NYSGA News

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Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University, recently rated a top 25 collegiate golf course by Golf Links Magazine, is scheduled to host the 10th NYSGA State Days Series Tournament of 2010 on Sunday, August 15. Registration for this tournament closes at 5PM on Sunday, August 9th. Don’t miss your chance to register to compete at this Trent Jones gem in beautiful Ithaca!

• Price- $90 per person includes green and cart fee, use of driving range, tee gift, a meal at the conclusion of the tournament and $10 per person towards prizes. Flight and gross winners earn free entrance to season ending Champions’ Day at Drumlins CC in Syracuse.
• This tournament is a 1PM shotgun.
• Sign up with your friends and request to play in the same group!

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Verona, N.Y. – Much like the last two days at the New York State Junior/Boys & Girls Championship, Gavin Hall was the talk of the tournament. Only this time, the left-handed Pittsford resident was playing in a PGA Tour event as the only amateur with 131 professional players eying a $4,000,000 total purse.

With his sights set on the Tom Fazio design Atunyote Golf Club, the 15-year-old Hall carded a respectable 6-over-par 78 in the opening round of the Turning Stone Resort Championship.

Prior to the event, Hall mentioned that he wanted to improve each and every day like he did at the Porter Cup, when he carded rounds of 70-69-66-65 at 10-under for a runner-up finish. He remains confident he can accomplish that goal despite today’s round of 6-over-par.

“It was just a struggle from the first hole,” says Hall. “But that’s going to happen in golf. It’s just unfortunate one of my bad days in golf happened in a PGA Tour event. I still have a lot of confidence. I’ve been having strong finishes the last three or four weeks. And I think today I can definitely improve upon and post a good number tomorrow.”

Playing alongside Tour players provided a few insights that Hall believes can make him a better player. “I learned to keep your emotions in control,” says Hall. “Tim [Wilkinson] and Cameron [Tringale] – they didn’t get too high or too low. I think their demeanor on the golf course – you can learn a lot from Tour players. And just to stay in sync and keep rolling along.”

Fellow left-hander Tim Wilkinson, who notched a 5-under (67) in the first round, was impressed with Hall’s game. “He’s a good young player, very talented,” says Wilkinson. “As long as he had fun and learned from it, he’s going to have a big future.” Cameron Tringale, who was a three-time All America selection at Georgia Tech and a member of the winning Walker Cup team last year, was the other player in Hall’s group.

While many of the professionals posted rounds under-par, Atunyote’s 7,482-yard track provided an arduous test of golfing ability for the talented teenager. Except, distance wasn’t the issue for Hall, who showcased an average drive of 319 yards and dazzled the crowd by reaching the 624-yard par-5 18^th pin-high in two shots. In fact, he outdrove playing partners Tim Wilkinson and Cameron Tringale on nearly every hole. At the 550-yard par-5 fifth, Hall reached the fringe at the top of the green and nearly rolled in his 15-footer for eagle. Instead, he tapped in for his first birdie of the day.

Heavy morning showers delayed the highly anticipated PGA Tour debut for the young amateur, who received a sponsor’s exemption into this year’s championship. The delay took effect at 8:37 am and lasted nearly three hours as play wasn’t resumed again until 11:20 am.

Hall unleashed his first drive at a PGA Tour event right before high noon. His monstrous drive zipped by the gallery of spectators and rolled down the left-side of the fairway. However, Hall’s early adrenaline didn’t take effect until his next shot when he sailed the second stroke over the green. He then chunked his chip from behind the green and needed to hit a fourth shot onto the green at the short 398-yard par-4. Hall two-putted from the top of the putting surface for an early double, to the chagrin of the crowd.

Hall’s followers grew in number throughout the morning and reached somewhere near 200 people as he made the turn. “It was a good learning experience I think because I never had a big crowd like that and the ropes and everything. It was just a different feeling.” Hall certainly noticed the large crowd, especially his parents and close friends from the Rochester area that made the trip to support him. “That’s what kept me going today,” says Hall. “I think the support from my fans – I’m just glad everyone came out today.”

Hall played a very consistent front side as he posted a 2-over 38. Following the early double on the opening par-4, Hall rattled off three pars before a tap-in birdie at the par-5 fifth and then three more pars before a rare three-putt bogey on the ninth green.

“The middle part of the round was just a little drought,” says Hall. “I wasn’t in rhythm today.” Hall’s drought began on the par-5 12^th with a bogey to move him to 3-over. He ran his second shot down the right side of the fairway and into the primary rough with about 50 yards in. However, he chunked his wedge shot and had to chip again to get on before a two-putt. On the par-4 13^th, Hall drove the middle of the fairway. His second shot met strong winds in the direction of the waterfall stationed to the right of the green as he landed there. He flubbed his second straight wedge in as many holes and then chipped again and two-putted for a demoralizing seven. Hall went over the green on his approach at No. 14 and narrowly missed an up-and-down opportunity as his downhill par putt curled at the last second.

Besides that 5-over stretch, Hall played the final four holes at 1-under with his second tap-in birdie coming at No. 18. Perhaps his strong finish is one reason why the care-free junior is optimistic for tomorrow’s second round.

“My putting has been great all season and I knew if I gave myself chances, good looks today, I’d roll some in but ball striking just wasn’t there,” says Hall. “But I’ll go work on that tonight and come out tomorrow prepared. I feel like I’m rolling it well enough to post something under-par.”

By Kevin Solan

NYSGA Communications Intern

Mendon, N.Y. – The first-round co-leader Josh Holling never made a single birdie on the back nine, but he managed to fend off numerous charges by local contenders Ben Kircher and Alex Bourdelais down the stretch to claim the 54^th NYSGA Junior Championship at the Country Club of Mendon Wednesday. The Horseheads resident posted a 36-hole total of 143 to win by one stroke over Kircher.

Holling opened the door for a comeback after bogeying three of the last four holes. Kircher, who plays out of nearby Monroe GC, rallied during that time as he picked up three shots over the last four holes.

Leading by one stroke with one to play, Holling drove into the first cut of rough on the left-side of the fairway at No. 18 and hit his approach to the back edge of the green. Kircher, who hit 17 greens in regulation Tuesday, scrambled off the tee throughout the round and the par-4 18^th was no different. He drove over the hazard and into the trees on the right side. Forced to punch out, Kircher sacrificed a stroke in the hopes of hitting a closer approach to put the pressure on. He stuck his third shot to about four feet below the hole. After witnessing Kircher’s third shot, Holling ran his putt slowly past the hole, leaving two feet for par. Kircher then missed the close par putt, which could have forced a playoff, considering Holling later lipped out his par attempt from two-feet.

On the previous hole, Holling three-putted from the top of the 17^th green after leaving his first downhill putt eight feet above the hole. Kircher managed to get up-and-down from his tee shot that landed pin-high in the right rough.

Kircher took advantage of Holling’s errant tee shot at No. 16, which landed in the woods and required a punch out. Meanwhile, Kircher reached the back of the green on the 498-yard uphill par-5 in two and nearly made eagle for a major momentum swing. Holling hit a brilliant third shot to the front of the green and two-putted for a great par save. Kircher notched his first birdie since the par-5 tenth and the lead dwindled to two over Kircher and Bourdelais.

Despite Kircher’s runner-up finish, he struggled with his ball striking and carded three straight bogeys between Nos. 11-13. First to apply pressure to this year’s junior champion was CCM’s own Alex Bourdelais. He had numerous opportunities to close the gap, which reached three shots by the time the lead group made the turn. At the short par-4 15^th, Holling drove the right fairway bunker while Bourdelais was in the middle of the fairway. On the long carry out of the bunker, Holling clipped a tree and needed a third shot until he was pin-high. He two-putted from there to make his second bogey on the back nine. Meanwhile, Bourdelais stuck his approach pin-high on the right side of the green, but missed his opportunity for a two-shot swing by leaving the birdie attempt inches short.

Trailing by two with three holes to play, Bourdelais hit yet another fairway at the uphill par-5 16^th. He nearly reached the green in two, which made it seem like he would pick up at least one stroke on Holling, who drove into the woods and punched out to a spot about 150 yards behind Bourdelais’ second shot. However, Bourdelais didn’t hit his chip hard enough and left himself a long birdie attempt that resulted in par.

Although Holling made it interesting down the stretch, he made the shots he needed to, which included some incredible saves to ensure the victory. “My high-school coach always told me to grind it out, even if you weren’t hitting the ball well, so that’s what I was trying to do on the back nine,” says Holling.

At the difficult par-4 11^th, Holling hit driver into the left rough and flew his second shot out of bounds behind the hole. He displayed some resolve by rolling in a downhill 15-footer for bogey. His punch out on the par-5 16^th, followed by his third shot to ten feet, may have clinched the championship for him though as he avoided major trouble by hitting two remarkable shots in a row.

The recent high-school graduate got off to a much better start than his total finish would indicate, carding a 2-under-par 33 on the front. “I wanted to come out of the gate firing because I hadn’t played with these guys but I knew they posted some low scores so I needed to make some birdies out there,” says Holling. He registered consecutive birdies at Nos. 4 and 5, the two short par-4s at 322 yards and 310 yards, respectively.

He nearly made a hole-in-one on the par-3 seventh as his tee shot landed eight feet above the hole and spun all the way back past the hole. On the ensuing hole, Holling showcased similar spin as his approach rolled from the top of the green back below the hole. This time, he made the putt coming back for his third birdie on the front.

“This win is huge — It’s probably my biggest win ever,” says Holling. “I’ll try to keep playing in tournaments like this and get my name out there.” Holling, who featured some of the longest drives of the day, such as a 340-yard drive at the par-4 ninth, will be attending a community college in Corning in the fall.

Complete Results

Mendon, N.Y. – Bailey Cocca staged her second comeback in as many years at the 48^th Junior Girls Championship to defend her title at the Country Club of Mendon Wednesday. The 16-year-old Latham resident fired the only round under-par (73) in the girls division en route to winning this year’s event.

Cocca entered the final round trailing Rochester’s Danielle Fuss by three shots after a 2-over (76) in the opening round. She started the final round similar to last year’s championship at Skaneateles CC – on a mission. Cocca, who started on the back nine, wasted no time in catching the leader Fuss as she carded five straight pars and added birdies on the downhill par-4 15^th and the uphill par-5 16^th.

In 2009, Cocca trailed CCM’s Paige Thompson heading into the final round but managed a 1-over-par 72 for the victory.

“I know I play better under-pressure,” says Cocca, attempting to explain her knack for impressive final round performances. “I had pressure on me, and I knew it was real close heading into the last four holes so I had to pull it together.

Cocca hit the shot of her life from the edge of the ninth green to ensure the coveted Betty Deeley Trophy would be returning home with her. Cocca owned a one-shot lead heading into the final hole. She hit a booming drive down the right side of the fairway but was blocked by the trees for her approach into the green. She somehow managed to fly her second shot through the tree as it nearly reached the par-5 in two, sitting about 20 yards in front of the green. Cocca set the stage for a dramatic finish when she hit her wedge long over the green and to the top of the fringe, setting up a chip that could potentially run past the hole on the steep back-to-front ninth green. Visibly frustrated, Cocca collected herself and formulated her next plan of attack. The result was a perfectly paced chip that slowly trickled down the slope and into the hole for a birdie and two-shot victory. It appeared as though the ball would hold a foot above the hole, but the momentum of the slope carried it in. “I knew the chip coming back would be real tough because it was so downhill,” says Cocca. “But I just thought to myself as I was walking up there that I needed to shake it off and do the best I can with it.”

The Shaker Ridge member made appropriate adjustments to her game following yesterday’s opening round. “I kind of figured out something with my driver that had to do with my stance,” says Cocca. “It was kind of closed which was causing a hook and I had to deal with that yesterday. You can’t really do that [hook] on this course because you’ll be in the trees all day.”

Cocca’s victory meant all that much to her considering she had the option of competing in the Jr. PGA Championship which she qualified for, but opted to defend her title. “It means a lot to me to come back and I know Betty’s not here but I wish she was,” says Cocca. “But I’m definitely happy with my decision to come here.”

In the boys division, John Sandlas was also a two-shot winner; except he didn’t need the final hole chip-in to ensure his victory. The Seneca Falls resident posted a two-day total of 147 on rounds of 74 and 73 at CCM.

He entered the day two shots behind first round leader Danny Drummond, who was one of the top finishers in last year’s Boys Championship as a 13-year-old.

However, Drummond struggled in the early going and was 4-over-par after the first five holes. He made a costly double bogey on the par-4 second after flying his second shot over the green and into tall grass that featured poison ivy. Drummond consulted NYSGA President Dick Dorgan, who was the rules official at that hole, and eventually decided he did not want to find the ball because he hit it in such a poor location that he wouldn’t be able to play it.

Two more bogeys over the next five holes from Drummond was all Sandlas needed to overtake the lead for good. The 14-year-old Sandlas birdied the 309 yard par-4 fourth hole and added a birdie on the par-5 sixth to move to 2-over for the tournament with 12 holes to play.

By the 14^th hole, Sandlas’ lead had swelled to four shots after Drummond doubled the 14^th and he made par. Drummond then birdied the 16^th while Sandlas bogeyed the par-3 17^th, cutting the lead to two shots with one final hole slated to play. However, Sandlas recorded his eighth par of the back side to ensure the victory.

“I knew I had a chance, but this is just unreal,” says Sandlas, on his accomplishment. “This is something special that I will definitely remember.”

Mendon, N.Y. — It turned out that prior course experience at the Country Club of Mendon was not just important; it was a prerequisite for shooting under-par and securing a spot in the final group for Wednesday’s final round.

Ben Kircher and Josh Holling were two such players accustomed to the layout at CCM and appropriately showcased their familiarity by firing 1-under-par 70’s to lead the junior field in the opening round of the 54^th Junior Championship Tuesday.

On an afternoon when heavy showers pummeled the Rochester area for twenty minutes, the junior field faced disparate conditions from the tranquil scene experienced by the Boys and Girls division this morning. The course at CCM soaked up most of the rain in a timely fashion, but the greens were noticeably softer for the final three hours of play.

The 17-year-old Kircher is a Pittsford resident that plays out of nearby Monroe Golf Club. “Me and my friend Alex were talking and we said we have probably played this course more than anybody in the field.” Kircher’s experience at CCM has been a combination of sectional high school events and AJGA competitions. Meanwhile, Horseheads resident Josh Holling plays out of Soaring Eagles GC, but has frequented CCM for numerous AJGA events over the years. “I’ve played the course about six times so I’m definitely comfortable,” says Holling.

Accurate ball striking led Kircher to a very steady round of 1-under 70 in the first round. “I hit the ball really solid today,” says Kircher. “I hit 17 greens in regulation and I had 34 putts.”

Kircher hit every green on the front side in regulation, but three-putted five to move to 1-over. At the 374-yard par-4 eighth hole, Kircher knocked his approach to four feet and made the birdie putt to return to even. He then birdied No. 9, the longest par-4 on the front side at 457 yards, with a 25-foot putt for a 34 on the front. Kircher continued his birdie barrage through the turn with a brilliant approach on his third shot to a foot. He laid up on his second shot because his drive went right and prevented him from trying to carry the creek and reach the green in two.

Kircher finds himself in familiar territory after leading the junior division through the first round. Along with McQuaid Jesuit classmate Andrew Lane, Kircher led the field at Skaneateles Country Club after 18 holes last summer. However, Kircher and Lane were forced to sit back and watch the exhibition put on by fellow Rochester resident Yarik Merkulov when he toured Skaneateles at 10-under-par to claim the title. “I’m hoping no one shoots 61 in the final round this year,” says Kircher, on his thoughts heading into the final round Wednesday. “I’m just going to go out and try to hit the ball well again tomorrow.”

Josh Holling experienced a different round than Kircher, considering he had more eagles than birdies, but carded the same result at 1-under-par 70. He had seven pars, one birdie, and one bogey en route to an even 35 on the front side.

As if the weather forecast of threatening showers didn’t make things interesting enough, Holling returned from the weather delay with an eagle to get things going on No. 10. His drive landed in front of a tree in the right rough, but he cut his second shot around the tree and it landed five feet below the hole. “I saw I had a little gap and I just hit it and it ended up to five feet,” says Holling.

Holling followed his first eagle by missing consecutive four-foot par putts and quickly found himself back at even-par. On the downhill par-4 15^th, Holling made another bogey was back to over-par for the day. All the long ball striker needed was another par-5 to save him. He didn’t miss out on the opportunity at the 498-yard par-5 16^th where he made eagle for the second time in seven holes. “That was a tight fairway and I just wanted to make sure I hit it,” says Holling. His drive reached the right side of the fairway. With 190 yards in, Holling hit 6-iron to five feet below the hole, which he made for another eagle.

Fellow CCM member Alex Bourdelais struggled on the back side with a 39 after playing the front in 2-under-par. He remains two shots behind the leaders Kircher and Holling. Joe Drummond, the older brother of first round Boys division leader Danny Drummond, also tallied a 2-over 73.

Complete Results

Mendon, N.Y. – Local knowledge paid dividends in the opening round of the New York State Junior/Boys and Girls Championship for Danny Drummond and Danielle Fuss, who lead the Boys and Girls division, respectively, at the Country Club of Mendon. The two Rochester residents, who are well seasoned to the layout of CCM, each hold two-shot leads over the next closest competitor in their field heading into tomorrow’s final round.

Drummond and his older brother Joe, who’s competing in the junior division later this afternoon, used to be members here at the Country Club of Mendon a couple years ago. “The course was looking great,” says Drummond. “I used to be a member here and I’ve never seen the course looking this good. The greens were rolling really nice and the fairways were great so I really enjoyed it.”

The 14-year-old Drummond competed in the 8:00 am pairing and played steady throughout the day, carding 11 pars, three birdies, and four bogeys en route to a 1-over effort. At the 509-yard par-5 sixth hole, Drummond reached in three and one-putted his way to his first birdie. He bogeyed the subsequent hole but responded with another birdie on No. 8.

Drummond ran into a difficult stretch through his turn as he bogeyed three consecutive holes from Nos. 9-11. His struggles came at the two longest par-4’s on the course in Nos. 9 and 11, and the par-5 10^th, a dogleg left that features a creek through the fairway. As one of the longest ball strikers in the Boys Division, his bogey stretch on the longer par-4’s came as a surprise.

However, Drummond played the final seven holes error free with six pars and a birdie at the par-4 14^th.

“I’m guessing I will be in the last group and I’m looking to win it,” says Drummond on his expectations for Wednesday’s final round. “Hopefully, I don’t come off too far behind so I’m hoping to do well and come in with a good score tomorrow.”

Seneca Falls member John Sandlas turned in a 3-over-par 74 and remains two shots behind Drummond. Meanwhile, Oak Hill Country Club’s Doug Kulikowski, who played in Drummond’s group this morning, will be paired up with the Boys leader for tomorrow’s final round after carding a 4-over 75.

In the Junior Girls field, Oak Hill Country Club’s Danielle Fuss notched a 73 on the strength of a 3-under performance on the back nine. She was the only individual of 72 participants in the morning wave to manage a round under-par. The Junior Girls are playing the Country Club of Mendon at a par of 74.

Fuss ran into a similar three-straight bogey encounter as Drummond with her streak running from Nos. 7-9. However, she played the par-5 10^th aggressively which allowed her to reach the back-right side of the green in two strokes. Fuss two-putted her way to birdie from there.

The left-handed Fuss hit a wedge into the green on the downhill par-4 15^th that plays to 290 yards. She made yet another long-putt for birdie to get to even for the day. Fuss registered the only birdie of the morning wave on No. 17, which played as the most difficult hole with a scoring average of 4.306.

Fuss credits her solid putting with her strong performance in the first round. “I’m pretty sure I didn’t have one three-putt the entire round so that was a key part to my back nine,” says Fuss.

The 15-year-old Fuss, who resides in Rochester, has seen this course many times from her competitions against Pittsford-Mendon High School during the high school season. “It was really comfortable and relaxing because I knew the course pretty well and other courses I’ve played for this tournament I haven’t known so well,” says Fuss.

Fuss holds a two-shot edge over Tina Chang, who plays out of Bethpage State Park GC. Last year’s winner Bailey Cocca posted a 2-over 76 and will look to defend her title in the final group tomorrow.

Boys Results

Girls Results

The NYSGA will have live updates throughout the 54th Junior/Boys and 48th Junior Girls New York State Championship at the Country Club of Mendon this week.

Follow the live blog for updates and coverage of feature groups throughout the day. There will also be scoring updates after nine holes so check the live leaderboard on the left-side of the NYSGA homepage.

Hamilton, N.Y. – Wolcott native Thomas Muto Jr. fired a 36-hole total of 3-under-par (141) at Seven Oaks Golf Course Monday to garner one of three spots for the 110^th US Amateur Championship at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington.

Muto Jr. opened the 36-hole sectional qualifier with a morning round of 1-over (73). Yet, as the winds increased and the course played firmer, Muto Jr. was at his best, tallying seven birdies in the afternoon round en route to an impressive 68 to end the day. Muto Jr.’s 4-under in the second round was the lowest total carded by any player throughout the day.

“I putted well and hit the ball well finally – I’ve struggled all summer – it’s a nice end to the summer,” says Muto, Jr.

By virtue of playing in the earliest pairing Monday morning, Muto Jr. had to wait for 18 more groups to complete their round before his ticket to Chambers Bay was officially punched and he could give his father and caddie, Tom, a hug to celebrate the accomplishment. “I’m know he’s probably more proud than I am happy right now,” says Muto Jr. “I’m glad he was on the bag today. Father-son things are wonderful. We had our little fights out there today but we got through them and he knows how to push me.”

Amazingly, Muto Jr. overcame a triple-bogey on No. 13 during the first round and still managed to post a 73. He sandwiched the seven he made on the par-4 13^th with birdies on Nos. 12 and 14 and added a birdie on the par-5 18^th for a 37 on the back side.

In the afternoon, Muto Jr. registered seven of his 12 birdies from Monday’s qualifying round. He took an early bogey on the opening 433-yard par-4, but birdied four of the next five holes to put himself into contention for the three spots awarded to the Seven Oaks qualifier.

As one of the longer ball strikers in the field, Muto Jr. rose to the challenge of playing a longer layout than last week’s state amateur at Albany Country Club. “This course definitely plays into my hands,” says Muto Jr., on Seven Oaks Golf Club, which was one of 99 sectional qualifying sites around the country to fill the 312-player starting field. “I played the par-5’s at 7-under today.”

“I’m ecstatic right now,” says Muto Jr. on qualifying for his first US Amateur. “I’m a little shocked right now too because like I’ve said, I’ve had a horrible summer. But it feels great and I’m excited. I’m excited to travel and play in a big tournament and if you play well out there big things can happen.”

The recent Barton College graduate, who earned 2010 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year honors, is looking forward to the challenge that waits at Chambers Bay. “I’m sure the course is great and its probably hard, but I like harder golf courses and I always have,” says Muto Jr.

The playing of next month’s US Amateur Championship at Chambers Bay marks the first time this prestigious tournament will be hosted by a municipal golf course. The championship will be contested with two rounds of stroke play followed by a 64-player match play field, starting Monday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 29^th.

Stanford University’s David Chung, who is tabbed as the No. 35 player in the Golfweek amateur world rankings, secured medalist honors with a 5-under-par 139.

Louis-Alexandre Pitre rounded out the list of participants to qualify for the US Amateur with a 36-hole total of 141.

By Kevin Solan

NYSGA Communications Intern

Results

Voorheesville, N.Y. – The talk around Albany Country Club all week was that even-par would probably win it. On a day where the wind became a factor and difficult pin locations loomed, those rumors came to fruition as scores climbed higher and higher throughout the day and Doug Kleeschulte’s 72-hole total of even-par (288) pitted him as the 88^th annual New York State Men’s Amateur winner.

In 2009, it came down to the 71^st hole when Dominic Bozzelli made a quadruple bogey on the par-3 17th, allowing Yarik Merkulov to become the youngest winner in Men’s Amateur history at 17 years old. On Thursday, it came down to the final stroke and all eyes were watching as a crowd of nearly 75 spectators gathered to watch around the 18^th green. Except Doug Kleeschulte, the current leader in the clubhouse with a 72-hole total of even-par, was leaning against a tree near the 18^th green, hoping the unthinkable would not happen.

Jake Katz birdied the par-4 17^th and needed an eagle at the18^th to force a playoff with Kleeschulte. Perhaps the longest ball striker in the entire field, Katz reached the 588-yard par-5 in two shots. His upcoming 20-footer from the left fringe demanded the attention of everyone near the scoring area. Katz, a Binghamton University senior, studied the putt and waited for a gust of wind to subside, before he took aim at the eagle try. However, he missed the tough putt on the low side and this year’s Men’s Amateur champ, Kleeschulte, was finally able to exhale.

“I was just preparing myself for a playoff,” says Kleeschulte, on the thoughts running through his head while watching Katz’s putt. “I was like he’s going to make this putt and we’re going to go to No. 1 and hopefully I hit a good tee shot. I thought for sure he was going to make it. But that putt is tricky. I had that putt earlier and it just doesn’t break as much as you think.”

Although he was forced to sit through Katz’s incredible eagle opportunity, Kleeschulte did control his fate at that same hole two groups earlier. The Western Kentucky junior played the 18^th perfectly in four shots for a birdie that sealed the deal.

“I kind of knew it was going to be close so I figured I had to make birdie,” says Kleeschulte. “You want to do all you can do. You don’t want to leave anything out there.” Therefore, Kleeschulte pulled driver on the 18^th instead of the 3-wood he was thinking about hitting because of his wayward drive on No. 18 in the morning round. “I hit my best drive of the day to be honest with you, right at the right side. From there, he knocked his second shot close with a 3-wood from 270 yards. “I hit a great 3-wood and had about a 35-yard pitch that I hit to about a foot and made a little tap-in to end it. My goal was to make birdie on the hole and it happened.” Kleeschulte’s birdie at No. 18, which played as the second hardest hole in the afternoon because of the headwind, was an impressive feat considering it was one of only four in the final round. Katz had one as well.

“The course was in beautiful shape the whole week,” says Kleeschulte. “It was exactly how a State Am should be. The greens were rolling pretty fast, the pins were tucked, and the rough was thick.”

Kleeschulte, who plays out of Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston, rose to the top amidst difficult playing conditions on the strength of a final round 3-under (69). “I played it safe for most of the day,” says Kleeschulte. And then I just scrambled. I only hit five fairways on the entire back nine.” Kleeschulte scrambled efficiently because he posted a 3-under (33) on the back side. He did his scoring on Nos. 10 and 11 with consecutive birdies. Then, he registered six straight pars before reaching No. 18.

On a day when the top spots of the leaderboard were constantly shuffling, Kleeschulte acquired sole possession of first place at 1-over after Katz three-putted on the 15^th green to fall to 2-over for the event. Then, Katz three-putted again on the par-3 16^th from above the hole.

Wednesday’s leader Tim Spitz finally lost his stranglehold of a lead through 53 holes on the par-5 eighth. His third shot hit the bank in front of the eighth green and caromed into the water. Impressively, Spitz was able to notch bogey after sticking his fifth shot to two feet.

Tim Hume made a charge in the final round to put himself into contention. He posted 2-over (290) in the clubhouse, which seemed like it stood as the lead in the clubhouse for an eternity because he was in one of the early groups. He started on the back nine and made five birdies and a bogey en route to a 32 on that side. He birdied Nos. 10-12 right off the bat and tallied birdies at the 15^th and 17^th. His only mishap on the back side came at the par-4 14^th where he made bogey.

Kleeschulte’s 36-hole round Thursday will serve as a good tune-up for Monday’s US Amateur qualifier at Seven Oaks Golf Club, in Hamilton. “That’s the good thing about college; it prepares you for these 36-hole rounds,” says Kleeschulte. Following next week’s US Amateur qualifier, Kleeschulte will compete at the Met Open qualifier before he heads back to Western Kentucky for his junior year.

“This one is definitely up there,” says Kleeschulte, on where this win ranks in his list of accomplishments. He was also proud of qualifying for the 2007 US Amateur, which was held at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, with rounds of 74-68 in a qualifier at Seven Oaks Golf Club. “When I qualified for the US Am, that was probably my biggest accomplishment at the time, but this is probably it now.”

Submitted by Kevin Solan

NYSGA Communications Intern