Jamie Miller (left) and Billy Hanes (NYSGA photo)
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — After a first round 8-under had 2014 New York State Mid-Amateur champion Jamie Miller (Wanakah CC) and Billy Hanes (Crag Burn GC) tied for the lead, it was clear that another low round was necessary to secure the 5th annual New York State Amateur Four-Ball Championship. Jeff Wolniewicz, the 2008 N.Y.S. Men's Amateur Champion, and teammate Billy Gaffney, who finished in 5th place in the 2014 N.Y.S. Men's Amateur Championship at Bellevue CC, were paired in the final round with Hanes/Miller. It was clear that a lot of birdies would be needed on Leatherstocking to take home this title.
Hanes and Miller started the second and final round quickly with a birdie on the 340 yard par-4 1st hole. Not to be outdone, Wolniewicz and Gaffney matched it with a birdie of their own and then birdied the 3rd hole, a downhill 200 yard par-3, to go ahead by one stroke. Hanes/Miller birdied the 4th, 6th, and both teams birdied the 7th so that, at the turn, Hanes/Miller held a one stroke lead.
Charging from behind was the team of Matt Stasiak (Brookfield CC) and Raman Luthra (Crag Burn GC). They started the second round after a lackluster 1-under par 71, but turned it around with birdies on nine of their first 14 holes. Stasiak, the 2013 N.Y.S. Men's Amateur Champion, failed to convert a 15 foot eagle putt on the 18th and the team finished with four pars to post a tournament low 63.
The team of Wolniewicz/Gaffney also slowed on their back nine, with pars on holes 10-13, while Hanes/Miller birdied 10 and 13 to take a three stroke lead. Both teams birdied 14 and 15, short par-4s, but Wolniewicz/Gaffney faded with pars on 16, 17, and a bogey on 17 to post a final round 68 for a two round total of 12-under par. Hanes/Miller birdied 15, the short par 5, then bogeyed 16, but birdie 17 and finished with a par on 18 to post another 64, 16-under par for the championship.
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ABOUT THE
New York Four-Ball
The format of this championship is 36 holes of four-
ball
stroke play. Entries are open to teams consisting of
two
(2) male amateur golfers. Both entrants must be
members of the NYSGA and have an active Handicap
Index issued by a golf club which is licensed to use
the
USGA Handicap System.
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