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HORSEHEADS, N.Y. – The 29th NYS Men’s Super Senior and 3rd Legends Amateur Championships final round finished up on Tuesday at Soaring Eagles Golf Course. Both fields played 36 holes throughout the two days of the championship. 

Related: Scoring / Photos / Rd 1 Recap / Preview / Championship Central

The Super Senior category was a battle, as Jim Mueller, of Orchard Creek Golf Club, and Daniel Russo, of Schuyler Meadows Club, went wire-to-wire. The two traded first place throughout the final round, ultimately with Mueller running away and repeating for the second year in a row as NYS Men’s Super Senior Champion. Mueller threw two rounds of even par for the championship.

Mueller on defending his title, “Another state title, I didn't think I'd ever have any. Now I've got back-to-back in this division, it feels great!” 

“For the most part, I didn't hit the ball badly, and the greens here are very challenging, so to have only one three-putt in two days was pretty good as far as I am concerned for me.”

Russo, a two-time NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Champion, came into the day tied for the lead, but finished two shots behind Mueller and a runner-up finish. Following up Russo was Dan Levinson, of MGA eClub - New York City, finishing in solo third with a final round of 73 and four-over for the championship. Levinson shot three under on the front nine with no bogeys. Wrapping up the top five was Steve Haluska, of Endwell Greens Golf Club, at 10 over par in solo fourth place. Two shots behind in solo fifth place was Kevin Webb, of Clifton Springs Country Club.

The rest of the top ten saw three tied for sixth place at 13 over par, with Steve Loomis, of Lakeside Country Club, Ken Gardner, of RDGA eClub, and Philip Ohler, of Forged Iron Golf. The last two in the top ten were Joe Capece, of NYSGA eClub - Southern Tier's James Narde, of USGA/NYSGA GC, finishing at 14 over par.

The Super Senior category consisted of amateur golfers over the age of 65, and the course played at 6,131 yards with a par of 71.

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The 3rd NYS Men’s Legends Championship ended in a tie at the top of the leaderboard as Robert Branham, of Canasawacta Country Club, came out on top in a three-hole playoff. After a first-round 72 (1 over par), Branham came into the final round behind Robert Dewitt, of Transit Valley Country Club, by three shots. He shot one-under on the day, which was prompted by his four birdies on the back nine.

This was the second time Branham and Dewitt played for an NYSGA Championship that was decided in a playoff. Back in 2022, the NYS Men’s Super Senior Amateur Championship ended after one playoff hole with Branham claiming the crown. Branham also brought home the NYS Super Senior Amateur Four Ball earlier this season with his teammate Kevin Webb. 

Branham on securing the title, “This course is a lot of fun, very good shape, just challenging! Frustrating for 27 holes because I hit the ball very well and couldn't put the ball in the hole.”  

“Funny things happen, I made four birdies in the last eight holes and got fortunate to get to a playoff and held on there.”

“When you get to a playoff, you play to win. Lots of times you get to a playoff and get conservative, that was not going to be my mindset.”

Wrapping up the top five, there was a way tie for third place at six over par. Jim Burns of Durand Eastman Golf Club, Michael McNulty of Park Country Club, and David Young of Moon Brook Country Club finished third. The rest of the top ten were mere ties, with Wayne Stoughton, of Chautauqua Golf Club, Dave Benedict, of Brook-Lea Country Club, and Rick Shaw, of Links at Hiawatha Landing finishing at seven over for the tournament. 

The last two in the top ten at eight over par were Steven Hastings, of Powelton Club, who tied the lowest round of the final round at one-under par, and he finished tied for ninth with Barry Winter, of Southern Dutchess CC. 

The Legends category consisted of golfers over the age of 70, and the course played at 6,131 yards with a par of 71.