Wolferts Roost's John Vaccaro Wins Playoff, Captures New York State Mid-Am Championship
 
By Mike Dyer
 
POUGHKEEPSIE, Sept. 23....John Vaccaro's lifelong dream has been to be a golf champion.
Sunday, playing at Dutchess Golf & Country Club, the 50-year-old standout won the 24th annual New York State Golf Association Mid-Am Championship.

It wasn't easy for Vaccaro, a father of three and graduate of Cornell University.

He didn't tie for the lead until the 18th hole of his final round. And then Vaccaro needed a par on the third sudden-death playoff hole to win the title.

Vaccaro becomes the fourth golfer from the Capital District to win this title. Others were Roost's Charlie Murphy Jr. in 1984, Cliff Earle of Saratoga Springs in 1993, and Country Club of Troy's Matt Clarke in 2005.

A former GE executive, Vaccaro had rounds of 71 and 73 at the par-70 Dutchess course. On Sunday he birdied two holes and tied for the lead with a par on the 18th for 73. That gave Vaccaro a 54-hole total of 217.

Dutchess' member Steve Nosonowitz rallied to lead Sunday but bogeyed the 18th hole and fell into a tie. He had a 72 for 217.

Then came the third playoff hole and Vaccaro's victory.

A year ago Vaccaro won the Tri-County Golf Association title and also made it to  match play in the New York State men's amateur championship.

Winding Brook Country Club's Jim Welch, two-time Troy Invitational winner and a two-time Tri-County champ, finished third Sunday at 218. Welch, 40, posted a 72 on the final day. Clarke had a 72 for 223 and Bob Cooper posted 231 after a 78.

Vaccaro won the Vermont senior golf title early this month.



Vaccaro, Welch Card 73s, Trail by 2 in New York State Mid-Am Championship
 
By Mike Dyer
 
POUGHKEEPSIE, Sept. 21....John Vaccaro and Jimmy Welch know a lot about winning golf.
The 50-year-old Vaccaro won the 2006 Tri-County Golf Association championship and The Times-Union Stroke event. Welch, 40, is a two-time Troy Invitational winner and defending Tri-County champion.

So it's no surprise that Vaccaro (Wolferts Roost CC) and Welch (Winding Brook CC) both carded 73s on Friday in the opening round of the 24th annual New York State Golf Association Mid-Am Championship here at Dutchess Golf & Country Club.

They trail first-day leaders David Esch of Briarcliff Manor and Patrick Pierson of Central Nyack by only 2 shots. The leaders had one-over-par 71s.

An eagle on the fourth hole boosted Vaccaro, a Menands resident. Valatie's Welch finished with 2 birdies in his round.

Eight other Capital District golfers fired scores of 79 or better and qualify for Saturday's second round. The finals are set for Sunday, Sept. 23.

Country Club of Troy's Matt Clarke, the 2005 Mid-Am champ, had one birdie and a 74 on Friday. Surprising Greg Bennett (Shaker Ridge Country Club) posted three birdies and a 75 to make the cut. Two-time Tri-County winner Bob Cooper (Orchard Creek GC) had a 76.
Normanside Country Club's Peter Broderick and Shaker Ridge lefty Jim Cocca each shot 77. A 78 came from Glens Falls Country Club's Patrick Seelye and Troy's David Arakelian and Sycamore CC's Rob Bruda each made the cut with 79s.
 




PREVIEW

24th Annuel Men's Mid-Am Championship Attracts Area Golfers
 
By Mike Dyer
 
Sept. 18.....The Capital District's best golfers will compete this weekend for a title in the 24th annual New York State Golf Association Mid-Am Championship at Dutchess Golf & Country Club in Poughkeepsie.

Country Club of Troy standout Matt Clarke leads the area. The 46-year-old Clarke, three-time Troy Invitational champ and three-time Rensselaer County champ, won the Mid-Am back in 2005.

Besides Clarke, only Charley Murphy (1984) and Cliff Earle (1993) won the title from the Capital District.

Others in Friday's big field include Tri-County Golf Association champion Jimmy Welch (Winding Brook Country Club), two-time Tri-County champion Bob Cooper (unattached), former Van Schaick Island Country Club champion George Roe, onetime Eagle Crest Shootout champ Jim Cocca (Shaker Ridge Country Club) and 2006 Tri-County champion John Vaccaro (Wolferts Roost Country Club).

Others in the field include Shaker Ridge's Greg Bennett, Rocky Cocca, Paul Lundberg and Paul Serafin. Five-time Normanside Country Club champion Steve Owens is looking for the title. Also expect Mike McCarroll of The Edison Club to be in the hunt.

Golfers will be teeing off Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:45 on both the first and 10th tees at the par-70 Dutchess course.