Berliner captures Woodstock Open title
Fueled by a pair of chip-ins, Scott Berliner shot a 6-under-par 64 to capture his third Emerson Resort & Spa Woodstock Open by one stroke.
Berliner, a 43-year-old assistant pro at Hiland Golf Club in Queensbury, chipped in for birdie on the par-3 ninth hole at Woodstock Golf Club before chipping in on the par-4 17th to help secure the victory over Michael Shine.
Berliner, who also won titles in 2007 and 2013, played in the day’s final group in a field of 46, knowing 65 was the score to beat.
“To me it helps to know because I’m a scoreboard watcher in tournaments,” Berliner said in a press release. “I like knowing what I need to do.”
Leading by one on the final hole, Berliner hit his tee shot to 35 feet before rolling his birdie attempt to four feet. He converted the par putt for
the title.
“I didn’t want to leave myself a downhill putt, but I knew if I just touched it the ball would go in,” said Berliner, who had four birdies in a six-hole stretch midway through his round to earn $3,000 for the win.
Shine, a 24-year-old assistant pro representing Schuyler Meadows Club in Albany, had seven birdies in his round, but a threeputt bogey from 35 feet on the 18th proved costly.
“Scott hit a great chip on No. 17 and finished strong,” Shine said. “That’s what you have to do to be a champion around here.”
Chris Ferraro and Patrick Schwarze shot 4-under
66s to tie for third, while Kyle Kressler’s 3-under 67 was good for fifth. Woodstock head pro Chris Sanger, defending champion John Stoltz and Justin Hearley tied for sixth with 2-under 68s.
Reigning three-time Ulster County Men’s Amateur (Herdegen) champion Justin Lane, meanwhile, was first in the Amateur division with a 1-under 69, defeating fellow
Woodstock member Chris Grady by one shot. Jake Hommel was third with a 1-over 71.
Lane placed ninth overall, with Grady, Andrew DeForest and Jeff Schaller tying for 10th.
Dave Fusco of Patriot Hills Golf Club in Stony Point, had a 2-over 72 to win the Senior division by one stroke over Dal Daily, Frank Mellet and Thomas Sutter.