News

JAMESVILLE, N.Y.  – The New York State Golf Association (NYSGA) Hall of Fame Committee has elected seven individuals to the New York State Golf Association’s Hall of Fame, Class of 2026.

Related: About the NYSGA HOF

This year’s class spans more than a century of New York golf, from Devereux Emmet’s turn-of-the-century course design influence to multi-decade competitive careers and PGA Tour success. The elected individuals are:

Gail Purdy Brophy - Player

Brophy had an impressive amateur career that spanned six decades. Early on, she won the NYS Women’s Amateur twice, in 1961 Niagara Falls CC and in 1963 at Whiteface Inn GC. In 2007 and 2008 she once again found herself in the winner’s circle with consecutive Women's Super Senior Amateur Championships. The Glens Falls native also competed in two U.S. Women’s Opens in the early 60’s, successfully making the cut in both. Brophy was heralded by the Times-Union as a “Golfing Superhero.” She passed away in 2020.

George Burns III - Player

Hailing from Brooklyn, Burns quickly established himself as a top amateur after winning a slew of prestigious East Coast events (North & South, Porter Cup, Canadian Am, Met Am, Monroe Invitational), capped off by the 1974 NYS Men’s Amateur at Wayne Hills CC. He was a member of the 1975 Walker Cup team, and would turn professional later that same year. Burns would go on to compete in 571 PGA Tour Events notching 70 Top-10 finishes and 4 wins. He finished tied for second in the 1981 US Open after holding a 54-hole lead. He now resides in Florida.

Gail Sykes Clayton - Player

Sykes Clayton won the NYS Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship in 1964 at Lakeshore Yacht & CC. She’d go on to win the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship in 1965. Sykes Clayton played collegiate golf at Odessa College and East Carolina University, later inducted into the Pirates’ athletic Hall of Fame. The Schenectady native coached high school golf for many years, and the better ball tournament hosted by the Northeastern Women’s Golf Association is now named “The Sykes” in her honor. She passed away in 2017.

Devereux Emmet - Course Architect

A legendary course architect from Long Island, his footprints lie all over the Empire State. Some of his local gems include: Bethpage State Park (Green), Leatherstocking, McGregor Links, Mohawk, Schuyler Meadows, St. George’s and countless others. In the golden age of golf, Emmet was the premier architect from New York designing over 150 courses worldwide. A talented golfer as well who played out of St. George’s and Garden City (host of the first NYS Amateur), Emmet reached the quarterfinals of the 1904 Amateur Championship at Royal St. George's in England. He passed away in 1934.

Mike Hulbert - Player

Growing up in Horseheads, Hulbert was a childhood friend and honed his ability alongside past NYSGA Hall of Famer, Joey Sindelar. Hulbert finished runner up in the 1979 NYS Men’s Amateur. He’d become a two-time All American at East Tennessee State University, and then competed on the PGA Tour for 22 seasons. He played in 594 events winning four times, including the 1986 FEDEX St Jude Classic. In 2002 he was a Ryder Cup Captain’s Assistant and was inducted to the ETSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Hulbert served as a rules analyst for CBS’ coverage of the PGA Tour. He now resides in Florida.

Charlie Murphy - Player

An Albany native, and a mainstay in the NYS Men’s Amateur, competing for 30 consecutive years with 14 top-10 finishes and twice a runner-up. Murphy played college golf at Siena and would eventually become a member of the Saints’ Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1984, he won the inaugural NYS Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Glens Falls CC. Murphy is a six-time winner of both the Eastern New York Golf Association Championship and Tri-County Stroke Play Championship. 

Billy Shields - Player

Shields was a 3-time NYS Men’s Amateur Champion winning in 1951, ‘52 and ‘55, and was runner-up in ‘54. He was also a 6-time U.S. Amateur participant. Shields played college golf at Siena and was the first non-basketball member of the Saints’ Athletic Hall of Fame. He grew up at the old Albany Country Club and later at Wolferts Roost. He made the cut at the 1951 Masters and would feature in the U.S. Open five years later. Shields is one of seven players to have claimed at least three NYS Men’s Amateur Championships. He passed away in 1983.

This year's honorees were selected by a statewide panel of electors which included representatives of designated state regions as well as at-large electors representing the state as a whole. The NYSGA Hall of Fame Committee consists of John Blain (CNY), Pete Dougherty (Capital Region), Dave Eaton (Rochester), Mark Gaughan (WNY), Andrew Hickey (Staff Liaison), Dottie Pepper (HOF Rep), Doug Vergith (NYC/LI), and Gene Westmoreland (Met). 

This is the eighth Class to be elected to the NYSGA Hall of Fame.

The formal induction will take place on Thursday, November 6 2026 at Wolferts Roost CC in Albany, N.Y., and all interested individuals are encouraged to attend and support this wonderful class of deserving individuals.