2024 NYS Men's Super Senior & Legends Amateur Championship Program

2024

NEW YORK STATE MEN’S SUPER SENIOR & LEGENDS AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Crag Burn Golf Club - East Aurora, NY July 30-31, 2024

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2024 NYS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR & LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

ABOUT THE NYSGA NYSGA Officers

NYSGA Staff

President - Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC

Bill Moore Executive Director

1st VP - Doug Vergith, Chautauqua GC

Andrew Hickey Assistant Executive Director

2nd VP - Rich Weber, Brookfield CC Secretary - Ryan Gabel, Southern Dutchess CC

Dan Thompson Director, Marketing and Partnerships

Treasurer - Robert Smith, Highland Park GC 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

Deb Spilman Manager, Special Events & Volunteer Operations

Lee Bearsch, Binghamton CC John Burns, Niagara Falls CC

Michael Dirkes Manager, Regional Associations

Karen Feldman, Columbia G&CC Henry Fust, Onondaga G&CC Ryan Gabel, Southern Dutchess CC

Maggie Stewart Manager, Marketing & Creative Content

Megan Grehan, Hudson National GC Brent Herlihy, Glens Falls CC Brian Kumiega, CC of Buffalo

Carson Crestohl USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. Communications Intern

Lawrence Lessing, The Creek Tom Owen, Corning CC Christy Schultz, Oak Hill CC Frank Suits, Cortland CC Brian Williams, Winged Foot CC

Garrett Aadal USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern Jack Corcoran USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern Luke Lynch USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern

NYSGA Committee Michael Aquino Norm Amyot Tom Andrews Gary Assad John Barry Al Belair Vic Bergsten Vincent Bonvino Chris Boynton David Braunscheidel Kevin Broderick Daniel Bronchetti Gene Bullis John Bullis Ron Case Sue Chambers Cory Ciambella Darrell Cornett Jerry Danielski Patrick Donoghue Edward Evans Michael Fitzgerald Georgette Folley Adrian Forzani Shaun Francis Bill Geider Tom Hahn Wade Hall Joe Hazard Patrick Henry Jeff Holmes John Hudacs Al Huggard Mary Ann Keeler Stephen Keeler Robert Kawa David Kokes John Kulesa Tom Lanahan Rod Lindstrom

Fred Arliss Larry Arliss Marci Bevilacqua Doreen Biviano Marian Blain John Blain Timothy Brady Sue Chambers Andy Conway James Cook John Cooney George Cretekos Tom Cotter John Davis Dick Dorgan Georgia Dusckas Thomas Eckert Joseph Enright Laurie Enright John Ernst Vie Evans Mary Beth Fiore Tim Frank John Gaffney Richard Galvin Brad Griffin David Hayes Brad Houston Marge Hubbell John Hudacs Tim Kayes Edward Koslick Bill Loehr Ronald Mack Gene Meyle Ginny Meyle Albert Mowery John Quijano Nick Raasch Joe Riccio

Robert Rosen Thomas Reidy Chris Schmidt Tim Schum Robert Simms John Sniezyk Ron Socash Jerry Stahl Iris Stanek Edward Stanek Peter Stoj Joseph Strykowski John Sullivan Thelma Taylor David Vaneenaam Sheila Vergith Mona Wasserman Warren Winslow Joe Enright, John Blain Pete Dougherty Dick Galvin Mark Gaughan, Tom Reidy, Doug Vergith, Jamie Miller PJ Alterio Mike DeBlois Tim DiGiulio Jamey Friedman, Ryan Gabel Jim Gifford Andrew Hickey Tom Owenn Jimmy Pizzutelli, Chris Van Tuyl Jeff Wolniewicz

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CRAG BURN GOLF CLUB

Aerial of Crag Burn Golf Club

In the late 1960s, Frank Goodyear Jr. and his family decided to turn their rarely used polo grounds into a golf course. The family hired Robert Trent Jones Sr. to design a course on the 190-acre f ield where “a group of f riends could play golf ”.

On May 1, 1972, Crag Burn off icially opened its doors. Through the years, many course improvements have been made to Crag Burn, including some commissioned by Robert Trent Jones’ son Reese Jones.

The gently rolling lands; the soils and the drainage pattern which so readily adapted to the creation of small lakes and streams; the mature vegetation ranging f rom lowland maples and ash to beautiful specimens of beech, hickory, hemlock and oaks was all ideally suited for the design of an outstanding golf course.

The physical character of the course emerges in part f rom the diverse nature of the site. Nearly half of the holes play through dense woods. Here, wide fairways are park-like and similar in appearance to Augusta National. The remaining holes are like an open meadowland where amply wide fairways are carved out of tall meadow fescues. The vivid contrast between lush, green bentgrass fairways and the golden color of the fescue roughs impart a character to these holes strongly reminiscent of Shinnecock Hills and the famous links of Scotland.

The course has hosted many amateur events, beginning in 1986 with the New York State Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Crag Burn also hosted this event in 1999 and 2010. More recently, the club hosted the 2017 New York State Men’s Senior and Super Senior Amateur Championship, the 2019 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship, and most recently the 2023 Men’s Mid-Amateur.

2024 NYS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR & LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

PAST CHAMPIONS Past Champions of the New York State

Men’s Super Senior Championship Year

Host Club

Champion

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Westwood CC Bob Lindahl, Cortland Cedar Lake Club Robert Hoff, Rochester Midvale CC Hank Mafla, Mamoranock Stafford CC Hank Mafla, Mamoranock McConnelsville GC Hank Mafla, Mamoranock Niagara Falls CC Coville Windsor, Seneca Falls Powelton Club Robert Botsford, Poughkeepsie Normanside CC Ralph Maru, Mechanicsville Lakeshore CC Alfred Audi, Fayetteville Vestal Hills CC Perry Noun, Oswego Lafeyete CC John Dennett, Lake George Powelton Club Mickey Gallagher, Groton Normanside CC Mickey Gallagher, Groton Stafford CC Alan Foster, Manlius Wayne Hills CC Charles Connolly, Queensbury Vestal Hills CC Charles Connolly, Queensbury Wolferts Roost CC Charles Connolly, Queensbury Normanside CC Earl Winchester, Glenmont Cedar Lake Club Randy Young, Jamesville Onondaga G&CC John Hathway, Birmingham Brookfield CC Jim Smith, East Aurora Crag Burn GC Jim Smith, East Aurora Mohawk GC Jim Hamburger, Poughkeepsie’ Cavalry Club John Hamilton, Tuckahoe Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic Powelton Club Scott Dean, Woodstock Springville GC Robert Branham, Norwich En-Joie GC Philip Stegemann, Orchard Park

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PAST CHAMPIONS

Past Champions of the New York State

Men’s Legends Championship Year

Host Club

Champion

2023

En-Joie GC

John Benware, Endwell

2024 NYS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR & LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

PLAYER INFORMATION Entries Play is open to male amateur golfers who are 1) An active NYSGA Member with a USGA Handicap Index of 15.0 or less and 2) Are 65+ (Super Senior) or 70+ (Legends), as of July 30, 2024.

Format 28th NYS Men’s Super Senior Amateur- Stroke Play, 36 Holes 2nd NYS Legends Amateur - Stroke Play, 36 Holes

Ties In the event of a tie for either Championship, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play.

Schedule of Events Monday, July 29 // Registration & Practice Rounds •12:00 pm-4:30pm.... Player registration and driving range open •1:30 pm-4:30pm.........Practice round tee times Tuesday, July 30 // Round 1 •6:30 am............................Practice facilities open •7:30am-9:27am..........Tee times from holes #1 & #10 •12:00-3:00pm...............Player lunches Wednesday, July 31 // Round 1 •6:30 am........................... Practice Facilities open •7:30am-9:27am..........Tee times from holes #1 & #10 •12:00-3:00pm...............Player lunches •2:00pm.............................Awards ceremony

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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2023 CHAMPIONSHIP

PHILIP STEGEMANN CLAIMS 2024 SUPER SENIOR TITLE Stegemann fired a two-over tournament to win by two strokes

Crag Burn Golf Club’s Philip Stegemann was able to overcome a four-stroke deficit to claim his first state title at the 27th NYS Super Senior Amateur at En-Joie Golf Club.

PLACE

NAME

CLUB

SCORE

1

Philip Stegemann

Crag Burn GC

76-70-146 (+2)

T2

Jim Burns

Canadaigua GC

75-73-148 (+4)

T2

Dan Levinson

MGA eClub - NYC

74-74 -148 (+4)

T4

Bob Cooper

NYSGA eClub - C. Region

72-77 -149 (+5)

T4

Thomas Fletcher

Tuscarora GC

75-74 -149 (+5)

The member of the club set to host the upcoming 2023 Men’s Mid-Amateur, was steady and sound with his final-round of 2-under 70, which was the only round under par of the tournament. While the rest of the field was struggling early, Stegemann was able to find an answer to the tour-tested championship golf course that was saturated with rain overnight but had cleared up by the morning.

Starting his day with a bogey on No. 1 (his starting hole during the second-round shotgun), Stegemann bounced back, collecting four birdies over the next twelve holes to gain a lead on the field.

With a mid-range birdie on his final hole of the championship (No. 18), he secured his first state title and fended off many of the best super senior (ages 65+) players in the state of New York.

“Bogeyed the first hole though so it was a slow start but had some birdies on the front nine and held it together,” said Stegemann. “I had my driver going and felt very comfortable with my irons today.”

Phillip Stegemann

2024 NYS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR & LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 CHAMPIONSHIP Playing at the host course of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open on the PGA Champions Tour is nothing but a privilege for Stegemann and understands how big of a moment this is for him.

“Lonnie Nielson, a very good friend of mine, won here in the Dick’s Tournament. Lon has passed away so it’s pretty special for me to win here, thinking about Lon all day today.” said Stegemann reflecting on past PGA Champions Tour winner Lonnie Nielson who was also a former club professional at Crag Burn in the Buffalo area.

This is 67-year-old Stegemann’s first time playing in the NYS Super Senior Amateur Championship. He competed in last year’s Senior Am championship, finishing in the top-10 at Springville. He also won the 2022 Super Senior Porter Cup at Niagara Falls CC. He is the second from Crag Burn to capture this title, since fellow member Jim Smith captured it two years in a row in 2016-17.

He also joins brothers Billy and David Hanes as state champions from the East Aurora club in 2023, although there are plenty of state winners from Crag Burn over the years...

Following him into the clubhouse was 2021 NYS Super-Senior co-runner up Jim Burns of Canandaigua Country Club and the 1st NYS Super Senior Amateur FourBall champion Dan Levinson of MGA eClub Dan Levinson

- NYC. They both ended their two rounds at 4-over and tied for second place.

In a two-way tie for fourth place was the round-one leader Bob Cooper of the NYSGA eClub - Capital District, and the 2015 NYS Men’s Senior champion Thomas Fletcher of Tuscarora Golf Club, who both finished at 5-over 149.

Jim Burns

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2023 CHAMPIONSHIP

BENWARE SECURES INAGURAL LEGENDS TITLE Benware finished at two under to prevail by two strokes

PION

The inaugural NYS Men’s Legends Amateur saw many former Senior and Super Senior champions and familiar competitors taking the jump up to the new age division.

PLACE

NAME

CLUB

SCORE

1

John Benware

Binghamton CC

71-71 -142 (-2)

2

Randy Young

Bellevue CC

73-71 - 144 (E)

3

Robert DeWitt

Transit Valley CC

73-72 -145 (+1)

4

Scotty George

Westchester CC

77-72 - 149 (+5)

5

Perry Noun

Lakeshore Yacht & CC

77-75 - 152 (+8)

However, local area and Binghamton Country Club player, John Benware, shot two rounds under par to claim his and the championship’s very first title.

In a pretty dominant performance, Benware stayed in red figures throughout both rounds and was never in jeopardy of losing his lead. He shot 2-under on his front nine in the final round and was bogey-free through 16 holes.

“It is a terrific golf course,” said Benware on playing this year’s championship at En-Joie Golf Club. “I have some familiarity with the course even though I am not a member here so that certainly helps.”

Benware was the only player in both divisions to get to under-par and stayed atop the field for the entire tournament.

The Endwell resident sank two birdies in his final round, and only a lone bogey on the 17th hole, giving him two rounds of 71 for a total of 142.

In solo second place was the 2014 NYS Men’s Super Senior champion Randy Young who shot 1-under in his final round John Benware

to finish at even par for the tournament.

2024 NYS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR & LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 CHAMPIONSHIP He did what he could to charge and put pressure on Benware, but a few late-round bogeys prevented that from happening. Finishing behind him was last year’s Super Senior runner-up at Robert DeWitt of Transit Valley Country Club.

“I played a lot of golf with Bob DeWitt and we’re great friends,” said Benware on playing together in the final group. “It was just a treasure to play a round of golf with him. A terrific player and it couldn’t have been better. You couldn’t have scripted it any better.”

In fourth place was Scotty George of Westchester Country Club who was able to bounce back from his first round and shot even par in his final round. He finished the championship at 5-over 149.

Rounding out the top five was Lake Shore Yacht & Country Club member and 2006 Super Senior champ Perry Noun, who shot 8-over 152 (77-75) at 86 years old. In a three-way tie for sixth was Donald Lalonde of Stonehedges Golf Club, Matthew Ryan of Endwell Greens Golf Club, and the 2019 NYS Men’s Super Senior champion John Hamilton of Hudson National Golf Club, each finishing the tournament at 9-over.

En-Joie was set up at 5,394 yards for the legends division and played to a par of 72.

Randy Young

Robert DeWitt

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2024 NYS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR & LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

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2024 NYS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR & LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

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