Ben Carpenter (NYS Golf Association)
It was moving day at the 100th New York State Men’s Amateur, but only seven players remain in red figures entering tomorrow's final day at Wykagyl Country Club.
Out of those seven players is Ben Carpenter of GlenArbor Golf Club, who for the second day is the solo leader for the championship.
Coming down the stretch, heavy winds really started to pick up, and Carpenter knew it was going to be a challenge to finish strong.
The Yale Bulldog was 2 over heading onto the par-5 18th hole where he hit three spectacular shots to culminating in a 10-foot birdie putt, extending his lead to two strokes and building momentum going into Wednesday.
“It was a very interesting day on the course. A lot of mixed weather. Very windy towards the end of the round but the beginning was hot, humid, and we even got some squalls and a little rain but overall I am honestly very happy with how I played today,” said Carpenter.
Carpenter has talked about taking advantage of the five par 5s and how it is a big part of his success out on the course. He is 8 under on par 5s through 36 holes at Wykagyl.
“I have had some experience in the past with leads going into the last day, and I have had them go my way and not go my way so I have had some learning experience,” said Carpenter. “Stay focused for tomorrow, take it shot by shot, and play my own game and not focus on everyone else.”
Carpenter won the Connecticut State Amateur and the Ivy League Championship in 2022, and previously the MGA’s Carter Cup in 2019.
Fletcher Wunderlich has served as a caddy at Wykagyl for the past two seasons and held steady on the second day, as he fired a 3-under 69 to join two others in second with a two-round total of 142. He started his day with an eagle on the first hole and a birdie on the third.
“I’m excited, I love competing. I can’t wait. Tomorrow we have a lot of golf ahead,” said Wunderlich. “Luckily I was in the morning today so I was able to go home and get some rest and be ready for tomorrow.
Wunderlich qualified during the Westchester Qualifier at Mahopac on July 13, where he made an ace to help him qualify for the championship on the number.
Tied with Wunderlich at 2-under par is Garden City Golf Club’s Ryan Rittberger (70-72) who stayed patient and shot even for his second round. Carpenter, Wunderlich and Rittberger will play in the final pairing in both the third and fourth rounds. Also at that number is Jeremy Sisson of Skaneateles Country Club, who shot 2-under today with 5 birdies (72-70).
Three players are tied at 1-under, including the 2021 NYS Men’s Amateur champ James Allen, who after firing an opening round of 69, shot a 2-over round of 74. He finished his first round early this morning after Monday’s weather delays made the field unable to finish the round that day before the sun went down.
Alongside Allen is Thomas Finn of Nassau Country Club who bettered his opening score (73) with a 2-under 69 on Tuesday. Ben Loomis of Winged Foot Golf Club hung tough despite having three bogeys on his back nine; he made five birdies to remain in the top five.
2021 NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur champ Anthony Delisanti (72-72) of Willowbrook Golf Course and William Celiberti (69-75) of Gardiner’s Bay Country Club both sit at even par for the tournament after their second rounds.
George Roessler of Maidstone came back with a 5-under 67 on Tuesday, after an opening round 82 yesterday. He is the only person to shoot 67 so far besides the leader, Carpenter.
There was a cut today at 7-over par. Low 40 and ties will play the final 36 holes on Wednesday.
Day One Recap
The New York State Golf Association hosted 157 of the best Empire State amateur golfers at Wykagyl Country Club on Monday.
Leading the pack at the end of the day was Ben Carpenter, of GlenArbor Golf Club, who started his day on the back nine (No. 10) and fired an opening 67 to take the lead heading into Tuesday’s second round.
Carpenter was on a mission after he made an eagle on his first hole (No. 10) to set the tone for his strong round. With five more birdies on the card, including a 3-under on his back nine, he established himself early as a clear contender for the centennial championship.
“I just stayed steady all day. Played the par 5’s five-under and the rest of the course even and that was my game plan going into today. Just being steady,” said Carpenter about his round.
This is the Yale University golfer's first NYS Men’s Amateur, and he definitely stepped up early. Even when Carpenter carded his first bogey on his fourth hole (No. 13), he bounced back and dropped back-to-back birdies on 14 and 15.
“Still have three rounds left, a lot of golf to play,” said Carpenter about his mentality going into round two. “Like I said, I just can't get ahead of myself. I'm just going to go in, one shot at a time, try to play the par 5’s well, and par the rest of the holes.”
The Connecticut native won that state's amateur last season. He also claimed a MGA Carter Cup junior title in 2020 at Baltusrol.
Dean Muratore of MET PGA Junior Golf Club, also had a memorable day with an impressive round of 3-under 69, only two strokes off the current pace.
Muratore is coming off a runner-up performance at the NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur at Lake Placid Club in late July.
Only two bogeys found their way onto Muratore’s card, and he was able to collect five birdies.
Rounding out the top six are four players at 2-under, including Mid-Hudson Qualifier Medalist Ben Loomis, and Ryan Rittberger of Garden City Golf Club.
Also tied at 2-under is 2021 NYS Men’s Am Champion James Allen of Scarsdale Golf Club and William Celiberti of Gardiner’s Bay Country Club; although both have three holes remaining and will finish their rounds in the morning.
Sam O’Hara of Maidstone Club and Leo Chu of Hudson Hills Golf Course finished their rounds in the morning at even par.
Also sitting at 1-under with several holes left to complete on Tuesday is Jeremy Sisson of Skaneateles Country Club who played 14 holes on Monday, and Benjamin Peacock of MGA eClub - NYC who finished 11 holes.
2022 champion Charlie Berridge of Wykagyl Country Club opened his title defense sitting 4-over thru 15 holes.
On Tuesday, the players who were unable to finish their rounds due to darkness will finish in the early morning. After, the field will play their second round of 18 holes. A 36-hole cut will then be applied to the low 40 players and ties, who will move into the final two rounds on Wednesday.