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NYSGA Officers
President - Jamie Miller, Crag Burn GC
1st VP - Doug Vergith, Chautauqua GC
2nd VP - Rich Weber, Brookfield CC
Secretary - Ryan Gabel, Southern Dutchess 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
Karen Feldman, Columbia G&CC
Henry Fust, Onondaga G&CC
Ryan Gabel, Southern Dutchess CC
Megan Grehan, Hudson National GC
Brent Herlihy, Glens Falls CC
Brian Kumiega, CC of Buffalo
Lawrence Lessing, The Creek
Tom Owen, Corning CC
Christy Schultz, Oak Hill CC
Frank Suits, Cortland CC
Brian Williams, Winged Foot CC
Michael Aquino
Norm Amyot
Tom Andrews
Gary Assad
John Barry
Al Belair
Vic Bergsten
Vincent Bonvino
Chris Boynton
David Braunscheidel
Kevin Broderick
Daniel Bronchetti
Gene Bullis
John Bullis
Ron Case
Sue Chambers
Cory Ciambella
Darrell Cornett
Jerry Danielski
Patrick Donoghue
Edward Evans
Michael Fitzgerald
Georgette Folley
Adrian Forzani
Shaun Francis
Bill Geider
Tom Hahn
Wade Hall
Joe Hazard
Patrick Henry
Jeff Holmes
John Hudacs
Al Huggard
Mary Ann Keeler
Stephen Keeler
Robert Kawa
David Kokes
John Kulesa
Tom Lanahan
Rod Lindstrom
NYSGA Staff
Bill Moore Executive Director
Andrew Hickey Assistant Executive Director
Dan Thompson Director, Marketing and Partnerships
Jack Travers Assistant Director, Rules & Competitions
Mark Ackley Manager, Course Rating
Deb Spilman Manager, Special Events & Volunteer Operations
Michael Dirkes Manager, Regional Associations
Maggie Stewart Manager, Marketing & Creative Content
Carson Crestohl USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. Communications Intern
Garrett Aadal USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
Jack Corcoran USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
Luke Lynch USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
NYSGA Committee
Fred Arliss
Larry Arliss
Marci Bevilacqua
Doreen Biviano
Marian Blain
John Blain
Timothy Brady
Sue Chambers
Andy Conway
James Cook
John Cooney
George Cretekos
Tom Cotter
John Davis
Dick Dorgan
Georgia Dusckas
Thomas Eckert
Joseph Enright
Laurie Enright
John Ernst
Vie Evans
Mary Beth Fiore
Tim Frank
John Gaffney
Richard Galvin
Brad Griffin
David Hayes
Brad Houston
Marge Hubbell
John Hudacs
Tim Kayes
Edward Koslick
Bill Loehr
Ronald Mack
Gene Meyle
Ginny Meyle
Albert Mowery
John Quijano
Nick Raasch
Joe Riccio
Robert Rosen
Thomas Reidy
Chris Schmidt
Tim Schum
Robert Simms
John Sniezyk
Ron Socash
Jerry Stahl
Iris Stanek
Edward Stanek
Peter Stoj
Joseph Strykowski
John Sullivan
Thelma Taylor
David Vaneenaam
Sheila Vergith
Mona Wasserman
Warren Winslow
Joe Enright, John Blain
Pete Dougherty
Dick Galvin
Mark Gaughan, Tom Reidy,
Doug Vergith, Jamie Miller
PJ Alterio
Mike DeBlois
Tim DiGiulio
Jamey Friedman, Ryan Gabel
Jim Gifford
Andrew Hickey
Tom Owenn
Jimmy Pizzutelli, Chris Van Tuyl
Jeff Wolniewicz
SKANEATELES COUNTRY CLUB
Founded in 1915, Skaneateles Country Club is nestled on the shores of beautiful Skaneateles Lake, in the heart of Central New York’s renowned Finger Lakes. With its crystal clear water, striking views and wonderful small town charm, Skaneateles, has long been a favorite vacation and getaway spot for everyone from U.S. Presidents to your family.
Many positive changes have taken place since the day when eight men of foresight came together to create Skaneateles Country Club. Today it is a thriving, vibrant club with a diverse membership. Its lakeside setting, beautiful facilities and friendly members and employees create a truly winning combination.
Thank you to the staff at Skaneateles for hosting this year’s championship!
Zach Maslyn General Manager
Martha Wells Head Golf Professional
Mike
Tross Golf Course Superintendent
Aerial of Skaneateles Country Club
The New York State Golf Association was formed in 1923 to promote and preserve the game of golf in New York State. The NYSGA organizes and conducts various championships for amateur golfers of both genders and all ages. One of the NYSGA’s most prestigious events is the Women’s Amateur Championship, which annually identifies New York’s premier female golfers.
The Women’s Amateur Championship has a long and rich history that dates back to 1930. The NYSGA understood that its charter included ALL New York State golfers and that the time was right to start the Women’s Amateur Championship.
That year, 19-year-old Helen Hicks, from Hewlett on Long Island, became the first New York State Women’s Amateur Champion, defeating her future Curtis Cup teammates Glenna Collett and Maureen Orcutt at storied Oak Hill Golf Club. Hicks captured the title two more times – as well as the U.S. Women’s Amateur trophy – before she turned professional and became the first American woman athlete to accept endorsements. Hicks was a pioneer who eventually emerged as one of the 13 original founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
From that auspicious start almost a century past, the NYSGA Women’s Amateur Championship has hardly missed a beat. Since then, the championship has been contested annually, except for 2020 when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most New York Women’s State Amateur champions have distinguished themselves as golfers in other tournaments, many on the national amateur scene and a few as among leaders on the LPGA Tour.
Women’s Amateur Championship
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- Lancy Smith (1966, 1969, 1970)
3 - Dianne Wilde ( 1965, 1971, 1973)
3 - Christy Schultz (2004, 2007, 2008)
Widest Margin of Victory
(During Match Play Era)
14 & 12 - Lancy Smith (1969)
13 & 12 - Megan Grehan (2003)
13 & 12 - Mary Lawrence (1977)
12 & 11 - Ruth Torgerson (1947)
12 & 11 - Danielle Downey (2000)
Lowest Total by a Winner
(During Stroke Play Era)
207 - (-9) - Kennedy Swedick
216 - (-3) - Kyra Cox
217 - (-2) - Marianna Monaco
Lowest Round by a Winner
(During Stroke Play Era)
69 - Marianna Monaco (2017)
69 - Kennedy Swedick (2022)
Most Times Hosted
4 - Whiteface Inn GC
4 - Yahnundasis GC
3 - Drumlins CC
3 - Lake Placid Club
3 - McGregor Links CC
3 - Onodaga G&CC
3 - Schuyler Meadows Club
Winner of Women’s Am & Girls’ Junior Same Year
Dottie Pepper (1981)
Dottie Pepper (left)
RECORDS/HISTORY
Performances for the Ages
Ruth Torgerson, a lawyer from Garden City, established herself as New York State’s most respected woman golfer of the 1940s. Torgerson claimed her first New York State Women’s Amateur Championship title in 1946 at her home course, Cherry Valley Golf Club. She successfully defended in 1947 at Leewood CC, then followed that with three more consecutive NYSGA championship titles, compiling a NYSGA record that stands to this day.
Margaret Nevil approached Ruth Torgeson’s NYSGA Women’s Amateur Championship record 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.
Buffalo native Lancy Smith won her first Women’s state Amateur Championship in 1966 at age 18, then went on to take home the trophy again in 1969 and 1970. Smith’s impact wasn’t confined to New York, with many 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 U.S.’s top ten amateurs a dozen years from 1970 to 1984 – taking the top spot in 1980. Smith was a starting member of five Curtis Cup squads (1972, ’76, ’78, ’80 and ’82) an alternate on four more.
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, then joined the LPGA and became New York’s most decorated 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 in and earned non-exempt status on the LPGA in 1985. She then played on the Futures Tour ranks in 1986 and ’87.
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 All-American turned pro in 1994.
In 2002, 13-year-old Megan Grehan, from Westchester Country Club, captured the Women’s Amateur at Pinehaven Country Club. In doing so, she not only became the youngest Women’s Am titleist, she was so dominant that she never stepped past the 15th green. Then, as though putting an exclamation point on her first victory, 14-year-old Megan defended successfully in 2003, this time never reaching the 15th tee.
Christy Schultz captured four state titles in four years, winning the NYSGA Women’s Amateur in both 2007 and ‘08, then the 2009 and ’10 Women’s Mid-Amateur championships. A decade later, Schultz picked up two more Mid-Ams in 2021 and ’22.
2021 Women’s Amateur champion Kyra Cox picked up where she was before the 2020 Covid 19-induced break in competition – on top. Cox captured the Women’s Amateur at Teugega Country Club, just as she had prevailed before in 2015 and ‘18.
In 2022, Kennedy Swedick needed every shot to take home the trophy at McGregor Links Country Club with a nine-under 207, good for a one-shot victory over 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.
More Than a Tournament
The NYSGA Women’s Amateur Championship is so much more than a golf tournament. It is an almost century-old celebration of women’s golf and a showcase of our state’s remarkable talent, sportsmanship and remarkable venues. The NYSGA is proud to honor its past champions and welcome its future ones as it continues to uphold its mission to both serve golfers across New York State and annually identify the best player among them.
Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship
The New York State Golf Association, formed in 1923 to promote and preserve the game of golf in New York State, organizes and conducts various championships for amateur golfers of both genders and all ages. One of its newest events is the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, which annually identifies New York’s premier female golfers who have reached the age of 25. The NYSGA Mid-Amateur Championship is specifically intended as a championship for post-college golfers who are not pursuing golf as a career. The innovative approach is designed to provide a competitive format for golfers who are committed to amateur play.
The first NYSGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship was held in 2009 at Drumlins CC (East). Rochester’s Christy Schultz claimed the new event as hers by taking home the trophy in both 2009 and 2010. In fact, Schultz captured four state titles in four years, having already won the NYSGA Women’s Amateur in both 2007 and 2008. However, she wasn’t through. Schultz waited a over decade to win her third and fourth Women’s Mid-Am titles, first in 2021 at Teugaga Country Club and then in 2022 at McGregor Links Country Club.
In between Schultz’s set of Mid-Am bookends, the most dominant play has come from Syracuse’s Teresa Cleland, who took home the trophy in 2011, ’12 and ’13. Both Newburgh’s Joanna Beatty (in 2014 and ’16) and Rochester’s Jenna Hoecker (in 2018 and ’19) have taken home two titles. The NYSGA is proud to honor its past champions and welcome its future ones as it continues to think innovatively to uphold its mission to both serve golfers across New York State and annually identify the best player among them.
Most Victories
4 - Christy Schultz (2009, 2010, 2021, 2022)
3- Teresa Cleland (2011, 2012, 2013)
2 - Jenna Hoecker (2018, 2019)
Lowest Total by a Winner (72 Holes)
218 - Christy Schultz (2009)
221 - Jenna Hoecker (2009)
225 - Dani Mullin (2015)
Jenna Hoecker
Teresa Cleland
PLAYER INFORMATION
Entries
The Championship is open to female amateur golfers that 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 have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index issued through their NYSGA member club.
Age: The following age requirements are set for each Championship: Amateur: None.
Mid-Amateur: At least 25 years old as of July 15, 2024.
Format
94th NYS Women’s Amateur - Stroke Play, 54 Holes - 36 Hole Cut 15th NYS Women’s Mid-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
Sunday, July 14 // Practice Rounds
Women’s Amateur
Monday, July 15: Rounds 1 & 2 (36 Holes) - Cut after 36 holes to low-30 & ties
Tuesday, June 16: Round 3 (18 Holes)
Women’s Mid-Amateur
Monday, July 15: Round 1 (18 Holes)
Tuesday, July 16: Round 2 (18 Holes)
Coverage
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NYSGA1923. Check out full photo galler-
The Oak Hill Cup
14-year-old Lily Zhang captured the 93rd New York State Women’s Amateur Championship by six strokes after firing an even par 72 in her final round Tuesday afternoon at Corning Country Club.
The junior out of Park Country Club cruised to a dominant victory for her first state title. She finished the tournament at 8-over par with scores of 77-75-72 for a total score of 224. Zhang had an uncharacteristic round one score but was only two shots off the lead. Heading into the second round, she felt very confident she was going to make a change.
“Before the round I felt very calm,” said Zhang about waking up Tuesday morning leading the field. “I knew where my game was and how it stood against the rest of the field.”
Zhang had trouble off the tee on hole No. 1, but with a great second shot, she was able to push off the nerves and play sound golf. “I hit one of the best 3 wood shots of my life to about 15 feet for an easy par.”
Zhang’s final round was the low score of the tournament, and with the victory, she became the second youngest player to win the New York State Women’s Amateur Championship. Megan Grehan was 13 years old when she captured her first title in 2002, and then repeated again in 2003 at age 14.
Zhang captured the Oak Hill Cup by six strokes.
ZHANG CROWNED NYS WOMEN’S AM CHAMPION
Lily Zhang
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP
“He is just a great supporter and just always there for me,” Zhang said about having her father on the bag for the tournament.
After finishing on top of the leaderboard, Zhang is looking forward to the upcoming Women’s Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club and NYS Girls’ Junior Championship in July at the Lake Placid Club. She finished as a runner-up at the Girls’ Junior in 2021 and 2022.
“Just getting into that rhythm of getting on the green and making pars,” Zhang said about having a lead entering the final round.during the stroke play era (previous was 216).
Following the new champ was Amber Pennington of MGA eClub – Hudson Valley, who is no stranger to the top of the leaderboard in NYS Championships. In her runner-up effort, she finished her tournament 14-over with scores of 82-74-74 for a total score of 230.
After the opening round, Pennington was not near the top of the leaderboard after posting an 82. However, the following two rounds were nothing short of great. She followed her Monday morning round with a 2-over 74 in the afternoon, and another 74 on Tuesday.
“After that first 82, I was just trying to make the cut,” said Amber jokingly about her opening round. “My caddie and I had a great talk on that hour break, and he really helped me snap back into shape.”
Pennington had such a great afternoon on the first day that she played herself right into the second to last pairing.
This is Pennington’s second runner-up finish in a NYSGA Championship this year, with the first coming back in early June when she finished in 2nd with her dad in the NYS Amateur Mixed Team Championship at Leatherstocking Golf Course.
To round out the top five, three others were able to score 15-over for the championship. Those players are Taylor Miano of Mohansic Golf Course, who shot a 75 in her final round, Mikah McDonnell of Locust Hill Country Club, and Julia Zigrossi of Ridgemont Country Club, who held the round one lead. Zigrossi won the 2021 NYS Girls’ Junior Amateur and two NYS Women’s Four-Ball titles.
In solo sixth was Erika Fuentes of West Hills Country Club, who was able to secure a 16-over 232 for her scorecard.
Amber Pennington
Julia Zigrossi
SCHUFFENECKER TAKES HOME MID-AMATEUR TITLE
Schuffenecker took home the Mid-Amateur title by four strokes PION
Country Club of Troy’s Samantha Schuffenecker was able to fight off the stacked field and come from behind to win her first NYS title by four strokes. Schuffenecker had one of the best rounds for both the Mid-Am and Amateur divisions with an even par 72.
1 Samantha Schuffenecker
After playing 18 holes in Round 1, Schuffenecker was two shots back of the reigning, back-to-back champion Christy Schultz, who was making a bid to become a five-time Mid-Am champ and ten-time NYSGA champion. Schuffenecker started out hot during the final round and went 2-under on the front nine of the course to apply some pressure on the defending champion.
“Yesterday I hit the ball great and struggled on the greens,” Schuffenecker said about her opening round on Monday. “I was just trying to enjoy myself and take it one shot at a time.”
Schuffenecker stayed in control for the rest of the round, not allowing any major errors on her way in. Not only was she able to secure a state title, but she won it with Schultz and threetime NYS Women’s Senior Champion, Kim Kaul, of East Aurora Country Club in her grouping.
“I played with both of them before and I love playing with them,” she said. “Two great competitors so it was just fun to be out there with them and battle it out there with them.”
Samantha Schuffenecker
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP
Schuffenecker stayed in control for the rest of the round, not allowing any major errors on her way in. Not only was she able to secure a state title, but she won it with Schultz and threetime NYS Women’s Senior Champion, Kim Kaul, of East Aurora Country Club in her grouping.
I played with both of them before and I love playing with them,” she said. “Two great competitors so it was just fun to be out there with them and battle it out there with them.”
Schultz, of Oak Hill Country Club was going for the three-peat and was leading after round one with a score of 76 and leading the field. She posted a 78 in her final round and finished 10-over on the tournament, capturing a second-place finish with two other players.
Also tied for second place is Carolyn Mancini of Binghamton Country Club, who was also in with a 78 for her first-round score and 76 in her final round for a total of 154.
Teresa Cleland of Bellevue Country Club, three-time Women’s Mid-Am Champion, finished tied for second with scores of 79 and 75 to stay tied at 10-over.
Rounding out the top five is Lauren Cupp of Yahnundasis Golf Club, who fell one short of the tie at second, with a score of 81 and 77 for a score of 14-over 158. She was the runner-up the past two years (2021-22) and won the title in 2017 at Schuyler Meadows.
Carolyn Mancini
Teresa Cleland
GOLF IN NEW YORK
We’d like to recognize our partner regional associations for the exceptional work they do in promoting the game of golf.
AMATEUR GOLF ASSOCIATIONS
SCHULTZ WINS BACK TO BACK MID-AM TITLES
PGA SECTIONS
JOIN THE NYSGA FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Since its founding in 2003, the NYSGA Foundation has impacted thousands of people through golf related programs such as scholarships, junior golf programs, supporting local first tee chapters, free USGA GHIN Handicaps for juniors, recognizing the top contributors through the NYSGA Hall of Fame, and much more. The Foundation is a 501c(3) and all donations made to support these amazing programs are tax deductible.
HALL OF FAME
The NYSGA Hall of Fame’s mission is 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. ESTABLISHED IN 2012
NYSGA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS SINCE 1967
The NYSGA Scholarship Fund annually awards $30,000 to deserving students, with over $500,000 given since 1967. Eligible students must be in their second year of employment at an NYSGA member club, be in good academic standing, and demonstrate a financial need. The Foundation’s goal is to increase the amount raised in order to give out more awards through the NYSGA Foundation Membership Program.
FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
FOUNDED IN 2021
The money raised via the NYSGA Foundation Membership Program directly funds college scholarships for NYSGA member club employees. Supporters of the fund come from participating clubs and individual members across the state. Donations of $100 or more will be recognized on the NYSGA website, “Supporters of the Fund”.
YOUTH ON COURSE
PROVIDING AFFORDABLE GOLF TO JUNIORS
Youth on Course is a junior golf membership for boys and girls 6-18 to play participating courses for just $5.. Founded by the Northern California Golf Association in 2006, it is now offered in all 50 states, with over 70,000 members, 950,000 subsidized rounds of golf, and 15 million holes played. The NYSGA currently partners with 13 courses and has 60 junior members. Youth on Course promotes the game to today’s youth, allowing them to build strong long lasting relationships and instilling core values.
SCENES FROM
THE 2023 WOMEN’S AMATEUR & MID-AMATEUR
ALL PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR PAGE
