News Summary
The New York State Golf Association is set to expand its tournament offerings in the Capital Region, following the success of the recent Capital Region Amateur Championship. Plans include establishing a second event, likely a senior stroke play competition, for the upcoming season. This year’s Capital Region Amateur saw record participation, leading to further interest in the sport. Additionally, junior players are advancing in national competitions, while various local championships see new victors. The golfing community mourns the loss of a long-time professional, while scholarships and Hall of Fame inductions celebrate achievements in the sport.
Albany, New York – The New York State Golf Association (NYSGA) is expanding its tournament offerings in the Capital Region following a successful Capital Region Amateur Championship. The association plans to establish a second event next season under the guidance of the Capital Region Golf Association, with NYSGA’s director of operations indicating that a senior individual stroke play event is the most likely format for this new competition.
This year’s Capital Region Amateur, which took place at Mohawk Golf Club, saw participation rise to 68 golfers across men’s and women’s divisions. This represents an 11% increase compared to the previous year. The tournament was strategically moved from its original June date to August to avoid conflicts with other local events, specifically the Troy Invitational and the Schenectady Classic.
While the specific location for the 2024 tournament has yet to be determined, it is confirmed that it will remain in August. This year, Phillip Duell and Sienna Wheeler took home top honors, earning exemptions into next year’s State Am and Women’s Am events due to their victories.
The NYSGA also held other significant competitions recently, including the NYSGA Mid-Amateur qualifier at McGregor Golf Club, where 18 players advanced from a 77-player field. Co-medalists Joe Quijano and Cody Homer both finished with scores of 1-over 73. The State Mid-Amateur is scheduled for September 26-28 in Troy.
In addition to the amateur competitions, the Capital Region has seen its share of junior talent emerge as four local players have advanced to the regional finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. Ryan Klatt, Maria Glavin, Mason LaTorre, and Oscar London are set to compete on September 20 at Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey, with a chance to move on to the national finals at Augusta, Georgia, on April 5.
In other news from the tournament scene, Todd Czepiel and Nick Marini emerged victorious at the Shaker Ridge Invitational, while recent winners of club championships and other local events have been announced at various facilities, such as Tony Merola and Susan Kahler at Ballston Spa, Ryan Sherman at Battenkill, and Phil Duell and Jen DiIorio at Burden Lake.
The Amsterdam Municipal championships crowned Zack Brandstandt as men’s champion, Mary DeRose as women’s champion, and Pete Bennice as senior men’s champion. Normanside Country Club is set to host its annual Invitational on September 13-14, with club fittings and additional championships occurring across various venues in the region.
Moreover, NYCGA will induct its seventh Hall of Fame class on November 7, celebrating notable players and contributors from the local golf community.
Tragically, the golf community is mourning the loss of Joe Merendo, affectionately known as “Joe the Pro,” the long-time professional at Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course, who contributed to the sport since 2018 at Antlers.
On the educational front, three recipients were awarded the $2,500 Doug Evans Memorial Scholarships: Jane Fanning, Kieran Cummins, and Sienna Wheeler. In junior golf recognition, several players were named NENYPGA Junior Golf Tour Players of the Year across various age divisions.
Finally, notable changes to the Masters Tournament have occurred, which now include an updated qualifying criteria focusing solely on PGA Tour winners from full-point-allocation events. Additionally, Pete Dougherty, a respected figure in golf writing, transitioned to a freelance role after retiring from full-time journalism in August 2021.
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Additional Resources
- Times Union: NYSGA Likely to Expand Tournament
- Google Search: Capital Region Golf
- News 10: When Do Capital Region Golf Courses Open?
- Google Scholar: Golf Tournaments in New York
- Capital Region Chamber: Crossroads Classic Annual Golf Tournament
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf Championships
- The National Herald: AHEPA Hosts 6th Annual Golf Outing
- Google News: Golf Events in Albany
- CBS6 Albany: Annual Dolly Day Raises $20,000
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