Amateur John Duthie refused to be second best again at the 45th annual Emmett Kelly Masters.
Duthie, last year’s runner-up, defeated defending champion and PGA of America Golf Associate Matt Campbell to capture the overall title Aug. 10 at the Cavalry Club.
For the second straight year, Duthie and Campbell engaged in a dramatic battle down the stretch. With top honors hanging in the balance, Duthie sank a birdie putt on the last hole to win by one stroke, reversing last year’s outcome when he lost to Campbell by a stroke.
“Both of us were playing pretty well all day,” Duthie said. “I made a few good up and downs when I needed to and I putted pretty well for the birdies especially on 18.”
Campbell (Teugega CC) pulled into a tie with Duthie after a birdie, his fourth of the day, on the par-5 17th hole. Campbell then closed with a par on 18. Duthie withstood the pressure on 18 and calmly rolled in a 15-footer for birdie and the win
Duthie, of Lansing, finished with a 5-under-par 67. Campbell, who won his third straight Central New York PGA Assistant Players Championship on June 26, finished at 4-under 68.
Duthie said carding a par on No. 17 was the key hole for his round. Both Duthie and Campbell played bogey-free golf.
“I was in trouble on that hole,” he said. “But I made a good up and down to make par.”
Duthie is no strange to winning prestigious events. He was the 2024 Apogee Management Investment Champion and he won the 2007 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship. Although he finished second overall last year, Duthie was the Emmett Kelly Masters Amateur champ.
Amateurs Spencer Baum and JP Kircher finished tied for third overall at 3-under 69.
In the PGA Professional/Associate standings, Zach Vinal (Yahnundasis GC) and 2009 champion Dennis Colligan (Cazenovia GC) finished tied for second behind Campbell at 1-under 71.
The Central New York PGA would like the Kelly Family and the Cavalry Club staff for their support in hosting the annual tournament.