NENY JGT Event #1 – Hiland Golf Club Queensbury, NY – July 1, 2009

This golf season, it wouldn’t be a golf tournament if the weather did not play a significant role in the overall event.  Wednesday at the Hiland Golf Club in Queensbury, NY as the NENY Junior Golf Tour kicked-off its 2009 season, things were no different. 

Tournament director Doug Evans and 99 area junior golfers began the summer dodging dangerous weather and enduring a nearly two hour rain delay before finally completing the inaugural 18 hole event just before 7pm in the evening; golfers went off the first tee beginning at 8:30am – a very long day indeed.  None the less, good golf was played over the picturesque and challenging par 72 layout.  In the end, the 2009 season got off to a great start.

In the Girls 16-18 age division, perennial standouts Stephanie Bednar of Hudson and Bailey Cocca of Latham battled for top honors, each firing solid rounds of 79 from the white tees; Bednar was eventually declared the winner after matching cards.  After the round Bailey Cocca noted some disappointment and frustration with a round she considered a little sloppy.  Bailey obviously has high expectations for herself, and well she should coming off her recent win in the local National Junior PGA Qualifier at Western Turnpike Golf Club.  Taking third place in the division was local Lauren Kelleher, of Queensbury, who put together a nice round of 87.  In the Girls 13-15 age division Sarah Adamowski of Amsterdam took top honors with a round of 89, followed by Rachel Murphy of Clifton Park at 94 and Grace Ziamandanis of Albany at 104.  For the Girls 12 & Under division, Sarah Luna of Schenectady placed first with a nice round of 59 for nine holes. 

Similar to the top age division for the Girls, for the Boys 16-18 age division there was a tie for first place that required cards be matched to determine the winner of the event.  Again, a local golfer well known among his peers, Seth Adams of Schenectady, took top honors with a nice round of 75 from the very challenging blue tees.  In second was Josh Powers of Niskayuna, also with a 75.  Four golfers finished in a tie for third place at 76, Kenny Hand of Queensbury, Taylor Bellemare from Hoosick Falls, Brendan Jeffes of Schenectady and  Louis Walsh from Clifton Park.  In the Boys 13-15 age division Jimmy Sullivan of Troy put together the day’s best round at even par 72.  According to one of his playing partners all he did all day long was hit the ball straight off the tee and put nice iron shots within ten or fifteen feet of every pin.  Jimmy shot a 38 on the front side and came back with a two under 34 to complete his very solid round.  He certainly has announced himself as a player to watch this summer. 

In second was Zach Scala of Ballston Spa, a lefty playing his first event in the 13 -15 age bracket, shooting an impressive round of 75.  For those who know local golf, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise, since Zach’s dad is Luke Scala, head PGA professional at Van Schaick Island Country Club in Cohoes.  Third place honors went to local standout Aaron Simone of Niskayuna, with a nice round of 76.  Aaron was completing a busy week of competition, having won his age division at the Junior PGA Qualifier at Western Turnpike by outlasting rival Victor Fox of Delmar, NY and then playing in the 36-hole USGA Boys qualifying event at Wolfert’s Roost on Monday.  Aaron was planning on taking a few days off for much deserved rest.  Finally, in the Boys 12 & Under division, Tanner Donovan of Albany, took first place with a solid round of 44, followed by Liam Baynes from Loudonville at 45 and Bobby Canniff of Latham, who shot a 49.

Next-up, the NENY Junior Golf Tour returns to Ballston Spa Country Club on Wednesday, July 8th.  Ballston Spa is an annual a fixture on the Junior Tour, and always treats the players to a superb day of golf.  Finally, this year NENY Executive Director Tracie Heighes has negotiated a special rate at Pioneer Hills Golf Course, (an adjacent club to Ballston Spa CC) for parents who want to play while their kids compete.  For more information you can contact the NENY office at 438-8645 or by email at neny@pgahq.com.

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