Two New Pairs Claim the Mixed Team Championship
ALBANY, N.Y. – Two new sets of champions were crowned at Shaker Ridge Country Club at the 13th NYS Mixed Team Amateur Championship on Monday. M. Connor Wisniewski and Jessica Doran shot even-par to win in the Amateur Division. Andy and Bethany Bernatovicz also shot even and won in the Senior Division.
The tournament featured a modified Chapman stroke play. Each player hit their first shot, their partner’s second, and concluded each hole alternate shot using one ball.
“One of the most enjoyable parts for me was how difficult it was,” Wisniewski said. “We have never played in a tournament together…having the challenge of figuring out when to help and when to stay back was difficult for us, but I think it was cool for us too.”
Wisniewski and Doran, both of Drumlins Golf Club, started on the fifth hole. The couple worked together to birdie the eighth, 13th, and first hole.
“With the tee placements, it was really good for me to hit my drive and then have a little bit longer of an approach shot for [Wisniewski] and vice versa,” Doran said. “Overall the format worked really well for us.”
Their round of even, 71, was good enough for a two-stroke victory. Last year’s champions Nicole Criscone (of Eagle Crest GC) and Jared Trudeau (Mohawk GC) finished in second place at two-over. Nick Marini and Lilla Zeevalk (both of Shaker Ridge CC) finished in third at three-over. They went three-under from holes 13-16 of their home course.
Fellow Shaker Ridge CC members Joseph Fitzsimmons and Samantha Schuffenecker finished in fourth at four-over. The duo made an eagle on the 13th hole, a par 5, the only eagle of the day. Ravenwood GC members Alexandra and Mark Battle tied for fifth place with Corey Harkins (McGregor Links CC) and Heidi Harkins (Balston Spa CC).
In the Senior Division, the Bernatovicz’s round of 71 contained four birdies and four bogeys with ten pars. The couple played in the event last year and finished in third. They said their past experiences helped them work effectively today.
“Sometimes say less, sometimes say more, support as much as you can,” Andy said. “There were no ‘I’m sorry’s’ out there today which I was happy about.”
“I like playing with him,” Bethany said. “We’ve been playing together for a long time and we’ve played this format before. We’ve learned the nuances… today felt more comfortable.”
The leaderboard was tight for most of the afternoon but birdies on holes 10 and 11 (their 13th and 14th holes) helped them take the lead. They parred their final four holes into the clubhouse and ended up with a four-stroke victory.
The win marks the second NYSGA win for Andy. He was part of the winning duo at the 2023 Men’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball at Turning Stone Resort.
Todd Jackson and Louise-Anne Morin (McCann Golf Course) tied for second place with Luke Hobika (Drumlins GC) and Merideth Hobika (Yahnundasis GC) at four-over. Cheryl Haggerty (Eagle Crest GC) and Paul Pratico (Schenectady Municipal Golf) finished in fourth place at eight-over. Rounding out the top five were Stuart Harris (Oak Hill CC) and Traci Petrillo (Penfield CC).
In the Amateur Net division, Ken Rhoades (NYSGA eClub - Capital Region) and Rebecca Rhodes (Villa Roma CC) took home first place with a net score of two-under. In the Senior Net division, Jackson and Morin won with a net score also of two-under.
