Luke Hobika claimed his second straight Apogee Investment Management Senior title with a two-stroke victory over Kevin VandenBerg on June 21.
Hobika went wire-to-wire with three consecutive rounds of 70 and finished at four-under-par 210 for the tournament. The three-round AIM Senior Championship was held at Drumlins Country Club, Tuscarora Golf Club and concluded at Beaver Meadows Golf Club.
“It’s always satisfying to defend your title,” the 56-year-old Hobika said. “I was under extreme pressure today and am proud of the way I’ve battled. To beat a player of Kevin’s caliber when he is playing well, is most satisfying.”
VandenBerg made a serious push to catch Hobika with a bogey-free 7-under 65 at Beaver Meadows. VandenBerg’s 65 set a new tournament record for lowest one-round score. Three players were tied at 66: Rev. Jim Mathews (1992), Tony Smarrelli (2005) and Frank Plata (2014).
FINAL RESULTS
VandenBerg, winner of three AIM Championships, finished at 2-under 212. Denny Nicholson, who was in second after 36-holes, finished third overall at 2-over 216.
“Denny Nicholson was also battling and playing well,” Hobika said. “If he could have holed a few more putts it would have been a three-way battle.”
Hobika admitted it was a fight to the finish. VandenBerg cut into the Hobika’s lead with birdies on holes 10 and 12 while Hobika bogeyed No. 10. Thanks to a birdie putt on No.. 14, things swung in Hobika’s favor.
“Kevin and I had a tremendous battle today,” Hobika said. “I was very nervous today and not striking the ball well but hung in there with clutch putting and a few fortunate bounces. The key hole for me was when I made a 40-foot birdie putt on hole number 14.”
The 44th annual tournament was played in extreme heat with the temps in the low 90s. Hobika said he made sure to stay hydrated and find shade when possible on the course.
“Closing out a tournament is never easy,” he said. “I’m glad I won and persevered.”
It’s been an exceptional month of June for Hobika. In addition to repeating as AIM Senior champion, it was announced Hobika will be inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in November. Hobika is tied for the most AIM Men’s titles in history (5) with Walter Knych.
In the 36-hole Super Senior Division, Randy Young won the title by two strokes over Jose Berrios.
Young shot rounds of 77 and 73 to claim the crown with an 8-over 150.
Thank you to our presenting sponsors for the AIM Senior Championship — Kevin VandenBerg and Apogee Investment Management and Charlie Falgiatano and DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, LLP.
P-S Senior champions
1981 — Horace Meredith
1982 — Joe Russo Sr.
1983 — Joe Pagano Sr.
1984 — Jake Kleist
1985 — Bob Gilbo
1986 — Jack Klink
1987 — Pete Frank
1988 — Walter Knych
1989 — Pete Naton
1990 — Jim Williamson
1991 — Bill Hiestand
1992 — Jim Mathews
1993 — Jack McCabe
1994 — Walter Knych
1995 — Vic Johnson
1996 — Vic Johnson
1997 — Sandy Burton
1998 — Dick Congdon
1999 — Alan Foster
2000 — Mike Garofalo
2001 — Jerry Karpinski
2002 — Joe Oddo Jr. (* playoff)
2003 — Joe Oddo Jr.
2004 — Joe Oddo Jr.
2005 — Tony Smarrelli
2006 — Perry Noun
2007 — Joe Russo Jr.
2008 — Frank Plata
2009 — Alan Foster
2010 — Frank Plata
2011 — Phil Tripoli
2012 — Randy Young
2013—Frank Plata
2014—Frank Plata
2015—Frank Plata
2016—Michael Naton
2017—Michael Naton
2018—Michael Naton (* playoff)
2019—Jack Weinerth
2020—Tom Fletcher (one round, rain shortened)
2021—Tom Fletcher
2022—Walt McArdell
2023—Luke Hobika
2024—Luke Hobika