2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

The side of Gaelin and Michael Carrig (Springville CC) combined to shoot even par 72, in a hard fought battle for the 9th NYS Amateur Mixed Team Championship at Transit Valley Country Club in East Amherst.

The Carrigs cousins were one of five teams tied for the lead as they walked onto the 18th tee box. Michael found the fairway with his drive and Gaelin was able to reach the green in two.

The Carrig duo still had work to do, as they were left with a 30-foot putt for birdie. Michael lined it up and rolled it in, sealing the victory at even par for the tournament.

I was just thinking, have good speed because I didn’t want a super comebacker or ram it by and leave her with an eight-footer coming back,” Michael said. “I just wanted to have good speed and it happened to fall.”

The duo from Springville Country Club started hot and jumped out to an early lead. They birdied four of their first nine holes. Michael credited Gaelin’s putting for their string of birdies.

“Just setting her up and she was draining 12-footer, 15-footer, a couple good putts by her right in a row,” Michael said.

“Good approach puts you in a good spot,” Gaelin said.

This was the first event the cousins had played in together and Gaelin’s first New York State event. Four other teams finished at 1-over 73. Amber (Wiltwyck GC) and Martin Pennington (MGA eClub - HV), Julie and Michael Murphy (Brookfield CC), Brian Kumiega (CC of Buffalo) and Claire Yioulos (Oak Hill CC), along with Chrissy (Bellevue CC) and Joe Quijano (CC of Troy) all finished just one stroke off the lead.

This is the second straight year that the Pennington duo has finished in second place. They held the lead until back-to-back bogeys allowed their competition to close the gap down the stretch.

The Murphy duo, who won the mixed team in 2017, were the 2022 net champions at 5-under 67.

Heavy rain throughout the morning delayed the shotgun start from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The wet, rainy conditions continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

2022 Championship

In the 9th NYS Senior Amateur Mixed Team, Kim Kaul (East Aurora CC) and Andrew Melnyk (Tuscarora GC) were able to get over the hump and claim the team title. They lost in a sudden-death playoff during the 2021 mixed team championship at Brook-Lea Country Club to two-time champions Lisa and Kevin Webb (Clifton Springs CC).

The victory marked Kaul’s fourth state title. She is a three-time NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Champion, having won in 2008, 2015 and 2021, but the mixed team was her first team win (she followed it up by winning the 2022 NYS Women’s Senior Four-Ball at Stafford last June, only a week after her Senior Mixed Team win).

“It’s awesome to play a team event,” Kaul said. “I think we play off each other very well and we know each other’s strengths… Andy is a great putter and hits a great ball off the tee, and me with a wedge in my hand, we’re golden.”

“I was just thrilled that Kim invited me again to play,” Melnyk said. “I know what a great player she is and it’s