. There are two greenside bunkers that catch the short shots. This green is very tricky with a slight double-tiered putting surface and to make matters worse it is the smallest par three green but it will have some wonderful hole locations.
16th Hole
Par 4 / 405 yards
This hole has a completely blind tee shot. The contoured fairway snakes around the cross bunker at the top of the hill. Beyond the hill lies fairway bunkers that are staggered left and right. The fairway bunker on the left over the hill will come into play for most tee shots. The best play from the tee is down the left center of the fairway. The hole is also protected with woods on the left and out of bounds on the right. Your second shot will have to contend with the winding water hazard in front of the green that has a way of catching the slightly mis-hit shots. Long is no good because of the tall fescue grass. The putting green is small and double-tiered.
17th Hole
Par 4 / 395 yards
The seventeenth is the signature hole, known as much for its treachery as its beauty. Players must guard against the deep fairway bunker on the left and the two enormous bunkers beyond. There is out of bounds along the entire right side of the hole and tall fescue on the left which must be avoided if you don’t want to lose your golf ball. The approach plays longer than it looks from the fairway. If you don’t play enough club and come up short, your ball will roll down the hill fifteen yards or more leaving you a treacherous pitch to one of the most intimidating putting surfaces on the course. Matt Stasiak played this shot mastefully en route to capturing the 2013 NYS Men’s Amateur title.
18th Hole
Par 4 / 418 yards
Off the tee, the two deep fairway bunkers that guard the left side must be avoided. The best line off the tee is directly at the clubhouse flagpole. The long fairway bunker on the right side could be reachable for the longest hitters. Finding the sand or rough off the tee greatly cuts the chances of hitting the green in regulation. The green, which slopes left to right, presents a difficult up and down. This was the pivotal hole in the 2013 championship and is likely to once again be drama filled.
Schuyler Meadows Club, 1929
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Onondaga Golf & Country Club, Host of the 99th NYS Men’s Amateur
THANK YOU
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO SCHUYLER MEADOWS CLUB
Thank you to all those involved who helped the NYSGA organize the 98th New York State Men’s Amateur Championship
Steve Jensen
PGA Professional
Jeffrey Joedicke
Course Superintendent
Mike Rezey
General Manager
Colleen Reichl
Financial Controller
John Puig
Green Chair
David Hayes
Event Coordinator
Brad Lancaster
Food and Beverage Manager
GOLF IN NYS
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.
