New York State Golf Association: Our First 100 Years, 1923-2023

NEW YORK STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION

OUR FIRST 100 YEARS, 1923-2023

Foreword by John Blain, NYSGA Historian

It is with great pleasure — and an honor — to write a few words about the New York State Golf Association and its Centennial Celebration. “Centennial.” There is a certain prestige that goes with the word. It signifies an occasion demanding attention and reflection. A centennial celebration also affords us the opportunity to look forward, to see how our experiences can improve the things we hold important. So it is with the NYSGA, marking 100 years of service to golf all over New York state in 2023.

I have always been intrigued with the history of the game, its records and great achievements. Going back to 1977 when I played in my first NYSGA event, the Junior & Boys’ Championship at the Elmira Country Club, I have been fascinated with the history of our association and its competitions, competitors, volunteers and clubs where so many notable events and milestones have occurred.

Ironically, Fred Box — the longtime historian of our association — was a lifelong resident of Elmira. It seemed appropriate that I took over Fred’s role upon his retirement in 2006, during the fall meeting hosted by Fred’s beloved Elmira Country Club, of which he was a longtime member.

The NYSGA was officially founded on Aug. 9, 1923, at the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford. Its mission was to “foster closer and more intimate relations in and among the great body of golfers in New York state and to create an opportunity for an annual tournament which would have an official sanction as a state championship.”

From this focus and conducting one championship (the first Men’s Amateur championship was played later that year at the Garden City Golf Club), we have come a long way. Our association now conducts — among other endeavors — 19 state championships, the Amateur Series and sectional qualifying for USGA championships, and it is actively involved in Youth on Course. Entries for events and volunteers wanting to get involved are at an all-time high.

The NYSGA has put together this booklet, which salutes the greatest achievements in our association’s history, for your enjoyment. Thanks to the efforts of our hard-working staff, led by Bill Moore and Andrew Hickey, and the leadership of the NYSGA officers and Executive Committee, we have become the “go to” organization for golf in New York state.

John Blain

I would like to thank and acknowledge our Director of Marketing and Partnerships, Dan Thompson, who did virtually all the heavy lifting for our Centennial Celebration. In addition, he received considerable support from longtime journalist Pete Dougherty, the Albany Times Union golf writer who has done a superb job covering local golf in the Capital Region for decades, and Doug Vergith of Chautauqua, whose insight into our association’s history has proved invaluable. A special thanks also goes to Kevin Casey, golf historian extraordinaire who was instrumental in helping us pull this project together.

As you may have noticed in our 1923 mission statement above, longevity is not an explicit goal. However, reaching our 100th anniversary is an indication that things are going well. While a lot has happened in the past 100 years, in looking forward, we passionately believe the best is yet to come.

The NYSGA at 100 – services provided today

Tournament Play

. 122 total days with a golf event (in a span of 127 days)

2,009 total NYSGA tournament entries

. 2,160 total Amateur Series entries

. 8 total USGA Qualifiers conducted (with 409 entries)

88 volunteers on Tournament Committee

GHIN Handicap Management

258 member clubs

40,727 individual members

.

1,376,105 total rounds posted by members

50,551 by 11,946 golfers – competitive rounds posted

1,367 member or club support requests resolved

.

Club Tournament Management Product (Golf Genius)

. 125 active clubs using software

500,000-plus player rounds managed in the program

814 support requests from clubs resolved

Course Rating

. 34 courses rated

. 41 course ratings planned in 2023

81 volunteers on course Rating Committee

1,040 volunteer hours spent on ratings

.

Rules Education (Spring 2023)

.

.

3 full-day advanced classes held

8 half-day refresher courses held

386 total attendance at the 11 programs

The New York State Golf Association

he history of the New York State Golf Association has been among the most interesting in the United States. Given the state’s outsized role in the beginning of golf in the U.S, one would expect the NYSGA to have been right there at the beginning. But it took three decades, and a high-profile nudge, for New York to form its own governing golf association.

The American golf boom teed off in the 1880s in various parts of the country. Like ripples caused by pebbles tossed across a pond, golf expanded first in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states and made its way across the country.

Nowhere were those footholds more solid than in New York, with pockets of golf blooming on Long Island, outside New York City and in a few cities and towns throughout the state.

By 1894, golf had graduated beyond a fad to 50 clubs in the entire country and had attracted a clientele willing to invest fortunes in time and resources to grow the game. With help primarily from golf professionals — almost exclusively immigrant Scots and Englishmen — who sensed the sweet smell of opportunity, the game started to take hold.

1923 2023

The United States Golf Association (USGA) was formed that year in Manhattan and started holding its men’s amateur and open championships. Golf clubs, public courses and golf associations were popping up across the country, holding championships, organizing team matches, devising handicaps and providing a structure for the growth of the game.

However, by 1920 the Metropolitan Golf Association, with a multi-state view of its role, had emerged as a premier regional golf association and assumed a leading role in New York’s part in the golf boom. There were other associations and loose alliances in pockets of the state, but nothing rose to a level of governance. New York was, therefore, one of the few states at that time without its own golf association or championship. It took an early 1923 column by Grantland Rice, generally regarded as America’s premier sportswriter, with an assist by Walter J. Travis, a leader of the Garden City Golf Club and proud disruptor of the already staid world of golf, to get things going. Rice loudly opined in Travis’ American Golfer magazine that New York state should have its own state association and championship. He followed that up with calls to prominent New York golfers.

Invitations went out to 150 clubs across New York, describing an association whose objective would be to “foster closer and more intimate relations in and among the great body of golfers in this state than is now possible.”

That Aug. 9, at New Hartford’s Yahnundasis Golf Club, delegates from across New York unanimously voted to form the NYSGA, and — wasting no time — hold the first men’s championship later that year.

Travis and Rice’s home club, Garden City, one of the nation’s most respected courses, offered to be the site of the late October match-play championship.

The first 100 years of the NYSGA were under way.

Grantland Rice

The birth of NYSGA

Officers in 1923

Sherrill Sherman, Utica – President

Irving S. Robeson, Rochester – 1st Vice President

Ganson Depew, Bu alo – 2nd Vice President

Don M. Parker, Garden City – Secretary-Treasurer

Executive Committee: John M. Ward, Garden City; Grantland Rice, New York City; John F. Nash, Syracuse; Richard B. Emmett, Schenectady; Gardiner White, Glen Cove; Alfred Bourne, Garden City; Clarence Wheeler, Rochester; and Harry Davis, Bu alo.

Ganson Depew of Bu alo, an early leader of the NYSGA.

Yahundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, the founding site of the NYSGA.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, August 1923.

The following pages illustrate each of the 10 decades that comprise the NYSGA’s first 100 years. Starting with the Association’s first breath in 1923, this account documents its evolution right up to this year’s packed docket of events. Written by Kevin Casey.

Past Executive Directors Tom Reidy (le ) and Pat Keenan with the Ganson Depew Cup at Oak Hill in 1987.

1923 through 1929 A Delayed but Successful Start

The Jazz Age; Babe Ruth; The Golden Age of American Sport; Bob Jones; the Teapot Dome Scandal; Charles Lindbergh; the 1929 Wall Street Crash

First Championship

The inaugural NYSGA Men’s Championship got off to a promising — if sodden — start. Garden City was host to the inaugural championship as the first shots were struck Oct. 24, 1923. Sixty-one golfers qualified over 18 holes for 16 match-play positions. Despite the NYSGA’s emphasis on a state-wide championship, the majority of golfers hailed from the metropolitan area, probably a reflection of both the event’s newness and the challenges of cross-state travel in 1923.

Eddie Driggs from Cherry Valley and Gardiner White, the 1921 Met Amateur champion from Nassau, carded 77s in solid rain to capture the medal. An early featured match included heavyweight White vs. Rochester’s Arthur “Ducky” Yates, a highly regarded former North and South Amateur champion and future (1927) NYSGA titleist, won by White. In the end, Driggs captured the finals in an 8-&-7 victory over Garden City member Clifton Mabon, foreshadowing future NYSGA Men’s Championship wins.

The New York Times concluded that “The first championship tournament of the newly organized NYSGA more than justified itself.” It further wrote that a “strong entry in respect to both numbers and class . . . contended for the title.”

1923-29 NYS Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1923 Garden City GC Eddie Driggs Jr., Garden City

1924 Orchard Park CC Lee Chase, Buffalo

1925 Lido CC Jack Mackie Jr., Inwood

1926 McGregor Links CC Al Brodbeck, Bronxville

1927 Oak Hill CC (East)

1928 Westchester CC (West)

Arthur Yates, Rochester

George Dawson, Harrison

1929 Mohawk GC Maurice McCarthy, Mt. Vernon

Eddie Driggs of Cherry Valley, the inaugural NYS Amateur champion.

Arthur “Ducky” Yates of Rochester, 1927 NYS Amateur champion.

New York Times, October 1923.

1923 through 1929

NYS Open

Asensible extension of the NYSGA’s mission and the fledgling Men’s Amateur championship was the concept of a New York State Open — that is, a competition for both the state’s best amateurs and professionals. The NYSGA decided to conduct the New York State Open starting in 1928, largely funded by the host, Onondaga. The first New York State Open was intended strictly for residents of New York, but the princely purse of more than $2,000 — well beyond the norm for comparable events — drew an unsolicited contingent of touring professionals from across the country. In a Solomon-like decision, the NYSGA let the foreigners play. Will Klein, a club professional from Long Island, won the two-day, 72-hole event by a stroke over Scotsman-turnedChicagoan Bob MacDonald.

The 1929 Open was held at Westchester the week before and just down the road from the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, guaranteeing a “Who’s Who of Golf'' quality field that included Billy Burke, Harry Cooper, Johnny Farrell, Walter

NYS Open Results

'20s Familiar Faces:

Hagen and Gene Sarazen (all U.S. Open or PGA champions). Burke came out on top, his 1-under 287 beating unheralded George Christ by four.

The 1930 tournament at Green Meadow in Harrison in late June attracted a good field, including Burke, Wiffy Cox, Farrell and local favorite Joe Turnesa. Farrell captured the top prize with a birdie on the last hole for an even-par 288 and a two-shot victory over Cox. Despite featuring major tournament winners and excellent venues, the New York State Open faced strong headwinds. The Great Depression was having its way with professional sports, especially golf, which was dependent on business sponsors. In late 1930, the NYSGA decided to drop the State Open as financially prohibitive, intending instead to focus on amateur events.

The New York State Open remained mothballed until 1978, when the Metropolitan section of the PGA of America successfully revived the tournament.

1928 Onondaga G&CC Will Klein, Wheatley Hills

1929 Westchester CC Billy Burke, Round Hill

1930 Green Meadow CC Johnny Farrell, Quaker Ridge

• The winner of the 1929 NYSGA Men’s Amateur Championship was Maurice McCarthy, a Mount Vernon resident who was also the NCAA champion playing out of Georgetown.

• Rochester’s Arthur “Ducky” Yates, one of the more colorful players of New York’s Roaring ’20s, was a former football lineman at Yale who strained the scales at 300 pounds. Yates won not only the 1927 NYSGA Men’s Am, but also the 1925 North and South Amateur Championship and was a semifinalist in the 1931 U.S. Amateur Championship.

• Lee Chase won the 1924 Men’s Amateur in his hometown of Buffalo, winning the title at Orchard Park. He had also won the Florida State Amateur that season, having a winter home down there.

Bu alo Courier, August 1924.

Winner Billy Burke tees o at Westchester CC for the 1929 NYS Open.

Sherrill Sherman

The first president of the NYSGA was Sherrill Sherman, son of U.S. Vice President James Sherman (under President Howard Taft). The senior Sherman imbued his son with a decision to service. Like Theodore Havemeyer, the first president of the USGA, Sherman was the right person at the right time. A volunteer to both the NYSGA and his club, Yahnundasis, Sherman was a rock of support for decades to both.

Sherman remained NYSGA president for just two years, stepping down to assume the role as first vice president under Don Parker, another anchor board member in the NYSGA’s earliest years. Over three decades, Sherman served in every position the organization could offer. Notably, whenever issues rose with other institutions, from banks to the USGA, it was Sherman who made the issues go away.

In 1956, he said, “Since the formation of the state association I have served continually in different positions, and it has always been a matter of great personal pleasure to have had this opportunity for continued service.” Sherman could have been the poster child for effective board membership. Furthermore, he was a rare golf administrator who could also seriously play the game. Sherman played in 18 straight U.S. Amateurs, making it to the semifinals in 1915. He was the Yahnundasis club champion nine times over 27 years. In 1941, Sherman captured the NYSGA Senior Men’s Amateur. In a crowning recognition for his contribution to the game, Sherman eventually became a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

Sherrill Sherman, the first president of the NYSGA in 1923.

Sherrill Sherman of Utica (le ) and Walter Travis of Garden City during a tournament at Yahundasis in 1920.

The 1930s

The Great Depression; Herbert Hoover; The New Deal; Lou Gehrig; The Empire State Building; The Hindenburg Disaster; Hitler

NYS Women's Amateur Championship

For the New York Women’s Amateur in 1930, the NYSGA was graced by the presence of a 19-year-old phenomenon from Hewlett on Long Island — Helen Hicks. She won her first NYSGA championship in Rochester at Oak Hill, followed it up a year later with a win at Lido, took a year off and then won it a third time in 1933 at Plandome.

Young Hicks wasn’t simply the best woman golfer in New York, but one of the best in the country. She twice reached the U.S. Amateur finals, besting Glenna Collett Vare in 1931 and losing to Virginia Van Wie in 1933. After compiling a sterling amateur record, Hicks was asked by the USGA to represent the U.S. in the first Curtis Cup competition in 1932 in Wentworth, England (the U.S. won, 5.5-3.5).

Hicks had reached the top of the amateur golf mountain in her early 20s. An innovator, Hicks in 1934 became one of the first women sports professionals by signing with Wilson Sporting Goods to promote its golf equipment. Taking that thought one step further, in 1950, Hicks became one of the 13 founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

Who knows what influence the Women’s State Amateur had on Hicks’ budding career, but winning state championships on great venues must have been a confidence-builder.

Helen Hicks: Off to a Fast Start

Year Host Club Winner

1930 Oak Hill CC (East) Helen Hicks, Hewlett

1931 Lido CC Helen Hicks, Hewlett

1932 Yahnundasis GC Peggy Wattles, Hamburg

1933 Plandome CC Helen Hicks, Hewlett

Peggy Wattles of Bu alo, 1932 NYS Women’s Am champion.

Helen Hicks of Long Island, three-time NYS Women’s Am champion.

Contestant pin and pamphlet from the 1930 NYS Women’s Amateur at Oak Hill CC.

Peggy Wattles and Frances Snyder during their championship match in 1932 at Yahnundasis.

Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle, July 1930

The 1930s

An Emerging Star

The demise of the New York State Open due to lack of funding proved to be a boon for the state’s junior golfers. Following quickly on the heels of the newly created Women’s Amateur, the NYSGA readjusted its sights and started the New York State Boys’ Junior Championship.

The first championship was held in 1931 at Onondaga. Hamilton Wright from Garden City will forever be the Empire State’s first junior champion with his win in 1931, but like the Women’s Amateur, a golfer soon emerged who would capture the state’s attention for years. Tommy Goodwin, a free-spirited 18-year-old from Winged Foot, would win both the 1932 Boys’ Junior at Siwanoy and the Men’s State Amateur at Niagara Falls to become the first of only two golfers to capture both titles in one year. For good measure, Goodwin would go on to successfully defend his junior title in 1933 at Troy.

In fact, by the time he hung up his spikes, Goodwin had won the NYSGA State Amateur four times (1932, ’36, ’46, ’53) and had been “in the arena” many times more, a worthy opponent for an increasingly impressive bevy of New York competitors.

1930-39 NYS Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1930 Fresh Meadow CC Jack Mackie Jr., Inwood

1931 Oak Hill CC (East) Phil Perkins, Fox Hills

1932 Niagara Falls CC Tommy Goodwin, Rye

1933 Garden City GC

1934 Sagamore GC

Eddie Driggs Jr., Garden City

Eddie Driggs Jr., Garden City

1935 Winged Foot GC Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

1936 Bellevue CC Tommy Goodwin, Rye

1937 Oak Hill CC (East) Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

1938 Quaker Ridge GC Willie Turnesa, Elmsford

1939 Siwanoy CC Richard Chapman, Larchmont

Tommy Goodwin of Rye, two-time NYS Junior Amateur and four-time NYS Amateur champion.

Hamilton Wright of Cherry Valley, the inaugural NYS Junior Amateur champion in 1931.

Willie Turnesa of Elmsford (second from le ) and Tommy Goodwin of Rye (far right) with press at the 1935 NYS Amateur at Winged Foot.

Jack Mackie Jr. (right) of Inwood with his father. Mackie won the NYS Amateur in 1925 and 1930.

Quality Is In

Afraternity of fairly evenly matched, excellent competitors emerged in New York in the 1930s. Jack Mackie Jr. of Inwood won his second State Amateur in 1930. Tommy Goodwin contributed two wins in the decade, in 1932 and 1936.

An extraordinary golfer, Ray Billows, burst on the scene with a win in the 1935 State Amateur at Winged Foot, despite the distraction of having his jalopy break down as he pulled into the facility the first day and sleeping on the club’s porch to finance his caddie fees. He would win again in 1937 at Oak Hill, showing a penchant for wonderful venues. Billows, it turned out, was just getting started. To the chagrin of low-handicappers throughout New York, these players may not have been the best of the lot. The decade wound down with State Am wins by Willie Turnesa at Quaker Ridge in 1938 and Richard (Dick) Chapman at Siwanoy in 1939, players who would compile international resumes.

In terms of quality of players, New York was about to suffer an embarrassment of riches.

'30s Familiar Faces:

• Eddie Driggs Jr. added to his 1923 Men’s State Amateur title by winning two more in 1933 (Garden City) and ’34 (Sagamore), becoming the first three-time titleist.

• Jack Creavy, from Tuckahoe, won the Boys’ Junior Amateur in 1935 at Siwanoy, then found himself later that year in the Men’s State Amateur finals at Winged Foot (West) against a young Ray Billows. Alas, Billows came out on top, kickstarting his awesome NYSGA record.

Ray Billows of Poughkeepsie, seven-time winner of the NYS Amateur a er his rst victory in 1935.

Phil Perkins of Fox Hills (le ) with Bobby Jones during the 1928 U.S. Amateur nal. Perkins won the 1931 NYS Amateur.

Richard "Dick" Chapman of Larchmont won the 1939 NYS Amateur.

Jack Creavy of Tuckahoe, 1935 NYS Junior Amateur champion. He went on to win the NYS Senior in 1976.

1935 NYS Amateur Championship Pamphlet.

The 1940s

Pearl Harbor; FDR; Rationing; Audie Murphy; “It’s a Wonderful Life”; The Marshall Plan; The Gold Dust Twins

NYSGA Men’s Senior Amateur Championship

The N YSGA held a new event in 1940 in Syracuse focused on a rapidly increasing population of male golfers, age 50 and over (had since been increased to age 55) — the Men’s Senior Amateur Championship. The 1941 rendition was won by the first NYSGA president, Sherrill Sherman. Still actively engaged in NYSGA governance decades later, Sherman was the first to win as a sitting member of the executive committee, and it may have been the most celebrated. However, the decade belonged to Duane Tower, the manytime Niagara Falls club champion. Tower took home the statewide senior trophy in 1942 (Niagara Falls), 1944 (Lake Placid Club), 1945 (Oak Hill East), and in 1946 (Yahnundasis).

Effects of WWII

The 1940s started with war raging in Europe. With every passing month, expectation increased that the United States would be sucked into the chaos, which it was in December 1941. Like the Great Depression a decade before, sports became an afterthought. What mattered was getting our soldiers, sailors and airmen home from World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in an effort to salvage some normalcy, demanded that all sports continue play, despite an obvious shortfall of players. The USGA held its Open Championship in 1941, but then shuttered the event until 1946. The Masters was not played from 1943 to ’45. Focused as it was on the amateur game, the NYSGA continued play throughout the war years. However, the organization, led ably by veteran golf administrator Theodore Merseles of Siwanoy, made some adjustments. The Red Cross became the beneficiary of all NYSGA tournament entry net revenue, and each NYSGA club was encouraged to hold monthly Pearl Harbor tournaments, with proceeds going to the Red Cross. For efficiency’s sake and to eliminate barriers to play, the NYSGA often conducted the men’s, women’s and/or men’s senior amateurs simultaneously, most notably at the Lake Placid Club in 1943 and ’44.

The immediate effect of the NYSGA’s decision to stay active was positive. The 1942 NYSGA Board announced that the roster of New York clubs reached a record of 101.

Sam Urzetta accepts the Ganson Depew Cup from Duane Tower a er 1948 victory at Brook eld. Tower was NYSGA President from 1947 to 49.

Duane Tower of Niagara Falls, four-time winner of the NYS Senior Amateur. eodore Merseles, NYSGA President (1941–1944).

NYSGA Approach to Championship Play, 1941–45

Ray Billows and Willie Turnesa on the Walker Cup Team in 1949 at Winged Foot.

Virginia Guifoil of Syracuse and her parents. Her father, Oscar, was a NYSGA president from 1950 to 52.

Spectators heading to NYSGA championships at Lake Placid Club by horse-drawn carriage in 1943.

Willie Turnesa teeing o in 1938 U.S. Amateur nal vs. B. Patrick Abbott at Oakmont CC. He won both the State Am and U.S. Am that year.

Marjorie Harrison, two-time time winner of the NYS Women’s Amateur.

The 1940s

New York's Big Four

While the nation started noticing the quality of New York golfers on the national scene in the 1930s, it was in the 1940s that the question “Who is the best amateur golfer in the state?” became a contentious conversation. While several names could be considered (see Goodwin), four were really in contention: Ray Billows, Dick Chapman, Willie Turnesa and Sam Urzetta.

Billows, who worked for a printing company in Poughkeepsie, was the “everyman” champion, a player from humble means who somehow managed to carve out an amazingly rich — and national — resume over three decades. Amateur golf was the province of the affluent in those days. How Billows was able to not just keep up, but to thrive, is difficult to comprehend.

In the course of his journey, he played golf with Bob Jones and Byron Nelson, competed in two Masters, represented the U.S. on two Walker Cup squads (1938 at St. Andrews in Scotland and 1949 at Winged Foot) and was a finalist in three U.S. Amateurs (1937, ’39 and ‘48), unfortunately losing each. Oh, and he won a record seven NYSGA Men’s Amateur championships (1935, ’37, ’40, ’41, ’43, ’45, ’49).

Willie Turnesa, like Billows, was a New Yorker without a country club background and the youngest of seven brothers, all golf professionals, who pooled their resources to get him to Holy Cross. But they didn’t ask young Willie

A Five-Peat

Where the men had several strong players, the women needed only one. Ruth Torgerson, a lawyer from Garden City, established herself as New York State’s dominant woman golfer of the 1940s. Torgerson, who didn’t take up the game until 1928 when she was just out of her teens, soon became a local force. In 1934, she won her first of five Long Island Women’s Amateurs. Moving into the 1940s, Torgerson took the MGA’s Women’s Amateur three times. In 1949, she put on the Empire State’s unofficial triple crown, capturing the MGA, Long Island and NYSGA women’s titles all in one season.

Playing the kind of golf that made her New York’s most feared woman golfer, Torgerson claimed her first New York State

not to play. In the year he graduated from Holy Cross, 1938, Turnesa won the NYSGA State Amateur, held at Quaker Ridge, and later that year the U.S. Amateur at Oakmont in Pittsburgh.

After WWII, Turnesa captured his second U.S. Amateur in 1948 (besting Billows in the final) and the 1947 British Amateur over Dick Chapman. Turnesa served on three winning Walker Cup teams, 1947, ‘48 and ’51. More than a golfer, Turnesa served as president of both the MGA and the NYSGA and co-founded the Westchester Caddie Scholarship Fund.

Winged Foot’s Chapman was once described by Time magazine as the “Ben Hogan of amateur golf” for his extraordinary play. While Chapman won the 1939 NYSGA Amateur Championship at Siwanoy, he focused most of his competitive attention at the national level. Chapman earned an amateur record 19 Masters invitations and won an unmatched collection of national titles, including the British, French, Canadian and Italian amateurs.

Rochester’s Sam Urzetta played basketball at St. Bonaventure University in the late ‘40s, leading the nation in free-throw percentage. He was also a pretty good golfer. Urzetta won the 1948 NYSGA Amateur and, in 1950, took the U.S. Amateur over Frank Stranahan, generally considered the decade’s best amateur. Urzetta played on the 1951 and ’53 U.S. Walker Cup teams with fellow New Yorkers Chapman and Willie Turnesa before turning professional.

As it turned out, this was the start of a Golden Age of New York Amateur Golf, which would extend for at least another decade.

Women’s Amateur Championship title in 1946 at her home course, the Cherry Valley Club. She successfully defended in 1947 at Leewood, then followed that with three more consecutive NYSGA championship titles, compiling a “five-peat” that stands to this day as a NYSGA record.

Despite what could have been a “I have conquered this world, what’s next?”

Torgerson continued to compete well, finishing her NYSGA tour de force with the 1960 and ’61 Women’s State Senior championships.

Sam Urzetta of Rochester with the Havemeyer Trophy in 1950.

Willie Turnesa with the Havemeyer Trophy in 1948 a er defeating Ray Billows in an all-New York nal at Memphis CC.

Ruth Torgerson of Cherry Valley, ve-time winner of the NYS Women’s Amateur.

'40s Familiar Faces:

• In 1940 and 1942, Doug Ford won the NYS Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship at Sleepy Hollow and Briar Hills, respectively. Ford, from Harrison, would later turn professional and capture the 1955 PGA Championship and the 1957 Masters. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

• Leroy C. Crim of Binghamton, won the inaugural NYS Men’s Senior Amateur at Onondaga. One of the NYSGA’s most supportive clubs, the Syracuse club was the inaugural host of the following NYSGA championships: NYS Open (1928), Boys' Junior (1931), and Men’s Senior (1940).

• Virginia Guilfoil Allen of Syracuse claimed the 1941 Women’s Amateur title at Siwanoy CC. She was also the daughter of Oscar Guilfoil, who served as NYSGA President from 1950-52. During his presidency, the USGA complained about lack of cooperation and he headed a committee that brought the state body into line. For his efforts, he was awarded a gold medal.

• Dick Mayer, the 1947 NYSGA Men’s Amateur champion who became a Winged Foot professional, was a part of the 1954 U.S. Open drama at New Jersey’s Baltusrol. This first-ever televised USGA event found Mayer and Ed Furgol — who grew up in New York Mills — tied going into the 72nd hole. Mayer’s charitable double-bogey 7 handed Furgol his first and ultimately only major championship. He later came back to win the U.S. Open in 1957, when he beat defending champion Cary Middlecoff in an 18-hole playoff at Inverness to win his only major.

Doug Ford of Harrison, two-time winner of the NYS Junior Am.

Dick Mayer of White Plains, winner of the 1947 NYS Amateur.

The 1950s

Inchon Reservoir; “Some Like It Hot”; the McCarthy Hearings; “I Like Ike”; Arnold Palmer; the Interstate System; Yankees vs. Dodgers; Sputnik

Something in the Water

The 1951 Masters was notable for many things, including Ben Hogan’s impressive 8-under 280 winning score. Somewhere on that list of interesting facts would be the decidedly un-Southern accent sported by more than 10 percent of the participants hailing from New York.

One would expect former Masters champion Gene Sarazen (Harrison) to be there along with fellow touring pros Ed Furgol of Utica and Dick Mayer, representing Winged Foot. Winged Foot amateur Dick Chapman was, of course, on site, in the middle of his 19 Masters appearances.

The biggest block of Masters contestants from the Empire State came in as a result of the 1950 U.S. Amateur, held at Minneapolis. In the ’50s, the Masters extended invitations to quarterfinalists

from the previous year’s U.S. Amateur. In the 1950 U.S. Amateur, in an unprecedented show of strength from one state, Billy Shields of Albany received his invitation by virtue of his quarterfinal appearance. John Ward of Syracuse did Shields one better by making it into the semifinals. Then, Rochester’s Sam Urzetta captured the Havemeyer Trophy in an unlikely 39-hole final match over the most accomplished American amateur since Bob Jones, Frank Stranahan.

An impressive four New York amateur golfers had earned a reunion that following April in Augusta. The pimentocheese-and-grits crowd had to wonder what was in the water up North that got so many New Yorkers driving up Magnolia Lane.

Billy Shields NYS Amateur Finishes, 1951-55

Ed Furgol of Utica and Sam Urzetta of Rochester at the 1951 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills.

Sam Urzetta with the Havemeyer Trophy in 1950.

John Ward of Syracuse, 1941 NYS Junior champion and three-time NYS Amateur runner-up.

Not Quite a Three-Peat, Only Better

Later in 1951, building on the confidence that he had gained over the previous 12 months in the U.S. Amateur and the Masters, young Billy Shields started a glorious run at the NYSGA Amateur Championship. In 1951, at Elmsford’s Knollwood, Shields won the first of two consecutive State Am titles in a stacked field that included several former champions with national credentials, including Ray Billows, Tommy Goodwin and Willie Turnesa. Shields took home the trophy with a 4-&-3 win over Garden City’s Billy Edwards.

For the first time, reflecting the growing popularity of the event, the NYSGA held sectional qualifying to cut the field to 128 golfers for the main event at Wolferts Roost in Albany. Another great field made the cut, but Shields must have been salivating — Wolfert’s Roost was his home course. He delivered, with an impressive 6-&-5 victory over the inimitable, seven-time State Amateur champion, Ray Billows.

Shields had set the table for an unprecedented NYSGA Men’s Amateur three-peat in 1953 at Yahnundasis. His valiant effort fell just short when he lost on the last hole in the 36-hole final to Tommy Goodwin’s fourth and final State Am title.

After missing the 1954 event due to U.S. Navy service, Shields was not yet done. He made the 1955 NYSGA State Amateur at Jamestown’s Moon Brook. Facing the persistent Goodwin in the finals again, Billy exacted some revenge for his ’53 loss in an excruciating 36-hole, 1-up final win. Proving his mettle, Shields had won the NYSGA Men’s State Amateur in 1951, ‘52 and ’55, while losing in the final to Goodwin in ’53. In four events, Shields compiled a glittering 27-1 match-play record.

Published: July 10, 1955

Copyright © The New York Times

Billy Shields of Albany, three-time NYS Amateur champion.

Billy Shields (le ) and Tommy Goodwin with trophies a er the 1955 NYS Amateur championship match at Moon Brook. ey faced each other twice in the state nals.

The 1950s Two New Championships

Golf continued to grow during the 1950s, and the NYSGA responded, bringing on line two more state championships.

In 1953, the inaugural NYS Women’s Senior Championship was held at the Cherry Valley Club in Garden City and won by Mrs. Van DeVanter Crisp of Locust Valley. The event’s gold standard was set early by Mrs. Jerome Herbert of Purchase, who was victorious in 1955 (Knollwood), ’56 (Cortland) and ‘57 (Old Oaks), to become the first of three such consecutive winners of the event. Jean Trainor of Rochester managed two hat tricks in her staggering nine total wins, while Frances Stearns, Poughkeepsie, dominated in 1984, ’85, and ’86.

In 1957, to encourage more young boys to compete statewide at a younger age,

the NYSGA made changes to its junior championship format. First, the New York State Boys’ Junior, which had started in 1931 with an upper age limit of 21, lowered the age limit to 18, which was more in line with the USGA and did not conflict with the growing college competitive calendar.

Then the NYSGA started the New York State Boys’ Sub-Junior that year. Initially set for boys 15 and under, today the oldest competitors must be no older than 14. The Boys’ 14-Under Junior Championship has identified early on some future New York State stars, including Terry Diehl (1964), Joey Sindelar (1971), Dominic Bozzelli (2005), Yaroslav Merklov (2006) and Luke Sample (2017).

Frances Stearns of Poughkeepsie with former NYSGA Executive Director Tom Reidy.

Terry Diehl (second from the le ) winning the 1964 NYS Boys’ Sub-Junior at Cornell.

John Konsek of Bu alo, three-time NYS Amateur winner and 1954 Junior champion.

BELOW: Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle, July 1959.

'50s Familiar Faces:

• Margaret Nevil of Cooperstown approached Ruth Torgerson’s NYSGA Women’s Amateur Championship record of five straight titles (1946-’50) by capturing the event four times in five years: 1958, ’59, ’60 and ’62. She later added the NYSGA Women’s Senior Amateur trophy to her collection with a win in 1979.

• The first State Men’s Amateur Championship held in the Southern Tier was captured by local favorite Mike Dudik in 1950 at Binghamton. He won 1 up on the 37th hole over 1949 Long Island Am champion Lloyd Ribner of Metropolis.

• Larchmont’s Joe Gagliardi, at age 44, became New York’s oldest Men’s Amateur victor with his 1956 win at Dutchess.

Mike Dudik of Endicott, winner of 1950 NYS Amateur.

LEFT: John Ward (le ) and Joe Gagliardi of Larchmont before 1956 NYS Amateur nale at Dutchess G&CC.

John Konsek, shown putting, beat Ward Wettlaufer in an all-Bu alo 1959 NYS Amateur nal at Troy.

Ruth Torgerson of Cherry Valley holds the record for most NYS Women's Amateur titles with ve consecutive.

The 1960s

The Beatles; JFK/RFK/MLK; “Easy Rider;” Jack Nicklaus; the Super Bowl; the Apollo Program

Big Three of Men's Amateur

The N YSGA Men’s Amateur in the 1960s was primarily a tale of three golfers whose exploits spanned the decade: John Konsek, Don Allen and William Tryon.

John Konsek, the 1957 NYSGA Boys’ Junior Amateur champion from Buffalo, was the first golfer to record three consecutive Men’s State Amateur wins with victories in 1958 at Yahnundasis, 1959 at Troy, and 1960 at Locust Hill in Rochester. At Yahnundasis, an 18-year-old Konsek bested 37-year-old John Ward, 4 & 2. A New York State Amateur runner-up in 1949 ’56 and ’58, Ward was a veteran of national-level campaigns who later became president of the NYSGA.

Konsek’s second win came at the expense of Buffalo’s Ward Wettlaufer, a player like so many in New York with national credentials. Wettlaufer would capture the Porter Cup, Eastern Amateur and North and South Amateur championships, played on the victorious 1959 Walker Cup squad and may be the finest contestant to never win the State Amateur. Konsek, the reigning Big 10 champion from Purdue, dispatched Wettlaufer, 4 & 3.

In 1960, Konsek made NYSGA history and captured his third straight State Am in another all-Buffalo final, this time against Edwin Kaczor.

Only one finals match kept the Konsek train from moving forward. This time, the year was 1961, and Konsek’s barrier was Don Allen, an insurance executive from Rochester. Allen won and — in just a few short years — would go on to twice challenge Konsek’s consecutive-wins record.

With victories in 1961, ’63, ’64, ‘70, ’72 and ’73, Allen would emerge as second only to seven-time champion Ray Billows in State Men’s Amateur triumphs. After failing to successfully defend in 1962 in the final against former Princeton football

player Bill Tryon, Allen got back on the winning track in 1963 with a 7-&-6 win at Knollwood against Richard Rooney of Clinton.

Allen successfully defended in 1964 over Schenectady’s Ed O’Keefe at Leatherstocking in Cooperstown. Allen made the final again the following year against his nemesis, Bill Tryon, reaching the championship finals over an astounding five consecutive years (1961-65).

Yet again it was Tryon who foiled Allen’s run for three championships in a row. In a tense battle that came down to the 36th hole. Allen had a 20-inch putt to win the match, but “jerked his putt within inches,” according to one sobering account, and ended up losing on the 38th hole. While hard to imagine for someone who played on two Walker Cup teams and in three Masters, the miss may have expressed the pressure that John Konsek’s three-in-a-row performance held over Allen.

Tryon would win the 1968 State Amateur at Yahnundasis in a finals match with O’Keefe, the 1964 finalist from Mohawk in Schenectady. O’Keefe presented little resistance to Tryon, losing 7 & 6 and handing the champion his third State Amateur title in seven years.

1960-69 NYS Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1960 Locust Hill CC John Konsek, Buffalo

1961 Onondaga G&CC Don Allen, Rochester

1962 Glens Falls CC William Tryon, Elmira

1963 Knollwood CC Don Allen, Rochester

1964 Leatherstocking GC Don Allen, Rochester

1965 Lancaster CC William Tryon, Elmira

1966 The Concord Nick Raasch, Syracuse

1967 Nassau CC John Baldwin, Plandome

1968 Yahnundasis GC William Tryon, Elmira

1969 Elmira CC Terry Diehl, Rochester

Don Allen of Rochester, ve-time winner of the NYS Amateur.

Bill Tryon accepts Men’s Am Trophy from the NYSGA’s Ron Brownell at Yahnundasis in 1968. It was Tryon's third title.

Star-Gazette (Elmira, New York) ·

Clipped By: dan464 Thu, Oct 15, 2020

Ray Billows (le ) with fellow Dutchess member Bill Bogle of Poughkeepsie. Bogle was NYSGA President from 1975 to '76, and won the NYS Senior in 1979 to '80. Syracuse Post-Standard, July 1961.

Elmira Star-Gazette, July 1966.

Elmira Star-Gazette, July 1968.

The 1960s New York Girls' Junior Debut

By 1963, the NYSGA had recognized the need to conduct a championship for the state’s growing population of girl golfers. Following the basic template provided by the Boys’ Junior Championship, the NYSGA scheduled its first Girls’ Junior at Monroe in Rochester for girls aged 18 and younger.

Several events validated the NYSGA’s initiative. Gail Sykes, the 1964 champion, won the 1965 USGA Junior Girls Championship in Colorado. Just two years later Doll Story not only won her second NYSGA Girls’ Junior, she also won the USGA Junior Girls

Championship, this time in California. Perhaps more than coincidentally, both Sykes and Story were pupils of PGA professional Tom Creavy, one of the state’s top instructors. Soon thereafter, New York products Cathy Morse and Mary Lawrence were both USGA Girls Junior runners-up in 1972 and ’73, respectively, stamping a distinct New York State flavor on the national girls’ golf scene.

The 1965 champion at Teugega was Debbie Austin from Oneida. Austin played later on the LPGA, winning seven tournaments, including five in 1977. She was named that year’s LPGA Player of the Year.

1963-69 NYS Girls' Junior Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1963 Monroe GC Carolyn Ploysa, Lancaster

1964 Lakeshore Y&CC Gail Sykes, Ballston Spa

1965 Teugega CC Debbie Austin, Oneida

1966 Stafford CC Doll Story, Clayville

1967 Seven Oaks GC Doll Story, Clayville

1968 Drumlins CC (East) Wendy Hodgson, McConnellsville

1969 Antlers CC Sara Jane Stuhler, Amsterdam

Gail Sykes of Ballston Spa with the U.S. Girls’ Junior trophy in 1965.

Elizabeth “Doll” Story of Clayville with the U.S. Girls’ Junior trophy in 1967. Also pictured at right.

Diehl Hits Trifecta

Rochester native Terry Diehl, born in 1949, became the first player in history to capture the New York State Boys’ Amateur (1964, Cornell University GC), Junior Amateur (1966, Moon Brook) and Men’s Amateur (1969, Elmira). His State Amateur championship came the same year he was named an NCAA All-American at the University of Georgia.

Diehl turned professional in 1971, claiming 20 top-10 finishes in PGA Tour events.

Throughout the past 100 years, the only other two golfers to accomplish this trifecta were also standouts from the Rochester area: Dominic Bozzelli (2005, 2007 and 2011-12) and Yaroslav Merkulov (2006, 200809 and 2009).

'60s Familiar Faces:

• In 1966, Syracuse’s 17-year-old Nick Raasch became the youngest-ever victor in the Men’s State Amateur, held at The Concord Course.

• In 1967, Plandome’s John Baldwin captured the NYS Amateur, Long Island Amateur and Metropolitan Amateur championships, a triple crown that has never been matched.

• Ballston Spa native Ronald Philo Sr. won both NYS Junior titles, with the SubJunior in 1961 at CC of Troy, then the Boys’ Junior the following year in 1962 at Niagara Falls.

Terry Diehl of Rochester was the rst to win the NYS Sub-Jr., Junior and Men’s Am when he accomplished the feat in the 1960s.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, August 1969.

Nick Raasch of Syracuse, 1966 NYS Amateur and 1965 Junior champion.

John Baldwin captured the 1991 Mid-Am and 2001 Senior titles decades a er winning the NYS Amateur in 1967.

The 1970s

Watergate; “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid;” Billy Joel; “All in the Family;” Gas Lines; Nicklaus and Watson; The Pittsburgh Steelers Winds of Change

Terry Diehl’s victory in 1969 was the last NYSGA Men’s State Amateur Championship conducted in match play. In 1970, the format changed to 72 holes of stroke play, with 144 players cut to 70 at the end of 36 holes. The change from match play to stroke play for championship events like this was common throughout the country. Notably, stroke play was what viewers saw on their televisions every week and, increasingly, their concept of how to determine the best golfer. More pertinently to New York, the adjustment was

1970-79 NYS Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1970 Locust Hill CC Don Allen, Rochester

1971 Cavalry Club Mike Slipko, Niagara Falls

1972 Dutchess G&CC Don Allen, Rochester

1973 The Concord Course Don Allen, Rochester

1974 Wayne Hills CC George Burns, Jericho

1975 Bellevue CC Alan Foster, Syracuse

1976 Grossinger's CC Radford Yaun, Liberty

1977 Albany CC Rich Serian, Troy

1978 Moon Brook CC Jeff Sluman, Rochester

1979 Drumlins CC (East) Mark Balen, Lackawanna

Don Allen

One thing did not change as a result of the Men’s State Amateur format. The same Don Allen who won three times in match play in the first half of the 1960s proved his mastery of golf with three wins in stroke play in 1970, ’72 and ’73.

A self-effacing insurance executive and lifelong Rochester resident, Allen proved to be a national treasure. In addition to his six men’s State Amateur titles, Allen represented the U.S. on two Walker Cup teams

made largely to accommodate the requests from host clubs and their members for a more compact format that would not tie up weekends.

On the revenue side, the format change encouraged higher player aspirations and tournament entries.

The qualities lost in the move — for example, the intimacy of a smaller field and the nuances of match play — were more than offset with a growth in players, revenue and the good will of host clubs.

(1965, ’67), played in the Masters three times (1965, ’66, ’67) and competed in 23 U.S. Amateurs.

Statewide, Allen won the NYSGA Mid-Amateur Championship in 1985 and 1987. In 1994, 1996, and 1997, Allen won the NYSGA Men’s Senior Amateur Championship. His competitive display over almost 40 years of amateur golf is without peer in New York. In his induction into the NYSGA Hall of Fame in 2012, Allen was also named “NYSGA Golfer Of The Century.”

Don Allen with Masters invitation in 1965.

Jeff Sluman of Greece (Rochester) sank a 40-foot putt to win the 1978 NYS Amateur at Moon Brook.

Don Allen and family with Ganson Depew Cup (Men’s Am), 1973.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, July 1978.

The 1970s Women's Senior Amateur Moves to Adirondacks

Tak ing up the northern quarter of the state’s square mileage, New York’s Adirondack region boasts inordinate opportunities for excellent golf in its few months of warm weather. The NYSGA recognized and embraced this concept wholeheartedly, conducting each Women’s Senior Championship of the decade within the region at either the Whiteface Club or the Lake Placid Club in the Olympic town of Lake Placid.

In fact, the event was held in Lake Placid from 1969 to 1979. In the 70 years of the Women’s Senior Amateur, the Lake Placid Club has hosted the event four times and The Whiteface Club a whopping 14 times.

The ’70s encampment at these clubs was good for the event, with champions emerging from outside the region — one with a particular flair. Future NYSGA Hall of Famer Jean Trainor from Rochester continued an unmatched dominance in senior golf, winning seven of her nine Senior Women’s Amateurs (1968-69, '71, '76-78, '81-83) at the Lake Placid venues.

1970-79 NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1970 The Whiteface Club Virginia Allen, Syracuse

1971 The Whiteface Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1972 The Whiteface Club Nancy Rutter, Buffalo

1973 The Whiteface Club Anne Coupe, Rochester

1974 The Whiteface Club Anne Coupe, Rochester

1975 The Whiteface Club Virginia Allen, Syracuse

1976 The Whiteface Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1977 Lake Placid Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1978 Lake Placid Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1979 The Whiteface Club Margaret Nevil, Cooperstown

Jean Trainor of Rochester, seven-time winner of the NYS Women’s Senior. e trophy, a silver platter, was retired in her honor at the CC of Rochester in the 1990s.

A young Jean Trainor swinging, 1930s.

Anne Coupe of Rochester, four-time winner of the NYS Women’s Senior, served on the NYSGA committee. e current state Women’s Senior trophy is named in her honor.

Anne Coupe — An Extraordinary

Four-time winner of the NYS Women’s Senior Amateur (1965, ‘68, ‘73, and ‘74) had expressed just a few years before those victories that she “. . . hated golf and had always played tennis . . . I would never take up the game.” But, in response to a bet proposed by her husband, she tried the game, liked what she saw and decided to see how good she could get. After just a few years of learning the game, Coupe won her first senior tournament, the 1965 Senior Women’s Am.

'70s Familiar Faces:

Continuing a strong Empire State showing in the USGA Junior Girls Amateur, Cathy Morse and Mary Lawrence finished runner up in consecutive years, 1972 and ’73.

Joey Sindelar, a future PGA Tour star, was 13 years old when he won the 1971 NYS Boys’ Sub-Junior Amateur Championship at Seven Oaks.

Seven-time NYSGA Men’s Amateur champ Ray Billows captured his final NYSGA event at the 1974 Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at Grossinger’s, his eighth and final NYSGA title in an amazing career.

Jeff Sluman, the 1988 PGA champion, captured the NYSGA State Amateur at Jamestown’s Moon Brook. Four shots back heading into the final round, a 20-year-old Sluman posted a 68 to win by three.

East Aurora’s Mark Balen won the 1973 Boys’ Junior at Soaring Eagles GC, and then the 1979 Men’s Amateur at Drumlins East.

Life

Her late-in-life success at golf turned out to be just one amazing story in Coupe’s amazing life, most of which centered on her athletic exploits. These included being a part of national level competition in curling, but only after setting collegiate records in swimming, playing varsity tennis and winning state golf titles.

Coupe later served on the board of the NYSGA, bringing to bear the perspective of a multisport athlete.

Star-Gazette(Elmira,NewYork)·13Aug1971,Fri·Page2

Mary Lawrence (right) of Canton was a U.S. Girls’ Junior runner-up to Amy Alcott (le ) in 1973. Lawrence captured the NYS Girls’ Junior title in 1973-74, and then a State Amateur title in 1977.

Ray Billows (second from le ) receiving the Bill Stark Bowl a er winning the 1974 NYS Senior, his nal New York State title.

Elmira Star-Gazette, August 1971.

The 1980s

Sally Ride; Pac-Man; Berlin Wall; “The Simpsons”; the 1986 Masters; Ronald Reagan, Sandra Day O’Connor; Microsoft Word

Professional Aspirations

Asignificant change in the makeup of the top players in the NYSGA emerged in the late 1970s then hit flank speed in the 1980s. Until then, only a handful of State Men’s Amateur champions— for example, Sam Urzetta (1948), Terry Diehl (1969), George Burns (1974) — made their way to the professional ranks, either as club professionals or as PGA touring professionals. Television, Arnold Palmer and improved access to the game increased the game’s and the golf professional’s life appeal.

In the 1980s, of the nine different NYSGA Men’s State Amateur champions, six turned professional, including Joey Sindelar (1980) and Tim Straub (1987, ’88). Already in the PGA ranks were former champs George Burns (1974) and Jeff Sluman (1978).

Sindelar won six PGA Tour events in the decade, while Hulbert took three titles. But it was Sluman who captured the major, the PGA Championship, in 1988. Jeff was to achieve greater success in the ‘90s when he became New York’s leading money winner, eclipsing $7 million.

It wasn’t just the folks winning the gold medal who were turning pro. Joey Sindelar, the 1980 champ, was joined on the PGA Tour by his Horseheads buddy, Mike Hulbert, who lost the state title in 1979 in a playoff.

Wayne Levi of Herkimer, who played in NYSGA events from 1971-72 while attending Oswego State, turned professional in 1973. He made his way through the mini-tours, eventually earning his PGA Tour card in 1977. Levi won 12 tournaments on the PGA Tour and was named the tour’s Player of the Year in 1990, when he triumphed four times. Levi was the first NYSGA alumnus to take home more than $1 million in a single season.

The women’s game was not immune to the lure of the tour. Future NYSGA Hall of Famer Dottie Pepper from Saratoga Springs won both the New York State Girls’ Junior and Women’s Amateur Championships in 1981, when she was only 15. The only female player to accomplish that dual victory, Pepper earned a golf scholarship to Furman University, where she became an All-American. She then joined the LPGA and became New York’s most decorated woman professional golfer, with 17 tour wins, including two LPGA majors.

Mary Anne Widman was Pepper’s successor in the Women’s Amateur in 1982 and ’83. A three time All-American at Duke University, member of the U.S. Curtis Cup squad and considered the country’s top amateur, Widman turned professional and earned non-exempt status on the LPGA in 1985 through qualifying school. She played on the Futures Tour in 1986 and ’87.

By the 1980s, players who had cut their competitive teeth on NYSGA competition were extending their influence beyond the amateur ranks onto the world’s most competitive golf arenas.

Joey Sindelar of Horseheads hoisting the Ganson Depew Cup in 1980.

Jim Roy of Syracuse, 1981 NYS Amateur champion and four-time Mid-Am champion.

1980-89 NYS Amateur Champions

Year Winner Turned Professional?

1980 Joey Sindelar, Horseheads Yes

1981 Jim Roy, Syracuse Yes

1982 David Boeff, Ontario Yes

1983 William Boland Jr., Troy No

1984 George Zahringer, Sands Point No

1985 Christopher Lane, Binghamton No

1986 Jay Gunning, Colonie Yes

1987 Tim Straub, East Aurora Yes

1988 Tim Straub, East Aurora Yes

1989 Tim Marsh, Endicott Yes

Dottie Pepper of Gansevoort (Saratoga) is the only player to capture the NYS Girls’ Junior and Women’s Am title in the same year. She claimed both in 1981 at the age of 15. She is pictured here with longtime NYSGA committee member Betty Deeley.

George Zahringer of Sands Point, who claimed the 1984 NYS Amateur at Troy.

Mary Anne Widman (Levins) of Elmira, winner of the 1982 NYS Women’s Am.

The 1980s

Mid-Am — An Innovative Solution

By the 1980s and throughout the country, a dissonance emerged in top-level men’s amateur golf. More and more, the names on championship trophies were those of college golfers who spent considerable time every week working on their game, then testing it often under the crucible of intense competition. The amateur who was past his mid-20s typically had to squeeze practice and competitive golf into a schedule that included a full-time job and family life. The golfer who played simply for the love of the game found himself at a distinct competitive disadvantage.

In 1981, the USGA created its Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship for post-college golfers who were not pursuing golf as a career. The NYSGA followed suit, establishing the State Mid-Amateur Championship in 1984, its first new championship in two decades.

Immediately setting a tone that evoked memories of NYSGA mid-century championships, the Mid-Am gained acceptance among the slightly grayer, slightly huskier, over-25 set. The 1984 NYSGA Mid-Am was played at Glens Falls and won by Albany’s Charles Murphy.

The following year, a familiar name topped the leaderboard — Don Allen. Rochester's most prolific amateur, captured the Mid-Am in both 1985 at Drumlins (East) and 1987 at his beloved CC of Rochester. Allen’s embrace of the Mid-Am sealed the deal, making the event one of the NYSGA’s most popular events.

1984-94 NYS Mid-Am Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1984 Glens Falls CC Charles Murphy, Albany

1985 Drumlins CC (East) Don Allen, Rochester

1986 Crag Burn GC Ken Andrychuk, Clifton Springs

1987 CC of Rochester Don Allen, Rochester

1988 Wolferts Roost CC Bruce Aubin, Poughkeepsie

1989 Bellevue CC Tom Flynn, Syracuse

1990 Dutchess G&CC Steve Nosonowitz, Poughkeepsie

1991 Brookfield CC John Baldwin, New York City

1992 Bristol Harbour GC Alan Foster, Manlius

1993 McGregor Links CC Cliff Earle, Saratoga Springs

1994 Wayne Hills CC David Benedict, Rochester

Charles Murphy of Albany, winner of the inaugural NYS Mid-Amateur in 1984 at Glens Falls.

Two National Champions Going at It 1

988 was a special year in New York golf. That was the last year that two players who had national championships on their resumes faced off in the final round of the NYSGA Men’s Amateur at Yahnundasis.

Ralph Howe, a left-hander from Long Island, was the reigning U.S. Public Links champion, a quarterfinalist in the British Amateur, and the Middle Atlantic Amateur titleist. His stated goal for the year was to earn an invitation to compete in The Masters the following year. His 1988 U.S. Public Links title, won in Wyoming the week before the State Am, just about ensured the invite.

Howe’s biggest threat was Tim Straub, the defending 1987 NYSGA Men’s Amateur Champion who had the 1983 U.S. Junior Amateur title under his belt. He was an Arnold Palmer Scholarship recipient at Wake Forest University and the top player on one of the top squads in the NCAA.

The two obviously brilliant players were at their playing peaks. In fact, Straub and Howe had finished 1-2 respectively in the State Am in 1987. Straub prevailed again in 1988, winning on the first playoff hole after the two finished on top at 290, six-over par on the alwaystough Yahnundasis.

'80s Familiar Faces:

• Of the 10 State Senior Amateur Championships in the 1980s, only four didn’t have the last name “Hoff” or “Perkins.” Bob Hoff won the NYSGA Men’s Senior Championship in 1982, ’84 and ’87. Brother Jack Hoff crashed the party in 1986, giving the two, playing out of Rochester’s Oak Hill, the event’s only sibling, consecutive-year champions. Gerald Perkins, from LeRoy and playing out of Stafford, won four championships, the first two in 1988 and ’89 and then two more ‘91 and ‘92.

• George Zahringer was the most notable exception to the amateur-to-pro pipeline that emerged among the 1980s NYSGA Amateur champions. The 1984 winner from Sands Point is one our region’s most decorated amateur golfers. In addition to the State Am, the stockbroker won one Metropolitan Open, five Metropolitan Amateurs and – at the national level – won the 2002 U.S. Mid-Am Championship and a spot on the 2003 U.S. Walker Cup team.

• Bill Bogle of Dutchess, a past NYSGA president, won three Senior Amateur championships in 1979, 1980 and 1983.

• E.J. Pfister of East Aurora, winner of the 1980 NYSGA Boys’ SubJunior championship, captured the 1988 individual NCAA Division I championship playing for Oklahoma State.

• Skaneateles’ Tom Scherrer gave notice for great things to come when he won the 1986 NYSGA Boy’s Junior Amateur at Winding Brook. Scherrer went on to play for the University of North Carolina. His superb play in the national amateur ranks (including a win at the 1990 North and South Amateur) earned Scherrer a spot on the 1991 Walker Cup squad. He validated that selection as a finalist in the 1992 U.S. Amateur Championship. After turning professional, Scherrer won the 2000 Kemper Open on the PGA Tour along with three Nationwide Tour events.

Tim Straub of East Aurora (le ) with Ralph Howe III (right) of Long Island before NYS Amateur nal in 1987.

Straub accepts the U.S. Junior Amateur trophy in 1983 at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, Pa.

E.J. P ster of East Aurora, winner of the 1980 NYS Sub-Junior.

Tom Scherrer of Skaneateles (right), winner of the 1986 NYS Junior Amateur at Winding Brook.

The 1990s

World Wide Web; O.J. and the Bronco; “Hello, World!”; Dot.com bubble; Y2K

Delancy (Lancy) Smith

Buffalo native and longtime Park Club member Lancy Smith compiled two hot streaks decades apart as a NYSGA competitor with a total of seven state championships. Winning her first Women’s state Amateur Championship in 1966 at age 18, Smith went on to take home the trophy again in 1968 and 1970. Almost 30 years later, Smith started her second championship blitz when she captured the first of four NYSGA Women's Senior Ams in five years: 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002.

Smith’s impact wasn’t confined to New York, with several appearances on the national scene. The former dental technician won the 1974 Women’s Western Amateur and Women’s Eastern Amateur (1970, ’71, ‘73, ’74) championships. Coupled with her participation in numerous USGA events, Smith was recognized by Golf Digest magazine as one of the top ten U.S. amateurs a dozen years from 1970 to 1984 — taking the top spot in 1980.

One of the most important parts of Smith’s competitive life was her extensive involvement with the Curtis Cup competition, the biennial set of matches between the best women amateurs representing the United States a team from Great Britain and Ireland. Smith was a starting member of five Curtis Cup squads (1972, ’76, ’78, ’80 and ’82) and an alternate on four more.

With Smith’s selection as captain of the 1994 U.S. team, she joined Willie Turnesa, Walker Cup playing captain in 1951, as the two New Yorkers who captained our country’s most important international amateur teams.

Parity Reigns at Men’s Amateur

For the first time in its history, the NYSGA Men’s State Amateur Championship had ten different winners in a full decade. Often taken as a sign of good health in the sporting world, no single player dominated the state’s most important amateur event.

The move in 1992 from a medal-play, 72-hole event to a match-play finish may have been a big reason for the lack of one or two players rising above the field. The new format actually depended on medal play in local qualifying to identify the 144-player field, then again on site to determine the low 32 qualifiers who would then commence match play. More potential potholes coupled with the typically unpredictable nature of match-play golf may explain the many different eventual winners.

In 1994, however, one family definitely was in control of the proceedings. At Victor’s Cobblestone Creek, David and Paul Bonacchi, brothers from East Rochester, made their way into the final, the first such all-in-the-family final in NYSGA history.

With four of the brothers’ eight early matches taking them to at least the 17th hole, the journey was anything but easy. But in the final, David, a career East Rochester policeman, took charge of the 36-hole, brotherly squabble with a solid 3-&-2 victory. David, 39 at the time of his only NYSGA championship victory, went on to become a two-term mayor of East Rochester.

TO THE LEFT:

Lancy Smith was a member of ve Curtis Cup teams in the 1970s and ‘80s, and was selected to be the captain in 1994.

ABOVE: Lancy Smith of Williamsville with the Women’s Senior trophy in 2002 at Shorewood.

Brothers David (le ) and Paul Bonacchi before 1994 NYS Amateur nal match at Cobblestone Creek.

Our 75th Anniversary

In 1998, the NYSGA took a moment to commemorate its 75th anniversary at Yahnundasis, during the NYS Mid-Am, won by a top player at the club in New Hartford, Luke Hobika. Sharing prime real estate behind the ninth green and the club’s League of the Iroquois totem pole, a boulder and plaque were dedicated to note the founding of the organization in 1923 at that club. Not lost on any of the attendees was the vital role Yahnundasis has played in the growth of the NYSGA and golf in the Empire State. Besides the ten Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships hosted by the club, Yahnundasis supplied the association’s first president, Sherrill Sherman, and has provided counsel and support for every important decision. A stronger relationship would be hard to imagine.

1990-99 NYS Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1990 Albany CC Joe Wilson, Rochester

1991 Brook-Lea CC Leonard Lasinsky, Syracuse

1992 Drumlins CC (East) Todd Dischinger, Syracuse

1993 Seven Oaks GC Jeffrey Peck, Clifton

1994 Cobblestone Creek David Bonacchi, Rochester

1995 Moon Brook CC Dirk Ayers, Jamestown

1996 Links at Hiawatha GC Michael Valicenti, Elmira

1997 Dutchess G&CC Greg Rohlf, New Rochelle

1998 Pinehaven CC Bryan Smith, Kingston

1999 Wanakah CC John Gaffney, Buffalo

A boulder and plaque was presented to Yahnundasis during the NYSGA’s 75th anniversary celebration in 1998.

Luke Hobika, two-time NYS Mid-Am winner, claimed his rst title at his home course in 1998 and then his second almost two decades later in 2015 at Wolferts Roost.

The 1990s Super Seniors

In 1996, the NYSGA Men’s Super Seniors Championship debuted. The latest in a abundance of new championships practically every decade of the NYSGA’s existence, the Super Seniors reflected the importance of a growing demographic within New York golf — the player over 65 years of age. A proof-of-principle event, the men’s version was followed in 2007 by the first NYSGA Women’s SuperSenior Championship. Both events are experiencing excellent participation.

In its second year, the Super Senior crowned a familiar name. When Bob Hoff, who won the NYSGA Men’s Senior three times (1982, ’84, ’87), came out on top at the Cedar Lake Club in Utica, he became the first winner of both the association’s Senior, Super Senior championships.

Then, in 1998, Hank Malfa of Mamaroneck won the first two legs of his three-peat, with wins at Midvale and Stafford. Malfa would complete the job the following year with his win at McConnellsville.

1996-2000 NYS Men’s Super Senior Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1996 Westwood CC Bob Lindahl, Cortland

1997 Cedar Lake CC Robert Hoff, Rochester

1998 Midvale CC Hank Malfa, Mamaroneck

1999 Stafford CC Hank Malfa, Mamaroneck

2000 McConnellsville GC Hank Malfa, Mamaroneck

Alan Foster won the NYS Super Senior in 2009 at Stafford, completing his sweep of individual NYSGA titles (Amateur, Mid-Amateur, Senior, Super Senior).

Hank Malfa of Mamaroneck (le ) won three consecutive NYS Super Senior titles from 1998 to 2000. He is pictured with former NYSGA Executive Director Pat Keenan.

ABOVE AND TOP LEFT: Moira Dunn of Utica, three-time winner of the NYS Women's Am.

CENTER LEFT: Nannette Hill of Pelham Manor, three-time winner of the NYS Girls' Junior.

BOTTOM LEFT: Don Allen wasn’t dominant only in the Amateur, he also won three Senior titles from 1994 to '97.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Meaghan Francella of Rye won NYS Girls’ Junior titles in 1998-99 while she was still in middle school.

'90s Familiar Faces:

Moira Dunn, a national-level amateur and eventual LPGA tour member from Utica, captured three straight Women’s State Amateur Championships in 1992, ’93 and ’94. These wins validated her 1989 New York State Junior Girls Championship promise. The Florida International AllAmerican turned pro in 1994.

Belying the usual difficulty of winning junior golf championships over two years — much less three — Kerri Murphy of Amsterdam carted off three State Girls Junior Amateur Championship trophies beginning in 1993, her 6-&-5 victory in her first win being the event's largest margin. Not to be outdone, Nannette Hill from Pelham Manor won three straight championships from 2000 to 2002.

Don Allen won three NYSGA Men’s Senior Championships in four years 1994, ’96 and ‘97. Allen’s final win at the Cedar Lake Club in 1997 was his record 11th NYSGA title in his distinguished playing career.

• A big decade for New York girls junior golf, the 1990s also saw the emergence of Rye’s Meaghan Francella, who won State Girls Junior Amateur Championships in 1998 and 1999. What made Meaghan particularly special was that she was still in junior high school. She became the NYSGA’s youngest champion at age 13 when she won in 1998 at Vestal Hills.

The 2000s

9/11; The Tiger Slam; Global Financial Crisis; Super Bowl XLII; Harry Potter; Kobe’s 81 Departed Too Soon

New York’s golf community was shaken in early 2014 with the news that Danielle Downey, a three-time NYSGA Women's Amateur champion, passed away in a traffic accident in Alabama.

A remarkable athlete from Spencerport, Downey scored 1,000 points on her high school basketball team and competed on the boys’ golf team. She earned a golf scholarship to Auburn University, where she was a three time All-American and four-time all-SEC selection. Downey won the 2000 SEC Championship and led Auburn to SEC team championships in 2000 and 2003.

She won three straight Women's Ams in 1999, 2000 and ‘01. Following her sterling collegiate career, Downey turned professional, playing initially on the Futures Tour, then graduating to the LPGA Tour in 2006, where she competed for four years.

Downey with fellow Rochesterian Christy Rittenhouse (Schultz) in 2001 at Cortland CC.

Downey with Meaghan Francella of Rye (right) and NYSGA’s Betty Deeley before 2001 Women’s Am nal. Downey and Francella played collegiate golf for Auburn.

Danielle Downey of Rochester, three-time NYS Women’s Amateur champion.

NYSGA Amateur Series Takes Flight

The N YSGA’s original 1923 charter was focused on conducting a men’s amateur state championship. In keeping with the times, little to no attention was given to identifying a women’s or junior champion or even New York’s best professional golfer. And the idea of encouraging competition among the great unwashed higher handicap golfers from which all those champions would emerge was never even considered! Happily, times (and golf) have evolved, and the picture is completely different. A consistent premiere of new NYSGA events commenced almost right away,

starting with the State Open (1928), the Women’s State Amateur (1930), the Boys Junior (1931), the Senior Men’s (1940) and Women’s (1953) Championships. The drum roll continues to this day. The NYSGA now conducts 19 state championships every year. Then, in 2006, the NYSGA held its first State Day event, which was open to all NYSGA golfers, regardless of gender and skill level.

Today, the most popular NYSGA event is the Amateur Series, open to all NYSGA members, regardless of their championship aspirations. Averaging

about 20 single-day events throughout New York, the Amateur Series provides the higher-handicap golfer the opportunity to compete against peers at a similar skill level. The events are held at many of New York’s top courses (including premier private clubs) and are played in competitive, both net and gross, formats.

The result is about as far evolved as possible from 1923’s exclusive, limited mission. Today’s inclusive NYSGA events help golfers from all over the state enjoy the experience of competition and camaraderie that only golf can offer.

The 2000s

Christy (Rittenhouse) Schultz of Rochester with NYS Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur trophies. 2004, 2022.

Christy Schultz’s Trophy-Case

The first NYSGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship was held in 2009 at Drumlins (East), roughly a decade after the first comparable men’s event. Rochester’s Christy (Rittenhouse) Schultz quickly claimed the event as hers by taking home the trophy in 2009 and 2010. In fact, Schultz captured five state titles in six years, having already won the NYSGA Women’s Amateur in 2004, 2007 and 2008. For the cherry on top, Schultz waited more than a decade to win her third and fourth Mid-Ams in 2021 and 2022, first at Teugega. Then, in 2022,

Christy Schultz's NYS Titles

Problem

Schultz successfully defended her title at McGregor Links.

When combined with her wins in the Girls’ Junior in 1996 and 1997, Schultz holds a women’s record nine combined NYSGA championship titles (Jean Trainor claimed nine Women’s Senior titles). One could say that double-digit state championships are in the cards for Schultz. In 2023, she should be considered a top contender when she defends her title at Corning. There’s little doubt that the market in Rochester for a really big trophy case is heating up.

Girls' Junior Women's Am Women's Mid-Am 1996, Mohawk GC 2004, Robert Trent Jones GC 2009, Drumlins CC (East) 1997, Gowanda CC 2007, Oneida Community GC 2010, Sodus Bay Heights GC 2008, Wayne Hills CC 2021, Teugega CC 2022, McGregor Links CC

A Singular Men’s Achievement

The early 2000s gave us few things to smile about. Two occurred in quick succession when John Baldwin, from New York City, in 2001 and then Alan Foster, from Manlius, in 2002, captured the NYSGA Men’s Senior Amateur Championship. In doing so, they joined Don Allen as the only golfers to successfully traverse the ages by winning the Men’s State Amateur, Mid-Amateur and Senior Amateur Championships.

In 2009, Foster, a medical doctor from Manlius, extended the accolades one step further by capturing the Men’s

Alan Foster's NYS Titles

Men’s Amateur Men’s Mid-Amateur

Below: John Baldwin of New York City a er winning the NYS Senior in 2001 at Niagara Falls CC. Super-Senior Championship, becoming the only New York golfer to win all four NYSGA individual men’s championships, a feat that spanned four decades. Foster often took his game to a larger stage. He won the 2000 Senior Porter Cup and qualified for 13 national championships. In both the 2004 and 2005 U.S. Senior Amateur Championships, Foster made it all the way to the semi-finals. He competed in Britain several times, capping his sterling career with a win in the 2005 Senior British Open Amateur Championship.

1975, Bellevue CC 1992, Bristol Harbor CC; 1995, Ontario CC 2002, Powelton Club 2009,

CC

Stafford

Right: Alan Foster of Syracuse claimed the 1975 NYS Amateur at his home club, Bellevue.

Foster with the Men’s Senior trophy in 2002, pictured with the NYSGA’s John Sherlock.

Match Play bracket from Christy (Rittenhouse) Schultz Girls' Junior victory in 1996 at Mohawk.

Ready for Next Level

In 2009, Penfield’s 17-year-old Yaroslav “Yarik” Merkulov successfully defended his NYSGA Junior Championship title at Skaneateles, becoming the first junior golfer — by today’s rules of engagement — to win the NYSGA Junior and Amateur Championships in the same year.

In all fairness, in 1932, a 19-yearold Tommy Goodwin was victorious in both events, but the age requirements for the Junior Championship were changed midcentury in accordance with USGA practices to not admit players who had reached their 18th birthday. But perhaps more to the point, Merkulov’s last-round 61 at

Skaneateles also smashed the tournament course record of 67.

This title was the fourth NYSGA championship that Merkulov has captured in the last three years. Besides the 2009 Men’s and Junior Amateurs, he claimed the Boys' Sub-Junior in 2006 and the 2008 Junior Amateur. On the national level, Merkulov made it to the quarterfinals of the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur before losing to No. 1 seed Jordan Spieth.

He was clearly ready to make the transition to the next level — college golf. "I wanted to win this (the Junior Amateur) so badly," he said. "It's my last time to play in it, and I wanted to defend my title.”

'00s Familiar Faces:

• In 2001, Rochester’s Kevin Haefner set two impressive Men’s Amateur records. His 13-&-12 triumph in the final broke an almost six-decade-old mark set in 1944. This win would also mark the first time the championship medalist prevailed as titleist.

• Gail Brophy, from Saratoga Springs, took home the first two NYSGA Women’s SuperSenior Championships in 2007 (Whiteface Club) and ’08 (Holiday Valley). Her bid for a three peat ended with Sandra Wood’s triumph in 2009 at Thendara. Wood, from Ithaca, went on to win again in 2010 and ‘11, becoming the event’s first three-time champ.

• Jim Roy, a once-struggling former PGA Tour golfer who had regained his amateur status, dominated the NYSGA MidAmateur Championship with victories in 1999, 2001, ’02 and ’04. In 2009, at age 50, Roy qualified for PGA Champions Tour, one of few amateurs to make that transition back to touring pro.

• Megan Grehan captured two consecutive Women’s Amateur titles in 2001-02. She became the youngest winner at age 13 after defeating Amber Weinerth of Highland Park 4 & 3 in a 36-hole final match at Pinehaven. The two finalists also shared co-medalist honors, both shooting 77 during the stroke play qualifying round. Grehan nearly matched Dottie Pepper as the only to win the Women’s Am and Girls’ Junior in the same year but lost in the Girls’ Junior finale at Glens Falls to Nannette Hill of Pelham, who captured her third consecutive title that year at age 14.

Kevin Haefner of Rochester, 2001 NYS Amateur Champion at Seven Oaks.

Yaroslav “Yarik” Merkulov of Pen eld captured both the NYS Junior (top) and Amateur (below) in 2009.

Meghan Grehan of Mamaroneck (above) won the NYS Women's Am in 2001-02. She is pictured with Maggie Lester, (below) who also claimed consecutive titles in 2005-06.

COVID-19; Tom Brady; Netflix; Climate Change; Instagram/Tik Tok; LeBron

Birthof NYSGAHallofFame

In 2012, the NYSGA created its Hall of Fame “to identify, recognize, and enshrine the state's finest amateur and professional golf competitors, as well as those who have made outstanding contributions to the game throughout New York by their careers as golf teachers, coaches, mentors, and volunteers to the game.”

The inaugural Class of 2012 set the tone, selecting some of the state’s most enduring and iconic competitors: Ray Billows and Don Allen; the patron saint of New York women’s golf, Betty Deeley; two of the most influential golf journalists in the country in Grantland Rice and Frederick Box, and Bill Tryon, a champion golfer who went on to serve the NYSGA as its president, treasurer and long-time executive committee member.

That initial class of six honorees has been supplemented by five more classes (in 2015, ’17, ’19, ’22) that have brought in an additional 20 remarkable, passionate people, ranging from professional major champions to people who have dedicated their lives to New York State golf.

Ray Billows

Don Allen

Betty Deeley (second from le ) with NYSGA tournament crew in 1980s.

Grantland Rice

Frederick Box

Bill Tryon

The Pandemic

COVID did what World War II didn’t, shut down the NYSGA tournament schedule. The entire 2020 season was canceled due to the extreme uncertainty created by the pandemic and the caution that governments and the golf industry used to protect lives. The good news is, of course, that golf throughout the country came back stronger than ever, with people enjoying the outdoor — and safe — recreation the game offered. In both the Women’s Amateur and Senior Amateur, the 2021 champions picked up roughly where they were before the pandemic. Kyra Cox of South Salem, the Women’s Am winner at Teugega, had prevailed before in 2018 and 2015 state championships. The 2021 Women’s Senior Amateur champion, Kim Kaul of Colden built on her prior experience with prior wins in 2015 and 2008.

The 2021 Men’s Senior champion, Daniel Russo from Hagaman, didn’t miss a beat with his victory at the Powelton Club. With that win, he matched his 2019 victory at the Cavalry Club, providing a nice set of bookends to the COVID disruption.

2010-2022 NYS Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

2010 Albany CC

2011 Oak Hill CC (West)

2012 Elmira CC

2013 Schuyler Meadows Club

2014 Bellevue CC

2015 Kaluhyat GC at Turning Stone

2016 Mohawk GC

2017 Bethpage Black

2018 Irondequoit CC

2019 Crag Burn GC

2020 Suspended for COVID-19

2021 Schuyler Meadows Club

2022 Onondaga G&CC

Doug Kleeschulte, Kingston

Dominic Bozzelli, Pittsford

Dominic Bozzelli, Pittsford

Matt Stasiak, Clarence

Luke Feehan, Carmel

Trevor Sluman, Rochester

Tyler McArdell, Baldwinsville

Adam Condello, Fairport

Will Thomson, Pittsford

Ben Reichert, East Amherst

James Allen, Scarsdale

Charlie Berridge, Scarsdale

Kyra Cox of South Salem, three-time winner of the NYS Women's

Charlie Berridge of Scarsdale hitting shot at Onondaga during 2022 NYS Amateur. He won the title in record-setting fashion.

Kim Kaul of Colden, three-time NYS Women’s Senior champion, during awards ceremony in 2021 at Pinehaven.

Dan Russo of Hagaman, two-time NYS Senior champion.

Record Scoring

The 2022 season gave us unprecedented scoring as Charlie Berridge from Wykagyl shot a 14-under-par 270 to win the NYSGA Men’s Amateur at Onondaga by three shots over Jason Lohwater from Brook-Lea.

On the women’s side, 15-year-old Kennedy Swedick needed every shot to take home the trophy at McGregor Links, but she had some good memories in her corner — Swedick had won the New York State Public High School Girls’ Golf Championship at McGregor just a month earlier. She channeled that win to a 9-under 207, good for a one-shot victory over Ohio State junior Lauren Peter. The two finished each round within a shot of each other for all 54 holes and were a staggering 15 shots in front of the rest of the pack at a normally challenging McGregor Links course — shades of Watson and Nicklaus’ “Duel in the Sun'' at Turnberry in the 1977 Open Championship.

Both of these two winning scores were records for their respective events, in line with the inexorable march of lower scores at championship levels of play around the world. Better scoring has been attributed to a number of different changes, including increased distance/shot, better conditioning (of both courses and golfers), and improved ball and club technology. Each of those factors likely played a hand in Swedick’s and Berridge’s records. Don’t count on their records to last long.

Kennedy Swedick of Albany (right) on the nal green at the 2022 NYS Women’s Amateur. She won in record-setting fashion over Carmel’s Lauren Peter.

Charlie Berridge of Scarsdale, 2022 NYS Amateur champion.

Dominic Bozzelli of Pittsford won the Sub-Junior, Junior and Men’s Am, each at least once, before turning professional.

Record-setting scorecards from Dominic Bozzelli and Charlie Berridge.

More New Championships

Aslew of new NYSGA championships came online in the 2010s, all with a common thread. In a nod to the realization that fourball play is America’s most used day-to-day format, the NYSGA created six new state championships:

• Men’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship (2011).

• Men’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship (2012).

• Amateur Mixed Four-Ball Championship (2013).

• Senior Amateur Mixed Four-Ball Championship (2013).

• Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship (2018).

• Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship (2018). The six new team events tended to start modestly, but by 2022, they had collectively made a big difference. This year, they will engage more than 350 two-person entries and broaden the appeal and reach of NYSGA events to — in many cases — an otherwise untapped audience. By the end of 2022, and buoyed by the success of the team championships, the NYSGA added two senior championships that will start in 2023:

• The Men’s Legends Amateur Championship, which is open to golfers at least 70 years old.

• The Men’s Super Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship, contested among players at least 65 years old.

These two new events point to the importance of senior play in New York. Golfers are living and competing longer, and the NYSGA sees these championships as a great opportunity to provide value to the people who have supported New York golf for years.

'10s Familiar Faces:

• Finding a fountain of youth, Syracuse’s Teresa Cleland turned the usual progression of amateur/ mid-amateur/ senior amateur on its head by capturing the 2009 and 2010 Women’s Senior Amateur Championships before taking the Women’s Mid-Am three years in a row, from 2011-’13.

• In the 2013 Men’s Am at Schuyler Meadows, Matt Stasiak had been chasing leader Victor Fox since the first round. He finally pulled even with Fox by the time they teed off the 71st hole. Then, Stasiak promptly made a heart-wrenching double bogey, apparently sealing a runner-up finish. However, fortunes flipped on the par-4 final hole as Stasiak hit his best drive of the day. Watching Fox wrestle with the results of a bunkered tee shot, Stasiak knocked it on and drained the birdie putt. Fox missed an eight-foot bogey putt, giving Stasiak a threeshot swing and a rollercoaster one-shot victory. Never give up!

• In 2012 at Elmira, Dominic Bozzelli captured his second straight NYSGA Men’s Amateur Championship with a sizzling 11-under par 277. The Rochester native and member of the Auburn University golf team turned professional in 2013.

• Bailey Shoemaker joined Kerri Murphy and Nannette Hill as three-time titleists of the NYSGA Girls Junior Amateur Championship. Winning in 2017, ’18 and ’19, Shoemaker was gearing up to take home her record fourth consecutive (under age 18) state junior title in 2020. Those plans were derailed by the COVID-19 epidemic, which shut down all tournament play that entire year.

Matt Stasiak of Clarence putting on the sixteenth hole during his 2013 NYS Amateur victory.

Bailey Shoemaker of West Edmeston captured three consecutive NYS Girls’ Junior titles at Seven Oaks from 2017 to 19.

Teresa Cleland of Syracuse, is a three-time NYS Women's Mid-Am champion and two-time NYS Women's Senior champion.

NYSGAHallof Fame(Est.2012)

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the NYSGA HALL OF FAME is to identify, recognize, and enshrine in a Hall of Fame the state’s finest amateur and professional golf competitors; those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the game of golf throughout all of New York State by their careers as golf teachers, coaches, mentors, and volunteers to the game and to the organizations that administer golf in New York; and those who have performed widely recognized contributions to golf and have had a unique impact on golf in New York State.

FRAMEWORK:

In establishing the Hall of Fame, the NYSGA adopted a detailed procedure for appointing a Chairman and Committee members and a structured process for selecting and recognizing Hall of Fame Members.

CANDIDATES:

As described in the Mission Statement, candidates for Hall of Fame induction fall into two broad categories:

1. Competitors — players with distinguished competitive records.

2. Contributors — volunteers and others who have had a significant impact on the game in New York State.

Class of 2012

Donald Allen – Competitor

Frederick Box – Contributor

Grantland Rice – Contributor

Class of 2015

John Konsek – Competitor

Donald Ross – Contributor

Sam Urzetta – Competitor and Contributor

Class of 2017

Virginia (Guilfoil) Allen – Competitor

Class of 2018

Walter Hagen – Competitor

Gene Sarazen – Competitor

Class of 2019

John Baldwin – Competitor and Contributor

Joey Sindelar – Competitor

Class of 2022

Jeff Sluman – Competitor

Terry Diehl – Competitor

Roslyn “Cookie” (Swift) Berger – Competitor

Ray Billows – Competitor

Betty Deeley – Contributor

William Tryon – Competitor

Thomas Reidy – Contributor

Lancy Smith – Competitor

Alan Foster – Competitor

Dottie Pepper – Competitor and Contributor

Willie Turnesa – Competitor and Contributor

Mary Anne (Widman) Levins – Competitor

Walter Travis – Competitor and Contributor

Robert Biviano – Contributor

Jean (Ramaker) Trainor – Competitor

Joe Enright, Hall of Fame chairman.

Mary Anne Widman Levins, 2019 inductee.

Joey Sindelar speaks to an attentive audience during his 2019 induction.

Bill Tryon (le ) and Don Allen, 2012 inductees. Friends of inductee Dottie Pepper at Brookhaven in 2018.

Terry Diehl (le ) and Je Sluman, 2022 inductees. Inductee John Baldwin (le ) and NYSGA’s Doug Vergith at Elmira in 2019.

Executive Directors of the NYSGA

During he 1970s, under the leadership of Moon Brook CC’s Allen Short in his second presidency, it was decided by the NYSGA’s Executive Committee that a full-time executive director was needed to conduct the lineup of tournaments each season. Longtime volunteer Robert Hogan of Albany was the first to be appointed to this position, serving in the role until his death.

Robert Hogan, Albany (1973 - 1982)

The association suffered a major loss in 1982 when its first Executive Director, Bob Hogan of Albany, died suddenly. A trophy in his honor for the new Mid-Amateur was dedicated.

Thomas E. Reidy, Elmira (1984 - 1995)

Roger Harvie, Rochester (1982 - 1984)

He was named to succeed Hogan but soon left to join the USGA as a field representative in 1984.

A Corning Community College accounting professor, Reidy took the NYSGA into the computer age. He served 11 years before resigning but has continued his interest serving since on the executive committee. Reidy was general chairman of the 1983 tournament at Elmira CC and soon joined the NYSGA on the sectional committee. He was inducted into the NYSGA Hall of Fame - Class of 2015, and continues to be involved with the NYSGA to this day.

J.Patrick Keenan, Syracuse (1995 - 2003)

Past President Pat Keenan succeeded Reidy, who had health problems and moved the NYSGA’s headquarters from Elmira to the Syracuse area. During his tenure, the USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. internship program was founded. During his presidency in 1989, he initiated the NYSGA News, a printed publication that won the National Golf Foundation’s Eckhoff Award. In 1996 under the leadership of President Harlow E. Waite, the association moved to serve member clubs additionally by starting a club service division headed by Mark Conradt of Lockport. The division offers clubs handicapping by computer, course ratings and an internet site providing complete information on all NYSGA activities. He guided the NYSGA through the association’s 75th anniversary celebration in 1997.

Bill Moore, Syracuse (2003 - Present)

When Keenan retired, the Board decided that a full time employee was required. Moore was hired to replace him in the position. A product of the USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. internship program, Moore worked closely with Keenan during the 1997 and 1998 seasons, and was also a competitor in many state championships during the 90’s. In Moore’s two decades in the leadership role, he has seen the staff increase from being the first full-time employee with one intern to six full-time, three part-time, and three seasonal interns we now have on the team.

The NYSGA’s Executive Secretaries

Prior to the Executive Director position, the NYSGA had several Executive Secretaries who managed a bulk of the administrative efforts during the association’s first fifty years.

An Interview with Bill Moore, NYSGA Executive Director

Like many involved in golf administration, New York State Golf Association executive director Bill Moore was first a player — and a proficient one — before evolving into his current role.

Moore, a Manchester, N.H., native who moved to the Syracuse area at age 8, has played in four U.S. Golf Association events (one U.S. Amateur, two U.S. Mid-Amateurs and one U.S. Amateur FourBall). His path to the organizational side began in 1997, when he was in the USGA’s P.J. Boatwright Jr. internship program under Pat Keenan, the previous executive director.

Since he succeeded Keenan in 2003, Moore has overseen substantial growth to the association, which now has six full-time employees and has added numerous championships.

As part of the NYSGA’s Centennial Celebration, Moore tackled several topics covering his two decades of service and what he sees for the future.

This interview with Bill Moore was conducted by Times Union golf writer Pete Dougherty.

Q: How did you get started with the NYSGA? You got involved because of the intern program?

Bill Moore: Yes. Pat Keenan, my predecessor, was executive director, and he was a member of Bellevue Country Club, where I grew up and I worked. Pat knew me from the club, and he knew I was playing local events and I was interested in the state events and what he did.

When the internship opened up from the USGA, the P.J. Boatwright internship, he gave me a call. I graduated the year before from Notre Dame, and I was figuring out what to do with my life. He hired me as his intern in ’97, and I interned with him for two summers. It was just him and me. We had an independent contractor who sold GHIN, but it was he and I who did all the administrative work and ran our championships, much more barebones than we do today. He was the one who brought me in and was still on the job [in 1998], and I needed to go get a full-time job. I went out, I worked with human resources for five years in town, and when Pat decided to fully retire, I was one of the four finalists

Continued on pg 50

Lester A. Palmer New York City (1926-1933) Mary McGraw Elmira (1950-1965)

Lee Babson Syracuse (1965-1973)

'We are as healthy as we've ever been'

Bill Moore, the h executive director of the NYSGA

Bill Moore Interview... Continued

to interview for the job and was fortunate enough to get it and start in 2003.

Q: In those 20 years, obviously the association has grown a great deal. How did that come about? You’re up to six full-time employees now?

Bill Moore: We have six full-time, four interns and three seasonal employees.

Q; How were you able to grow from one full-time person, being you, into that?

Bill Moore: When the handicapping service took off in middle2000s, that was what got us going in the right direction in terms of growth. There were a lot of people playing golf, but we hadn’t done anything more than just run our championships for the best players in the state. Once we did more club services — the GHIN handicap system, and we were always doing course ratings — but once we started bringing in some revenue from that, that was above and beyond what we were accustomed to, we had some ability to start to grow. We started on the tournament side. I was running all the championships, and we hired Andrew [Hickey, assistant executive director] to be my right-hand man for that.

We had a club-services person. Scott Gerbereux, who was able to come in and work for us full-time. We went pretty slowly from one to two to three [full-time employees], hung around three for quite some time. As we continued to get more people using the GHIN handicap system, raising the price of that service over the years, we’ve come to a place where we've been able to expand the number of services we provide and expand our tournament schedule five-fold over what we used to do. We used to rely on volunteers to run a lot of our qualifying events, and now all that's done here in-house.

We needed the personnel to be able to do that and administrate it and do all that paperwork. We've slowly ramped up in that direction, and that's where the growth has been, on the championship side. The club services are still run by basically one-and-a-half folks, but the rest — all the championships, the Amateur Series, our regional association events — those are all run by our staff, as well.

Q: When you took over as executive director, were some of the programs you’ve added a goal of yours? Did you think back then that it was realistic to be able to create an Amateur Series and to grow the sport through some of the regional associations?

Bill Moore: I came from a background where I only knew what we did here at the NYSGA and then what the USGA did in their championships. One of the perks of this job is that we're automatically members of something called the IAGA, which is the International Association of Golf Administrators. They have a conference every year where 90-100 golf administrators get together and do two- or three-day meetings, get-togethers and networking.

The opportunities and events and all the programs that these other states and regional associations were running gave us a lot of great ideas to come back here and implement once we had the funds to do it. The Amateur Series is something that came out of that. Some of our other championships, rulesseminar programs, a lot of those ideas came from something that another state or region had created and been successful with, and we were able to implement those ideas here. When I got the job, my No. 1 goal was to bring everything in-house. We were relying on volunteers. For instance, if you tried for the State Am in Albany, you would send your entry straight to [past president] Dick Dorgan’s house. Dick Dorgan would collect all the money, and he’d call Pat Keenan and say, ‘I have 48 guys and four exempt players.’ We’d say, ‘OK, you’re going to have 11 spots,’ and he'd go and run the qualifier. He’d send out postcards with all of the tee times. He’d run the qualifier and send us the results. We got those 11 players, and Pat and I would go out and run the State Amateur.

"As we started to grow, the other goal was to try to get more people involved in the association who weren't championship players. They were the average golfer, and that's what the Amateur Series brought to the table."

Now, with credit-card entries and then not taking checks or anything like that, all of those entries come here. We certainly still rely on our volunteers to do a lot of the assistance at those qualifiers, but my No. 1 goal was to bring everything in-house and make it as fair as possible.

It wasn’t equitable what was going on in all the different areas of the state in terms of how they were conducting the tournament, the professionalism of it. Some people had some resources, some people didn't. By bringing all of that in-house, that was the one major goal I started out with, to streamline everything.

As we started to grow, the other goal was to try to get more people involved in the association who weren't championship players. They were the average golfer, and that's what the Amateur Series brought to the table.

Q: I know you’re an accomplished player who has played in a number of USGA and NYSGA events. Do you find that helps in the administration of tournaments? Can you learn things from the golfers that you've been able to apply to how you run things?

Bill Moore: I think so. It's nice to play in some of those events, and I always thought it was important to go out and play some other regions’ events, too. When I was lucky enough to qualify for a USGA championship or I was able to go play in maybe a Buffalo District or a club event somewhere else, there were always ideas that I could pick up and bring back to our events.

The State Amateur logistics — the food and beverage, the signage and everything we do at the club — is vastly different from what we did 25 years ago, but very little of that stuff is an original idea. That's all stuff that we got from playing in other events that did something well, and we wanted to bring it and implement it at our events.

When it comes to course setup, that was something that I think I had an advantage in by being someone that played a lot of tournament golf. I knew what kind of things challenge good players. Was it the length of the golf course? Was it rough? Was it obstacles? Hole locations? Those kinds of things.

I would always tell my interns, it was very simple for me to step into the transition to set up a golf course for men or junior players. I had a much more difficult time learning how to run a senior women's championship and what kinds of things were too difficult or too easy for them, because they play the game much differently. That was certainly an advantage, that I had one half of the spectrum. I could see how they’d want to set that golf course up, but it still wasn't an easy transition, that's for sure.

Q: What did you learn from Pat Keenan and the executive director before him, Tom Reidy, on how to run things as an executive director?

Bill Moore: Organization. I thought the two biggest parts of the job when I got it were being organized, and respecting and utilizing the talent we have with our volunteers. We have some great people on the committee who have run tournaments for a long, long time. They knew what they were doing.

Pat was one of those people who ran qualifiers for a long time. He was a USGA committee member for the U.S. Junior Committee. He had a lot of experience in that. That's what I picked up most from him, the importance of keeping great records, being super-organized, just being prepared for whatever might come your way at our championships.

Pat Keenan was still running his business, but it was a very small business when he was running it. We didn't have a lot of revenue. It was basically a summer part-time job. I joke with Andrew [Hickey] all the time, when I was the intern in ’97, ’98, our office was in the attic of Bellevue Country Club. They used to give us a room in the attic. It was free, which was great, and we were members there.

On a regular day, we’d go in, work from 8 or 9 to 12 o'clock, go downstairs, have lunch, then go play golf. That was literally every day. Now I have six full-time people here, including me, working 40 hours a week — and in the winter, which just blows my mind. It’s a much different place than it used to be.

Q: When did you move to these offices?

Bill Moore: We moved to a full-time office out of Bellevue in ’03. Right down the street from Bellevue we had an office at an office park for about 13 years, and then we bought this building [in Jamesville] in 2015 or 2016, and we've been here ever since.

Q: What do you see for the future of the NYSGA? Are there things you still want to do down the road?

Bill Moore: For sure. Embracing and bringing in the average golfer is something we need to continue to get better at. We have a membership now of more than 40,000 golfers in upstate New York, outside of Rochester, that we serve. The Amateur Series is great. That brings another 1,000-1,500 people into the fold who know who we are and what we do.

But we’ve got to continue to do a job with education. Andrew does a great job with his regional rules seminars. Next year, there will be some more changes with the World Handicap System, and I'll be out doing some seminars for the World Handicap System, finding ways to engage and embrace other golfers that maybe aren't tournament golfers who want to learn a little bit more about the NYSGA or find their way into being a more regular golfer. There are a lot of golfers out there who don't play that many rounds a year.

The second thing we're pushing for now is trying to bring the rest of upstate New York under our umbrella with regard to tournaments. We have the resources now to be able to assist those smaller associations that maybe don't have those resources. While Buffalo and Syracuse have always had strong golf associations and have some funds to do some things logistically to make the event special for the players, a lot of those nice championships over the years have fallen by the wayside because they either don't have anyone to run them or they've run out of funds or they don't have sponsors.

The Watertown City Championship, Triple Cities Golf Association [Southern Tier], Capital Region golf events, there are a lot of tournaments that were great at one time that have fallen away. We're trying to lend our assistance to bring those events back to the importance that they held.

There's still something to be said for a city champion in an underserved community that doesn’t host our events. It doesn't make sense to take a state event to some corner of the state where it's hard to get hotels, it’s hard to travel, but we certainly can lend some assistance to make the tournaments that they do have better, and bring their best players up and to play state championships and have a more defined ladder to bigger and better from those areas.

Q: Throughout your tenure there and back when Pat Keenan was there, you always relied on volunteers and rules officials to help you. Can you talk about their importance and their role in keeping things running smoothly?

Bill Moore: It’s vital for us, not as much now with the more staff that we have. We’re able to go and do more of the work we used to rely on them for, but 10 or 15 years ago, and when I first started 20 years ago, we had a tournament committee that did almost all that work. They were out doing all the golf-course marking. They were doing all of the course setup, because there was only one person, me, handling tee times and registration and all of the player responsibilities.

Bill Moore Interview... Continued

We had all these volunteers running and doing all of the conducting of the tournaments themselves on an island. Fortunately and unfortunately, we're able to do a little more now to help them out. We still have a very strong tournament committee that does a lot of that help.

We have some qualified rules officials and all different areas of the state that are able to help us. You can't run a great championship without having a few extra rules officials on the golf course, a bunch of spotters or marshals on the golf course to help move things along. Those things all make things special for the players to have that ability out there to have someone have your back and help keep your round moving, seeing a friendly face in an NYSGA hat, someone to just wave to you and say hello and thank you for being there is a great thing we’ve always had with our committee.

What is a great thing that we've always had with our committee — and we've had such great committee members over the years — we discuss in here all the time how difficult it is that as we get older, they're also getting older, and some are not able to do as much. Being able to bring them back and have them work maybe one event a year instead of our traveling family we used to have that work six or seven events a year.

It's just so nice to see everybody, and we're able to give them some jobs out there that maybe aren't as taxing or complicated, but they're still a part of our championships. Our committees have done an unbelievable job on that end, and I'll say on the other hand, on the club-services side, we still rely mainly on our volunteers for course-rating services. We have teams of 15 or 20 folks that are out there, boots on the ground, rating 4050 golf courses a year with our staff liaison, Mark Ackley, that are doing that grunt work out there. We couldn't do without them. We’re lucky to have the volunteer base that we do.

Q; During your 20 years, is it safe to say that the toughest period is probably during COVID-19? What was it like trying to make decisions during that pandemic?

Bill Moore: COVID was bad because we couldn't do what we love to do and be out there running events. We still supported the clubs. I was very proud of the way we were able to hang on and pay our staff for the year even though they weren't out there working all year, which was huge.

All of us — some have bigger families, some are single — but we all have our needs, and we didn't have to lay anybody off. We didn't have to furlough anyone. We were able to keep everyone employed and engaged. I was proud of how we stayed current with city and state government and the rules and regulations that came to golf and trying to be someone that assisted those owners and clubs with the rules and regulations that seemed to change almost every day and could get them answers on some of the questions they had.

That was a tough time for us as an association, but what was almost tougher was three or four years prior to COVID, when golf numbers were declining. Clubs were in bad shape. A lot of clubs were in need of members. Our membership numbers

were dropping every year. I got a lot more phone calls in that period, from probably 2015 to 2020, than I did during COVID, once the initial brunt was past us and we actually knew what we could do and what we couldn't do. Those five years of clubs having trouble paying their bills, having trouble keeping the lights on in some of these places, some of our great clubs statewide that had real money problems, that was a much tougher time for us because we had a heck of a time getting players to travel and play in our events. We had a heck of a time servicing and supporting our clubs that have been so good to us over the years.

Financially it was just a tough thing, and the crazy part about COVID was it brought a heck of a lot of people back into this game. Now we are as healthy as we've ever been, and my 20 years and probably 20 years prior to that, in regard to the number of people playing golf in upstate New York. It’s really nationwide. It’s fantastic.

Q: Any final thoughts?

Bill Moore: I'm so proud of who we are and what we've become. Looking back at a hundred years, I was the intern for the 75th anniversary, which was a nice event we held at the Yahnundasis [in New Hartford]. It was a fun year. You could just tell that we were on to something. We would always be around running the State Am, whether we got into club services or we didn’t, but to see how far we've come in this 25-year stretch and the staff we've been able to bring in and help out, and the product we provide to our golfers, is the coolest thing.

It's just great to see the talent that we have here and the champions we have and the product we've been able to roll out to them. To see these great players move on to national events and know that maybe they got their start here is a pretty fulfilling thing. You never know what the next 25 years is going to hold, but it’s been a fun ride.

"You never know what the next 25 years is going to hold, but it’s been a fun ride."

From le : Pat Keenan, Bill Moore, Tom Reidy, John Sherlock

NYSGA Officers, Staff & Interns

NYSGA Officers

. President – Henry Fust, Onondaga G&CC

. 1st Vice President – Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC

. 2nd Vice President – 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

. 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 GC

NYSGA Staff Listing

. Bill Moore, Executive Director

. Andrew Hickey, Assistant Executive Director

. Dan Thompson, Director, Marketing & Partnerships

. Jack Travers, Assistant Director, Rules & Competitions

. Deb Spilman, Special Events & Volunteer Ops.

. Michael Dirkes, Manager, Regional Associations

. Mark Ackley, Manager, Course Rating

NYSGA Interns – 2023

Chris Buerle, Communications

Alex King, Tournament Operations

Damian Rodriguez, Tournament Operations

. Christine Van Allen, Tournament Operations

Past NYSGA Interns (1996-2022)

1996 Jay Vizgaitis

1997 Jason Corbin

1997 Bill Moore

1998 Bill Moore

1999 Chris Wallace

2000 Josh Waldman

2001 Steve Murphy

2002 Sarah McCarthy

2002 Jason Wetmore

2003 Chris Kinslow

2004 Stacey Whyte

2005 Scott Gerbereux

2006 Justin Clark

2007 Casey Miller

2008 Ben Maywalt

2008 John Cronly

2009 Andrew Hickey

2009 Kevin Solan

2010 Kevin Solan

2010 Rasmita Taylert

2011 Eric Reinauer

2011 Seth Awes

2012 Ranelle Graber

2012 Joe Fanelli

2013 Nate Schroeder

2013 Genna Tripoli

2014 Ben Picone

2014 Matt Placito

2015 Dan Thompson

2015 Zach Sullivan

2016 Alex Hahn

2016 Nicolette Darois

2017 Brandon Grzywacz

2017 Scott Ricca

2018 Ryan Doyle

2018 Jack Travers

2019 Jack Travers

2019 Adam Blackwell

2019 Mike Timmerman

2019 Sara Stanley

2020 Dan Mort

2020 Matthew Whaley

2021 Dan Mort

2021 Jack Margaros

2021 Michael Dirkes

2022 Michael Dirkes

2022 Parker Gauthier

2022 Fred Wilkes

*Names in bold are currently full-time employees for the NYSGA

From le : Andrew Hickey, Michael Dirkes, Bill Moore, Deb Spilman, Jack Travers, Dan ompson.

Andrew Hickey at USGA quali er.

Mark Ackley during an NYSGA course rating.

NYSGA Presidents 1923 - 2023

eodore I. Merseles

Harry Harmon Duane L. Tower Oscar Guilfoil Jack Ahern

William Turnesa

Sherrill Sherman Don Parker

E.E. Wyman

Milton S. Bowman

Bill Stark

Fred Wright

Image unavailable

William Tryon

George Zurenda

John Sherlock

omas Reidy

Joseph Strykowski

Pierce Russell

Charles McAuli e

Lyle Brown

Richard Downing

Bob Biviano

Warren Winslow

John Ward

Sherry Heath

Harlow E. Waite

Janet Reiner

Joseph Enright

David Harden

William Bogle

Mark Fitzgerald

John J. Donovan

Richard Dorgan

Henry W. Fust

Ronald Brownell

Emil McKay

J. Patrick Keenan

Patrick Shatzel

Edward Koslick

Gerald Dimmick

Richard Walsh

Edward aney

Richard Galvin

Allen Short

NYSGA Executive Committee in 1965 at Onondaga G&CC.

Trophies of the NYSGA

The New York State Golf Association annually conducts 19 state championships of New York State.

As the popularity of golf has grown over the past century, the NYSGA’s championship schedule has grown to provide opportunities to different genders and age categories, and in more recent years, team championships that incorporate both four-ball and modified chapman stroke play formats which have become popular and have generated strong interest among the players.

NYS Men’s Amateur

The Ganson Depew Cup (Est. 1923)

Here’s a brief history of the NYSGA’s eight permanent state trophies that have been provided to the champions over the years (besides the trophies mentioned below, there are various other champions and runner-up trophies that are awarded to top finishers at each tournament. Many of the newer team championships do not have a permanent trophy for the winners.

The first trophy, the “Ganson Depew Cup” was presented at the first championship, the state Men’s Amateur, conducted in October 1923 at the Garden City Golf Club. The handsome trophy designed by Tiffany’s was donated by Ganson Depew, who was one of two initial NYSGA vice presidents and a prominent figure in Buffalo-area golf. He represented the NYSGA on the USGA’s executive committee during the association’s formative years.

NYS Women’s Amateur

Oak Hill Country Club Championship Trophy (Est. 1930)

The NYSGA added the association’s second championship with the Women’s Amateur in 1930, and the trophy was donated by the first tournament host site and now iconic Oak Hill in Rochester.

NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur

The Hickock Cup (Est. 1931)

The next oldest trophy is the “Hickock Cup” which was donated by the famous belt company of Rochester, N.Y. The trophy represents the Junior Men’s championship, initially for men ages 21 or below, but since changed to age 17 and below, and more recently 18 and below.

NYS Boys’ 14U Amateur

The J. Patrick Keenan Cup (Est. 2021)

It wasn’t until 1961 that a Boys state championship was started for boys age 15 and younger, which has since been lowered to age 14. The initial trophy was called “The Ernest White Cup” after an old association friend, but was renamed the “J. Patrick Keenan Cup” in 2021 in honor of the former Executive Director and Past President, who was a dedicated promoter of junior golf across the state.

NYS Girls’ Junior Amateur

The Betty Deeley Trophy (Est. 1996)

The original trophy was a handsome bowl generic to the Association. That first trophy was retired, and in 1996 the NYSGA introduced the “Betty Deeley Trophy”, a new modern trophy, named after the Association’s outstanding volunteer and chairperson of both the state Women’s and Girls’ Junior championships. The first winner of this new trophy was Christy Rittenhouse. The original bowl has since been reinstated.

NYS Women’s Senior Amateur

The Anne Coupe Memorial Trophy (Est. 1996)

The present Women’s Senior Amateur trophy is “The Anne Coupe Memorial Trophy” donated by her family and dedicated by the Association in honor of her many contributions to golf and society. Prior to 1996, all Women’s Senior champion names were engraved on a handsome silver tray, which was retired in honor of Jean Trainor, to the CC of Rochester where it originated. Trainor holds the state record for most victories in one tournament, winning the title nine times from 1968-1983.

NYS Men’s Senior Amateur

The Bill Stark Bowl (Est. 1996)

The Men’s Senior began in 1940 at the Onondaga Golf & Country Club, where LeRoy C. Crim won the “Don M. Parker Memorial Trophy”, named after the NYSGA’s first secretary-treasurer and longest term of any president (19261935). The existing trophy is “The Bill Stark Bowl” named after past NYSGA President and long time Syracuse volunteer.

NYS Men’s Super Senior Amateur

The Howard Sprague Trophy (Est. 1996)

The Men’s Super Senior for players ages 65 and older, started as a separate championship in 1996. Prior to that it was an age category award in the Senior Men’s event. “The Howard Sprague Trophy” named after a very notable Association member and Syracuse golfer.

NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur

The Robert Hogan Memorial Trophy (Est. 1984)

The concept of the Mid-Amateur championship was originated by the USGA to provide for those players who were beyond their college golf years. The NYSGA Mid-Amateur began in 1984, and “The Robert Hogan Memorial Trophy” was named after the Association’s first full-time Executive Director during the 1970-80s.

Ray Billows hoisting the Ganson Depew Cup a er 1935 win at Winged Foot.

NYSGA Golf Writers

The rich history of golf probably wouldn’t be as welldocumented as it is without the scores of writers who have covered the sport through the years. From as far back as 1923 and the origin of the New York State Golf Association, newspapers from throughout the state have

Albany Times Union: Joyce Bassett, John Bonifacio, Tom Cunningham, Pete Dougherty, Gene Fitz Patrick, Andy Iron, Johnny Jones, Ralph Martin, Joe Ravella, Lindy Strout

Albany Times Union, Knickerbocker News: Ron Armstrong, Bill Arsenault, Ben Danforth

Associated Press: Jim Munn, Marvin R. Pike

Avon Herald News: Bert Falardeau

Binghamton Press: Bill Hart, Harry Watts Jr., Mark Wren, Hal Yeglin

Brooklyn Daily Eagle: John Torenli

Buffalo Courier-Express: Charley Barton, Chip Draper, Mike Kanaley, Jack Laing, Harry Yorke

Buffalo Evening News: Mike Calandra, Jack Horrigan, Bob Stedler, Frank Wakefield

Buffalo News: Bob DiCesare, Mark Gaughan, Jay Skurski

Buffalo Times, Buffalo Evening News: Gene Korzelius

Capital Area Golf: Frank Ciarlo, John Craig, Bob Weiner

CNY Golfer: Katharine Dyson, Perry Noun, Fran Piraino

Elmira Star-Gazette: Wayne Boucher, Frederick Box, J. Henry Brown, Ed Collins, Charlie Coon, Dave Edick, Mark Fleisher, Andrew Legare, Jim Limoncelli, Al Mallette, Jeff Murray, Larry Paltrowitz, Michael Sharp

Glens Falls Post-Star: Dave Nathan, Will Springstead, Pete Tobey

Jamaica Daily Press: John Brennan

Jamestown Post-Journal: Scott Kindberg, Jim Riggs

Kingston Freeman: Rick Remsnyder, Mike Stribl, Charles Tiano, Don Treat

Long Island Daily Press: John Brennan, Mike Lee

Mamaroneck Daily Times: Marc Maturo

Met Golfer: Alan Bastable, I. Martin Davis, Dave Donelson, Helen Farrelly, Hank Gola, Tim Hartin, Jeanne McCooey, Greg Midland, Peter Morrice, Jay Mottola, Howard Munck, Jeff Neuman, Jimmy Roberts, Paul Rogers, Bill Quirin, Les Schupak, Nick Seitz, Chuck Stogel, Gene Westmoreland, Tony Wimpfheimer

extensively chronicled the players and events that have made golf what it is today.

The following list, which may not be all-encompassing but represents a significant faction, salutes the scribes who have reported on not only the NYSGA but local golf in general.

Middletown Times Herald-Record: Al DeSantis, Ed Golemboski, Ralph Wimbish

Mount Vernon Daily Argus: Ralph Wimbish

New Rochelle Standard-Star: Jim O’Toole

New York Daily News: Hank Gola, Dana Mozley

New York Herald Tribune: Al Laney

New York Post: Mark Cannizzaro, Doug Gould, Gene Roswell, Ralph Wimbish

New York Times: Dave Anderson, Kingsley Childs, Arthur J. Daley, Larry Dorman, Bill Fields, Damon Hack, Maureen Orcutt, John Radosta, William D. Richardson, Michael Strauss, Lincoln A. Werden, Gordon S. White Jr., Alex Yannis

New York World Telegram and The Sun: Lawrence Robinson

Newburgh News: Bo Gill

Newsday: Mark Hermann, Jeff Williams

Nyack Journal News: Howard Munck

Olean Times Herald: Chuck Pollock

Peekskill Evening Star: Ray Lapolla

Port Chester Daily Item: Arn Shein

Poughkeepsie Journal: John R. Flanagan, George A. Palmateer, Ed Rozell

Queens Chronicle: Ron Marzlock

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brett Avery, George Beahon, Francis Cass, Jim Castor, Tony Destino, Dave Freeland, Bruce Koch, Frank Lillich, George R. Loves, Sal Maiorana, Paul Pinckney, Hans Tanner, Jack Tucker

Rochester GolfWeek: Dave Eaton

Rochester Times-Union: Pat Burgess, Jean Giambrone

Rockland Journal: Howard Munck

Rome Sentinel: Todd Dewan, Dwayne Kroohs, Kenny Kudrewicz, Steve Jones, Rich Haubert, Joe Silkowski, John Sturbin Jr., John Theall

Saratogian: Al Mottau

Schenectady Gazette: John Bonifacio, Lou Torre, Bob Weiner

Schenectady Union Star: Bill Arsenault, Al DeSantis

Staten Island Advance: Cormac Gordon, Stephen Hart, Annalise Knudson

Syracuse Herald-Journal: C.P. Smith, Bud Vander Deer

Syracuse Herald-Journal, Herald American: Chuck Harty

Syracuse Herald-Journal/Post-Standard: Bob Snyder, Joe Tesori Sr.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Gerry Ashe, Donna Ditota, Mike Holdridge, Pat Paddock, Bill Reddy, Chris Wagner, Rick Wheeler

The American Golfer: Walter J. Travis

Today Media: Dave Donelson

Troy Record: John Craig, Mike Dyer, Don Hubicki

Utica Daily Press, Observer-Dispatch: Chuck Stogel

Utica Observer-Dispatch: Cash Garvey, Bill Higdon, Craig Horan, Jan Huston, Pat Malin

Westchester Journal News: Guido Cribari, Mike Dougherty, Rick Remsnyder, Jimmy Roberts, Chuck Stogel, Sam Weinman

Westchester Magazine: Dan Berger

Westchester Rockland Newspapers: Al Bamberger Jr., Bob Glauber, Al Mari, Larry Weisman

White Plains Reporter Dispatch: Ed Croke, Bill Glauber, Bob Oatway, David Kaminer

Frederick Box NYSGA Historian (served 1989 - 2006)

Fr ederick Box was an integral part of the New York State Golf Association for many years as the association’s historian. Prior to his years with the NYSGA, he was a writer and editor for over 40 years for the Elmira newspapers with service in Corning and Hornell. Invited to join the NYSGA after his retirement, he was its first historian, wrote the comprehensive history of the organization and was the principal newsletter writer. In 2006, he was recognized for these efforts by being presented a plaque and designated historian-emeritus for perpetuity. Later, a media intern at the NYSGA was established in his name.

He continued writing a column for the NYSGA eNews until the age of 91 where he finally passed the torch to the current historian, John Blain.

Newspapers He Worked for Prior to Joining the NYSGA:

• Elmira Star Gazette (Elmira, N.Y.)

• Gannett News (Hornell, N.Y.)

Frederick passed away in 2014.

NYSGA Records

Match Play Format (1923–1969, 1992–2008)

NYS Men’s Amateur – Championship Records

Stroke Play Format (1970–1991, 2009–2023)

Most Times Hosted by a Member Club

6–Oak Hill Country Club (1927, 1931, 1937, 1945, 1987, 2011)

6–Yahnundasis Golf Club (1946, 1953, 1958, 1968, 1988, 2007)

4–Country Club of Troy (1941, 1959, 1984, 2006)

4–Elmira Country Club (1957, 1969, 1983, 2012)

3–Dutchess Golf and Country Club (1956, 1972, 1997)

3–Albany Country Club (1977, 1990, 2010)

3–Bellevue Country Club (1936, 1975, 2014)

3–Knollwood Country Club (1951, 1963, 1986)

3–Moon Brook Country Club (1955, 1978, 1995)

3–Onondaga Golf and Country Club (1940, 1961, 2022)

Most Victories

7–Ray Billows (1935, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1945, 1949)

6–Donald Allen (1961, 1963, 1964, 1970, 1972, 1973)

4–Tommy Goodwin (1932, 1936, 1946, 1953)

3–Edmund Driggs (1923, 1933, 1934)

3–John Konsek (1958, 1959, 1960)

3–Billy Shields (1951, 1952, 1955)

3–William Tryon (1962, 1965, 1968)

Consecutive Victories

3–John Konsek (1958, 1959, 1960)

2–Don Allen (1963, 1964)

2–Don Allen (1972, 1973)

2–Ray Billows (1940, 1941)

2–Dominic Bozzelli (2011, 2012)

2–Edmund Driggs (1933, 1934)

2–Kyle Hess (2002, 2003)

2–Billy Shields (1951, 1952)

2–Tim Straub (1987, 1988)

Winner of NYS Men’s Amateur and NYS Junior Amateur

Mark Balen (1973 Junior; 1979 Men’s Amateur)

Dominic Bozzelli (2007 Junior; 2011, 2012 Men’s Amateur)

Terry Diehl (1966 Junior; 1969 Men’s Amateur)

Tommy Goodwin (1932, 1933 Junior; 1932, 1936, 1946, 1953 Men’s Amateur)

John Konsek (1957 Junior; 1958, 1959, 1960 Men’s Amateur)

Leonard Lasinsky (1983 Junior; 1991 Men’s Amateur)

Yaroslav Merkulov (2008, 2009 Junior; 2009 Men’s Amateur)

Nick Raasch (1965 Junior; 1966 Men’s Amateur)

Ben Reichert (2015 Junior; 2019 Men’s Amateur)

Matthew Stasiak (2005 Junior; 2014 Men’s Amateur)

Radford Yaun (1972 Junior; 1976 Men’s Amateur)

Winner of NYS Men’s Amateur and Junior Amateur in Same Year

Tommy Goodwin (1932)

Yaroslav Merkulov (2009)

Youngest Champion

17–Nick Raasch (1966)

17–Yaroslav Merkulov (2009)

17–Will Thomson (2018) *difference of months/days

Oldest Champion

44–Joe Gagliardi (1956)

Widest Margin of Victory (During Match Play Era)

13 and 12–Kevin Haefner def. Dan Ricci (2001)

13 and 11–Joe Ruszas def. Steve Doctor (1944)

11 and 10–Dirk Ayers def. Jason Piurkowski (1995)

Longest Championship Match (During Match Play Era)

39 Holes–Ray Billows def. John Ward (1949)

Highest Winning Total (72 Holes)

298 (+10)–Donald Allen (1973)

292 (+8)–Alan Foster (1975)

295 (+7)–George Burns (1974)

Lowest Winning Total (72 Holes)

270 (-14)–Charlie Berridge (2022)

277 (-11)–Dominic Bozzelli (2012)

280 (-9)–Joey Sindelar (1980)

280 (-8)–James Allen (2021)

Lowest Consecutive Rounds

65, 67–Charlie Berridge (2022)

65, 66–Jason Lohwater (2022)

66, 67–Jeff Sluman (1980)

66, 67–Jeffrey Peck (1992)

66, 68–Ben Reichert (2021)

Lowest Final Round by Champion

66–James Allen (2021)

67–Mark Balen (1979)

67–Dominic Bozzelli (2012)

67–Will Thomson (2018)

Most Runner-up Finishes

4–Ray Billows (1936, 1942, 1946, 1952)

3–Donald Allen (1962, 1965, 1974)

3–Tommy Goodwin (1937, 1938, 1955)

3–Robert Hughes (1982, 1985, 2000)

3–John Ward (1949, 1956, 1958)

2–Chris Blyth (2018, 2019)

2–Andrew DiBitetto (2004, 2007)

2–Ralph Howe III (1987, 1988)

2–Jake Katz (2010, 2011)

2–Charlie Murphy (1977, 1985)

2–Dr. Edward O’Keefe (1964, 1968)

2–Lloyd Ribner (1948, 1950)

Longest Match

39 Holes–Ray Billows def. Johnny Ward (1949)

Most Masters Appearances

3–Donald Allen (1965, 1966, 1967)

2–Ray Billows (1939, 1940)

Most Walker Cup Appearances

2–Donald Allen (1965, 1967)

2–Ray Billows (1938, 1949)

2–Sam Urzetta (1951, 1953)

MISC. Records

NYS Amateur Champions to also win a USGA Title

U.S. Amateur

2–Willie Turnesa (1938, 1948)

1–Dick Chapman (1940)

1–Sam Urzetta (1950)

U.S. Women’s Amateur

1–Helen Hicks (1931)

U.S. Open

1–Dick Meyer (1957)

U.S. Junior

1–Tim Straub (1983)

U.S. Girls Junior

1–Gail Sykes (1965)

1–Elizabeth “Doll” Story (1967)

U.S. Mid-Am

1–George Zahringer (2002)

U.S. Senior Am

1–Bob Royak (2019)

USGA Runner-ups

3–Ray Billows–U.S. Amateur (1937, 1939, 1948)

1–Philip Perkins–U.S. Amateur (1928)

1–Joe Gagliardi–U.S. Amateur (1951)

1–Cathy Morse–U.S. Girls Junior (1972)

1–Mary Lawrence–U.S. Girls Junior (1973)

1–Tom Scherrer–U.S. Amateur (1992)

1–George Zahringer–U.S. Mid-Am (2001)

1–Tim Spitz–U.S. Mid-Am (2009)

1–Derek Bard–U.S. Amateur (2015)

NYS Amateur Champions to win PGA Championship

1955–Doug Ford, NYS Junior Am (1940, 1942)

1988–Jeff Sluman, NYS Amateur (1978)

NYS Amateur Champions to win Masters Tournament

1957–Doug Ford, NYS Junior Am (1940, 1942)

NYSGA Records

Match Play Format (1930–1953, 1956–2008)

NYS Women’s Amateur – Championship Records

Stroke Play Format (1954–1955, 2009–Present)

Most Times Hosted by a Member Club

4–Yahnundasis Golf Club (1932, 1950, 1977, 2018)

4–Whiteface Inn GC (1959, 1963, 1966, 1968)

3–Lake Placid Club (1942, 1943, 1944)

3–McGregor Links Country Club (1974, 1987, 2022)

3–Onondaga Golf and Country Club (1937, 1948, 1949)

3–Schuyler Meadows Club (1955, 1976, 2017)

3–Drumlins Country Club (1971, 1988, 2009)

Most Victories

5–Ruth Torgerson (1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950)

4–Margaret Nevil (1958, 1959, 1960, 1962)

3–Barbara Bruning (1951, 1952, 1954)

3–Kyra Cox (2015, 2018, 2021)

3–Danielle Downey (1999, 2000, 2001)

3–Moira Dunn (1992, 1993, 1994)

3–Helen Hicks (1930, 1931, 1933)

3–Christy (Rittenhouse) Schultz (2007, 2008, 2009)

3–Lancy Smith (1966, 1969, 1970)

3–Dianne Wilde (1965, 1971, 1973)

Consecutive Victories

5–Ruth Torgerson (1946-50)

3–Margaret Nevil (1958-60)

3–Moira Dunn (1992-94)

3–Danielle Downey (1999-2001)

Winner of NYS Women’s Amateur and NYS Girls’ Junior

Dottie Pepper (Both in 1981)

Cathy Morse (Girls’–1972, Women’s–1974)

Sara Jane Stuhler (Girls’–1969, ‘70, Women’s–1975)

Lise Ann Russell (Girls’–1978, Women’s–1979)

Mary Lawrence (Girls’, 1973, ‘74, Women’s, 1977)

Moira Dunn (Girls’–1989, Women’s–1992-95)

Sally Dee (Girls’–1988, Women’s–1991)

Lisa Brandetsas (Girls’–1985, 1986, Women’s–1990)

Winner of NYS Women’s Amateur and Junior Amateur in Same Year

Dottie Pepper (1981)

Youngest Champion

13–Megan Grehan (2002)

15–Kyra Cox (2015)

15–Kennedy Swedick (2022)

15–Dottie Pepper (1981)

Widest Margin of Victory (During Match Play Era)

1969–Lancy Smith def. Stephanie Simmons (14 and 12)

1977–Mary Lawrence def. Connie McCarthy 13 and 12)

1947–Ruth Torgerson def. Hilda Swanson ( 12 and 11)

Longest Championship Match (During Match Play Era)

1982–Mary Anne Widman def. Jamie DeWeese (38 holes)

1978–Cindy Kessler def. Paula Slivinsky (37 holes)

Highest Winning Total (72 Holes)

224 (+11)–Christine Schmitt (2014)

226 (+10)–Victoria DeGroodt (2011)

Lowest Winning Total (72 Holes)

207 (-9)–Kennedy Swedick (2022)

216 (-3)–Kyra Cox (2021)

217 (-3)–Marianna Monaco (2017)

Lowest Consecutive Rounds

67, 71–Kennedy Swedick (2022)

Lowest Final Round by Champion

69–Kennedy Swedick (2022)

69–Marianna Monaco (2017)

Most Runner-up Finishes

4–Virginia (Guilfoil) Allen (1945, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1961)

3–Ruth Torgerson (1944, 1952, 1957)

Most Curtis Cup Selections

4–Lancy Smith (1978, 1980, 1982, 1984)

Biggest Field Size

142 entries in 1949 at Onondaga G&CC

Kellie Stenzel, Dottie Pepper and NYSGA’s Betty Deeley at 1982 NYS Girls’ Junior at Pompey Club.

NYSGA Past Champions

Men's Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1923 Garden City CC Edmund Driggs, Jr., Garden City

1924 Orchard Park GC Lee Chase, Buffalo

1925 Lido CC Jack Mackie Jr., Inwood

1926 McGregor Links CC Al Brodbeck, Bronxville

1927 Oak Hill CC Arthur Yates, Rochester

1928 Biltmore CC (West) George Dawson, Harrison

1929 Mohawk CC Maurice McCarthy, Mt. Vernon

1930 Lakeville CC Jack Mackie Jr., Inwood

1931 Oak Hill CC Phil Perkins, Fox Hills

1932 Niagara Falls CC Tommy Goodwin, Rye

1933 Garden City CC Edmund Driggs, Jr., Garden City

1934 Sagamore GC Edmund Driggs, Jr., Garden City

1935 Winged Foot (West) Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

1936 Bellevue CC Tommy Goodwin, Rye

1937 Oak Hill CC Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

1938 Quaker Ridge GC Willie Turnesa, Elmsford

1939 Siwanoy CC Richard Chapman, Larchmont

1940 Onondaga G&CC Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

1941 CC of Troy Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

1942 Niagara Falls CC Alex Stevenson, Niagara Falls

1943 Lake Placid Club Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

1944 Lake Placid Club Joe Ruszas, Albany

1945 Oak Hill CC Ray Billows, Poughkeepsie

1946 Yahnundasis CC Tommy Goodwin, Rye

Women's Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1930 Oak Hill CC Helen L. Hicks, Hewlett

1931 Lido CC Helen L. Hicks, Hewlett

1932 Yahnundasis GC Peggy Wattles, Hamburg

1933 Plandome CC Helen L. Hicks, Hewlett

1934 Hotel Champlain Course Sylvia Leichner, Lido

1935 Lakeview CC Sylvia Leichner, Lido

1936 Mohawk GC Jean E. Bauer, Providence, RI

1937 Onondaga G&CC Marion Turpie (Lake), Plandome

1938 Cherry Valley CC Ruth May, Inwood

1939 Oak Hill CC Peggy Delahant, Albany

1940 CC of Troy Marjorie Harrison, Ausable Forks

1941 Siwanoy CC Virginia M. Guilfoil (Allen), Syracuse

1942 Lake Placid Club Grace M. Amory (Ryan), Locust Valley

1943 Lake Placid Club Kay Byrne, Rye

1944 Lake Placid Club Marjorie Harrison, Ausable Forks

1945 Briar Hills GC Kay Byrne, Rye

1946 Cherry Valley CC Ruth Torgerson, Garden City

1947 Leewood CC Ruth Torgerson, Garden City

1948 Onondaga G&CC Ruth Torgerson, Garden City

1949 Onondaga G&CC Ruth Torgerson, Garden City

1950 Yahnundasis GC Ruth Torgerson, Garden City

1951 Leewood CC Barbara Bruning, Armonk

1952 Binghamton CC Barbara Bruning, Armonk

1953 Hempstead G&CC Roslyn Swift (Berger), Old Westbury

1954 Saranac Lake Club Barbara Bruning, Armonk

1955 Schuyler Meadows Club Naomi A. Venable, Poughkeepsie

1956 Cortland CC Naomi A. Venable, Poughkeepsie

1957 Briar Hall CC Judy Frank, Purchase

1958 Leatherstocking GC Margaret Nevil, Cooperstown

1959 Whiteface Inn GC Margaret Nevil, Cooperstown

1960 Glens Falls CC Margaret Nevil, Cooperstown

1961 Niagara Falls CC Gail Purdy, Glens Falls

1962 Leatherstocking GC Margaret Nevil, Cooperstown

1963 Whiteface Inn GC Gail Purdy, Glens Falls

1964 Dutchess G&CC Mrs. Albert B. Brower, Pelham

1965 Corning CC Dianne Wilde, Amsterdam

1966 Whiteface Inn GC Lancy Smith, Williamsville

1967 The Park Club Roslyn Swift Berger, Amherst

1968 Whiteface Inn GC Elizabeth Story, New Hartford

1969 CC of Rochester Lancy Smith, Williamsville

1970 Colonie G&CC Lancy Smith, Williamsville

1971 Drumlins CC (East) Dianne Wilde, Amsterdam

1972 Cedar Lake Club Darcy Lepir, Hamburg

1973 CC of Ithaca Dianne Wilde, Amsterdam

1974 McGregor Links CC Cathy Morse, Rochester

1975 Corning CC Sara Jane Stuhler, Amsterdam

1976 Schuyler Meadows Club Cathy Morse, Rochester

1977 Yahnundasis GC Mary Lawrence, Canton

1978 Teugega CC Cindy Kessler, Orchard Park

1979 Monroe GC Lise Anne Russell, New City

1980 Foxfire GC Mary Jo Kelly, Albany

1981 Rome CC Dottie Pepper, Saratoga Springs

1982 Ives Hill CC Mary Anne Widman, Elmira

1983 Seven Oaks CC Mary Anne Widman, Elmira

1984 St. Lawrence CC Kathy Hart, New York Mills

1985 Oneonta CC Kellie Stenzel, Lyons

1986 Brook-Lea CC Jamie DeWeese, Rochester

1987 McGregor Links CC Penne Nieporte-Bollaci, Mamaroneck

1988 Drumlins CC (East) Jean Bartholomew, Garden City

1989 McConnellsville GC Tiffany Maurycy, Schenectady

1990 Sodus Bay Heights CC Lisa Brandetsas, Rochester

CC William Boland, Jr., Troy

1984 CC of Troy George Zahringer, Sands Point

1985 Ridgemont CC Christopher Lane, Binghamton

1986 Knollwood CC Jay Gunning, Colonie

1987 Oak Hill CC (East) Tim Straub, East Aurora

1988 Yahundasis GC Tim Straub, East Aurora

1989 Vestal Hills CC Tim Marsh, Endicott

1990 Albany CC Joe Wilson, Rochester

1991 Brook-Lea CC Leonard Lasinsky, Syracuse

1992 Drumlins CC (East) Todd Dischinger, Syracuse

1993 Seven Oaks GC Jeffrey Peck, Clifton Springs

1994 Cobblestone Creek CC David Bonacchi, Rochester

1995 Moon Brook CC Dirk Ayers, Jamestown

1996 Links at Hiawatha GC Michael Valicenti, Elmira

1997 Dutchess G&CC Greg Rohlf, New Rochelle

1998 Pinehaven CC Bryan Smith, Kingston

1999 Wanakah CC John Gaffney, Buffalo

2000 Monroe GC Michael Valicenti, Elmira

2001 Seven Oaks GC Kevin Haefner, Rochester

2002 Transit Valley CC Kyle Hess, Buffalo

2003 Ravenwood GC Kyle Hess, Buffalo

2004 Wiltwyck GC Matt Thomas, Blasdell

2005 Ontario GC James Scorse, Churchville

2006 CC of Troy Andrew DiBitetto, Rochester

2007 Yahnundasis CC John Duthie, Lansing

2008 Pinehaven CC Jeff Wolniewicz, West Seneca

2009 Ravenwood GC Yaroslav Merkulov, Penfield

2010 Albany CC Doug Kleeschulte, Kingston

2011 Oak Hill CC (West) Dominic Bozzelli, Pittsford

2012 Elmira CC Dominic Bozzelli, Pittsford

2013 Schuyler Meadows Club Matt Stasiak, Clarence

2014 Bellevue CC Luke Feehan, Carmel

2015 Kaluhyat GC Trevor Sluman, Rochester

2016 Mohawk GC Tyler McArdell, Baldwinsville

2017 Bethpage Black Adam Condello, Fairport

2018 Irondequoit CC Will Thomson, Pittsford

2019 Crag Burn GC Ben Reichert, East Amherst

2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Schuyler Meadows Club James Allen, Scarsdale

2022 Onondaga G&CC Charlie Berridge, Scarsdale

Boys' Junior Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1931 Onondaga G&CC Hamilton W. Wright. Garden City

1932 Siwanoy CC Tommy Goodwin, Rye

1933 CC of Troy Tommy Goodwin, Rye

1934 Orchard Park CC Billy Ward, Syracuse

1935 Siwanoy CC Jack Creavy, Tuckahoe

1936 Seawane Club Alick Gerard, Southampton

1937 St. Andrew’s GC Charles C. Pettijohn, Jr., Rye

1938 Schuyler Meadows CC Guy Berner, Hamburg

1939 Lakeshore Yacht & CC Ted Welgoss, Auburn

1940 Sleepy Hollow CC Douglas Ford, Harrison

1941 Bellevue CC John Ward, Syracuse

1942 Briar Hills CC Doug Ford, Harrison

1943 Bellevue CC George M. Stuhr, Garden City

1944 -45 Suspended for WWII

1946 -55 Run under other auspices

1956 Bellevue CC E. Stewart Wallace Jr., Ithaca

1957 Wanakah CC John P. Konsek III, Buffalo

1958 Oak Hill CC Curt Siegel, Snyder

1959 Garden City GC John McCleary, Amsterdam

1960 Elmira CC Marc Yahn, East Amherst

1961 CC of Troy Peter Famiano, Schenectady

1962 Niagara Falls CC Ronald A. Philo, Ballston Spa

1963 Bellevue CC Carl DiCesare, Rochester

1964 Cornell University GC Craig Luther, Buffalo

1965 Briar Hill G&CC Nick Raasch, Syracuse

1966 Moon Brook CC Terry Diehl, Rochester

1967 Colonie G&CC Neil Spitalny, Colonie

1968 Lancaster CC E. J. Cardish, Jr., Troy

1969 Nottingham Knolls Billy Gormley Jr., Ballston Spa

1970 Cornell University GC Tom Street, Buffalo

1971 Seven Oaks GC Don Kalode, Liverpool

1972 Moon Brook CC Radford Yaun, Liberty

1973 Soaring Eagles GC Mark Balen, Hamburg

1974 Binghamton CC Dan Marlowe, Binghamton

1975 Stafford CC James Gridley Jr., Syracuse

1976 Lancaster CC David Boeff, Ontario

1977 Elmira CC Gary Battisoni Jr., East Aurora

1978 Seven Oaks GC John Ryan Jr., Rochester

1979 Soaring Eagles GC Bob Royak, Guilderland

1980 Winding Brook CC Alan Schulte, Oneonta

1981 Stafford CC Kyle Gay, Clarence

1982 Clifton Springs CC Eric Manning, Cortland

1983 Soaring Eagles GC Leonard Lasinsky, Syracuse

1984 Dutchess G&CC Daniel Wilkinson III, Cicero

1985 Wayne Hills CC Jerry Springer, Purchase

1986 Winding Brook CC Thomas C. Scherrer, Skaneateles

1987 Teugega CC Rick Spiehs, Marathon

1988 Ives Hill CC Brett Fulford, Jamestown

1989 Ontario GC Tim Larsen, Seneca Falls

1990 Seneca Lakes CC Shane Barrett, New York Mills

1991 Bristol Harbour GC Joshua Cupp, Rome

1992 Albany CC Anthony Occhipinti, Rome

1993 Wellsville CC Tim Kennedy, LeRoy

1994 Oswego CC Kyle Dwyer, Walden

1995 Shorewood CC Tim Myers, Syracuse

1996 Ridgemont CC Timothy Smith, East Aurora

1997 Shaker Ridge CC Ben Bates, Schenectady

1998 Vestal Hills CC Jonathan Bump, Apalachin

1999 Drumlins CC (East) Ben Eldridge, Ballston Spa

2000 Wellsville CC Dennis Gosier, Saratoga Springs

2001 Caledonia CC Marco Poccia, Saratoga Springs

Girls' Junior Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1963 Monroe GC Carolyn Ploysa, Lancaster

1964 Lakeshore Yacht & CC Gail Sykes, Ballston Spa

1965 Teugega CC Debbie Austin, Rome

1966 Stafford CC Doll Story, Clayville

1967 Seven Oaks GC Doll Story, Clayville

1968 Drumlins CC (East) Wendy Hodgson, McConnellsville

1969 Antlers CC Sara Jane Stuhler, Amsterdam

1970 Locust Hill CC Sara Jane Stuhler, Amsterdam

1971 Gowanda CC Mary Pat Kircher, Rochester

1972 Irondequoit CC Cathy Morse, Rochester

1973 CC of Ithaca Mary Lawrence, Canton

1974 Teugega CC Mary Lawrence, Canton

1975 Seven Oaks GC Cynthia Pietrusik, Lackawanna

1976 McConnellsville GC Cynthia Pietrusik, Lackawanna

1977 St. Lawrence G&CC Kathy Lawrence, Canton

1978 Ives Hill CC Lise Ann Russell, New City

1979 McConnellsville GC Pamela Darmstadt, Mamaroneck

1980 Cedar Lake Club Jamie DeWeese, Rochester

1981 Oswego CC Dottie Pepper, Saratoga Springs

1982 Pompey Club Kellie Stenzel, Geneva

1983 McConnellsville GC Dottie Pepper, Saratoga Springs

1984 Teugega CC Suzy McGuire, Fayetteville

1985 Cortland CC Lisa Brandetsas, Rochester

1986 Cedar Lake GC Lisa Brandetsas, Rochester

1987 Sodus Bay Heights GC Allison Greer, Millbrook

1988 Seven Oaks GC Sally Dee, Syracuse

1989 Corning CC Moira Dunn, Utica

1990 Oneida Community GC Julie Brand, Alder Creek

1991 Oswego CC Julie Brand, Alder Creek

1992 Dutchess G&CC Holly Turton, Ithaca

1993 Clifton Springs CC Kerri Murphy, Amsterdam

1994 CC of Ithaca Kerri Murphy, Amsterdam

1995 Oneida Community GC Kerri Murphy, Amsterdam

1996 Mohawk GC Christy Rittenhouse, Caledonia

1997 Gowanda CC Christy Rittenhouse, Caledonia

1998 Vestal Hills CC Meaghan Francella, Rye

1999 Drumlins CC (East) Meaghan Francella, Rye

2000 Wellsville CC Nannette Hill, Pelham Manor

2001 Caledonia CC Nannette Hill, Pelham Manor

2002 Glens Falls CC Nannette Hill, Pelham Manor

2003 Tuscarora GC Tessa Teachman, Webster

2004 McConnellsvile GC Kristina Wong, Vestal

2005 Centerpointe CC Anna Cho, West Nyack

2006 Drumlins CC (East) Katelynn Mannix, Glens Falls

2007* Mark Twain GC Carly Bergin, Binghamton

2008 Oneonta CC Suzie Lee, East Northport

2009 Skaneateles CC Bailey Cocca, Latham

2010 CC of Mendon Bailey Cocca, Latham

2011 McGregor Links CC Nicole Morales, South Salem

2012 Mark Twain GC Danielle Fuss, Rochester

2013 Skaneateles CC Alexis Hios, Rye

2014 Ridgemont CC Marah Penn, Hamburg

2015 Cedar Lake Club Maren Cipolla, Lewiston

2016 Seven Oaks GC Lindsay May, Auburn

2017 Seven Oaks GC Bailey Shoemaker, West Edmeston

2018 Seven Oaks GC Bailey Shoemaker, West Edmeston

2019 Seven Oaks GC Bailey Shoemaker, West Edmeston

2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Seven Oaks GC Julia Zigrossi, Spencerport

2022 Soaring Eagles GC Sophia Li, New York

1991 Tuscarora GC Sally Dee, Syracuse

1992 Oneonta CC Moira Dunn, Utica

1993 Stafford CC Moira Dunn, Utica

1994 Centerpointe CC Moira Dunn, Utica

1995 Ives Hill CC Eve Marie Lux, Poughkeepsie

1996 McConnellsville CC Gail Flanagan, Rye

1997 River Oaks CC Gail Flanagan, Rye

1998 St. Andrews GC Sara Doell, Webster

1999 Kingswood GC Danielle Downey, Rochester

2000 Ontario GC Danielle Downey, Rochester

2001 Cortland CC Danielle Downey, Rochester

2002 Pinehaven CC Megan Grehan, Mamaroneck

2003 Oswego CC Megan Grehan, Mamaroneck

2004 Robert Trent Jones GC Christy Rittenhouse, Pavilion

2005 Gowanda GC Maggie Lester, Oswego

2006 Nevele Grande Resort Maggie Lester, Oswego

2007 Oneida Community GC Christy Schultz, Rochester

2008 Wayne Hills CC Christy Schultz, Rochester

2009 Drumlins CC (East) Kristina Wong, Vestal

2010 Sodus Bay Heights GC Rene Sobolewski, Williamsville

2011 Rome CC Victoria DeGroodt, Walden

2012 Seneca Falls CC Ellen Oswald, Westchester

2013 CC of Ithaca Jenna Hoecker, Rochester

2014 Dutchess G&CC Christine Schmitt, Pittsford

2015 Tuscarora GC Kyra Cox, South Salem

2016 Elmira CC Bailey Cocca, Latham

2017 Schuyler Meadows Club Marianna Monaco, Yonkers

2018 Yahnundasis GC Kyra Cox, South Salem

2019 Lancaster CC Jennifer Rosenberg, Laurel Hollow

2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Teugega CC Kyra Cox, South Salem

2022 McGregor Links CC Kennedy Swedick, Albany

2002 Glens Falls CC David May, Auburn

2003 Tuscarora GC David May, Auburn

2004 McConnellsville GC Alex Park, Ithaca

2005 Centerpointe CC Matthew Stasiak, Clarence

2006 Drumlins CC (East) Donald DeNyse III, Albany

2007* Mark Twain GC Dominic Bozzelli, Pittsford

2008 Oneonta CC Yaroslav Merkulov, Penfield

2009 Skaneateles CC Yaroslav Merkulov, Penfield

2010 CC of Mendon Josh Holling, Horseheads

2011 McGregor Links CC James Blackwell, North Tonawanda

2012 Mark Twain GC Gavin Hall, Pittsford

2013 Skaneateles CC Conor Raeman, Canandaigua

2014 Ridgemont CC Andrew Fedele, Rochester

2015 Cedar Lake Club Ben Reichert, East Amherst

2016 Seven Oaks GC Christian Chapman, Victor

2017 Seven Oaks GC Jude Cummings, Pittsford

2018 Seven Oaks GC Luke Sample, New York

2019 Seven Oaks GC Luke Sample, New York

2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Seven Oaks GC Anthony Delisanti, Sanborn

2022 Soaring Eagles GC Jack Berl, Victor

NYSGA Past Champions continued

Boy's Sub-Junior Amateur Champions

Men's Mid-Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1984 Glens Falls CC Charles Murphy, Albany

1985 Drumlins CC (East) Don Allen, Rochester

1986 Crag Burn GC Ken Andrychuk, Clifton Springs

1987 CC of Rochester Don Allen, Rochester

1988 Wolferts Roost CC Bruce Aubin, Poughkeepsie

1989 Bellevue CC Tom Flynn, Syracuse

1990 Dutchess G&CC Steve Nosonowitz, Poughkeepsie

1991 Brookfield CC John Baldwin, New York City

1992 Bristol Harbour GC Alan Foster, Manlius

1993 McGregor Links CC Cliff Earle, Saratoga Springs

1994 Wayne Hills CC David Benedict, Rochester

1995 Ontario GC Alan Foster, Manlius

1996 Normanside CC Mike May, Auburn

1997 Elmira CC Michael Valicenti, Elmira

1998 Yahnundasis GC Luke Hobika, Utica

1999 Crag Burn GC Jim Roy, Syracuse

2000 Bellevue CC Tim Hume, Williamsville

2001 Leatherstocking GC Jim Roy, Syracuse

2002 Westwood CC Jim Roy, Syracuse

2003 Teugega CC Patrick Pierson, Central Nyack

2004 Shaker Ridge CC Jim Roy, Syracuse

2005 CC of Rochester Matt Clarke, Loudonville

2006 Brookfield CC Aaron Tallman, Lancaster

Elmira Heights

1980 Winding Brook GC Ed Pfister, East Aurora

1981 Stafford CC G.C. Kling, Rochester

1982 Clifton Springs CC Tony Hejna, East Aurora

1983 Soaring Eagles GC Dan Vona, Dunkirk

1984 Dutchess G&CC Tommy Nixon, Rochester

1985 Wayne Hills CC Tommy Nixon, Rochester

1986 Winding Brook CC Tom Kircher, Pittsford

1987 Teugega CC Jonathon Doctor, Skaneateles

1988 Ives Hill CC Greg Albrecht, Endicott

1989 Ontario GC Tim Rose, Endicott

1990 Seneca Lakes CC Anthony Occhipinti, Rome

1991 Bristol Harbour GC Dan Myers, Skaneateles

1992 Albany CC Tim Kennedy, LeRoy

1993 Wellsville CC Marty Mills, LeRoy

1994 Oswego CC Kevin Haefner, East Henrietta

1995 Shorewood CC Brendan Sheeran, Niagara Falls

1996 Ridgemont CC Stephen Tokarz, Rochester

1997 Shaker Ridge CC Marco Poccia, Saratoga Springs

1998 Vestal Hills CC Dennis Gosier, Saratoga Springs

1999 Drumlins CC (East) Teddy Collins, Manlius

2000 Wellsville CC Billy Hanes, East Aurora

2001 Caledonia CC Nick Park, Ithaca

2002 Glens Falls CC Nick Park, Ithaca

2003 Tuscarora GC Matt Canavan, Saratoga Springs

2004 McConnellsville GC Peter Creighton, Kenmore

2005 Centerpointe CC Dominic Bozzelli, Pittsford

2006 Drumlins CC (East) Yaroslav Merkulov, Penfield

2007* Mark Twain GC Joe Drummond, Pittsford

2008 Oneonta CC Gavin Hall, Pittsford

2009 Skaneateles CC Gavin Hall, Pittsford

2010 CC of Mendon Henry Sandlas V, Seneca Falls

2011 McGregor Links CC Alec Bard, New Hartford

2012 Mark Twain GC Alec Bard, New Hartford

2013 Skaneateles CC Will Thomson, Pittsford

2014 Ridgemont CC Will Thomson, Pittsford

2015 Cedar Lake Club Jeremy Summerson, Victor

2016 Seven Oaks GC Jude Cummings, Pittsford

2017 Seven Oaks GC Luke Sample, New York

2018 Seven Oaks GC Anthony Maglisco, Westhill

2019 Seven Oaks GC Charlie Fischer, Orchard Park

2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Seven Oaks GC Jacob Olearczyk, Barnevald

2022 Soaring Eagles GC Jacob Olearczyk, Barnevald

2007 Dutchess G&CC John Vaccaro, Albany

2008 Elmira CC Tim Rose, Endicott

2009 Glens Falls CC Ken Riter, Buffalo

2010 Crag Burn GC Tim Hume, Cheektowaga

2011 Dutchess G&CC Jimmy Welch, Valatie

2012 Midvale CC Tim Spitz, Pittsford

2013 Onondaga G&CC Jim Scorse, Churchville

2014 Teugega CC Jamie Miller, Silver Creek

2015 Wolferts Roost CC Luke Hobika, Dewitt

2016 Stafford CC Jim Scorse, Churchville

2017 Yahnundasis GC Patrick Keegan, Rochester

2018 Wanakah CC Jamie Miller, Hamburg

2019 Tuscarora GC Bradford Tilley, Easton, Conn.

2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Shaker Ridge CC Carl Schimenti, Ithaca

2022 Seven Oaks GC Billy Hanes, Elma

Men's Super Senior Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

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

2022 Springville GC Robert Branham, Norwich

Men's Senior Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

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

1953-69 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 Creavy, 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

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

2022 Springville CC Kevin Vandenberg, Pulaski

Women's Super Senior Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

2007 The Whiteface Club Gail Brophy, Saratoga Springs

2008 Holiday Valley CC Gail Brophy, Saratoga Springs

2009 Thendara GC Sandra Wood, Ithaca

2010 Brookwoods CC Sandra Wood, Ithaca

2011 Clifton Springs CC Sandra Wood, Ithaca

2012 Shorewood CC Sharyn Costello, Ithaca

2013 Wayne Hills CC Sharyn Costello, Ithaca

2014 Kanon Valley CC Michelle Marquis, Fayetteville

2015 Thendara GC Cecily Havens, Syracuse

2016 The Whiteface Club Cecily Havens, Syracuse

2017 Corning CC Sandra Wood, Ithaca

2018 Thendara GC Ronnie Levine-Ribble, Penfield

2019 Bristol Harbour GC Kitty Colliflower, Rochester

2020 Suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Pinehaven CC Mary Jo Kelly, Loudonville

2022 Ranic GC Mary Jo Kelly, Loudonville

Women's Senior Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

1953 Cherry Valley CC Mrs. Van DeVanter Crisp, Locust Valley

1954 Saranac Inn Mrs. Richard Hellman, Scarsdale 1955 Knollwood CC Mrs. Jerome Herbert, Purchase 1956 Cortland CC Mrs. Jerome Herbert, Purchase

1957 Old Oaks CC Mrs. Jerome Herbert, Purchase

1958 Oneonta CC Margaret Frank, Albany

1959 Monroe GC Mrs. John Pennington, Buffalo

1960 Pelham CC Ruth Torgerson, Garden City

1961 Binghamton CC Ruth Torgerson, Garden City

1962 Teugega CC Mrs. Anthony DeLiso, Woodstock

1963 Ridgemont CC Mrs. Anthony DeLiso, Woodstock

1964 Brookfield CC Mrs. James Sherman, Utica

1965 Lakeshore CC Anne Coupe, Loudonville

1966 Wolferts Roost CC Grace Ryan, Red Hook

1967 Lake Placid Club Anne Coupe, Loudonville

1968 Midvale Golf & CC Jean Trainor, Rochester

1969 The Whiteface Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1970 The Whiteface Club Virginia Allen, Syracuse

1971 The Whiteface Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1972 The Whiteface Club Nancy Rutter, Buffalo

1973 The Whiteface Club Anne Coupe, Rochester

1974 The Whiteface Club Anne Coupe, Rochester

1975 The Whiteface Club Virginia Allen, Syracuse

1976 The Whiteface Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1977 Lake Placid Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1978 Lake Placid Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1979 The Whiteface Club Margaret Nevil, Cooperstown

1980 Oneonta CC Mrs. William Warren, Rochester

1981 Bristol Harbor CC Jean Trainor, Rochester

1982 The Whiteface Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1983 The Whiteface Club Jean Trainor, Rochester

1984 Thendara GC Frances Stearns, Poughkeepsie

1985 Vestal Hills CC Frances Stearns, Poughkeepsie

1986 Deerfield CC Frances Stearns, Poughkeepsie

1987 The Whiteface Club Patricia McCormack, Old Forge

1988 Tan Tara GC Frances Stearns, Poughkeepsie

1989 Onondaga G&CC Lois Destalto, Saratoga Springs

1990 Bristol Harbor GC Frances Stearns, Poughkeepsie

1991 Pinehaven CC Frances Stearns, Poughkeepsie

1992 Colonie G&CC Anne Ralph, Rochester

1993 Dutchess G&CC Sue Sims, Skaneateles

1994 Cavalry Club Sue Sims, Skaneateles

1995 Caledonia CC Linda Smythe, Oswego

1996 Lockport Town CC Sue Sims, Skaneateles

1997 Ballston Spa CC Linda Hedges, Rochester

1998 Thendara GC Lancy Smith, Snyder

1999 Inlet GC Lancy Smith, Snyder

2000 CC of Rochester Michelle Marquis, Fayetteville

2001 Elmira CC Lancy Smith, Snyder

2002 Shorewood CC Lancy Smith, Snyder

2003 Thendara GC Kathy Hunt, Clarence

2004 Club at Villa Roma Kathy Hunt, Clarence

2005 Reservoir Creek GC Maggie Kril, Spencerport

2006 Cedar Lake Club Maggie Kril, Spencerport

2007 The Whiteface Club Jan LaVigne, Penfield

2008 Holiday Valley CC Kim Kaul, Colden

2009 Thendara GC Teresa Cleland, Syracuse

2010 Brookwoods CC Teresa Cleland, Syracuse

2011 Clifton Springs CC Carina Watkins, Phoenix

2012 Shorewood CC Sharyn Costello, Ithaca

2013 Wayne Hills CC Susan Kahler, Niskayuna

2014 Kanon Valley CC Nancy Kroll, Schenectady

2015 Thendara GC Kim Kaul, Colden

2016 The Whiteface Club Mary Sicard, Lake George

2017 Corning CC Mary Sicard, Lake George

2018 Thendara GC Tammy Blyth, Pittsford

2019 Bristol Harbour GC Mary Sicard, Lake George

2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Pinehaven CC Kim Kaul, Colden

2022 Ranic GC Susan Kahler, Saratoga Springs

Women's Mid-Amateur Champions

Year Host Club Winner

2009 Drumlins CC (East) Christy Schultz, Rochester

2010 Sodus Bay Heights GC Christy Schultz, Rochester

2011 Rome CC Teresa Cleland, Syracuse

2012 Seneca Falls CC Teresa Cleland, Syracuse

2013 CC of Ithaca Teresa Cleland, Syracuse

2014 Dutches G&CC Joanna Beatty, Newburgh

2015 Tuscarora GC Dani Mullin, West Islip

2016 Elmira CC Joanna Beatty, Newburgh

2017 Schuyler Meadows Club Lauren Cupp, New Hartford

2018 Yahnundasis GC Jenna Hoecker, Rochester

2019 Lancaster CC Jenna Hoecker, Rochester

2020 Suspended for COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Teugega CC Christy Schultz, Livonia

2022 McGregor Links CC Christy Schultz, Livonia

NYSGA Thanks and Credits

NYSGA Centennial Sub-Committee

Thank you to the following individuals who spent a considerable amount of time to plan, research and create this booklet to celebrate the first 100 years of the NYSGA.

John Blain, Chairman

Pete Dougherty

Doug Vergith

Dan Thompson, Staff Liaison

The NYSGA would like to thank the following organizations that provided images for this booklet: United States Golf Association, Oak Hill Country Club, Onondaga Golf & Country Club, Yahnundasis Golf Club, Country Club of Troy, Historical Images and Newspapers.com.

We'd also like to recognize our partner regional associations for the exceptional work they do in promoting the game of golf in New York State and beyond: Buffalo District Golf Association, Capital District Golf Association, Long Island Golf Association,

Metropolitan Golf Association, Rochester District Golf Association, Syracuse District Golf Association, Triple Cities Golf Association, Westchester Golf Association and the United States Golf Association. Also the Professional Golf Association sections within our state: Central NY, Metropolitan NY, Northeastern NY and Western NY.

Lastly, we'd like to thank all of the volunteers, from the past and present, who dedicate their time, energy and expertise to serving golf and helping to promote this great game each season.

Spectators enjoying the 1937 NYS Women's Amateur championship match between Marion Turpie of Plandome and Betsy McLeod of Buffalo on the second green at Onondaga G&CC in Fayetteville

Printing provided by FLP Group/KOC Printing, Auburn, New York. Design and layout by Denise Lowery.

1923 -2023

'We are as healthy as we've ever been'