It took three playoff holes but amateur Ryan Borruso walked away as the overall winner of the 43rd annual Emmett Kelly Masters at the Cavalry Club Aug. 12.

 

The Rome native outlasted fellow amateur Ben Gaulin and PGA of America Member Mark Tucker (Cazenovia Country Club) in sudden death for the title. All three finished tied at 4-under-par 68 in regulation.

 

“It’s very exciting to win against a field that was as good as this one,” Borruso said. “I know a lot of the local pros are accomplished players. There were some mini-tour guys that are very good. To win against these players means something.”

 

On the first playoff hole, Borruso, Gaulin and Tucker all made par on No. 18. Tucker and Borruso also made par on the second playoff hole (No. 18) while Gaulin carded a bogey and was eliminated from the playoff.

 

The title was settled on the third extra hole. At the par-4 No. 1 hole, Borruso sank a birdie putt to claim the crown.

 

FINAL RESULTS

 

During regulation, Borruso recorded a bogey on the first hole. In the playoff, he took a different approach on No. 1 and it paid off.

 

“That bogey bothered me because that’s a scoreable hole,” Borruso said. “I avoided the left bunker that I found myself in regulation and aimed it a little more right going up the right side. I left myself with a 60-yard wedge shot that luckily I was able to stick it in there tight.”

 

Borruso had eight birdies on the day including five on the back nine.

 

“I had a very good back nine in regulation,” Borruso said. “I played alongside Mark Tucker and he’s a great guy and a great player. We were both playing well, making birdies. So we were trying to keep up with each other and keep the pedal down in regulation.”

 

Borruso (Teugega CC) golf resume also includes five Rome City Men’s Amateur titles, four Teugega club championships and two Avila (Fla.) Golf and Country Club championships. The 37-year-old, who works in the insurance field, resides in Tampa, Fla. 10 months out of the year and comes back to Rome in the summer.

 

 

Seven-time Emmett Kelly Masters champion Tucker finished first in the PGA of America Member division. Tucker’s last title was in 2021.

 

Tucker finished first in the Rolex Player of the Year competition for CNY PGA of America Members. He also won the Senior CNY PGA Rolex Player of the Year competition.

 

The field consisted of 65 players, both amateur and professional golfers.