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ENDICOTT, N.Y. - Crag Burn Golf Club's Philip Stegemann was able to overcome a four-stroke deficit to claim his first state title at the 27th NYS Super Senior Amateur at En-Joie Golf Club. 

The member of the club set to host the upcoming 2023 Men’s Mid-Amateur, was steady and sound with his round of 2-under 70 on Tuesday, which was the only round under par of the tournament. While the rest of the field was struggling early, Stegemann was able to find an answer to the tour-tested championship golf course that was saturated with rain overnight but had cleared up by the morning.

Starting his day with a bogey on No. 1 (his starting hole during the second-round shotgun), Stegemann bounced back, collecting four birdies over the next twelve holes to gain a lead on the field. 

Related: Final Results / Photos / Rd 1 Recap / Preview /  2022 Recap / Past Winners

With a mid-range birdie on his final hole of the championship (No. 18), he secured his first state title and fended off many of the best super senior (ages 65+) players in the state of New York.

“Bogeyed the first hole though so it was a slow start but had some birdies on the front nine and held it together,” said Stegemann. “I had my driver going and felt very comfortable with my irons today.”

Playing at the host course of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open on the PGA Champions Tour is nothing but a privilege for Stegemann and understands how big of a moment this is for him.

“Lonnie Nielson, a very good friend of mine, won here in the Dick’s Tournament. Lon has passed away so it's pretty special for me to win here, thinking about Lon all day today.” said Stegemann reflecting on past PGA Champions Tour winner Lonnie Nielson who was also a former club professional at Crag Burn in the Buffalo area.

This is 67-year-old Stegemann’s first time playing in the NYS Super Senior Amateur Championship. He competed in last year’s Senior Am championship, finishing in the top-10 at Springville. He also won the 2022 Super Senior Porter Cup at Niagara Falls CC.

He is the second from Crag Burn to capture this title, since fellow member Jim Smith captured it two years in a row in 2016-17. He also joins brothers Billy and David Hanes as state champions from the East Aurora club in 2023, although there are plenty of state winners from Crag Burn over the years...

Following him into the clubhouse was 2021 NYS Super-Senior co-runner up Jim Burns of Canandaigua Country Club and the 1st NYS Super Senior Amateur Four-Ball champion Dan Levinson of MGA eClub - NYC. They both ended their two rounds at 4-over and tied for second place. 

In a two-way tie for fourth place was the round-one leader Bob Cooper of the NYSGA eClub - Capital District, and the 2015 NYS Men’s Senior champion Thomas Fletcher of Tuscarora Golf Club, who both finished at 5-over 149. 

Rounding out the top 5 was Steven Hastings of Powelton Club who was able to shoot 2-over on his final round and finish at 6-over for the championship in solo sixth. Behind him in solo seventh is 1992 NYS Men's Amateur champion Todd Dischinger of Foxfire Golf Course, who finished at 7-over.

2022 champion Robert Branham of Canasawacta Country Club finished his title defense with a 10-over 154. 

En-Joie was set up at 6,107 yards for the super senior division and played to a par of 72. 

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The inaugural NYS Men’s Legends Amateur saw many former Senior and Super Senior champions and familiar competitors taking the jump up to the new age division. 

However, local area and Binghamton Country Club player, John Benware, shot two rounds under par to claim his and the championship's very first title. 

In a pretty dominant performance, Benware stayed in red figures throughout both rounds and was never in jeopardy of losing his lead. He shot 2-under on his front nine on Tuesday and was bogey-free through 16 holes.

“It is a terrific golf course,” said Benware on playing this year’s championship at En-Joie Golf Club. “I have some familiarity with the course even though I am not a member here so that certainly helps.” 

Benware was the only player in both divisions to get to under-par and stayed atop the field for the entire tournament.

The Endwell resident sank two birdies in his final round, and only a lone bogey on the 17th hole, giving him two rounds of 71 for a total of 142. 

In solo second place was the 2014 NYS Men’s Super Senior champion Randy Young who shot 1-under in his final round to finish at even par for the tournament. He did what he could to charge and put pressure on Benware, but a few late-round bogeys prevented that from happening.

Finishing behind him was last year’s Super Senior runner-up at Robert DeWitt of Transit Valley Country Club.

“I played a lot of golf with Bob DeWitt and we’re great friends,” said Benware on playing together in the final group. “It was just a treasure to play a round of golf with him. A terrific player and it couldn't have been better. You couldn't have scripted it any better.”

In fourth place was Scotty George of Westchester Country Club who was able to bounce back from his first round and shot even par in his final round. He finished the championship at 5-over 149.

Rounding out the top five was Lake Shore Yacht & Country Club member and 2006 Super Senior champ Perry Noun, who shot 8-over 152 (77-75) at 86 years old.

In a three-way tie for sixth was Donald Lalonde of Stonehedges Golf Club, Matthew Ryan of Endwell Greens Golf Club, and the 2019 NYS Men’s Super Senior champion John Hamilton of Hudson National Golf Club, each finishing the tournament at 9-over. 

En-Joie was set up at 5,394 yards for the legends division and played to a par of 72. 

Winners were also identified based on age groups for both championship divisions: Thomas Fletcher of Tuscarora Golf Club (65-69), Robert DeWitt of Transit Valley Country Club (70-74), Donald Lalonde of Stonehedges Golf Club (75-79), Alan Pritchard of Wayne Hills Country Club (80-84), Perry Noun of Lake Shore Yacht & Country Club (85+).