2025 AIM Champion Jim Hirsh
Jim Hirsh captured the Apogee Investment Management Championship, closing with an even-par 71 on June 8 for a three-shot victory over defending champion John Duthie.
The final round of the 69th annual AIM Championship presented by DeFrancisco and Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers was held at Yahnundasis Golf Club.
Hirsh said his victory was the biggest individual accomplishment of his amateur career. Last Hirsh won the New York State Men’s Amateur Four Ball at Turning Stone Resort Casino with Bill Virkler.
“Playing four different courses…it’s very challenging,” Hirsh said. “I’m proud of myself for this one.”
Hirsh and Duthie were tied atop the leaderboard at 3-under 210 after three rounds setting up Sunday’s showdown at Yahnundasis. The final round had its share of drama as Hirsh had a two-stroke lead over Duthie at the turn.
But Duthie wasn’t giving up his title without a fight. The Lansing native erased the two-shot deficit with two birdies on No. 10 and No. 11 to grab a share of the lead.
The pair remained tied until Hirsh took the lead for good with a birdie No. 15 while Duthie carded bogeys on his last two holes. Hirsh’s ability to play bogey-free golf on the back nine proved to be key to nailing down the title.
Hirsh, of Bridgeport, ended the tournament with rounds of 67-69-74-71 to finish at 3-under 281. Duthie, who won the AIM last year by 10 strokes, finished at even-par 284.
Hirsh said his toughest round was at Tuscarora. After a triple-bogey on the third hole, Hirsh battled to produce a decent 3-over 74 to share the lead with Duthie and keep his title hopes alive.
Final round medalist Gabe Williams fired a 3-under 68 to finish in third place for the tournament (3-over 287).
Carl Schimenti and Anthony Maglisco tied for fourth at 4-over 287.
Thank you to Apogee Investment Management (Kevin VandenBerg) and DeFrancisco and Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers (Charlie Falgiatano) for their support. Thank you also to the golf courses and PGA of America Members for hosting tournament qualifiers and the main event this year.
The 2025 tournament was held at Green Lakes State Park Golf Course (Jeff Carson, PGA); Cazenovia Country Club (Mark Tucker, PGA), Tuscarora Golf Club (Jason Wall, PGA) and Yahnundasis Golf Club (Zach Vinal, PGA Associate).
AIM Qualifiers were held at Lakeshore Yacht and Country Club (Jon Petrin), Cazenovia Country Club, McConnellsville Country Club (Tim Hume, PGA) and Sunset Ridge Golf Club (Andy Myers, PGA/Phil Kless, PGA).