News

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The upcoming 100th New York State Men’s Amateur Championship will be contested at Wykagyl Country Club on August 7 – 9, 2023. A field of approximately 155 of the Empire State’s best male amateur golfers will compete in a 72-hole stroke play competition in the hopes of raising the Ganson Depew Cup on Wednesday.

The Championship begins with two rounds of 18 holes on Monday and Tuesday. A cut ensues, to the low 40 players and ties. On Wednesday, the remaining competitors will play 36 holes to declare a winner. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a sudden-death playoff will follow.

Related: Pairings / Scoring / Championship Central / Program / Course Photos / 2022 Recap / Qualifying Results / Past Winners

CHAMPIONSHIP QUICK FACTS

Defending Champion: Charlie Berridge of Wykagyl Country Club won the 2022 title by 3-strokes and shooting the lowest score in the championship’s history. Berridge finished at 14-under 270 and fired a 3-under 68 in his final round to capture the Ganson Depew Cup. Full 2022 Recap.

Format: 72 holes of stroke play, played over three days with a 36-hole cut to low 40 and ties, and anyone within 10 strokes of the leader. 

Eligibility: Entries are open to male amateur golfers who are either (1) residents of New York State or (2) members of an NYSGA Member Club and have an active Handicap Index of 8.4 or lower. 

Par & Yardage:

HOLE	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
YARDAGE	513	161	499	209	399	341	224	356	422
PAR	5	3	5	3	4	4	3	4	4

 

HOLE	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
YARDAGE	537	396	456	144	397	525	171	446	494
PAR	5	4	4	3	4	5	3	4	5

OUT: 3,124 yards / IN: 3,566 yards
TOTAL: 6,690 yards, PAR: 72 (73/141)
*The front and back nine are flipped from their normal order for the championship

 

Schedule of Events

Sunday, August 6

• 12:30pm.................Practice facility open
• 12:00-5:00pm........ Registration
• 1:30-4:00pm.......... Practice rounds for players (over 2 hrs from club)
• 5:30pm................... Driving range closes

Monday, August 7

• 6:00am....................Practice facility open
• 6:30am....................Registration opens
• 7:30-9:30am............Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
• 11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch
• 12:30-2:30pm..........Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
• 7:30pm................... Driving range closes

Tuesday, August 8

• 6:00am....................Practice facility open
• 6:30am....................Registration opens
• 7:30-9:30am............Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
• 11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch
• 12:30-2:30pm..........Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
• 7:30pm................... Driving range closes

Wednesday, August 9

• 6:00am....................Practice facility open
• 6:30am....................Registration opens
• 7:00-8:24am............Round 3 from tee #1 and #10
• 11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch
• 12:15-1:39pm..........Round 4 from tee #1 and #10
• 6:30pm....................Award ceremony

 

Sectional Qualifying Medalists

North Country Qualifier
June 24 - Malone GC - East (17/2)
70 (-2) - Ken Fernandes, AOH Golf League

Watertown Qualifier
June 24 - Thompson Park GC (7/1)
69 (-3) - Phillip Rogers, USGA/NYSGA GC
69 (-3) - Nate Heller, Thompson Park GC

Mid Hudson Qualifier
June 26 - Red Hook GC (45/5)
67 (-5) - Ben Loomis, Winged Foot GC

Jamestown Qualifier - Canceled due to weather
June 26 - Moon Brook GC (11/1)

Elmira Qualifier
July 2 - Elmira CC (11/1)
79 (+7) - Liam Burtis, NYSGA eClub - ST

Syracuse Qualifier
July 3 - Lake Shore Y&CC (45/5)
67 (-5) - Anthony Maglisco, The Pompey Club

Utica Qualifier
July 7 - Yahnundasis GC (26/3)
68 (-3) - Benjamin Rublee, CC of Troy

Finger Lakes Qualifier
July 8 - Wayne Hills CC (27/3)
72 (E*) - Maxwell Koehler, First Tee Met NY YD
72 (E*) - Michael McIntosh, Drumlins GC

Binghamton Qualifier
July 9 - Links at Hiawatha (37/4)
65 (-7) - Evan Sitts, Binghamton CC

Albany Qualifier
July 10 - Colonie G&CC (94/9)
33 (-5) - Kevin Dumicich, Capital Hills at Albany
*Qualifier was reduced to nine holes due to unplayable course conditions from heavy rain.

Long Island Qualifier
July 10 - Bethpage Yellow (85/8)
67 (-4) - Josh German, Seawane Club
67 (-4) - Jake Barnet, MGA eClub - HV

Westchester Qualifier #1
July 13 - Mahopac GC (84/8)
70 (E*) - Samuel Weiss, Century CC
70 (E*) - Benjamin Peacock, MGA eClub - NYC

Buffalo Qualifier
July 17 - Lancaster CC (69/7)
69 (-3) - Michael Donner, Crag Burn GC
69 (-3) - Liam Knott, CC of Buffalo

Rochester Qualifier
July 17 - Mendon CC (31/3)
68 (-3) - Alex Zurat, Oak Hill CC
68 (-3) - Troy Allen, Stafford CC

Westchester Qualifier #2
July 18 - Mansion Ridge CC (37/4)
68 (-4) - Wills Reardon, The Onteora Club

Last Chance Qualfier
August 5 - Wiltwyck GC (50/3)
72 (E) - Scott Gallo, MGA eClub - HV
72 (E) - Jason Miller, MGA eClub - NYC

Click here to view full 2023 qualifying results

The list of golfers who are fully exempt into the 2023 NYS Men's Amateur (as of August 4):

Max Adler, James Allen (2021 champion), Jack Angelucci, Michael Auerbach, Alec Bard, Benjamin Bates, Samuel Bernstein, Charlie Berridge (2022 champion), Tyler Berkman, Dante Bertoni, Tyler Birdd, James Blackwell, Chris Blyth, Theo Boris, Nick Bove, Shane Broad, Brody Burgess, Ben Carpenter, William Celiberti, Leo Chu, Ethan Collins, Brett Cooper, Ryan Coughlin, Nolan Crowley, Kellen Dean (2023 NYS Boys’ 18U champion) Anthony Delisanti, Tyler Delisanti, Kyle Downey, Ryan Edholm, Luke Feehan (2014 champion), Matthew Ferrari, Nolan Forsman, Andy Fretthold, Ryan Gabel, Peter Gallucci,  Tyler Gerbavsits, Danny Gianniny, Jim Gifford, Matt Goldman, Darin Goldstein, Donte Groppuso, Johnny Gruninger, Billy Hanes (2022 Mid-Am champion), David Hanes, Patrick Healy, Kyle Hess (2002-03 champion), John Hiller, Connor Jackson (2022 NYS Boys’ 14U champion) Jacob Katz, Connor Kiel, Doug Kleeschulte (2010 champion), Jason Langer, Jiarong Liu, Jason Lohwater, Jeff March, Edward McCann, Tom McGinn, Mike Mento, Jamie Miller, Philip Minnehan, Ary Mohan, Brad Monroe, Dean Muratore, Sam O’Hara, Joe Petrin, Jr., Carter Prince, Brad Richards, Andrew Romano, Daniel Russo, Carl Schimenti, Jim Scorse (2005 champion), Douglas Shirakura, Jeremy Sisson, Chris Smithers, Aiden Spampinato, Jeremy Summerson, Jakub Sutor, Carter Thompson, Palmer Van Tuyl, YiWen Wang, Louis Walsh, Denny Wehle, Nic Whittaker, Jeff Wolniewicz (2008 champion), and Thomas Zottner.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Past Men’s Amateur Champions in the field

James Allen, 21, of Scarsdale Golf Club, won the 2021 Men’s Am championship at Schuyler Meadows Club and finished at 8-under, a stroke ahead of 2019 champion Ben Reichert of Buffalo. Last year at the Men’s Am, he was able to have a strong week and finished at T7 and 1-under during his title defense attempt. Allen currently plays at Penn State University and will be entering his senior season. Last year, he made Academic All-Big Ten. He finished top of his team last year in the 2023 Big Ten Conference Championship. He won the MGA's Carter Cup as a junior in 2020.

Charlie Berridge, 20, of Wykagyl Country Club, is the reigning champ after setting the record for lowest total score at 14-under par in 2022 at Onondaga. He also claimed the 2022 LIGA Michael Hebron at Bethpage Black. He is surely a favorite coming into the tournament with the the 100th edition being held at his home club. Charlie competed in the Porter Cup recently, where he was the runner up with a score of 9-under. This past week, he qualified for match play at the Met Amateur at Friar's Head. He currently plays college golf at the University of California.

Luke Feehan, 32, of Mahopac Golf and Beach Club, claimed the 2014 title at Bellevue Country Club. He won in dramatic fashion on the first sudden death playoff hole against Bryce Edmister. He won the Westchester Amateur in 2015 and was runner-up in 2021.

Kyle Hess, 41, of Indian Hills Country Club, is one of eight men to win back-to-back Men’s Amateur titles when he won in 2002 and in 2003. He won his ‘02 title at Transit Valley Country Club and his ‘03 in Ravenwood Golf Club.

Doug Kleeschulte, 33, of Wiltwyck Golf Club, won the Men’s Am in 2010 at Albany Country Club where he was able to shoot even par. 

Past NYSGA Champions in the field

Alec Bard, 25, of Cedar Lake Club, is a two-time New York State Boys’ 14U Junior Amateur Champion. He won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. He played his college golf at Penn State University, where he was the Nittany Lion’s top finisher at the Big Ten Championship in 2019 and 2021. He won the Syracuse area's AIM Championship in 2020 by fourteen strokes. He finished in the top 20 during last year’s NYS Men’s Am at Onondaga. 

Benjamin Bates, 42, of NYSGA eClub - Capital District, is a former NYS Boys’ Junior Amateur in 1997 at Shaker Ridge Country Club. He played in the 2021 Men’s Am also but was not able to get to the final rounds. He finished T7 during the 2022 NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur at Seven Oaks. Recently, he won the Schenectady Classic in June by eight strokes.

James Blackwell, 29, of River Oaks Golf Club, finished T5 last year at Onondaga at 4-under par. He won the 2011 New York State Boy’s 18U Junior Amateur Championship at McGregor Links Country Club. He competed at the collegiate level on the Ball State men’s golf team. He returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant coach in 2018.

Kellen Dean, 17, of McGregor Links Country Club, earned an exemption from his two-stroke victory at Lake Placid Club during the 2023 Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship. He finished the 54-hole championship at 4-under. Although he had already qualified for the state amateur out of the Albany qualifier. He also qualified for the 2022 championship at Onondaga and missed the 36-hole cut. In 2022, he was recognized by the Times Union Newspaper in Albany as the Boys’ Golf Athlete of the Year.

Anthony Delisanti, 20, of Willowbrook Golf Course, won the 2021 NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur at Seven Oaks Golf Club. He will be looking to finally break through at this year's Men’s Am. Last year, he finished T13 at Onondaga. So far this summer, he was medalist and qualified for the U.S. Amateur at Seven Oaks where he shot 10-under par over two rounds. He was a quarterfinalist at the 2022 North & South Amateur held at historic Pinehurst Resort. He also competed in the Porter Cup this year and finished three shots off the lead and in the top three at 8-under. Most recently, he was runner-up in the Monroe Invitational after the winner, Marshall Meisel of Wake Forest chipped-in on the six hole of a playoff. The two finished at 9-under at Monroe Golf Club in Rochester.

Billy Hanes, 37, of Crag Burn Golf Club, won the 2022 NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur at Seven Oaks last fall. Like Berridge, he will be defending this year’s title at his home club. His most recent state title came at Turning Stone this year where he and his younger brother David won the 2023 NYS Men’s Four-Ball at Turning Stone Resort. Previously, they won the 2018 edition at Leatherstocking. His first state four-ball title came with partner Jamie Miller in 2015. Hanes also claimed a NYS Boys’ Sub-Junior title in 2000 at Wellsville Country Club. He is also coming off a recent win in the 100th BDGA Individual Championship at Orchard Park Country Club.

David Hanes, 25, of Crag Burn Golf Club, won two NYS Men’s Four-Ball titles with his older brother, Billy. The first came in 2018 at Leatherstocking and earlier this season at Turning Stone Resort & Casino.

Connor Jackson, 14, of East Aurora Country Club, earned himself an exemption into this tournament as he is coming off his best win yet. He traveled out to Lake Placid and won the 2023 NYS Boys’ 14U Junior amateur title as he shot even par in his final round at the club’s Mountain Course. He is the second youngest competitor in the field this week.

Anthony Maglisco, 19, of Timber Banks Golf Club, won the 2018 NYS Boys’ 14U Junior. He was the 2022 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Section III Class B champion and finished tied for twentieth in the individual state championship in 2022. Maglisco finished tied for ninth in last year’s Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship. He qualified for this championship at the Syracuse qualifier and was medalist with 5-under at Lakeshore.

Daniel Russo, 65, of Schuyler Meadows Club, did not participate in last year’s Men’s Am but finished T27 in the 2021 Men’s Am at his home course. He is the 2021 and 2019 New York State Men’s Senior Amateur champion. He will be the oldest competitor in the field this week.

Jeremy Summerson, 22, of Cobblestone Creek Country Club, won the 2015 NYS Boys’ 14U Junior championship at Cedar Lake Club. He competed in last year’s event and finished T22. He finished as runner-up in the 2021 Rochester District Championship. In 2018, Summerson was named the RDGA Boys’ Junior Player of the Year and won the 2017 RDGA Boys’ Junior Championship.

Others to Watch

Jack Angelucci, 23, of Yahnundasis Golf Club, finished tied for 13th during last year’s championship at Onondaga. He won low amateur at the 2023 CNY PGA’s Open at Drumlins. He won the 2022 Syracuse District Gerry Ashe Memorial at Beaver Meadows. He competed on St. Bonaventure’s golf team in 2022-23 as a Graduate Student and Mercyhurst University prior to that.

Dante Bertoni, 18, of En-Joie Golf Course, won the 2023 NYSPHSAA Boys’ Championship in a playoff over Brody Burgess. They had tied at 2-over 146 at Mark Twain GC, and Bertoni sank a lengthy birdie putt to secure the victory. He held the first-round lead at the recent NYS Boys’ Junior 18U in Lake Placid and finished in 8th.

Shane Broad, 21, of Crag Burn Golf Club, will aim for a state title after coming up just short in last year's championship at Onondaga. He finished the tournament in a solo fourth with a score of 6-under 278. He recently wrapped up his senior season of college golf at Canisius University.

Peicheng Chen, 20, of Rock Hill Golf & Country Club, won the 2023 NYS Open as an amateur last month at Bethpage Black. Last season, the China native also won both the Long Island Amateur and the Met Public Links titles during the 2022 season. He plays golf for St. John’s University and a top player as a rising junior on the team. 

Brett Cooper, 32, of The Sewane Club, recently was qualifying medalist for the U.S. Mid-Am sectional at his home course. He was a first-round co-leader of the 2023 LIGA Hebron Amateur and finished in the top five. In 2020, he won the Long Island Mid-Amateur at Inwood.

Ryan Coughlin, 33, of Westchester Country Club, successfully defended the 2023 Westchester Amateur title at GlenArbor over Jack Woods of New Jersey. He won in 2022 at Metropolis.

Kyle Downey, 33, of Locust Hill Country Club, recently was the low amateur at the 2023 Western New York Open and shot 1-under. He was the runner-up at the 2022 NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur at Seven Oaks. Last season, he also qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur out of Mohawk Golf Club. He played in last year's Men’s Amateur but missed the cut. He also finished as the runner-up at this year’s RDGA District Championship to Jason Lohwater.

Ken Fernandez, 14, of AOH Golf League, is the youngest player in the field at the age of 14 years old. He had won medalist honors at the North Country qualifier with a score of 2-under to make it in this event. He recently captured the 2023 MGA Boy’s Championship title at Gardiner’s Bay. In 2022, he won at the Westchester Boys’ Championship at Silvermine Golf Club.

Thomas Finn, 18, of Nassau Country Club, will make his first NYS Men’s Am appearance after winning the 2023 LIGA Michael Hebron Amateur Championship at Bethpage Black.

Nolan Forsman, 22, of Winged Foot Golf Club, finished in the top 10 at last year’s championship after a final-round 68 at Onondaga. He finished in 31st at this year’s NYS Open at Bethpage Black and in 5th at the Westchester Open.

Tyler Gerbavsits, 23, of Huntington Crescent Club, captured the 2021 Long Island Amateur. He finished T5 in last year's MGA Ike Championship and finished in the semifinals of the Met Amateur He won the 2022 Nassau Invitational. He recently wrapped up collegiate golf for St. John’s University.

Danny Gianniny, 24, of CC of Rochester, won the 2023 Country Club of Rochester Invitational at his home club. He did not play in the 2023 NYS Men’s Am but in 2022, he was able to finish in T12 at Schuyler Meadows. He is a former St Bonaventure golf team member, graduating after the 2022 season.

Darin Goldstein, 41, of Noyac Golf Club, recently won the Havemeyer Invitational in May at Southward Ho CC and qualified for the 2023 U.S. Mid-Amateur out of The Sewane Club. Last season, he won the Long Island Amateur, and finished runner-up in 2021. He was also the low amateur during the 2021 Long Island Open after forcing a playoff with eventual winner Andrew Svoboda. He won the 2017 Met Mid-Amateur championship and was voted the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Player of the Year in 2018. He was the runner-up during the NYS Men’s Mid-Am in 2017 at Yahnundasis.

Donte Groppuso, 21 of Wiltwyck Golf Club, finished in a T13 at last year's Men’s Am at Onondaga, and tied for the early lead with 67 in the opening round. He won both the 2021-22 Ulster County Amateur titles (Herdegen).  He finished in 12th place at the 2023 NYS Open. Last season, he played collegiate golf at St. Thomas Aquinas, and became only the second individual in program history to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf National Championship and finished 40th. He recently transferred to Florida Southern College to play during the 2023-24 season.

Patrick Healy, 23, of Huntington Country Club, has been able to play and make the cut in the past two Men’s Ams. He was one of two men who led after round one of the 2022 Men’s Am after an opening-round 67. He finished in a T21 at Schuyler Meadows in 2021 and T37 at Onondaga Country Club in 2022. He just finished his senior season of college golf at Columbia University at earned Second Team All-Ivy League honors.

Jiarong Liu, 21, of RDGA eClub, put together a great week at last year's Men’s Am as he was able to finish in a tie for seventh with a score of 1-under over the three days, including a 6-under 65 in his third round. He competed in the 2021 Men’s Am where he finished in the top 20. He also competed in the 2023 NYS Men’s Four Ball Championship where he finished in a tie for third place. He was one of two to advance thru the Rochester U.S. Open Local Qualifying Stage at Links at Greystone in May.

Jason Lohwater, 22, of Brook-Lea Country Club, had a historic performance at the Men’s Am last year and held the record for the lowest total score at the championship until Charlie Berridge went even lower last year. He finished in second place last year at 11-under. Earlier this season, he won the RDGA Individual at Ravenwood Golf Course, posting 12-under over 54 holes.

Philip Minnehan, 20, of Cobblestone Creek CC, finished T4 at the 2023 RDGA District Championship at Ravenwood with 7-under. He was a top-10 finisher during the 2022 NYS Men’s Amateur at Onondaga at even par. In 2021, he was the NYS Boys’ 18U runner-up to Anthony Delisanti at Seven Oaks. He is a rising junior at Old Dominion University and played for Towson University prior to that.

Brad Richards, 43, of National Links of America, is a former professional ice hockey center of the National Hockey League and two-time Stanley Cup champion, first as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 and again in 2015 on the Chicago Blackhawks. He is originally from Prince Edward Island, Canada but resides in the Metro NY area.

Ryan Rittberger, 22, of Garden City Golf Club, was the low amateur at the 99th Long Island Open at Huntington Crescent Club at even par over 54 holes. He plays college golf for St. John’s University.

Jeremy Sisson, 24 of Skaneateles Country Club, was able to finish at 2-under at the 2023 Monroe Invitational and tied for 15th. Last year at the New York State Men’s Amateur, he was able to put together four solid rounds and finish in the top-10 at even par. He won the 2022 Dixie Amateur over the winter at Eagle Trace in wire-to-wire fashion. He won the CNY PGA’s Aim Championship twice in 2019 and 2021.

Aiden Spampinato, 21, of Ravenwood Golf Club, plays on the Methodist University men’s golf team where he finished 14th in the NCAA Division III Championship. He finished in the top 20 of last year’s NYS Amateur at Onondaga and 3rd in the 2021 championship at Schuyler Meadows. He also posted a top 10 finish at the 2023 RDGA District Championship at Ravenwood.

Nic Whittaker, 23 of Ranic Golf Club, is currently a member of the Flagler College Saints golf team. In last year’s Men's Am, he finished in solo third as he put together four great rounds and finished at 7-under for the tournament. He was in the final pairing during Wednesday’s 36-hole finale. He was also the 2018 NYS Boys' 18U Junior runner-up, losing to Luke Sample in a playoff at Seven Oaks.

Youngest competitors in the field

14 – Ken Fernandez, AOH Golf League
15 – Connor Jackson, East Aurora CC
15 – Cole Jones, East Aurora CC

Oldest competitors in field

65 – Daniel Russo, Schuyler Meadows Club
59 – Chris Smithers, Tuscarora GC
58 – Edward McCann, Wykagyl CC 

Host club members in the field

Charlie Berridge, Defending Champion (Exempt)
Colin Coogan, Qualified
Peter Gallucci, Club Exemption
Jason Langer, Club Exemption
Edward McCann, Club Exemption
Vincent Schumm, Qualified
Jake Trotta, Qualified
Thomas Zottner, Club Exemption 

About Wykagyl Country Club

Wykagyl Country Club traces its origins all the way back to 1898 (and celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2023), a time when golf in America was just taking shape with the construction of the first courses in Westchester County and other parts of the Northeast.

The Westchester county course was originally designed by Lawrence E. Van Etten in 1905. Over the years, the layout has been altered by several others, with the most significant changes to the course influenced by famed golden age architects Donald Ross (1919) and A.W. Tillinghast (1930). Eventually, modern updates and improvements were introduced by the notable duo, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

Wykagyl is a hilly and tree-lined old fashioned golf course, complete with plenty of blind shots and small, tricky greens that are reflective of the early 1900s. The course has a unique mix of holes, including five par fives, five par threes and eight par fours, and stretches out to 6,690 yards at a par of 72.

Like many of the notable and historic golf clubs in the region, the famously rocky and undulating terrain provided a perfect canvas for many unique holes and exciting green sites.

The club has often hosted professional tournaments, going as far back as 1944 and as recently as 2007.

Many legendary players have walked its fairways including Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Annika Sörenstam, and Paula Creamer. 

It has also welcomed regional amateur championships throughout the club’s history, including the Met Opens, three Westchester Amateurs (including the first two), one Met Amateur and seven of the MGA IKE championships. However, this will be the club’s first time hosting a NYSGA championship.