2024
NEW YORK STATE MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Corning Country Club - Corning, NY
September 10-11, 2024
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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
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
Maggy 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
The Corning Country Club was established in 1919 and designed by Thomas Winton, a Scottish born greenskeeper who later pursued golf course design. The land that was acquired for the golf course included a farmhouse. This structure was modified and became our very first clubhouse which was located behind today’s number nine tee box.
Corning played host to the LPGA Corning Classic, held anually at the club every year from 1979 to 2009.
Thank you to the staff at Ontario for hosting this year’s championship!
Jeff Thomas General Manager
Matt Jaynes PGA Professional
John Hoyle GCSAA Superintendent
Sean Mcelroy Executive Chef
Aerial of Corning Country Club
1
PAR FOUR
403 YARDS
3
PAR THREE
200 YARDS
2
PAR FOUR
442 YARDS
4
PAR FOUR
357 YARDS
426 YARDS
393 YARDS 165 YARDS
352 YARDS
PAR FOUR
365 YARDS
160 YARDS
PAR THREE PAR FIVE 9 10 11 12
PAR FOUR
365 YARDS
551 YARDS
YARDS
Clubhouse at Corning Country Club
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
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
2023 Yahnundasis GC Jim Scorse, Rochester
Year Host Club Champion
Year Host Club Champion
Entries
This championship is open to male amateur golfers who are 1) At least 55 years of age (as of September 10, 2024), 2) Are active NYSGA Members and 3) Hold an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less.
Format
67th NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Championship - Stroke Play, 36 Holes
Ties
In the event of a tie for either 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.
Schedule of Events
Monday, September 9 // Practice Rounds
•9:00 am.............................Driving range opens
•9:00-3:00 pm..................Registration
•10:20-2:30 pm...............Practice Rounds
•5:00 pm.............................Driving range closes
Tuesday, September 10 // Round 1
•7:00 am..............................Driving range opens
•8:00-9:40 am...................Round 1, tees #10 and #10
•11:00-3:00 pm................Player lunch
•12:30-2:10 pm................Round 1, tees #10 and #10
Wednesday, September 11 // Round 2
•7:00 am..............................Driving range opens
•8:00-9:40 am...................Round 2, tees #1 and #10
•11:00-3:00 pm................Player lunch
•12:30-2:10 pm................Round 2, tees #10 and #10
•7:00 pm..............................Awards ceremony
Coverage
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NYSGA1923. Check out full photo galleries from all NYSGA tournaments and events at nysga.smugmug.com
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP
SCORSE SECURES 66th MEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR
Add another silver trophy to the collection as Jim Scorse won his fourth individual men’s state title at the 66th Men’s Senior Amateur on Yahnundasis Golf Club.
The 58-year-old from Stafford Country Club, tied the tournament low score with a 2-under 69 as he started the day one-stroke behind the lead. He was the only player to finish below par, with a two-day total of 3-under 139.
While his first round was solid with very little errors, Scorse seemed to be more comfortable on the greens in the final round. He sank 3 birdies on his front nine and collected nine straight pars on his way back in, forcing the field to chase him. He took advantage of the par 5s on the front, Nos. 6 and 9 with birdies during both rounds.
“Getting it done here at Yahnundasis, a (Walter) Travis course, is very special to me,” said Scorse about winning at such a special club. “This place is definitely a course where you need to hit good shots and play good golf and basically what I tried to do today.”
This was a tournament that the two-time (2013 & 2016) Men’s Mid-Am, and 2005 Men’s Amateur champion certainly had circled. With the victory, he joins three NYSGA Hall of Famers, John Baldwin, Alan Foster, and Don Allen as the only players to win all three individual men’s state titles since the Mid-Am was added to the NYSGA schedule in the 1980s.
Scorse turned in a three under tournament for a four stroke victory at Yahnundasis Golf Club
Luke Hobika
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP
“It’s definitely one that I wanted to get,” said Scorse. “I’m 58 and can’t go on forever playing good golf so getting it done now and not waiting till I’m 65 is pretty good.”
Scorse made his Senior Amateur debut in 2022 and finished T29. Round one leader Luke Hobika finished in runner-up position as he did not have his best stuff in the final round. He shot a 3-over 74.
The two-time (1998 & 2015) NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur champion came into this week excited and grateful to play such a familiar course for him.
“I had a good tournament coming in second, losing to a great champion like Jim Scorse and a great player.” Said Hobika on playing in the final grouping with Scorse.
Hobika was trying to fend off a surging Scorse after shooting even on the front with 2 birdies. However, with a double bogey on the difficult par 5 10th, he couldn’t climb back on top.
The 55-year-old was thrilled to be back where he grew up and come back to Yahnundasis for his state senior debut, a place that he holds very dear to his heart. He is a member of Drumlins Country Club in Syracuse.
Following the top two was past NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur champion James Welch of Olde Kinderhook Golf Club. He was able to have a very solid championship shooting a 73 in round one and 1-over 72 to finish in solo third.
In a tie for fourth place was 2018 champion Robert Hughes of Thompson Park Golf Course, David Fizer of Ballston Spa Country Club, and Jerry Brescia of Eagle Crest Golf Club. They all finished at 6-over 148 for the tournament.
In solo seventh was John Bufalini of NYSGA eClub – Watertown, who was able to finish at 7-over with two scores of 73 and 76.
Tied at 8-over and in eighth place was past NYS Men’s Am champion John Gaffney of Crag Burn Golf Club and Don Enga of Cherry Valley Club.
Rounding out the top ten was Steve Burrows of Beaver Meadows Golf Club, and 2017 champion David Prowler of Tower Country Club. They both finished at 9-over 151.
Yahnundasis Golf Club was set up at 6,456 yards and was played to a par of 71.
The top 5 players (and ties) each earn an exemption into the upcoming NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur later this month at Crag Burn in the Buffalo region.
James Welch
Robert Hughes
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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
ESTABLISHED IN 2012
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.
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
