Eagle lifts Bisconti to Woodstock Open win
Gregory Bisconti shot a 6-under-par 64, including a clinching eagle on 17, to win the 85th Annual Emerson Resort & Spa Woodstock Open Monday.
Bisconti and three-time champion Scott Berliner were tied heading into the back nine. Berliner suffered a double bogey on 11 and Bisconti got the eagle on the par-4 17th to clinch the title.
“When I got to the hole, I didn’t know how things stood and if I should lay up or go for it,” said Bisconti about his strategy on 17. “I was going back and forth, and I decided to go for it. I felt like it was the right thing to do. I hit a great shot that landed on the front of the green and made the 12-foot putt. It was 260 yards with a breeze in my face. That’s right in my wheelhouse. I’m not one of these big bombers.”
It was the first time playing at Woodstock Golf Club for the head professional for St. Andrew’s Golf Club in Hastings-on-Hudson, who won by three strokes. He finished with a 32-32—64. Along with the eagle, he had five birdies and just one bogey.
“Not knowing the course, I tried to play more conservatively and hit a lot of irons off the tee,” Bisconti said. “I didn’t really take any risks and tried to play smart and aim at the middle of the greens when the pins were tucked.”
The victory earned him a $3,000 first-prize paycheck and, in a new tradition mirroring the Masters’ green jacket, was also given an overall winner’s robe. The 47-year-old Bisconti has played in three PGA Championships, including 2009 when he was also the Metropolitan PGA Player of the Year.
Mike Shine, an assistant at Schuyler Meadow Club in Loudonville, was runner-up with a 3-under 67. Jesse Steel, Nicholas Dilo, Andrew DeForest, Jeffrey Schaller and Woodstock host pro Chris Sanger all tied for third with 68s.
Justin Lane, who won the overall title last year, tied with Devlin Walsh and Michael Sporton for top amateur honors at 70.
Mel Baum was the low senior with a 70, defeating Dal Daly by four shots.