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LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- The historic Lake Placid Club is set to host the 2023 NYS Boys’ & Girls’ Junior Amateur Golf Championships on July 26-28.

This year’s field is set at 178 players divided into the four championship divisions: Boys’ 18U, Boys’ 14U, Girls’ 18U and Girls’ 14U. Both Girls’ divisions and Boys’ 14U will compete on the Mountain Course, while the Boys’ 18U division will compete on the Links Course.

Related: Championship Central / Pairings / Photos / Course Photos / Program / Past Winners

2023 Championship Preview Video

All four Championships will run concurrently on Wednesday and Thursday. All competitors will play 18 holes in round one on Wednesday, 18 holes in round two on Thursday, after which champions will be decided in both the Boys’ 14U and Girls’ 14U divisions. After these first two rounds, a cut will be applied in both the Boys’ & Girls’ 18U fields. The remaining players in each 18U field will then play another 18 holes on their respective courses (Girls on Mountain, Boys’ on Links) for the final rounds on Friday morning. The players with the lowest scores for 54 holes will be the winners of the 18U championships (format changes were established in 2023).

Championship Quick Facts

Dates: July 26-28, 2023
Host Site: Lake Placid Club - Links and Mountain Course, Lake Placid, N.Y.

Last Year’s Champions:
Jack Berl, Country Club of Rochester (Boy’s 18U Junior);
Sophia Li, MGA eClub - NYC (Girls’ 18U Junior);
Jacob Olearczyk, NYSGA eClub - Central NY (Boys’ 14U Junior)

Format:
Boys’ & Girls 18U - 54 holes, individual stroke play
Boys’ & Girls 14U - 36 holes, individual stroke play

Ties: The player with the lowest score for 36 (14U) or 54 (18U) holes will be the champions. In the event of a tie for the Championship, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play. If there is a tie for the winner in the Age Groups, the tie will be broken using the USGA's method of matching scorecards.

Eligibility: Open to male and female amateur golfers that are either a resident of New York State or belong to an NYSGA member club or an NYSGA eClub (NYS residency required of eClub members). Players must be 18 years old or younger as of July 28, 2023 and have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index. Juniors can get one free by joining an NYSGA eClub.

Course Par & Yardage:

Boys’ 18U: 7,010 yards, Par 71
Boys’ 14U: 6,009 yards, Par 71
Girls’ 18U: 5,543 yards, Par 71
Girls’ 14U: 5,102 yards, Par 71

81st New York State Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship  

 

IN: 3,478 yards / OUT: 3,532 yards
TOTAL: 7,010 yards, par 35-36-71

66th New York State Boys’ 14U Junior Amateur Championship

 

IN: 2,911 yards / OUT: 2,969 yards
TOTAL: 6,009 yards, par 35-36-71 

60th New York State Girls’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship

 

IN: 2,911 yards / OUT: 2,632 yards
TOTAL: 5,543 yards, par 36-35-71

1st New York State Girls’ 14U Junior Amateur Championship

 

IN: 2,585 yards / OUT: 2,517 yards
TOTAL: 5,102 yards, par 36-35-71

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Tuesday, July 25 // Practice Rounds
Wednesday, July 26 // Round 1 (18 Holes)
Thursday, July 27 // Round 2 (18 Holes) - 14U Divisions Finish, Cut in 18U Divisions
Friday, July 28 // Round 3 (18 Holes) - 18U Divisions Only

THE FIELDS

The 81st NYS Boys’ Junior Amateur field contains two NYS champions:

There are no past Boys’ 18U champions in the field. 2022 champion Jack Berl of CC of Rochester is not eligible this season as he is now over the age of 18.

Charlie Fischer, 18, of East Aurora Country Club, won the 2019 NYS Boys’ 14U Junior, winning by five strokes to capture his first state title after finishing runner-up in 2018. He also is a two-time Buffalo District Golf Association (BDGA) Boys’ Junior Stroke Play winner. In the 2022 Boys’ 18U, he finished tied for fifth place at Soaring Eagles. He’s committed to play college golf for Mercer University next season.

Jacob Olearczyk, 15, of the NYSGA eClub - CNY, will look towards the 18U Junior Boys’ title after going back-to-back in the 14U division in 2021 at Seven Oaks, and then again in 2022 at Soaring Eagles. He has 17 first-place finishes on the Central New York PGA Junior Tour. In 2023, he competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National in April, finishing in fifth for Boys 14-15 group.

The 60th Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship field contains three NYS champions: 

Sophia Li, 16, of the MGA eClub - NYC, won the 2022 NYS Girls’ Junior at Soaring Eagles. She posted two even-pars to win her first state title by four strokes. She also qualified for the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior at Olde Stone, where she was unable to advance into match play. She won the girl’s 10-12-year-old division in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Course in 2019. She was the first girl in the event's history to sink both putts from 30 and 15 feet.

Julia Zigrossi, 17, of Ridgemont Country Club, is looking to recapture the Girls’ Junior Championship. She won the title in 2021 at Seven Oaks. She also won back-to-back NYS Women’s Four-Ball Championships in 2021 and 2022. In June, she finished T3 at the NYS Women’s Amateur, and held the lead after round one. She was the Rochester District’s Women’s and Junior Player of the Year in 2020, has won two RDGA Girls’ Juniors (2020-21), and the RDGA Women’s Am in 2020.

Lily Zhang, 15, of Park Country Club, recently claimed the 93rd NYS Women’s Amateur Championship at Corning Country Club. She became the second youngest champion at age 14 after winning by six strokes. She’s also been runner-up in the NYS Girls’ Junior in both 2021 and 2022. She was recognized as an honorable mention for the Rolex Junior All-America Teams for 2021.

Other Players to Watch In the Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur Field:

Mitchell Archer, 17, of Drumlins Country Club, recently won the SDGA Junior Classic by eleven strokes at Rogues Roost East and Oneida Community GC.

Tyler Berkman, 17, of Potsdam Town & Country Club, qualified for the U.S. Junior at Teugega during a 3-for-1 playoff. He knocked in an eagle on the fourth playoff hole to earn the spot. During last year’s state junior, he was under par after round one, but fell in the second round to finish at T11.

Dante Bertoni, 17, of En-Joie Golf Course, won the 2023 NYSPHSAA Boys’ Championship in a playoff over Brody Burgess. They had tied at 2-over 146 at Mark Twain GC, and Bertoni sank a lengthy birdie putt to secure the victory.

Brody Burgess, 16, of Cobblestone Creek Country Club, was the NYSPHSAA Boys’ Championship runner-up after losing to Dante Bertoni in a playoff at Mark Twain GC this spring. He finished in fourth place at the 2022 NYS Boys’ Junior at Soaring Eagles.

Michael Clifford-Levy, 15, of East Hampton Golf Club, was last year’s Boys’ 14U runner-up. He also captured the 2023 Long Island Boys’ Championship title this year and finished second in the Junior Division.

Jacob Dantonio, 18, of Crag Burn Golf Club, was the 2022 NYS Boys’ Junior runner-up, losing by a stroke to Jack Berl on the final hole. He was also the round-one leader. He recently finished runner-up at the 2023 BDGA Junior Match Play at Sheridan Park GC.

Kellen Dean, 17, of the NYSGA Youth on Course, finished tied for 13th in the 2023 NYSPHSAA championship. He was recognized by the Times Union Newspaper in Albany as the 2022 Boys’ Golf Athlete of the Year.

Tyler Delisanti, 17, Transit Valley Country Club won both the Erie County Boys’ Junior Amateur and BDGA Junior Match Play titles in 2023. He finished tied for 11th place in last year’s NYS Boys’ Junior.

Matthew Difiore, 15, of Youth on Course - MGA, has won two Metropolitan PGA Junior Tour Future Series events this season at Bethpage State Park’s Blue Course and at Eisenhower Park’s Red Course. He finished second at the tour stop at Bethpage’s Red Course. He finished tied for 16th during last year’s NYS Boys’ Junior. 

Braydon Dock, 16, of Glens Falls Country Club, finished in 10th at the 2023 NYSPHSAA Boys’ Golf Championship. He also finished tied for fifth in the AJGA Golf Performance Center Killington Junior Golf Championship this year. He is also a two-time qualifier of the Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals, competing at Augusta National in both 2021 and 2022.

Jack Estrella, 17, of Old Westbury Golf and Country Club, recently reached the quarterfinals of the Met Junior Match Play. He competed on the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Williamson Cup team in 2022.

Grady Glennon, 17, of Rip Van Winkle Country Club, finished in a tie for sixth place at the 2023 NYSPHSAA Boys Golf Championships. This is his first time competing in the NYS Boys’ Junior Championship.

Tommy Mangan, 17, of Apawamis Club, posted top-10 finishes in both AJGA events he competed in last season, the KJ Choi Foundation Junior, and the Golf Performance Center Junior. He recently advanced to match play at the 2023 Met Junior.

Dean Muratore, 16, of Met PGA Junior GC, won the 2023 CHSAA state title and was named CHSAA Player of the Year. He shot 3-under 68 to win. He tied for second at the 2023 Long Island Junior. In 2022, qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship that was held at Bandon Dunes. 

Anthony Naples, 18, of Met PGA Junior Golf Club, won the 102nd Long Island Junior Championship in June at Smithtown Landing Golf Course. He finished at 1-under 71. He was the Boys’ runner-up at the 2023 AJGA Preview at Bethpage. He will play college golf at Fairfield University next season.

Jackson Saroney, 16, of Drumlins Country Club, finished in fourth place at the 2023 NYSPHSAA Boys’ Golf Championship. More recently, he was one of three to qualify for the 100th NYS Amateur at Yahnundasis. He opened with a 71 during last year’s Junior at Soaring Eagles, but slid during round two to finish T16. He won the Syracuse District Junior Classic in 2021, and the association’s Boys’ title in 2020.

Danny Wehle, 15, Oak Hill Country Club, was able to finish in seventh place at the 2023 NYSPHSAA Boys Golf Championships. He also was the winner of the South Florida Kickoff at Woodmont on the HJGT earlier this year in January. He is also an avid hockey player.

Players to watch in the Boys’ 14U Junior Field:

Tanner LaTorre, 13, of NYSGA eClub - Capital District, qualified for the 2022 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals and competed at Augusta National last April. He finished in eighth for the Boys 12-13 age group.

Drew Mancini, 14, of RDGA Junior Membership, recently won the SDGA Junior Classic in a playoff over Dan Young. They had both finished the tournament at 9-over.

Dan Young, 14, of Bellevue Country Club, was the leader after round 1 of last year’s championship at Soaring Eagles with a 4-under 67. He was unable to follow-up that opening score with another strong round and finished in third.

Other players to watch in the Girls' 18U Junior Amateur Field:

Sophia Cellura, 17, of Oak Hill Country Club, She finished T8 at the AJGA Preview at Webster this season and also won the WNY PGA Section’s Junior Tour at Glen Oak Golf Club. Sophia was also the Oak Hill Women’s Club Champion last year.

Lia Huang, 15, of Youth on Course - MGA, finished in the top 10 at this year’s NYSPHSAA Girls’ Championship at Edison Club. After a first-round 82, she came back with a 73.

Jordan Levitt, 16, of Met PGA Junior GC, finished in the top 10 at the AJGA’s 2023 Butterfield Bermuda Junior Championship and posted two other top-25 finishes so far this season. She competed in this year’s Women’s Western Junior Championship and finished in 73rd. She is currently ranked 321 by the AJGA.

Amelie Phung, 15, of Bonnie Briar Country Club, is coming off a hot streak of starts around New York Amateur golf. She was able to finish in the runner-up position at the Women’s Porter Cup. During the 2021 NYS Girls’ Junior, she finished in the top four at 8-over 152 and did not compete in 2022.

Isabella Salerno, 16, of Westchester Country Club, finished T-7 in the 2023 NYS Women’s Amateur at Corning and 12th at the 2022 NYS Girls’ Junior.

Samantha Von Rohr, 16, of Schuyler Meadows Club, won the Onondaga Junior Invitational this May with 7-over 78 at last year’s NYS Men’s Amateur host site. She finished in the top 10 during the 2023 NYS Women’s Amateur at Corning Country Club, and in 11th at the 2022 NYS Girls’ Junior.

Other players to watch in the Girls' 14U Junior Amateur Field:

Nina Choe, 14, of Pelham Country Club, has had two top five finishes at 2023 AJGA All-Star events at York and Windham. She finished T9 in the 2023 NYSPHSAA Girls’ Championship, and was in contention after a first-round 75.

Ava Estrella, 14, of Old Westbury Golf & Country Club, qualified for the 2023 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals and competed at Augusta National in April. She finished T8 in the Girls 14-15 age group. She won the 2023 Long Island Junior Girls in a playoff at Smithtown Landing GC after finishing at 9-over 81. She finished T-14 during last year’s NYS Girls’ Junior, and T18 at this year’s NYSPHSAA Girls’ Championship.

Hayden Knapp, 13, of Glens Falls Country Club, won the NENY PGA Section’s Junior Championship Major #1 at Colonie in May after finishing in second last season. In the 2022 NYS Women’s Amateur Championship, she placed twelfth at McGregor Links. This year, she finished in 13th place at Corning. During last year’s NYS Girls’ Junior, she finished in 10th place.

Alexandra Phung, 12, of Bonnie Briar Country Club, won first place in the Girls 10-11 years olds division at the 2023 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals held at Augusta National. It was her third appearance in the National Finals (2019, 2021, 2023) This will be her first time participating in the NYS Junior Championship, alongside her older sister.

 

ABOUT THE LAKE PLACID CLUB

The Lake Placid Club offers 45 holes of spectacular golf in the heart of the Adirondacks. Their award-winning courses offer a unique variety of golf for players of all abilities in a truly breathtaking setting. The Club is the only 45 hole golf club in the Adirondacks, offering the Links Course, Mountain Course, and the Pristine 9 course.

The Lake Placid Club Links Course was designed in 1909 by the master Scottish golf instructor and club maker, Seymour Dunn. Though settled in the U.S. at the age of twelve, Dunn designed golf courses in both America and Europe. Among his best known European designs are the private courses of King Leopold of Belgium (1906), the Rothschild Estate in France (1908), and King Emmanuel of Italy (1908).

The Lake Placid Club Mountain Course was laid out in 1910 by Alexander ("Alex") H. Findlay, who immigrated to the U.S. from Scotland in the early 1880's and became one of the pioneers of golf in America. He is said to have played almost 2,400 courses in his lifetime, setting course records at many of them. Findlay was dedicated to the sport of golf and, in 1926, tried (unsuccessfully) to create a six hole golf course at the Vatican.

In 1931, the Lake Placid Club Mountain Course was remodeled by Alister MacKenzie, perhaps the most famous architect of the Golden Age of Golf Design. Dr. MacKenzie was the consulting architect for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. Among the principal courses planned and laid out by him were Cypress Point, and Augusta National, home of "The Masters."

The club situated in the heart of the Adirondack mountains has previously hosted Women’s Seniors in 1967, 1977 and 1978, Men’s Seniors in 1943, 1944 and 1970, three Women’s Amateurs from 1942-1944, and two consecutive Men’s Amateurs in 1943-1944. The three different championships held at Lake Placid Club from 1943-44 were played simultaneously due to the impact of World War II.

Learn more about The Lake Placid Golf Club