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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – It felt like 2018 all over again. 

Robert Hughes claimed the 30th NYS Super Senior Amateur Championship while Jim Hamburger won the 4th NYS Legends Amateur Championship on Friday at Bellevue Country Club. Eight years ago, Hughes won the Senior Amateur while Hamburger won the Super Senior, both on the same day at Mohawk Golf Club. 

Today, Hughes, of Thompson Park Golf Course, shot even par (71) to win by six shots. Hamburger, of McCann Golf Club, shot one-over and won by 10 strokes. It marked each of their second NYS victories. 

Related: Results / Photos / Championship Central

In the Super Senior division, Hughes started the day tied with David Arakelian (Hiland Park CC) for the lead with three other players within two strokes. Hughes seized the lead for himself early on after Arakelian bogeyed hole 1, and he birdied the fourth hole. 

Hughes later bogeyed holes 7 and 9 to go to four-over, but held a one-stroke lead making the turn. After five consecutive pars, he stepped on the 15th tee box, a par-3, with a two stroke advantage over Daniel Russo (Schuyler Meadows Club). 

“My plan going into the hole was to just get it on the green, two putt, make a par,” Hughes said. “I was fortunate enough to hit it close and birdie.”

One of the few twos on the hole, and a bogey from Russo, meant Hughes was back to even for the day, and more importantly had a four shot lead with three holes left. In classic Hughes-style, he made three undramatic pars to close out his round.

“I didn’t hit it in trouble off the tee and tried to keep it in the middle of the greens,” Hughes said. “Just trying to two-putt, make pars and get out there.” 

He wasn’t quite bullish after his opening round of 74 thinking he’d need to shoot better in order to win. In the end, though 74 would’ve sufficed, he got the improvement he sought in the final round finishing with 14 pars, two bogeys, and two birdies. His round of even par was the best round in the field. 

“My approach game into the greens was significantly better than yesterday, and I putted better,” Hughes said. 

Russo finished tied for second after finishing solo second in last year’s championship. He put up one of the best rounds on the golf course today with three birdies. The ending was unkind as he bogeyed four of the final five holes to post a score of 73 and nine-over for the tournament. Dennis Lynch (Nassau Players Club) finished tied with Russo at nine-over. He started the final round a stroke back but was unable to keep up with Hughes after bogeys on 3 and 4. 

Thomas Fletcher (Tuscarora GC) finished fourth at 10-over. His final round of 74 was one of the best on the golf course as he birdied the sixth and seventh holes. Arkelian ended the tournament in fifth place with a final round of 79. There were two hole-in-one’s in the Super Senior field. Paul Parrone (Midvale CC) aced the third hole from 100 yards out with a 48-degree wedge. Robert Kerning (Nassau Players Club) finished the 7th hole in one swing using an eight-iron from 136 yards. 

In the Legends Division, Jim Hamburger cruised to victory with a round of 72, one-over. Hamburger entered Friday up by four shots and finished the day 10 shots clear. 

“I did know that I had a four-stroke lead,” Hamburger said. “I really didn’t pay too much attention to [the leaderboard]. I just felt like I had to play the golf course; it’s hard enough to play a golf course like this.”

Hamburger’s final round consisted of 15 pars, two bogeys and (like Hughes) a birdie on the 15th hole. He was confident pars would be more than good enough to give him the trophy. 

“When I thought about the lead, unless I mess up badly, someone’s going to have to really play well… and I knew that would be difficult,” Hughes said.

Hamburger’s two rounds of 70 and 72 were the two best rounds in his division. He dominated a golf course that produced an average score of nearly 83 for the Legends. 

“The whole experience was terrific…I’m just thankful for being able to play at the level I am at this age,” Hamburger said. 

David Young (Moonbrook CC) finished in second place at 10-over par. Richard Volcko (Beaver Meadows GC) finished in third at 11-over. Robert DeWitt (Transit Valley CC), Mark O’Donnell (Transit Valley CC), Randy Young (Bellevue CC), and Barry Winter (Southern Dutchess CC) all shared fourth place at 13 over.