NEW YORK STATE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ 18U JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 2-3, 2024
CONDUCTED BY THE Links at Hiawatha Landing - Apalachin, NY
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ABOUT THE NYSGA
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
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
Nico Karnath
USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
Luke Lynch
NYSGA Committee
Fred Arliss
Larry Arliss
Marci Bevilacqua
Doreen Biviano
Marian Blain
John Blain
Timothy Brady
Sue Chambers
Andy Conway
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
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
USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern
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
The Links at Hiawatha Landing is New York State’s premier public, upscale links style golf course. Conveniently located in Apalachin, New York (15 miles west of Binghamton) along the Susquehanna River in New York’s Southern Tier region.
Opened for play in 1994, the fairways are arranged around an interesting site, featuring a front nine that’s draped across a floodplain and a back nine set across a more rolling landscape. Water comes into play on seven of the golf holes.
The golf course was designed by Brian Silva and Mark Mungeam. The authentic linksstyle layout evident in the rolling hills, windswept sand bunkers and ornamental grasses. Over 7,200 yards, the challenging course will challenge even the professional golfer. The course has five distinct teeing distances, measuring only 5,101 yards from the front tees, to accommodate golfers of all skill levels.
Links at Hiawatha previously hosted the 1996 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship, won by Michael Valicenti.
Thank you to the staff at Links at Hiawatha for hosting this year’s championship!
J.B. Bump General Manager / Owner
Bob Sedor Course Owner
Bernie
Herceg, PGA PGA Director of Instruction
Tim Rose, GCSAA Golf
Course Superintendent
Joe Zembery Food and Beverage Manager
The 18th Green at the Links at Hiawatha Landing
Past Champions of the New York State Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship
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 -1945: Suspended for WWII
1946 -1955: 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
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
2023 Lake Placid Club Kellen Dean, Saratoga Springs
(*) Format changed from match play to stroke play (36 holes)
Year Host Club Champion
Year Host Club Champion
PAST CHAMPIONS
Past Champions of the New York State
Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship
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
2023 Lake Placid Club Jordan Levitt, Bedford
changed from match play to stroke play (36 holes)
Year Host Club Champion
Year Host Club Champion
PLAYER INFORMATION
Entries
Open to male and female amateur golfers. Membership: Players must be either (1) a resident of New York State or (2) belong to an NYSGA member club or an NYSGA eClub (NYS residency required of eClub members). Must be 18 years old or younger as of July 3, 2024 and have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index of 8.4 max (Boys’ 18U) // 16.2 max (Girls’ 18U). Juniors can get one free by joining an NYSGA eClub.
Format
Boys’ & Girls 18U - 54 holes, individual stroke play
Cut
There is a cut after 36 holes (7/03) in each division as follows:
Girls’ 18U - Low 24 & Ties
Boys’ 18U - Low 40 & Ties
Ties
In the event of a tie for the Championship, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play. If there is a tie for the winner in the Age Groups, the tie will be broken using the USGA’s method of matching scorecards.
Caddies
The use of a caddie is not permitted during the practice and championship rounds. Spectators, including parents, must not give advice to or interfere with players during any round. A breach of this Rule may result in a penalty to the player. A parent/player in breach of this Rule during the practice round may be subject to Disqualification.
Schedule of Events
Monday, July 1 // Practice Rounds
Tuesday, July 2 // Round 1 (18 Holes)
Wednesday, July 3 // Rounds 2 & 3 (36 Holes)
Coverage
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NYSGA1923. Check out full photo galleries from all NYSGA tournaments and events at nysga.smugmug.com
USGA Exemptions - U.S. Junior & U.S. Girl’s Junior
The 2024 Champions will earn an exemption into the following 2024 USGA Championships (must remain age eligible):
Boys’ 18U: 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, played July 22-27 at Oakland Hills CC in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Girls’ 18U: 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship, played July 15-20 at El Caballero CC in Tarzana, California.
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP
DEAN CLAIMS NYS BOYS’ 18U TITLE
A second-round 66 propels Dean to the 81st NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship.
Kellen Dean of McGregor Links CC was able to hold off a surging field in the final round to claim the 81st NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship. The player out of Saratoga Springs sank a clutch birdie putt on the 18th hole of the final round at Lake Placid Club’s Links Course to secure the two-stroke victory. After a tournament-low 66 during the second round on Thursday to take the outright lead, Dean knew what he had to do going into Friday’s final round. The 17-year-old started out slow with two bogeys on Nos. 1 and 2, but responded quickly with birdies on the next two holes to get back to even on the day and regain control.
Dean continued his solid play down the stretch, but standing next to him tied for the lead on the 17th and 18th tee was Tyler Berkman of Potsdam Town & CC, who started the day three strokes behind the leader.
Dean pulled his tee shot into the left rough while Berkman was able to find the fairway. Berkman was first to go as he found the rough just over the green, and well above the front hole location, setting him up for a very difficult shot. Dean hit his second shot
Five-under tournament leaves Dean two clear of the field
Dean Muratore
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP
pin-high to about 15 feet with a great look for birdie. Berkman was unable to get up and down, leaving Dean with two putts to win, but Dean only needed one. He sank the 15-foot birdie to capture his first state title.
“It was definitely a relief. The back nine was a grind and I’m just so thankful for it and I’m glad I got through it.” Dean said after reflecting on his win at Lake Placid.
With this victory, Dean will join a group of 59 other names inscribed on the Hickock Cup that dates back to the inaugural championship in 1931. “This is definitely the best by far, not even close.” said Kellen on where this title would rank for him. “This is such a great event, and it is one I always want to win and I’m just so thankful to win it.”
Tyler Berkman
With Berkman finishing at 3-under, he put himself in a tie for second place with Dean Muratore of MET PGA Junior Golf Club, who had a putt for birdie on the 18th hole to put some pressure on Dean, but came upshort. He finished his week with
two rounds under par and with a total score of 210. To round out the top five, in solo fourth place was YiWen Wang of Saxon Woods GC who was 1-under over the three days for a total score of 212 and Leo Chu of Hudson Hills GC who was solo fifth at even par (213) for his three rounds.
The top-5 finishers earned themselves an exemption into this year’s 100th NYS Men’s Amateur Championship scheduled for August 7-9 at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle.
YiWen Wang
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP
Bedford’s own Jordan Levitt claimed the 60th NYS Girls’ Junior Amateur title by three strokes at Lake Placid Club this week.
She impressively marched her way to victory around the sloped layout and posted a 6-under 65 in her final round.
The 16-year-old, who played well during her first round for a 1-under 70 and early lead, felt confident she could give the Betty Deely Cup a run this week.
“This is probably the biggest moment in my golf career yet,” said Levitt about winning the junior title.
She teed off in the final pairing alongside second-round leader Nina Choe of Pelham Country Club and 2022 champion Sophia Li of New York City.
Levitt was able to separate herself early from the other competitors with two birdies through three holes including a chip-in on No. 2, but with a chip-in eagle response from Li on No. 10, it was coming down to the wire be-
A red-hot, final-round 65 lifted Levitt to a three stroke win
JORDAN LEVITT CAPTURES GIRLS’ 18U TITLE
Sophia Li
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP
tween two impressive young players from the Metropolitan area.That proved to be the case as Li played the back nine of Soaring Eagles under par in both rounds, accumulating most of her mistakes on Nos. 1-7.
Levitt had a one stroke advantage over Li heading to the 15th, a blind tee shot to a short downhill par 3. Li lagged her birdie try up to several feet. Levitt then stepped up to her ball on the green and sank an unbelievable 40-foot putt. Li then missed her par putt for a two-shot swing between the competitors, which was ultimately the end of the duel.
“I don’t even know how long that putt was!” said Levitt about her amazing putt. “I had to play it out almost 12 feet out on the right side to break all the way back down and around. I think at that moment I was just like ‘Oh my god, this is awesome!’”
After the 15th, it was a steady course for Levitt as she went on to win her first New York State title.
“It’s hard to put into words,” said Levitt after her career low round of 65. “I kept it consistent in my game. We talked the other day, ‘What’s your gameplan?’, I’m just going to do what I normally do. Big thing today was being patient and taking my opportunities.”
Sophia Li, being last year’s winner and this year’s runner-up, took her finish with dignity and celebrated with her close friend.
“Sophia and I are great friends,” said Levitt about playing her last two rounds with Li. “It does get heated sometimes on the golf course to say the least, but we both love each other.”
Finishing in solo third was Amelie Phung, older sister to the 14U Girls’ Champ Alexandra Phung, and finished at even par for her three days at a total score of 213.
The top five also included second-round leader
Nine Choe of Pelham Country Club, who could not find a groove on the course as she finished 3-over for the tournament in fourth place. In fifth was Amanda Philips of New York City who was able to shoot under par for her final round and finish at 8-over.
Amelie Phung
Nina Choe
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HALL OF FAME
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FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS SINCE 1967
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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 BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ JUNIOR AMATEUR
ALL PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR PAGE
