With a 2-under-par 69, Corning’s Seth Conway captured the rain-shortened Golf Max Central New York Open at Cortland Country Club on July 18. Conway is the first amateur to take home title since Kevin VandenBerg won in 2016 at Beaver Meadows Golf Course.

 

Rainy weather caused the event to be abbreviated. With the start time pushed back 2.5 hours and the forecast less than promising, the tournament committee along with rules official made the decision to shorten the 36-hole tournament to 18 holes.

 

Conway, a rising sophomore on the George Mason men’s golf team, was the only player in the full field to shoot under par. There was a four-way tie for second at even-par 71 between professional Danny Thomas (Skaneateles CC), amateur Jack Angelucci, five-time champion John Clare (p) and professional Kevin Roman.

 

Conway, a member at Corning Country Club, turned in a solid round with three birdies against one bogey.

 

Conway played in the lead group and finished second in the AIM Championship in June with the final round played at Cortland CC. Conway used that valuable experience during the CNY Open.

 

“It helped being right around the lead (at the AIM),” he said. “It gives you that confidence that you need.”

 

Clare, a Camillus native, entered the tournament as the four-time defending champ.

 

The CNY Open, which is open to amateurs, is one of the majors on the Central New York PGA schedule. Many thanks to the tournament sponsors:

Golf Max  (Mike Moran and Mike Sierchio)

Precise Yardage Books (Scott Brady)

Lemp Jewelers (Don Lemp)