News

Greece, NY - In the morning wave at Ridgemont Country Club, 79 contestants teed off in the N.Y.S. Junior Amateur Championship. Defending champion Connor Raeman (Canandaigua) posted a first round 77 (+5) to finish seven strokes behind the leaders Evan Gaesser and Andrew Fedele, both at 2-under par.

Results - Round 1
Photo Gallery - Round 1
Pairings - Round 2

Gaesser, who began his round two groups ahead of Fedele on the first tee, got off to a wonderful start. He made par on the first three holes, birdied the 172 yard par-4 4th, and then eagled the short 460 yard par-5 5th. At 3-under par, Gaesser coasted on the next two holes but stumbled in with bogeys on 8 and 9 to turn at 1-under. He got back on track with pars again on 10 and 11 but made a double bogey 6 on the par-4 12th, a tight hole with a small, narrow green. He recovered quickly with birdies on 13, 14, and 16, and parred his way home for a 2-under 70.

Fedele, a Ridgemont Country Club member who was followed by a strong contingent of family and friends, also got into red numbers quickly in round one. He made par on the first two holes but then got on the board with a birdie on the 3rd hole, a sharp dogleg right, 358 yard par-4 which played as the most difficult hole of the day with a stroke average of nearly 5. He also birdied 5 and 9 to make the turn at 3-under par. On the back nine he began to falter with bogeys on 11 and 16, but stuffed it to about a foot on the par-5 18th to finish tied for the lead with Gaessar.

Three players sit one stroke back of the leaders: Christian Chapman (Victor), James McHugh (Rye), and David Hanes (Elma). Jason Shanzt (Rochester) posted the first even par round of the day and finished two strokes behind the leaders.

The final round will begin on Wednesday, August 6 at 12:30pm.