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CLARENCE, N.Y. – The 68th New York State Men’s Senior Amateur Championship teed off Tuesday morning at Brookfield Country Club with two waves and a split tee start. No one in the field finished under par for the first round, with a three-way tie for first place at even (72). 

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In the morning, Andy Bernatovicz of River Oaks Golf Club started off hot with two birdies in the first three holes. Bernatovicz finished his round at even par. The Buffalo native won this year’s BDGA Senior Match Play Championship at Lancaster Country Club. He also finished T3 last year in this championship and won the 2024 BDGA Senior Stroke Play Championship. 

Bernatovicz on his round today,
“I caught a couple of good breaks, I rolled the ball nicely on the greens, they were fantastic, the golf course is beautiful.” 

Bernatovicz on what it will take to claim the title tomorrow,

“To be as fearless as I can, and continue to play aggressively and see where that takes me.”

In the afternoon, Jack Weinerth of Highland Park Golf Club had an impressive seven birdies on his scorecard and finished at even par. After the round, he spoke about his performance,

“I kept it in play and hit my irons well, and just made some putts.” 

“Almost making a hole in one on 5 kept the momentum on the back nine.”

Also tied for the lead is Don Fortuna of Twin Hickory Golf Club, who secured three birdies on the back nine and had a chance to take the solo lead on his 18th hole of the day (Starting on hole 10). However, he lipped out his birdie putt on the ninth hole, and tapped in for a par.

Finishing up the top five on the scoreboard in fourth, finishing at one over par was John Harrington, of Tuscarora Golf Club. Behind him is a four-way tie for fifth place with Steve Stone, of Sheridan Park Golf Club, PJ Alterio, of Niagara Falls Country Club, Dave Segot, of Nassau Country Club, Matt Congdon, of Binghamton Country Club, and the 2022 NYS Men’s Senior Champion, Kevin VandenBerg, of Beaver Meadows Golf Club, all tied at three over par.

Wrapping up the top 10, there is a three-way tie for the score of four over par, with Philip Stegemann, of Crag Burn Golf Club, Mark Majewski, of NYSGA eClub - Western NY, and David Mooradian, of Country Club of Troy, all tied going into the final 18 holes tomorrow morning.

Brookfield Country Club was set up at 6,381 yards and par 72. The tee times for the final round will start tomorrow at 8:00 am and run through 9:30 am for the morning wave, and the afternoon wave will begin at 12:30 pm and run until 2:00 pm, as we will crown the newest NYS Men’s Senior Champion.

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