Bethpage Black to host NYS Amateur
You probably know someone who’s made the drive downstate and camped out to play there.
Or maybe you went yourself to catch one of two U.S. Opens. It’s a “bucket list” course for (not just) New Yorkers. And, despite its famous warning sign at the first tee, it’s hosted both regular duffers and the game’s elite. Now, for the first time, Bethpage Black will host the New York State Men’s Amateur Championship.
This week, the NYSGA announced that its signature event — the 95th NYS Men’s Amateur — will be played at world-renowned Bethpage State Park’s Black Course August 8-10.
“We found a time that worked and just lined it up to make it happen,” the NYSGA Assistant Executive Director Andrew Hickey told me on Monday. “Bethpage was very important for us.”
He credits Kevin Cassidy, the NYS Director of Golf Operations and an outstanding area golfer, with helping to make this happen. Hickey joked he asked Cassidy: “What would it take?” Cassidy plays in many local events and was involved when the USGA inquired about “The Black.” The PGA of America is bringing the PGA Championship there in 2019 and the Ryder Cup in 2024.
The closest the NYSGA came to Bethpage before was 2013 when it lined up the “Red” course only to find out there was a conflict with the New York State Open. That moved the Men’s Am to Schuyler Meadows Club in Loudonville for the first time. Last year, at Mohawk Golf Club in Niskayuna, it was played in early August for the first time.
Even when he trophy was handed out, they couldn’t say definitively where 2017 would be played — until now. Bethpage is a name brand that will excite golfers for sure.
Entries are still open to male amateurs who are members of the NYSGA with an up-todate Handicap Index not exceeding 7.4, issued by a USGA licensed club. The entry deadline is Friday, June 16.
Weather
With all the rain we’ve had, the NYSGA had to cancel two of its Amateur Series stops this week: Edison Club in Rexford ( Monday) and Leatherstocking in Cooperstown ( Tuesday). Being a greenskeeper is a thankless job and I don’t know how they do it. So, if you can get out this week, make sure you say thanks during “Golf Su- perintendent Week,” May 8-14.
Weather (Pt. II)
Mother Nature apparently felt slighted so she deluged us and forced the Tri- County Match Play to move from last weekend to this Mother’s Day weekend, where it has usually been anyway. It is set for Friday through Sunday at Colonie Golf & CC. Dan Russo is the defending champion.
Aces
Congratulations to Sue Delanoy for her hole in one May 5 at Shaker Ridge. She aced No. 4 from 95 yards with a pitching wedge. It was witnessed by Sue Wronowski and Kate Wasson.
On May 3, Josh Coreno aced No. 2, at Mechanicville Golf Club from 131 yards with a 9 wedge.
Enyga
With a better back nine, Dave LaFleche won on his home course in the Eastern New York Golf Association on May 3. He and Chuck Connolly of Kingswood each shot 79. For the second week in a row, Dick Gunning was Low Net in Division A. Full results in golf notes on the web. For more information, contact Andrew Pludrzynski at 852-2785 or email him at EasternNewYorkGolf@gmail.com.
Empire Golf Club
Its first outing of the season set for this past Monday at CC of Troy was postponed due to the weather. The next event is this Saturday, May 13, at McGregor Links in Wilton. For more information: www.empiregolfclub.com. Upcoming May events: Wednesday, May 17 (Olde Kinderhook); Sunday, May 28 (Sagamore).
Sponsor Exemptions
For the third year in a row, Colleen CashmanMcSween, the UAlbany women’s golf coach, will be in the field of the Fuccillo Kia Classic of NY at Capital Hills at Albany. She earned a sponsor exemption along with Latham-native Bailey Cocca. She is the current NYS Women’s Amateur Champion who played in the event in 2009 & 2010 as a teenager from Shaker H. S. Cocca, 23, is now an assistant pro at Normanside CC. The Symetra Tour stop will have a field of 142 other Symetra Tour pros June 2- 4. It enters its 14th year at Capital Hills and 31st year in the Capital Region.
“Both have competed in this tournament before and we always strive to try and have player with local connections if at all possible,” said tournament director James Miller. “There was a large interest from players all over the country for these two spots but Colleen and Bailey made the most sense and we know they will represent the region well.”
The Fuccillo Automotive Group will award the winner a 2017 Kia Forte LX in addition to the $18,000 first place prize. Last year, Jackie Barenborg- Stoelting, whose parents grew up in the Capital Region, won in a playoff.
Additionally, for the first time, a concert will be held after the first round of tournament play on June 2. Nashville recording artist Frankie Ballard will perform at approximately 7:30 p.m. Tickets can still be purchased at www.fuccillokiachampionship.com.
“We found a time that worked and just lined it up to make it happen. Bethpage was very important for us.” — Andrew Hickey, NYSGA Assistant Executive Director