2023 NYS Men's Senior Amateur Championship Program

2023

NEW YORK STATE

MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Yahnundasis Golf Club - New Hartford, New York

September 12-13, 2023

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NYSGA Officers

President - Henry Fust Onondaga G&CC

1st VP - Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC

2nd VP - 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 CC

Norm Amyot

Michael Aquino

Fred Arliss

Larry Arliss

Gary Assad

John Barry

John Bartholomew

David Beattie

Al Belair

Vic Bergsten

Marci Bevilacqua

Doreen Biviano

John Blain

Vincent Bonvino

Chris Boynton

Timothy Brady

David Braunscheidel

Gene Bullis

John Bullis

Ted Casey

Sue Chambers

Michael Chianelli

Cory Ciambella

Brian Clark

Matt Clarke

Andrew Conway

James Cook

Darrell Cornett

Thomas Cotter

George Cretekos

Jerry Danielski

John Davis

Garrett Davitt

Gordon Dewey

Todd Dischinger

Patric Donaghue

Renato Donato

Mike Donnelly

Dick Dorgan

Michael Drennen

Georgia Dusckas

NYSGA Staff

Bill Moore Executive Director

Andrew Hickey Assistant Executive Director

Dan Thompson Director, Marketing and Partnerships

Jack Travers

Assistant Director, Rules & Competitions

Michael Dirkes Manager, Regional Associations

Mark Ackley Manager, Course Rating

Deb Spilman Manager, Special Events & Volunteer Operations

Christopher Buerle Communications Intern

Alexander King

USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern

Damian Rodriguez

USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern

NYSGA Committee

Tom Eckert

Wayne Eckhardt

Joe Enright

Laurie Enright

John Ernst

Vie Evans

Karen Feldman

Mary Beth Fiore

Mark Fitzgerald

Michael Fitzgerald

Georgette Folley

Adrian Forzani

Tim Frank

John Gaffney

Richard Galvin

Bill Geider

Brad Griffin

Tom Hahn

Julie Hamm

David Hayes

Joe Hazard

Sherry Heath

Patrick Henry

Jeff Holmes

Braden Houston

John Hudacs

Al Huggard

Don Hurley

Ed Kaczor

Robert Kawa

Tim Kayes

Mary Ann Keeler

Stephen Keeler

Jeffrey Kennicutt

Edward Koslick

John Kulesa

Peter Lalla

Nan Lanahan

Tom Lanahan

Rod Lindstrom

Bill Loehr

Janis Luce

Ron Mack

Patrick MacRae

Susan Marsh

Robert Martin

Ronald Mason

Patricia Mayne

Jim McConnell

Theresa McGibbon

Thomas McGibbon

Pat McKenna

James McKillip

Patrick McNierney

Sean McPhee

Richard Meath

Brian Merritt

James Meyers

Gene Meyle

Ginny Meyle

Matthew Micheli

Bill Moore

Matthew Moran

Bill Moreland

Albert Mowery

Jack Mulvey

Art Munson

Jim Murrett

Thomas Oles

Thomas Owen

Rocco Palmieri

Brandon Payne

Mark Perry

Noah Poskanzer

Richard Prestopnik

Joe Pucello

John Quijano

Nick Raasch

John Raunick

John Reagan

Tom Reidy

Joseph Riccio

James Roff

Robert Rosen

Sean Rotella

Tony Scarpello

Chris Schmidt

Carl Schultz

Tim Schum

Dan Scott

Martin Siefka

Robert Simms

Sue Sims

Sarah Simson

Jaspal “Ricky” Singh, M.D.

David Smith

John Sniezyk

Ron Socash

Don Sommerville

Joseph Sorrento

Jerry Stahl

Edward Stanek

Tom Steele

Peter Stoj

Joseph Strykowski

John Sullivan

Levin Sullivan

Gale Sutton

Thelma Taylor

David Vaneenenaam

Jerry Vereeke

Mona Wasserman

Rich Weber

Bryan Whooten

Loretta Whooten

Steve Wilber

Richard Wilson

Doug Young

Jon Zucarelli

WELCOME

On behalf of the entire New York State Golf Association, welcome to the 66th Men’s Senior Amateur Championship!

The NYSGA is pleased to join with the leadership and staff of Yahnundasis Golf Club to provide a memorable challenge in crowning New York State’s men’s senior amateur champion.

We are proud to return to this classic Walter Travis layout, which was the founding site of the NYSGA in 1923. This will mark our twelfth state championship hosted by Yahnundasis, and second NYS Men’s Senior Am (first time was in 1946).

We anticipate an exciting and memorable competition over the next couple of days, and the golf course and setup will surely challenge the players to utilize their full ability and skill.

I’d like to offer our thanks and appreciation to the management, club and pro shop staff, and especially the course grounds crew, whose combined efforts have provided us with this wonderful championship venue.

Finally, I’d like to thank our NYSGA staff and fantastic team of tournament volunteers, who work tirelessly to provide a first-class experience and support the talented players that participate in our competitions.

We hope you enjoy this year’s championship and we appreciate your support of our association and tournaments. If there’s anything that we can do to make your experience more enjoyable, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the NYSGA staff.

Sincerely,

Henry W. Fust , President New York State Golf Association

Yahnundasis Golf Club is regarded across upstate New York for its magnificent Walter J. Travis layout spanning over 6,800 yards and includes gently rolling hills, strategically dispersed bunkers and tricky undulating greens defined by the land’s natural contours.

The club dates to 1897, where sixty-five prominent area citizens made a commitment to create an institution that would enhance the enjoyment of their leisure hours. They began a strong tradition of sportsmanship and camaraderie that would be built upon by those who followed.

The club’s name, Yahnundasis, means “around the hill”, which Native Americans called the area around Utica’s close by Genesee Street, the club’s original site.

On August 9, 1923, the New York State Golf Association was founded at Yahnundasis to foster closer and more intimate relations in and among the greater body of golfers in New York and to create an opportunity for an annual sanctioned (men’s) state championship. Yahnundasis member Sherrill Sherman also became the first NYSGA President and served on the executive committee for decades.

This will be the second NYS Men’s Senior at Yahnundasis (first in 1946), and twelth overall NYSGA championship. he venue has been a wonderful supporter of the NYSGA and has hosted numerous championships over the decades including: NYS Men’s Amateur in 1946, 1958, 1968, 1988 & 2007, the NYS Women’s Amateur in 1932, 1950, 1977 and 2018 along with the Women’s Mid-Am, and the NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur in 1998 and 2017.

No. 7 at Yahnundasis Golf Club located in New Hartford, N.Y.

YAHNUNDASIS GOLF CLUB

2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

VANDENBERG ROUTS FIELD AT 65TH NYS MEN’S SENIOR

Once Kevin VandenBerg stepped onto the course at Springville on Thursday afternoon the outcome of the 65th NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Championship was never in doubt.

1 Kevin VandenBerg Beaver Meadows GC 66-73--139 (-3)

T2 Dennis Lynch Binghamton CC 77-71--148 (+6)

T2 Jeff Schauger River Oaks GC 75-73--148 (+6)

T2 Daniel Russo Schuyler Meadows GC 72-76--148 (+6)

T2 Chris Smithers Tuscarora GC 73-75--148 (+6)

The member of Beaver Meadows fired the tournament low round on day one, a 5-under 66, and carried a six-stroke lead into the final round. All he had to do on Thursday was avoid major mistakes and he would likely walk away with his first NYS title.

While his round two performance was not blemish-free, the rest of the field could not close the significant gap he opened on Wednesday.

The three-time Michigan state champion and recent Senior Porter Cup winner turned in a 73 on Thursday, which was more than enough to secure the title. He finished at 3-under 139 for the tournament.

“I was second last year to Dan, but it feels really nice to get a state championship under my belt.” VandenBerg said. “Hopefully I’ll get a couple more in the next few years, but it feels good.”

The top five finishers in the Senior Amateur earned exemptions into the 2022 Mid-Amateur at Seven Oaks and 2023 Men’s Amateur at Wykagyl CC.

Four players tied for second to join Vandenberg on the exemption list.

2021 defending champion Dan Russo of Schuyler Meadows; Dennis Lynch, of Nassau Players Club; Jeff Schauger, of River Oaks GC; and Chris Smithers, of Tuscarora GC, all finished at 6-over 148.

“To come out here and be able to do this is great,” Smithers said. “I’m really happy about it.”

The course played at 6,383 yards and to a par of 71.

After Round 1

Following heavy rain at Springville Country Club that forced players off the course during the practice rounds, the championship got underway with round one on Wednesday.

VandenBerg had surged to an impressive lead on the back of a 5-under 66. He strung together a stretch of four straight birdies, capped off with a 60-foot putt on the par-4 tenth.

“Everything was pretty stress free,” VandenBerg said. “I haven’t had a round like that in a long time.”

He totaled seven birdies on the day, which he chalked up to a good day off the tee and solid iron shots.

“You never know what’s going to happen, you never know what game shows up,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re up by three, four, five or you’re down by two. Usually, I’m a good chaser and run some people down.”

Three players sat tied for second after the opening 18 holes, including defending champion Russo. He along with Stafford CC’s Geoff Wormley and Onondaga G&CC’s Bruce Levinson all fired 72s to finish the day at 1-over.

Russo, who won the previous two NYS Men’s Senior Amateur titles, held the lead for much of the day before Vandenberg took to the course in the afternoon.

“When you get under the gun, you have to have a little confidence and eventually you have to get up and hit a golf shot,” Russo said. “Whether you’re playing good, bad or indifferent, when you’re in the heat you have to hit a golf shot.”

VandenBerg broke through to win after finishing runner-up the previous year.

Kevin VandenBerg

Dan Russo

Chris Smithers

PAST CHAMPIONS

Past Champions of the New York State Men’s Senior Amateur Championship

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

1953-1969: 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 Creary, 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

PLAYER INFORMATION

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

Entries

The Championship is open to male amateur golfers. Players must be a member of the NYSGA, defined as either belonging to an NYSGA member club or an NYSGA eClub (NYS residency required of eClub members). Players must be at least 55 years old as of September 11, 2023 and must have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less and issued by their NYSGA member club.

Format

66th NYS Men’s Senior Amateur - Stroke Play, 36 Holes

Ties

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

Schedule of Events

Monday, September 11

9:30-4:00pm............Registration

10:30-3:30pm..........Practice rounds

Tuesday, September 12

7:30-9:00am............Round 1, tees #1 and #10

11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch

12:30-2:00pm..........Round 1, tees #1 and #10

Wednesday, September 13

7:30-9:00am............Round 2, tees #1 and #10

11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch

12:30-2:00pm..........Round 2, tees #1 and #10

7:00pm....................Award ceremony

Year Host Club Champion Year Host Club Champion

Bill Stark Bowl, established in 1940. Named in honor of the prominent NYSGA committee member from Syracuse.

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