2023 NYS Women's Senior & Super Senior Amateur Program

2023

NEW YORK STATE

WOMEN’S SENIOR & SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Whiteface Club & Resort - Lake Placid, New York

August 22-23, 2023

CONDUCTED BY THE

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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

Chrissy Van Allen

USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. 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

On behalf of the entire New York State Golf Association, welcome to the 70th Women’s Senior Amateur and 16th Women’s Super Senior Amateur Championships!

The NYSGA is pleased to join with the leadership and staff of Whiteface Club & Resort to provide a memorable challenge in crowning New York State’s women’s senior amateur and super senior amateur winners.

We are proud to return to this classic layout, which has been the host site of many memorable New York State Women’s Senior Amateur Championships throughout the decades, including eight consecutive championships from 1969-1976, as well as in 1979, 1982, 1983, 1987, 2007 and 2016.

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

Experience the beauty and challenge of one of the Country’s oldest golf courses, steeped in over 100 years of rich history. Originally built in 1898, the course was redesigned by noted architect, John Van Kleek, who benefited from the consultation of World Champion Walter Hagen.

With the Adirondack Mountains and pristine Lake Placid as its backdrop, the artistically designed course offers novices and pros alike a rewarding day. Its trademark clover leaf designed greens and bunkers illustrate the meticulous attention to details the architect provided.

The layout has been a longtime favorite for this NYSGA championship, with at one time the association leadership hosting eight consecutive championships (1969-1976) at the Adirondack gem established in 1898. The course also hosted Women’s Seniors 1979, 1982, 1983, 1987, 2007 and 2016, along with four Women’s Amateurs in 1959, 1963, 1966 and 1968.

No. 3 at the Whiteface Club & Resort

17 PAR FIVE 368 YARDS

368 YARDS

PAR 71

5,301 YARDS

4,954 YARDS

18

PAR FIVE 420 YARDS

400 YARDS

*Yardages above represent Senior (top) and Super Senior (bottom) respectively.

PAST CHAMPIONS

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

Year Host Club Champion Year Host Club Champion

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

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

Year Host Club Champion

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

PLAYER INFORMATION

Entries

The Championship is open to female 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 50 years old as of August 22, 2023 and must have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index issued by their NYSGA member club.

Format

70th NYS Women’s Senior - Stroke Play, 36 Holes

16th NYS Women’s Super Senior - 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, August 21

8:00am.............… Registration opens

8:59am-2:00pm...... Practice round tee times

6:00pm............... Cocktail reception

7:00pm............... Contestant dinner

Tuesday, August 22

10:00am….......… Round 1 (shotgun start)

Wednesday, August 23

10:00am…......… Round 2 (shotgun start)

3:00pm.............. 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

Trophies for the NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Championships.

2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

KAHLER RECLAIMS WOMEN’S SENIOR CROWN AT RANIC

The 2013 champion came into the final round with a three-stroke cushion and never surrendered the lead. She finished at 7-over 73-78-151.

This championship makes it four New York State titles for Kahler. In addition to her 2013 Women’s Senior, she captured the 2013 and 2014 NYS Mixed Team Championships with her brother Gary.

The front nine was not without blemishes for Kahler, who also won the 2022 Northeast Women’s Golf Association championship. She started by going bogey-bogey on her first two holes and made the turn at 5-over for the round.

“I was nervous to start,” the Union College assistant women’s golf coach said. “I knew I had a the shot lead, which can disappear in an instant … my putter wasn’t working nearly as well as it was yesterday.”

A birdie on no. 10 helped settle Kahler down and she shot 1-over on the back nine to win comfortably by three strokes.

In a runaway victory, Ballston Spa Country Club’s Susan Kahler claimed her second NYS Women’s Senior Amateur title at RaNic Golf Club in Ithaca, N.Y.

Kahler won her first title since 2013 by three strokes at RaNic Golf Club.

Susan Kahler

2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

“It means so much to me,” Kahler said. “I’m 64-years-old and every year new gals come in … It’s another feather, I just appreciate the game and I love the game. I thank my father for teaching me the game. He’s still around at 93 and called me right after the round to congratulate me and that means a tremendous amount.”

Two players in Kahler’s group finished tied for second place, including her close friend Mary Scatena, of Pinehaven Country Club. Scatena and Carolyn Mancini, of Binghamton Country Club, both finished the tournament at 10-over 154.

Two-time Women’s Senior champion Teresa Cleland of Bellevue Country Club made yet another appearance in the top five this year. She finished tied for fourth place with Christy Malo, of Park Country Club, at 16-over.

This was Kahler’s last shot at the Anne Coupe Cup, as she will be able to compete in the super senior in 2023.

The course was set up at 5,401 yards and played to a par of 72 for the senior division on Wednesday.

Carolyn Mancini

Mary Scatena

Christy Malo

Teresa Cleland

2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

KELLY WINS BACK-TO-BACK SUPER SENIOR TITLES

The 15th NYS Women’s Super Senior Amateur Championship came down to the wire at RaNic.

The lead group of Columbia Golf & Country Club’s Karen Feldman, Ballston Spa Country Club’s Kathy Harkins, Oswego Country Club’s Barbara Harrison and defending champion Mary Jo Kelly, of Wolfert’s Roost Country Club, all walked up to the 18th tee in contention.

Harrison held a one-stroke lead over Kelly as none of the approach shots found the green. Feldman needed a birdie to give herself a chance but was unable to chip in, and settled for par.

Harkins was unable to get up and down and finished out her final round with a bogey to take her out of contention for the title.

That left just Harrison and Kelly with a chance to claim the championship. Kelly got her chip close after Harrison missed her par putt, leaving her with three feet for bogey, but her bogey putt lipped out and give Kelly an opportunity to win.

Kelly calmly poured in her par putt and walked off the green victorious for the second straight year.

The Wolferts Roost product is now a three-time New York state champion, she claimed a state Women’s Amateur title in 1980.

Kelly won on the final hole of the championship to go back-to-back

Mary Jo Kelly

2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

Kelly’s front-nine was nothing to write home about, but she turned it around down the stretch to get right back in the mix.

“It was a tough 18 holes yesterday and a tough front nine today,” Kelly said. “I really was getting ready to think that I had to retire from competitive golf because I didn’t know whether I had the nerve anymore around the green. When we made the turn, I said ‘okay, let’s finish strong’ and I opened 10 with a birdie.”

Harrison’s day was almost the polar opposite of Kelly’s. She came out of the gates scorching hot, going 1-under on the front. Her back nine was less impressive, as she fell back to earth. She bogeyed four-straight before her double bogey on 18, which ultimately handed Kelly the title.

“I tried to stay moment to moment, tried to stay shot to shot and not think about that pressure,” Harrison said. “[Kelly] is a great competitor, she didn’t play well on the front, but she stuck with it, and I had a really bad miss on 18. It happens, it’s my own fault.”

Harrison played so well on the front that Kelly didn’t know she had won.

“I didn’t even know I was in the middle of anything,” Kelly said. “I thought I was four or five strokes behind.”

Harkins, who held the lead after round one, and Feldman both finished at 16-over 160 and tied for third.

Coming in at fifth place, with a final round 78, was Cornell University Golf Course’s Sharyn Costello. She finished at 19-over, playing right next door to her home course.

For the super senior division, the course played at 5,057 yards and to a par of 72.

Barbara Harrison

Kathy Harkins

Karen Feldman

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

PGA SECTIONS

Rochester

Syracuse

Buffalo

Metropolitan

Westchester

Long Island

United States

Triple Cities Captial District

VISIT NYSGA.ORG/FOUNDATION

JOIN THE NYSGA FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

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ESTABLISHED IN 2012 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.

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.

FOUNDED IN 2021 FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

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 2022 WOMEN’S SENIOR & SUPER SENIOR

ALL PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR PAGE