UTICA – Darren Woods seems to be getting better with age.
Woods, 50, carded a 1-under 70 Sunday for a 140 total and a three-stroke victory over Jeff LaGase and Alec Bard to repeat as champion of the Greater Utica City-Amateur at Valley View Golf Course.
Bobby Davenport shot 144 (70-74) to finish tied for fourth with Dante Migliore (73-71). John Migliore, Dante’s father, finished sixth at 145 (74-71). Joel Jakubowicz, who played in the final group with LaGase and Woods, finished solo seventh with a 146 total.
Woods trailed LaGase by four strokes entering the final round. LaGase posted an impressive 5-under 66 during Saturday’s opening round, but struggled early Sunday. LaGase bounced back and played really well during the first six holes of his second nine, but Woods would not be denied as he birdied two of the final three holes to end all doubt.
“I’m proud that I was able to keep my cool,” said Woods, a member of Cedar Lake Club. “So, yeah it’s special.”
It’s rare that a bogey could be the catalyst in one winning a big golf tournament. That’s what Woods will remember as the turning point in his repeat performance. Playing in the final group, and beginning on the 10th tee, Woods and LaGase were tied for the tournament after their first eight holes.
But one bad swing could’ve ended Woods hope if not for a great response. Woods hooked his short-iron shot on the par-3 18th into the parking lot. Having to re-tee, Woods could’ve been looking at a double or triple bogey, but his next shot scared the pin and ended up inches from the cup for a tap-in bogey.
“It started to happen for me on my first nine (the back 9),” Woods said. “I came into No. 18 and we were all square. I came away from that bogey with confidence.”
Despite making up ground and pulling even during the round, Woods still trailed by two strokes with four holes remaining after LaGase rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 5th.
After both LaGase and Woods parred the par-3 6th, Woods made his final charge to the title. He first birdied the par-4 7th hole and pulled even as LaGase made bogey. On the par-4 8th, Woods grabbed a one-stroke lead with a tough two-putt par to gain a one-stroke advantage over LaGase and two shots over Alec Bard, who had already posted a 1-over total of 143.
Leading by a stroke on the final hole, the par-4 9th, Woods figured par would likely win it, but he ended it in style as his birdie putt from 20-25 feet fell into the left side door.
“That green has been good to me the last couple of years,” Woods said. “I made a bomb last year and made another today.”
Woods could’ve played in the seniors division for the first time this year, but decided to go for the repeat.
“I can play in seniors,” Woods said. “But as long as I can compete I’ll still play in the open. Look at the field this year. They’re great players. They’re players who play competitive college golf.”
In the Seniors Division (50-59), Steve Conley, a three-time champion shot even-par 71 Sunday for a 143 total and a one-stroke victory over Pete Moskal (69-75).
In the Super Seniors (60-69), Steve Stetson posted a 1-over 73 Sunday and edged Tony Tomaselli by two strokes. Stetson finished with a 148 total.
In the Super Duper Seniors (70-over), Art Coriale carded consecutive rounds of 4-over 75 to win by two strokes over Roy Smith (78-74).
In the first ever Ladies Division competition, Lauren Cupp shot 78 for a five-shot victory over Linda Ptak.
Also of note was the record-setting performance by Davenport and Mike Blais during Friday’s best-ball tournament. The duo shot 11-under 60 to edge LaGase and Dante Migliore by one stroke. The previous course best-ball record was 9-under 62.
Last 8 Utica-City-Am Open Division Champions
2016: Darren Woods
2015: Darren Woods
2014: Dante Migliore
2013: Derek Bard
2012: Steve Conley
2011: Mike Zurek
2010: Steve Conley
2009: Shane Barrett
2016 Results
Open Division
Darren Woods 70-70 140
Alec Bard 70-73 143
Jeff LaGase 66-77 143
Bobby Davenport 70-74 144
Dante Migliore 73-71 144
John Migliore 74-71 145
Joel Jakubowicz 69-77 146
Bill Virkler Jr. 74-74 148
Mike Kupiec Jr. 71-78 149
Steve Lowe Sr 79-71 150
John Zamperetti 77-73 150
J. Femia 77-73 150
T. Mandel 76-76 152
Brett Bushinger 77-75 152
R. Bidy 78-74 152
Mike Zurek 78-75 153
A. Macchia 74-80 154
Shawn Fulmer 77-77 154
Larry Desiato Jr. 76-80 156
M. Beauchamp 77-79 156
S. Bergin 79-77 156
Mark Kotary 75-82 157
R. Hickel 77-81 158
F. Heto 79-80 159
J. Cimmino 80-79 159
J. Brescia 76-84 160
T. O’Brien 75-85 160
B. Simon 81-80 161
J. Miga 81-80 161
Matt Tennyson 81-80 161
D. Pritchard 84-78 162
R. Streeter 76-87 163
B. Anna 84-80 164
J. Ferro 81-86 167
J. Porier 83-89 172
B. George 87-85 172
A. Jeffers 93-80 173
C. Brazier 88-86 174
A. Hotton 87-89 176
B. Crawford 87-90 177
W. Burnett 92-88 180
Seniors Division
Steve Conley 72-71 143
Pete Moskal 69-75 144
A. Hobika 76-74 150
Kevin Lojewski 70-80 150
S. Smith 75-76 151
Dave Hunter 75-78 153
Jim Day 73-80 153
Alan Cafruny 76-78 154
Mike Tennyson 75-80 155
S. White 89-82 171
Super Seniors
Steve Stetson 75-73 148
Tony Tomaselli 74-76 150
Barry Wengert 75-77 152
Ed Furcinito 80-79 159
Jim Gemza 80-82 162
C. Sandone 83-80 163
G. Johnson 88-81 169
M. Flynt 87-87 174
Greg Bushinger 85-89 174
R. Crawford 92-87 179
Super Duper Seniors
Art Coriale 75-75 150
Roy Smith 78-74 152
Ray Alessandrini 79-77 156
J. DeMinico 76-81 157
Roy Barnes 82-77 159
Vic DeFelice 73-87 160
B. Jastrab 83-85 168
P. Reile 80-93 173
J. Gorea 99-100 199
Ladies Division
Lauren Cupp 78
Linda Ptak 83
Meredith Roefaro 85
Patt Barkett 86
Nick Sardina is a writer for midyorksportsreport.com. Follow Nick onTwitter @nsardinamysr or on Facebook. Contact him via email at