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CLARENCE, N.Y. – The 68th New York State Men’s Senior Amateur Championship will be held at Brookfield Country Club September 9-10, 2025. 

Related: Championship Home / Pairings / 2024 Recap

A field of 120 Senior Men from the Empire State will tee it up in the 36-hole competition. The field will compete in 18 holes on Tuesday, followed by an additional 18 on Wednesday to decide a NYS champion. 

CHAMPIONSHIP QUICK FACTS

Dates: September 9-10, 2025

Host Site: Brookfield Country Club, Clarence, N.Y. 

2024 Champion: Jim Scorse of Stafford Country Club turned in a 68-65 tournament to finish at seven- under par, nine clear of the field at Corning Country Club. 

Format: 36 holes of individual stroke play, played over two days of competition. 

Eligibility: This championship is open to male amateur golfers who are 1) At least 55 years of age (as of September 9, 2025), 2) Are active NYSGA Members and 3) Hold an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index of 10.4 or less. 

Age Groups: The Men’s Senior field will also feature two age group categories: 55-59 and 60-64. Players above the age of 65 are not eligible for either of the age groups, but were also able to compete in the 2025 NYS Men’s Super Senior Amateur Championship at Soaring Eagles Golf Course. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 - PRACTICE ROUNDS

• 9:00am.....................Driving range opens
• 9:00-3:00pm............Registration
• 11:00-3:00pm..........Practice rounds
• 5:00pm.....................Driving range closes
  
  

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - ROUND 1

• 7:00am....................Driving range opens
• 8:00-9:30am............Round 1, tees #1 and #10
• 11:30-3:30pm..........Player lunch
• 12:30-2:00pm..........Round 1, tees #1 and #10
  
  

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 - ROUND 2

• 7:00am....................Driving range opens
• 8:00-9:30am............Round 2, tees #1 and #10
• 11:30-3:00pm..........Player lunch
• 12:30-2:00pm..........Round 2, tees #1 and #10
• 7:00pm....................Award ceremony
   

THE FIELD

Past NYS Senior Champions in the field 

Jim Scorse, 60, of Stafford Country Club, will enter play at Brookfield as the defending champion of the last two Senior titles and the winner of this year’s Senior Four-ball Championship at Turning Stone. Scorse repeated with a stunner performance of 68-65, clearing the field by nine shots. The year before, he claimed the same title at Corning Country Club. Scorse also won the 2016 NYS Mid-Amateur Championship at his home course of Stafford Country Club, as well as the 2013 Mid-Am at Schuyler Meadows and the 2005 Men’s Amateur at Ontario Golf Club. He’s an eight-time NYS champion overall, bringing home Four-ball Titles in 2011 and 2012. He won the RDGA’s Men’s Senior Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

Dave Benedict, 75, of Brook-Lea Country Club, was the 2011 NYS Men’s Senior Champion at Vestal Hills Country Club. Benedict also won the 1994 NYS Mid-Amateur at Wayne Hills Country Club and was the 2005 RDGA Senior Champion. Earlier this season, Benedict finished T6 at the NYS Legends’ Amateur Championship at Soaring Eagles Golf Course.

Robert Hughes, 64, of Thompson Park Golf Course, recently claimed his 15th City Golf championship this year in the Watertown City Golf Championship. He prevailed at the 2018 tournament at Mohawk Golf Club. Hughes went 70-70-75 and secured the victory on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff against Wade Sarkis. Hughes finished T4 in 2023 at Yahnundasis Golf Club.  

David Prowler, 67, of Nassau Players Club, won the 2017 Men's Senior Championship by four strokes. Prowler secured his first NYS title with a three-over performance at Crag Burn Golf Club. Prowler also represented New York at the 2012 U.S. Senior Open at Indianwood Golf & Country Club.  

Dan Russo, 67, of Schuyler Meadows, is a two-time Men’s Senior champion. Russo placed runner-up in this year’s NYS Men’s Super Senior at Soaring Eagles Golf Course. Russo won back-to-back Senior titles in 2019 at the Cavalry Club and again in 2021 at the Powelton Club (the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Russo has qualified for two U.S. Senior Opens and competed in the 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur. He finished as co-runner-up at the 2022 Men’s Senior Championship, while attempting his three-peat.  

Kevin VandenBerg, 59, of Beaver Meadows Golf Club, took home the 2022 NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at Springville Country Club. He is also a two-time SDGA Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018. He is currently ranked 640th in the WAGR rankings with 10 wins in his career.

Other players to watch:

PJ Alterio, 56, of Niagara Falls Country Club, recently earned a spot in the USGA Senior Amateur Championship. He ended at even-par 72 at the qualifier at Stafford Country Club, securing one of the two spots. He also brought home this year’s Senior Erie County Amateur by two strokes. Last year, he finished T36 in this tournament at Corning.

Mark Battle, 71, of Ravenwood Golf Club, is a two-time NYS champion, claiming the NYS Men’s Senior Four-ball Championship in both 2013 and 2021. He recently competed in the 2025 NYS Men’s Legends Amateur Championship, where he just missed the top 10 at nine over par and a T11 finish at Soaring Eagles Golf Course.

Andy Bernatovicz, 58, of River Oaks Golf Club, finished T3 in last year’s NYS Men’s Senior Amateur at four over par. He also claimed the BDGA Senior Championship at Moon Brook CC, posting 3-over for the two days. He captured the 2023 NYS Men’s Senior Four-ball with partner Ken Riter at Turning Stone Resort.

Jim Burns, 71, of Durand Eastman Golf Club, recently placed T3 in the NYS Men’s Legends Championship at Soaring Eagles. He also won the 2025 NYS Men’s Super Senior Amateur Four-ball with partner Jim Johnson at Turning Stone Resort. He was named the 2024 RDGA Men's Super Senior Player of the Year Award. He also finished in fourth place in the Legends Championship last year. In 2013, he finished as the co-runner-up at the Super Senior Amateur Championship alongside Dan Levinson. Burns was also the runner-up in the 2021 Senior Championship at the Powelton Club and finished T7 at Springville Country Club in 2022.

David Fizer, 60, of Ballston Spa Country Club, finished in the top five in 2023 at Yahnundasis Golf Club at six-over par. He also finished T4 in the Men’s Senior Four-ball championship with partner Chris Smithers.

Don Fortuna, 56, of Twin Hickory Golf Club, finished T31 last year at Corning Country Club in the NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Championship. He put up rounds of 80-72 to finish at 12 over par.

John Gaffney, 66, of Brookfield Country Club, will be playing at his home course for this year’s Senior Championship. He has placed inside the top 20 in the last two senior championships, with a T8 in 2023 at Yahnundasis, and last year a T20 at Crag Burn, where he was also a member of. This year, he placed T15 at the Super Senior at Soaring Eagles Golf Course. Gaffney won the 1999 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship at Wanakah Country Club.

John Harrington, 62, of Tuscarora Golf Club, won the 2024 NYS Men’s Senior Four-ball Championship with teammate Chris Smithers at Turning Stone. Last year, he placed T11 in this Championship at Corning Country Club.

Stuart Harris, 63, of Oak Hill Country Club, shot 72-79 in last year's championship and finished 26th. Harris has two NYS titles to his name in 2015, and in 2019, he brought home the Mixed Team Championship with partner Tracy Petrillo.

David Hicks, 62, of Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University, recently placed third in the NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur Qualifier at Tuscarora Golf Club, shooting even par, and will play in the Mid-Am at CC of Troy at the end of the month. In 2019, he finished runner-up at the Cavalry Club.

Brian Kumiega, 59, of Country Club of Buffalo, won the BDGA Senior Match Play Championship in 2024, defeating Andy Bernatovicz on the 20th hole of the final match. Kumiega also won the Erie County Senior Amateur that same year. Last year, he finished in the top 20 in this Tournament at Corning. 

Bruce Levinson, 61, of Onondaga Golf and Country Club,  claimed the 2020 David Ross Senior Invitational. In 2010, he placed runner-up in the Syracuse District Am, and in 2011, he was also runner-up at the Ashe Amateur. 

John Migliore, 55, of Skenandoa Club, placed T12 in the 2019 AIM Championship at Cortland Country Club. Migliore also made the cut in the 2015 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship held at Kaluhyat Golf Club, at Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Along with that, he placed 28th at the 2023 NYS Men’s Mid-Am held at Crag Burn Golf Club.

John Miosi, 64, of Transit Valley Country Club, finished in last year’s NYS Men’s Senior Amateur at 14th and eight over par. The year prior, he finished in the top 40. Recently, he finished in the top 10 in the NYS Men’s Senior Four-ball championship with partner Michael Grace.

Jim Mueller, 66, of Orchard Creek Golf Club, claimed the last two NYS Men’s Super Senior titles, first at Crag Burn Golf Club in 2024 and again this year at Soaring Eagles Golf Course. Along with that, he also claimed the 2024 Men's Super Senior Four-ball Championship, alongside Kevin Broderick at Turning Stone. Mueller has finished third at both the 2021 and 2018 NYS Men's Senior Amateur Championships. 

Kenneth Riter, 62, of NYSGA eClub - Western NY, placed solo sixth a year ago in this Championship at Corning, putting together rounds of 76-69 to finish at five over par. He also claimed the 2023 NYS Men’s Senior Four-ball championship with partner Andy Bernatovicz.

Robert Rosen, 64, of Country Club of Buffalo, is a two-time NYS champion, bringing home the NYS Men’s Senior Four-ball Championships with partner Matt Clarke, both in 2022 and 2016. He also won the 2021 Erie County Senior Amateur. Last year, he finished T26 in this championship. 

Wade Sarkis, 63, of Canandaigua Country Club, won the 2019 Senior Four-ball Championship alongside Ken Ogden. Sarkis finished runner-up at the Men’s Senior Amateur in 2018, losing to Bob Hughes in a two-hole playoff. Sarkis finished in the top 15 in both the 2022 and 2023 tournaments.

Dave Segot, 55, of Nassau Country Club, won the 2021 Sands Memorial Four-ball Championship at North Shore Country Club with partner Joe Ferrone, combining for a 2-under par score. In 2024, at the Men’s NYS Amateur sectional qualifier, he finished with medalist honors and shot 6-under par at Bethpage Yellow.

Christopher Smithers, 61, of Tuscarora Golf Club, recently finished as the medalist at the NYS Men’s Mid-Am qualifier at his home course, Tuscarora Golf Club, finishing at two-under. He brought home the 2024 Men’s Senior Four-ball title with John Harrington. Smithers went 73-75 (+6) to finish as the co-runner-up to Kevin Vandenberg in the 2022 tournament at Springville Country Club.

Phillip Stegemann, 69, of Crag Burn Golf Club, recently placed solo 14th at the 2025 NYS Men’s Super Senior Championship at Soaring Eagles Golf Course. He also claimed the 2023 Super Senior title at En-Joie Golf Club. Stegemann posted a 76-70 tournament to finish at two over par. Last year, he finished T6 and four shots off the lead. Stegemann won the 2022 Super Senior Porter Cup and also finished T8 at the 2022 NYS Men's Senior Amateur at Springville Country Club.

Jack Weinerth, 64, of Highland Park Golf Club, shot three under par to capture the 39th annual Apogee Investment Management Senior Championship in 2019. He also brought home the 2023 SDGA Senior Championship. 

John Wessels, 56, of Drumlins Golf Club, finished T7 in this championship last year with rounds of 74-72, finishing at six over par. He recently placed runner-up in the 2025 SDGA Senior Stroke Play Championship, coming down to the wire where he lost by one stroke.

About Brookfield Country Club

Brookfield Country Club's 18-hole golf course in Clarence, NY, is a picturesque masterpiece, designed by William Harries, that blends natural beauty with challenging play. Nestled amidst rolling hills and lush landscapes, it offers a serene escape for golf enthusiasts. The meticulously designed layout presents a mix of strategic water hazards, undulating fairways, and well-manicured greens, providing a rewarding test of skill for golfers of all levels. Towering trees and scenic vistas add to the course's allure, creating a tranquil and enjoyable environment. With impeccable course maintenance and a reputation for hosting tournaments and events, Brookfield's course stands as a premier golf destination in Western New York.

Brookfield has been host to a few NYSGA previous championships, including the 1948 Men’s Amateur and Men’s Senior (when they were played simultaneously), the 1964 Women’s Senior, the Men’s Mid-Amateur in 1991 and 2006, and most recently the 2016 NYS Men’s Senior & Super Senior Amateur Championships. The golf course is on 170 acres and was completely renovated in 2014. In 2022 and 2023, new native fescue was planted on collars, approaches, and a variety of out-of-play areas around the course.