PREVIEW: 2026 NYS Men's Amateur Championship at Glens Falls
QUEENSBURY, N.Y. – The 103rd New York State Men’s Amateur Championship will be held at Glens Falls Country Club in Queensbury, July 7-9, 2026. 156 of New York State’s top male amateur players will tee off for 72 holes of individual stroke play for a chance at hoisting the century old Ganson Depew Cup.
Play will commence with 18 hole rounds on both Tuesday and Wednesday, at which point a 36 hole cut will occur. The low 40 players (and ties) at the conclusion of second round play will advance to the final day of competition. The final 36 holes will be played on Thursday, with the low scorer across all 72 holes earning championship honors. A sudden-death playoff will be the deciding factor in the event of a tie after 72 holes.
Related: Pairings / Scoring / Course Photos / 2025 Recap / Qualifying Results / Past Winners
CHAMPIONSHIP QUICK FACTS
Dates: July 7-9, 2026
Host Site: Glens Falls Country Club
Defending Champion: Anthony Delisanti of Willowbrook Golf Course secured the 102nd NYS Men’s Amateur Championship at Yahnundasis Country Club. After finishing tied at nine under total for the tournament with John Hiller, Delisanti inevitably prevailed on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the title. He set a competitive course record of 64, seven under, in the second round en route to victory. He will not be defending in 2026, as he turned professional last fall.
Format: 72 holes* of individual stroke play, played over three days (Tuesday-Thursday).
*36 hole cut with the low 40 and ties advancing to the final two rounds.
Eligibility: This Championship is open to (1) male amateur golfers who hold an (2) active, up-to-date USGA Handicap Index (6.0 max) issued through a licensed golf club in New York.
2026 U.S. AMATEUR EXEMPTION & RANKINGS
The winner of the 2026 NYS Men's Amateur Championship will earn an exemption to compete in the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship, played August 10-16 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The top-3 finishers receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2027 U.S. Amateur Championship.
Top-20 Exempt into 104th NYS Men's Amateur: The top-20 players in the 2026 NYS Men’s Amateur will earn an exemption into the 2027 NYS Men's Amateur Championship.
Par & Yardage:
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday, July 6 - Practice Rounds-
8:30am...................Practice facility open
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9:30-4:00pm.......... Practice rounds
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11:00-3:00pm.........Player lunch
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6:00pm................... Driving range closes
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6:00am....................Practice facility open
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6:30am....................Registration opens
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7:30-9:30am............Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
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11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch
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12:30-2:30pm..........Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
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7:00pm................... Driving range closes
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6:00am....................Practice facility open
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6:30am....................Registration opens
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7:30-9:30am............Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
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11:00-3:00pm..........Player lunch
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12:30-2:30pm..........Round 1 from tee #1 and #10
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7:00pm................... Driving range closes
Thursday, July 9 - Rounds 3 & 4
- 6:00am....................Practice facility open
- 6:30am....................Registration opens
- 7:30-9:00am............Round 3 from tee #1 and #10
- 11:00-1:00pm..........Player lunch
- 12:30-2:00pm..........Round 4 from tee #1 and #10
- 6:30pm....................Award ceremony
SECTIONAL QUALIFYING MEDALISTS & EXEMPT PLAYERS
Utica Qualifier - June 10 - Yahnundasis GC (33/5)
72 (+1) Brian Muench, Brook-Lea Country Club
Long Island Qualifier - June 11 - Bethpage Red (72/11)
65 (-5) Zachary Pallis, The Tuxedo Club
Mid-Hudson Qualifier - June 11 - Philip J. Rotella GC (67/10)
69 (-3) Gavin Clarke, MGA eClub - Hudson Valley
Rochester Qualifier - June 15 - Mendon GC (52/8)
72 (+1) Bryce Barber, Cobblestone Creek CC
72 (+1) Brian Albertazzi, Sodus Bay Heights GC
72 (+1) Richard Essen, RDGA eClub
Syracuse Qualifier - June 17 - Lakeshore Y&CC (56/8)
70 (-2) Spencer Baum, Wa-Noa GC
70 (-2) Brayden Thomas, Drumlins GC
Albany Qualifier - June 22 - Colonie G&CC (111/17)
70 (-2) Tim Carlson, Colonie G&CC
Buffalo Qualifier - June 22 - Lancaster CC (62/9)
71 (-1) Michael Donner, Crag Burn Golf Club
Binghamton Qualifier - June 25 - Binghamton CC (41/6)
73 (+2) Nathan Scheer, Canasawacta Country Club
73 (+2) Dan Young, Bellevue Country Club
Last Chance Qualifier - July 5 - Hiland Park CC (54/6)
70 (-2) C.J. Strong, Country Club of Troy
Click here to view full 2026 qualifying results
Exempt Players (As of July 5): Connor Abess, Mitchell Archer, Michael Auerbach, Shawn Baker, Nick Barney, Andy Bernatovicz, Christian Chapman, Brett Cooper, Owen Corby, Francisco Cupp, Kellen Dean, Brayden Dock, Joseph Dolezal, Kyle Downey, Phillip Duell, John Duthie, Michael Eshoo, Wes Farrell, Joseph Feeney, Joseph Fitzsimmons, Samuel Gao, Darin Goldstein, Billy Hanes, David Hanes, Brent Herlihy, John Hiller, Thomas Jenkin, Cole Jones, Ty Kaufman, Doug Kleeschulte, Tanner LaTorre, Matthew Lowe, Anthony Maglisco, Brian McGovern, Jamie Miller, Phillip Minnehan, Liam Moloney, Ty Monroe, Dean Muratore, Stephen Nicholas, Jonathan Oakes, Joe Quijano, Willis Reardon, Lucas Rizo-Patron, Timothy Saur, Carl Schimenti, Dave Segot, Aiden Spampinato, Eric Terminello, Jeff Wolniewicz, Ethan Yao.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Past Men's Amateur Champions in the Field
Kyle Downey, 36, of Oak Hill Country Club, looks to return to the top after a T18 finish last year where he couldn’t build off an opening-round score of 69. He won the 100th state amateur title in 2023 after a two-stroke victory at Wykagyl Country Club. Downey has won the last two Men’s Mid Amateur championships, last year at Country Club of Troy and at Schuyler Meadows Club in 2024 by a whopping 10 strokes. He played Division 1 collegiate Basketball for Siena College from 2008-12.
John Duthie, 37, of Cornell University Golf Course, won the 2007 NYS Amateur at Yahnundasis Golf Club 1 up, when it was still in match play format. Duthie had turned pro in 2011 and spent a decade as a touring professional, but regained his amateur status three years ago. Duthie won the 2023 CNY PGA’s AIM Championship, setting a tournament record for the lowest four-round score at -9. He also finished in fourth in both the NYS Amateur and NYS Mid-Amateur in 2024.
Doug Kleeschulte, 36, of Wiltwyck Golf Club, was crowned the Men’s Amateur champion in 2010 at Albany Country Club with a one stroke victory over the field. He has appeared in a string of USGA championships over the years and most recently competed in the 2015 U.S. Four-Ball and U.S. Amateur.
Aiden Spampinato, 23, of Cobblestone Creek Country Club won the 2024 NYS Men’s Amateur at Wanakah finishing at six under par. He’s also won the last two RDGA Men's Stroke Play Championships in 2024 and 2025. He is ranked 1951st in the WAGR. He qualified for the 2026 U.S. Four-Ball with partner, Philip Minnehan. Spampinato previously played golf at Methodist University where his team captured an NCAA Division III Championship.
Jeff Wolniewicz, 40, of Crag Burn Golf Club, brought home the 2008 Men’s Amateur title at Pinehaven Country Club. He also won the 2016 and 2017 NYS Men’s Four-Ball Championships at Leatherstocking Golf Club, with partners Billy Gaffney and Jonathan Clark respectively. Wolniewicz played collegiately at Binghamton University (‘03-’07), where he was a 3x all-region selection and two-time captain. He was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2018.
Other Past NYSGA Champions in the Field
Andy Bernatovicz, 58, of River Oaks Golf Club, last year claimed NYS Men’s Senior Amateur at Brookfield CC. He also won the BDGA Senior Championship at Wanakah CC. It was his second straight title and he’s claimed five of the last eight BDGA Senior Championships. He also captured the 2023 NYS Men’s Senior Four-Ball with partner Ken Riter at Turning Stone Resort. Last year he finished T17 after an opening-round 69. He recently qualified for the 2026 U.S. Senior Amateur out of a Rochester Qualifier.
Christian Chapman, 27, of RDGA eClub, won the 2016 NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur at Seven Oaks Golf Club. In 2023 he won the Golf Max CNY Open Championship, a professional golf event firing a score of 8-under for the tournament. He played collegiate golf at St. Bonaventure University. Chapman earned exemption by finishing in the top 10 at the 2025 NYS Mid-Amateur at Country Club of Troy where he tied for third.
Owen Corby, 20, of Monroe Golf Club, took home the 2025 NYS Men’s Four-Ball Championship with partner Anthony Maglisco last May. The duo posted the lowest round of the championship shooting 65 and clearing the field by two strokes. He wrapped up his Sophomore season at LeMoyne College on the Men’s golf team and recently won the Rochester District Match Play Championship at Canandaigua Country Club.
Kellen Dean, 20, of McGregor Links Country Club, won the 2023 NYS Boys’ Junior Amateur, claiming a two stroke victory at the Lake Placid Club. He wrapped his sophomore year at Xavier University, helping the Musketeers win the BIG EAST Championships. He was in the field for the Korn Ferry Tour’s Wichita Open in 2025 where he got his first taste of professional golf finishing 154th. He also captured the inaugural Capital Region Golf Association Amateur Championship at McGregor Links CC in 2024. Glens Falls will mark Dean’s fifth straight Men’s Amateur appearance. Last year he finished T10 at Yahunundasis coming in at five over par for the championship.
Charlie Fischer, 21, of East Aurora Country Club, captured the 2019 NYS Boys’ 14U title at Seven Oaks. He currently plays golf for University of West Georgia, and previously for the University of Mercer. He finished in the top-10 during last year’s NYS Men’s Amateur at Yahnundasis. During his junior days, he won several Buffalo District championships.
Billy Hanes, 40, of Crag Burn Golf Club, is a two-time NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion winning in 2022, and 2023. His 7-under tournament lifted him seven clear of the field at his home course of Crag Burn in 2023. Hanes also secured the 100th Buffalo District Golf Association’s Individual Championship at Orchard Park GC. Hanes played collegiate golf at the University of Richmond. He plays on the Tampa Bay Swap Dawgs in the Grass League. His T15 finish in last year’s championship helped him qualify for Glens Falls. Overall, he’s captured six NYSGA titles over a span of 25 years, including three state four-balls and a boys’ 14U.
David Hanes, 28, of Crag Burn Golf Club, is a two-time winner of the NYS Men’s Four-Ball with older brother, Billy. He captured the 2025 Buffalo District Golf Association Individual title at Cloverbank CC by a stroke, finishing at 8-under for 54 holes. He also won the same title in 2018. He played collegiate golf at Canisius College in Buffalo.
Connor Jackson,17, of East Aurora CC, won the 2023 NYS Boys’ 14U Junior Amateur at Lake Placid Club, going 74-71 (+3) to win by three strokes. He was runner-up in last year’s Boy’s 18U Junior Championship. Jackson also claimed the BDGA Sub-Junior Stroke Play Championship in the same season, eventually taking home the BDGA’s Sub-Junior Player of the Year Honors. He was also runner-up in the 2022 BDGA Junior Match Play Championship.
Tanner LaTorre, 16, of NYSGA eClub - Capital Region, was the Boys’ 14U Junior Amateur champion in 2024 at Green Lakes State Park. He’s coming off a T4 finish at the 2026 Boys’ 18U Championship last week. In 2024, as a sophomore, he became the first golfer from Ichabod Crane HS to win the NYSPHSAA Section II championship. He also competed in the 2022 Drive, Chip and Putt competition, making history with his brother, Mason, as the first pair of brothers to compete in the event together. In his NYS Men’s Amateur Championship debut, last year he missed the cut by a stroke. He is a member of the inaugural Team New York as part of the U.S. National Development Program.
Anthony Maglisco, 22, of Pompey Club, captured the 2025 NYS Men’s Four-Ball with partner Owen Corby. Last month, he claimed both the 54th SDGA Gerry Ashe Memorial at Yahnundasis Golf Club and the CNY PGA Men’s AIM Championship (two of three Syracuse Men’s Golf Majors). He also won the 2018 NYS Boys’ 14U Junior Amateur and the 2024 Syracuse District Amateur Championship. He is currently ranked 2231st in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Maglisco just finished his tenure at LeMoyne College playing on the golf team there. His ninth-place finish in last year’s championship helped him qualify for Glens Falls.
Jamie Miller, 41, of Crag Burn Golf Club, is a four-time NYS champion. He won the 2014 Mid-Am at Teugega CC and 2018 at Wanakah CC. Miller and partner Billy Hanes won the 2017 NYS Men’s Four-Ball Amateur at Leatherstocking GC. He also claimed a NYS Mixed Team title in 2022 at Brook-Lea with partner Chelsea Dantonio of the same club. He’s been on the NYSGA Executive Committee for several years and served as the NYSGA’s President from 2024-2025. He’s also qualified for numerous USGA championships and played his college golf at Augusta State. Last year he finished T23 in at Yahnundasis.
Jonathan Oakes, 20, of Ardsley Country Club, claimed the NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur title in 2024 at The Links at Hiawatha Landing. He tied the course record with a 64 in the opening round, and never looked back, capturing the title at 14-under over 54 holes, eight strokes better than the runner-up. He plays on the Kenyon College Men’s Golf Team and just wrapped up his junior year. Oakes recently finished in the top 10 at the MGA’s Ike Stroke Play Championship at Sleepy Hollow. In 2022, he won the Westchester Junior Am.
James Welch, 58, of Olde Kinderhook Golf Club, won the 2011 NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Dutchess Golf & Country Club, earning the win in a four-way playoff. He has finished in the top three in the last 2 NYS Senior, being the runner up a year ago and third place the year before. Welch also qualified for the 2019 U.S. Men’s Mid-Am. He played college golf at Skidmore where he was a prominent figure being the first athlete to be named a National Collegiate Athletic Association All-American in 1987. He punched his ticket to Glens Falls through the Albany Qualifier at Colonie G&CC, and is the second oldest player in this year’s field.
Francisco Cupp, 15, of Saratoga Golf & Polo Club, won the 2025 NYS Boys' 14U Junior Amateur at Eagle Crest GC (he was runner-up the year prior). The win granted exemption to what will be Cupp’s first NYS Men’s State Am. Last week, he tied for seventh at the NYS Boys' 18U Junior Amateur Championship at Cavalry Club where he was one of the nine boys to finish the tournament under par. Last month, he finished fourth at the New York State Boys High School Championship. He recently qualified for the 20206 U.S. Junior Amateur in a Virginia qualifier, and is a member of the inaugural Team New York.
Liam Moloney, 19, of The GC at Mansion Ridge, won the 2025 NYS Boy’s 18U Junior at McGregor Links by five strokes. He wrapped his freshman year at Loyola University Maryland and was voted Rookie of the Year in the Patriot League. Moloney was exempt from qualifying due to his current WAGR ranking of 1907.
Samuel Gao, 16, of Youth On Course - MGA, is coming fresh off an impressive win of the NYS Boy’s 18U Junior. He spent last week dominating at Calvary Club as he claimed his first state win in his first attempt. Gao tied for seventh at the latest NYSPHSAA Boys High School Championship in June, and previously had some solid finishes in recent Metropolitan Golf Association junior championships.
Carl Schimenti, 34, of Cornell University Golf Course, won the State Mid-Amateur at Shaker Ridge CC in 2021 after a two-hole playoff. He also won the 11th NYS Men’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship alongside Andrew Turker at Leatherstocking Golf Course.
Other Names To Watch
Nick Barney, 28, of Links at Hiawatha Landing, won the 97th TCGA Amateur Championship last month in a playoff at Links of Hiawatha. His second round score of 68 was the lowest for the tournament. Barney is a former golfer and alum of LeMoyne and was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Division II Men's At-Large First Team as a senior. His recent win earned him exemption at Glens Falls.
Brody Burgess, 19, of Cobblestone Creek Country Club, plays collegiate golf at the University of West Virginia, where he played in eight tournaments as a freshman. Burgess has advanced through the U.S. Open Local Qualifying in Rochester the last two years. He won the Rochester District Match Play title in 2025. He finished T14 during the 2024 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship at Wanakah Country Club, and posted a top-10 finish at the 2025 NYS Boys' 18U Junior. He also qualified for the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur.
Brayden Dock, 19, of Glens Falls Country Club, is one of eight players in the field who will compete on their home course. He wrapped up his sophomore season golfing at Colgate where he earned All-Patriot League Second Team honors. Dock also won the Bucknell Invitational last October. He finished T31 in last year’s championship. He earned exemption for this year’s championship through USGA Championship Qualifiers after co-medaling at U.S. Open Local Qualifying at Shaker Ridge CC in May.
John Hiller, 20, of Westchester Country Club, was runner-up last year, falling short in a four-hole playoff with Anthony Delisanti. He just finished his sophomore campaign at Duke University. Coming out of high school, Junior Golf Scoreboard ranked him as the best prospect from New York of his graduating class. Hiller was the Met Junior match-play champion in 2022. He is ranked 2019th by the WAGR.
Matthew Lowe, 30, of MGA eClub - Long Island, is coming off a huge win in the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Ike Stroke Play Championship, securing his second title with a 30-foot birdie on the final hole at famed Sleepy Hollow. In the NYS Amateur, he finished fourth in last year’s championship at Yahnundasis and was in contention during the final round. He was the runner-up in last fall’s NYS Mid-Amateur Championship at CC of Troy. Earlier this season, he also won the 78th MGA Public Links Championship at Harbor Links Golf Course (he’s won the last two). Lowe played collegiately at University of Richmond.
Dean Muratore, 19, of Colonial Springs GC, is a sophomore on the University of Michigan’s golf team. Last fall, he was recognized as Big 10 Golfer of the Week and is a standout on the team. He recently finished as runner-up in the Met Golf Association’s 2026 Ike Championship at Sleepy Hollow, and took third place at the 2026 Long Island Amateur. He qualified for the 2025 U.S. Amateur and was co-medalist at final qualifying in the Met Area. He was the runner-up to Kellen Dean at the 2023 NYS Boys’ 18U Junior in Lake Placid. His current WAGR Ranking is 1081.
Lucas Rizo-Patron, 19, of Pelham Country Club, recently won the 2026 Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Championship. He has also won the First Tee Miami Doral Junior Classic back in 2024 and was runner-up at the Westchester Open Championship, a professional golf event. Rizo-Patron is transferring to UCLA after two seasons at University of Richmond. He is ranked 2018th by WAGR. He missed the cut in last year’s championship and earned exemption from qualifying this year due to this WAGR ranking.
Brayden Thomas, 14, of Drumlins Golf Club, is the youngest competitor in the field having just turned 14 just a few days ago. He’s coming off a T14 finish at the NYS Boys’ 18U Junior at Cavalry Club and a T7 finish at the New York State Boys High School Championship last month. A member of Team New York, Thomas qualified for his first State Am by co-medaling at the Syracuse Qualifier, shooting two-under.
Youngest competitors in the field
14 – Brayden Thomas, Drumlins GC
15 – Francisco Cupp, Saratoga Golf & Polo Club
15 – Ethan Yao, Youth on Course – MGA
Oldest competitors in field
58 – James Welch, Olde Kinderhook GC
58 – Andy Bernatovicz, River Oaks GC
Host club members in the field
Connor Abess
Joe Cimmino
Brayden Dock
Michael Eshoo
Wes Farrell
Brent Herlihy
Craig Jenkin
Jason Urschel
Member Clubs with Highest Representation in Field
8 - Glens Falls Country Club
6 - Crag Burn Golf Club
5 - Oak Hill Country Club
5 - Cobblestone Creek Country Club
4 - Wiltwyck Golf Club
3 - East Aurora Country Club
3 - Mohawk Golf Club
3 - Monroe Golf Club
3 - Yahnundasis Golf Club
Members of Team New York in the Field
Francisco Cupp
Cole Jones
Tanner LaTorre
Brayden Sentz
Brayden Thomas
PAST NYS MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS AT HOST CLUB
1962, Won by William Tryon
GLENS FALLS COUNTRY CLUB
Established initially as a nine-hole course, it was designed by Donald Ross in 1912 before he returned eight years later to add the second nine. In 2020, Golf Magazine placed Glens Falls in their list of top 100 Golf Courses in the nation, ranked #86. The course has become known for its character and unique volcano greens.
Glens Falls has previously hosted seven NYSGA championships, including four majors (1960 Women’s Am, 1962 Men’s Am, 2002 Boys’ & Girls’ 18U Junior Am), a pair of Men’s Mid-Amateurs (the inaugural site in 1984, 2009) and the 2002 Boys’ 14U Junior Amateur.
