Russo’s quality play has stood the test of time
It probably wouldn’t matter what method we used, Dan Russo would have been identified as the Capital Region’s best amateur over the past two decades.
The Capital Region amateur point standings, later classified as the Capital Region Amateur Golf Association
standings, were created in 2002, the brainchild of local amateurs Matt Clarke and David Hayes. The mission was to promote amateur golf while also identifying the area’s best players.
In a 19-year compilation, including the almost-concluded 2020 season, Russo has been the dominant player. He will win the points title for the fifth time this year (also in 2003, 2004, 2014 and 2016) and has been runner-up six times.
Russo, a resident of Hagaman who now plays out of Schuyler Meadows, is the only player who has been in the top 10 all 19 years of the standings, never finishing lower than seventh.
The points distribution has been tweaked over the years, but the standings seem to have done a fair job of recognizing some of the area top players.
To see who ranks behind Russo over this 19-year period, we went back and compiled each season’s top 10, then applied a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system to see who stands out.
Jim Welch, the steady player from Valatie who is a member at Olde Kinderhook, was second, having made the top 10 in 17 of 19 years. He was the overall leader in 2007 and 2013.
Here’s a look at the top 20 (seasonal championships in parentheses):
1. Dan Russo (5) 153
2. Jim Welch (2) 120
3. John Vaccaro (4) 62
4. Jim Gifford (2) 61
5. Chad Stoffer 53
6. Steve Quillinan Jr. (1) 45
7. Matthew Clarke (1) 44
8. David Hayes 36
9. Lance Hope (1) 34
10. Rob Bigley Jr. 33
11. Justin Deitz (1) 32
12. Aaron Aubuchon 25 (tie) Bryan Bigley 25
14. Jeb Buchanan 23
15. Mike Wheeler 22
16. Dave Mooradian 21 (tie) Don Denyse III 21 (tie) Joe Fitzsimmons (1) 21
19. Victor Fox 17
20. Ben Bates 17 The only player who won a yearly title not among the top 20 is JonMichael Socaris, who topped the list in 2005.
Area roundup
GOLF
Saratoga Spa assistant pro Scott Berliner and amateur partner Dave Huestis of Mcgregor won the Bill Moll Triple Play on Monday at Eagle
Crest. Their score of 96 in the 27-hole format was three lower than Justin Hearley (Normanside)- Don Denyse III (Capital Hills) and Joe Fitzsimmons (Shaker Ridge)- Dan Russo (Schuyler Meadows). Berliner and Huestis won the alternate-shot and four-ball segments. Fitzsimmons and Russo were low in the scramble. ... A correction from last week’s column: Bill Paulsen’s nine Saratoga County Amateur senior titles were not consecutive. Sal Romano won in 2015 and 2017.
Club roundup Briar Creek:
A The annual OctoberFest has a 10 a.m. shotgun start Friday. A Hales Mills: The Impossible Pin Tournament is set for 10 a.m. Sunday,
Oct. 11.
A Orchard Creek: Clare Lowrey scored an eagle on the 349-yard third hole.
A Saratoga Lake: Registration is being accepted for the Oktoberfest Fall Scramble to be played Oct. 11.
A Windy Hills: Club champions are Bill Gilbo (men), Cathy Sheridan (women) and Maks Petar (seniors). Elsewhere
Massachusetts has lifted COVID -19 restrictions and is now allowing double-rider carts and for flagsticks to be removed from holes, eliminating the requirement for hole liners.