Late Birdies Vault Woods To Three-Stroke Victory

Posted on Jul 17 2016 - 11:02pm by Nick Sardina
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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.

 

Darren Woods follows through on his approach shot into the par 4, 11th hole. (Photo by Jeff Pexton - Perfect Game Imaging)

Darren Woods follows through on his approach shot into the par 4, 11th hole. (Photo by Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)

 

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.

 

Joel Jakobowicz follows through on a bunker shot during final round play. (Photo By - Jeff Pexton - Perfect Game Imaging)

Joel Jakubowicz follows through on a bunker shot during final round play. (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)

 

“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.

 

Jeff LaGase hits an iron during the final round of the 2016 Utica City-Am at Valley View Golf Course in Utica. LaGase finished tied for second. (Photo by Jeff Pexton -- Perfect Game Imaging)

Jeff LaGase chips during the final round of the 2016 Utica City-Am at Valley View Golf Course in Utica. LaGase finished tied for second. (Photo by Jeff Pexton — Perfect Game Imaging)

 

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

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Dante Migliore hits a wedge during the final round of the Utica City-Am. (Photo by Jeff Pexton — Perfect Game Imaging)