Golf Guide 2026

Urzetta’s record-setting

1950 US Amateur title

Pine Acres full slate of Summer Events

Blaisdell Pro Am

draws national field

Recalling Urzetta’s record-setting 1950 US Amateur title

Editor’s note: The following story on St. Bonaventure Athletics Hall-of-Famer and winner of the 1950 U.S. Amateur Golf Championship Sam Urzetta originally ran in the Aug. 15, 2020 edition of the Times Herald. It’s being re-printed here as a nod to Urzetta on the 15th anniversary of his death. The Rochester native, who also tied for 12th at the 1956 Masters Tournament, died on April 8, 2011.

By J.P. BUTLER

Special to the Golf Guide

Sam Urzetta, to be sure, was thrilled by what he’d just accomplished.

“Urzetta was elated by his victory,” read the rather unceremonious final line of a Monday, Aug. 28, 1950, Times Herald story recounting Urzetta’s dramatic win in the 1950 United States Amateur Golf Championship.

Oddly, and almost amusingly (but perhaps unsurprisingly given the antiquated approach to sports journalism 70 years ago), the dispatches from this monumental achievement at Minneapolis Golf Club had as much to do with the class aspect of the matchup — and Urzetta’s plans for afterward — as they did with the triumph itself.

The final pairing, as the story was told, pitted Frank Stranahan, a millionaire’s son, and Urzetta, “a job-seeking collegian from St. Bonaventure,” with the 50th

U.S. Amateur title on the line. It was “Handsome” Stranahan, who said he’d always dreamt of winning the choicest prize in amateur golf, against Urzetta, “a shy lad from East Rochester,” who never thought he’d have a shot at it.

In that way, it was billed as a David vs. Goliath-type battle. And this one had much the same result.

A DAY EARLIER, “Smiling” Sam had little issue in his semifinal, routing Bob Knowles Jr., 6-and-5, with a brilliant display of driving and putting that had the small Minneapolis golf club gallery gasping. This, of course, came just months after completing a standout basketball career at Bona, where he was the national free throw shooting leader and helped the former Brown Indians to the 1949 National Catholic Invitational Tournament.

“The 24-year-old Urzetta was as sharp with his golf clubs as with the basketball he used to win the intercollegiate free throw shooting championship at St. Bonaventure University for two years,” the Aug. 26 edition of the TH said.

And he rode that momentum into the Saturday final against Stranahan.

In one of the greatest all-time athletic feats by a Bona grad, Urzetta topped the “handsome Toledo heir” 1-up in 39 grueling holes to earn the title of new amateur golf king. It was the longest U.S. Amateur final round to date, and remained so until 2000, when that year’s championship match tied the mark.

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Urzetta, a Rochester native and St. Bonaventure Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, claimed the 1950 United States Amateur Golf Championship in August of 1950 by

the longest final in the tournament’s history over Frank

is being presented with the coveted trophy by

president of the U.S. Golf Association.

Urzetta...continued

For as joyful as the moment was, though, there was an equal focus on what Urzetta was going to do next: turn pro on the links, play professional basketball or “find some other means of earning a living.”

FRESH OFF his finest performance on the golf course, Urzetta considered that option, but wasn’t sure he’d be able to make a steady enough living. There was also the possibility that he’d ink a contract with the NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers. However, “I’m afraid professional basketball might ruin my golf game,” acknowledged Urzetta, one of the greatest multi-sport athletes in Bona annals and, to this day, the program leader in career free throw percentage (90.3%). “I just don’t know what I’m going to do right now.”

Ultimately, Urzetta did turn pro, doing so in 1954, though he willingly chose not to become a “regular” tour player. Even so, he still put together a lengthy,

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and decorated, playing resume.

Urzetta, who’d already won the New York Amateur title in 1948, made the U.S. Walker Cup Team in 1951 and ‘53, posting a 4-0 record in those events. After turning pro, he played in four U.S. Opens, four PGA Championships and four Masters, where, most notably in the latter, he finished tied for 12th in 1956.

TRUE TO his modest nature, Urzetta remained close to home, taking a job as the assistant pro at the Country Club of Rochester in 1954, landing the head professional job two years later and remaining in that capacity until his retirement in 1993. Along the way, he continued to play — and fare well — winning Western New York Player of the Year honors in 1971 and taking second in the WNYPGA Senior Championship in 1982.

And though he made an initial name for himself on the hardwood, finishing with 566 career points and serving as a team co-captain, Urzetta’s name still

mostly resonates for what he did on the golf course.

A member of St. Bonaventure’s inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame class in 1969, he was enshrined into the Western New York PGA Hall of Fame in 1986 and posthumously inducted into the New York State Golf Association (NYSGA) Hall of Fame in 2015 (Urzetta died of congestive heart failure in 2011 at age 85).

His greatest accomplishment, though, came 76 years ago (this August).

“Urzetta was greeted by a crowd of 5,000 persons when he arrived at the Rochester airport Sunday night,” the Monday, Aug. 28, edition of the TH noted. “Bands played, and male chorus sang ‘Welcome Home, Sammy,’ a special song composed for the occasion.

“A fifty-car parade, augmented by National Guard halftracks, escorted the champ through the center of Rochester and then to his home, where a gala celebration was awaiting him.”

Golf season returns to Bartlett with new twists

By HENRY BUCHAN

Special to the Golf Guide

OLEAN — As the weather begins to turn, golf season at Bartlett Country Club is finally coming into focus.

After a slow and often soggy start to last season, head golf professional Dwayne Randall is hoping for something different this year: more sun, more consistency and more chances for both members and visitors to get out on the course.

“I don’t know if it’s true, but people have told me that Western New York is ranked around fourth in the country for driest summer months,” he said. “I can almost believe it. Once you get into that mid-June stretch, when summer really hits, it does tend to be pretty dry and warm. I’ll take it, though, because it doesn’t interfere with golf.”

Last week marked a big milestone, as

the club allowed carts on the course for the first time this year, signaling that the season is officially underway.

Tradition and new ideas

As always, the backbone of the season at Bartlett is its slate of member events, many of which are designed to keep things competitive while still emphasizing fun.

One returning favorite is the couples member-member tournament on June 7, though it comes with a twist, which was first introduced last year.

“You actually don’t play with your spouse,” Randall said. “You play with the other spouse in your foursome.”

The format, two couples forming a group and switching partners, changes the game entirely. While it’s technically a competition between everyone in the event, realistically it turns into a battle between couples.

“People are already talking about it now,” Randall said. “It went over really well last year. There was a lot of smack talk, for lack of a better term.”

sible,” Randall said. “We’ll put the hole locations in spots we normally wouldn’t — places that are considered unfair.”

Randall explained just how extreme those setups can get.

The club also hosts a Ryder Cupstyle competition and a cross-country scramble, where players hit shots across unconventional parts of the course.

“You might play from one tee box to a completely different hole,” Randall said. “You’re hitting over trees and playing holes in ways they were never designed to be played. It’s just a fun event.”

‘Anything goes’ in Superintendent’s Revenge

Perhaps the most anticipated addition to this year’s calendar is a brand-new event: Superintendent’s Revenge, scheduled for October 4.

Unlike traditional tournaments, this one is designed to push players to their limits, and beyond.

“It’s set up to be as difficult as pos-

“If we want to put the hardest pin on a green, like on hole number two for anyone who’s played the course, we’d put it in the front right,” Randall said. “That’s a spot we normally can’t use because the ball won’t stay within 15 feet of the hole.”

On flatter greens, the challenge comes from precision.

“We might put the pin six inches from the fringe,” he said. “Those are things you just can’t do on a day-to-day basis. But for this event, anything goes.”

In this case, the goal of the event is to create laughs through frustration.

“If you miss a 10-foot putt, you might never finish the hole,” Randall added. “But that’s the point. It’s one day in the year where everyone knows what they’re getting into.”

Bartlett...continued

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Events for the wider community

While Bartlett operates as a private club, several events each year open the door to non-members.

Among them is the longstanding Men’s Amateur tournament in August, now approaching its 90th edition. The multi-day, match play event draws more than 100 players from across Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania, bringing together competitors from across state lines.

“It’s probably our showcase event,” Randall said. “People come from all over the region.”

The Women’s Bartlett Open will follow that event later in August.

Making the most of the season

With a short window to play, Bartlett has also introduced a new cart membership option, allowing frequent players to maximize their time on the course without additional fees.

“The idea is to encourage people to get out more,” Randall said. “Especially here, where we have a short golf season, you have to take advantage of the nice weather.”

Ultimately, whether it’s competitive amateur tournaments, experimental for mats, or simply a dry stretch of summer days, the goal remains the same.

Last year, Corey Haas, a Bartlett member, won his second Men’s Am title in three years, defeating Scott Brady in the 36-hole match-play final. The 90th Men’s Amateur is set for Aug. 5-9 at Bartlett, by flight. Registration information can be found at https://www.swnynwpa.com/.

“At the end of the day,” Randall said,

Twilight Golf

Any day after 5:30pm

Play all you can until dark

$30 per person (includes cart)

Saturday - Sunday - Holidays

After 2:00pm

18 Holes (includes cart)

$40

Pine Acres announces full slate of events for Summer 2026

By JO WANKEL

Pine Acres Golf & RV Resort, located in Marshburg, has a full slate of tournaments and live music set for the summer. For those looking for a great 18-hole public course with a scenic setting close to Allegheny National Forest, this is a destination to add to the list for the summer. The list of events starts with the Ride for Roswell Scramble Presented by Scott’s Crusaders on May 30. Hoping to improve on last year’s $7,000 raised for cancer research, the event promises a day of fun with giveaways and a casino hole. Food

from the Snack Shak is included in the entry fee.

In June, several events are planned, including:

• June 5: Aaron Walter Memorial Scholarship Scramble. This tournament will feature four-person teams and will require one player on each team to be age 10-18. The tournament has a 9 am shotgun start and will include a mini putt-putt challenge and a long drive competition.

• June 6: Sons of the American Legion Tournament

• June 13: Pine Acres Member-Guest Tournament

• June 19: Rotary Club of Bradford “Par 3” Scramble- Live Music at 6:00 by Remedy open to the public

• June 20: 2nd Annual Tom Brown Memorial Scramble. With an 8:30 am shotgun start, this event includes highlights like a Pot of Gold shootout.

• June 27: Golf “Fore” Heroes Scramble- Live Music open to the public, proceeds go to Veterans TBI treatment.

For those hoping to find a tournament in July, Pine Acres has several options, including:

• July 11: Salamanca Rehab Scramble

• July 17-19: Pine Acres Men’s Open Tournament. Live music on the 17th, open to the public

• July 25: Higgins Memorial Tournament.

The course also offers several events in August and September, including:

• Aug. 8: ARG Open

• Aug. 9: “Pink” Langianese Scholarship Scramble

• Aug. 14: Directions in Independent Living- Supporting Veterans Scramble

• Aug. 15: VFW Scramble

• Aug. 29: Stateline Show Youth Baseball Scramble

• Sept. 5: Hnat Cash Bash

• Sept. 12: K-9 Unit Scramble - Proceeds go to the Bradford Police K9 Unit

The course offers a full restaurant and bar onsite, as well as 23 full electric sites for RVs. The area offers trails and nearby sites to see, including the Kinzua Dam within a 20-minute drive.

MIKE’S PRO SHOP OFFERS AN ARRAY OF CLUBS, APPAREL AND GOLF EQUIPMENT. MIKE HAS THE LATEST EQUIPMENT AT COMPETITIVE PRICES.

THE COURSE IS A CHALLENGING 5940 YARDS, WITH A RATING OF 69.1 AND SLOPE OF 122 FROM THE WHITE TEES. THE GREENS AND FAIRWAYS ARE WELL MAINTAINED AND EVERY HOLE HAS A DIFFERENT LOOK AND A NEW CHALLENGE WITH VISTAS THAT ARE THE BEST THE PA WILDS HAVE TO OFFER. TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR ROUND, WE OFFER BOTH A DRIVING RANGE AND SHORT GAME PRACTICE AREA. THE EMPORIUM COUNTRY CLUB RECOGNIZES VARIOUS DISCOUNT GOLF CARDS (CANCER CARDS, GOLF CARD, ETC.). WE GUARANTEE YOU WILL WANT TO COME BACK AND PLAY AGAIN!

GOLFER’S SPECIAL WE OFFER A GOLF & DINNER SPECIAL ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 18 HOLES OF GOLF & A $10 GIFT CARD FOR THE ECC RESTAURANT - $50

Penn-York’s 57th season set to start June 29 at Elkdale

Founded in 1970, the tradition of the Penn-York Junior Golf League continues with five tournaments scheduled this summer at area courses.

The late Dr. Robert Davis, an Olean resident and member of Bartlett Country Club, started the league with a vision to give young golfers the opportunity to participate in a competitive tournament atmosphere at an affordable price. That vision remains intact to this day, through several different league directors. Ed Forrest became Penn-York director in 1975, running the league for 31 years before handing it off to his son Kevin. John and Danae Forrest ran the league starting in 2009 until Kyle Henzel took over with the 2017 season.

Youth golfers, both boys and girls, are split into age groups and play either nine or 18-hole tournament rounds at all five stops on the tour, with trophies

awarded to first and second-place by division each week.

Henzel estimated some 5,000 junior golfers have walked the fairways to compete for Penn-York trophies and bragging rights over the league’s 56 years.

The 57th season will tee off Monday, June 29, at Elkdale Country Club in Salamanca.

Age groups include four divisions for boys and three for girls. Boys: Division I (ages 16-18), Division II (14-15), III (12-13) and IV (modified tees, 8-11).

Girls: Division I (14-18), III (12-13) and IV (modified, 8-11).

Divisions I and II play 18 holes from the men’s white tees, while Division III plays nine holes from the women’s red tees and Division IV plays nine from modified tees. Not only do the winner and runner-up receive a trophy weekly

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Penn-York...continued

in each group, they play for a points title at the end of the season.

Initially named the Davis Memorial Trophy, the John Forrest Memorial Trophy is now awarded to the golfer with the lowest 18-hole stroke average, while the golfers with the 10 best stroke averages earn automatic invitations to compete in the SWNY/NWPA Men’s Amateur at Bartlett. The low 16 golfers will earn invitations to the Betty Bergreen Junior Match Play Championship, also at Bartlett. Five young golfers have even won the Men’s Am the same year they played Penn-York, most recently Spencer Cornelius, a Bradford, Pa. native from Penn Hills, in 2022.

Last year’s league season saw Owen Wright, from Cardinal Hills, claim the John Forrest Memorial Trophy as the Most Outstanding Golfer for his average of 74.0 and the points title in Div. I after winning three of the five tournaments.

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Another prestigious honor, the Kevin Forrest Memorial Trophy, has been awarded each year since 2011 to the golfer who “best exhibited the following characteristics: love for the game of golf, integrity, good sportsmanship, enjoys the camaraderie of the game and good-spirited competition and perseverance –that never give up attitude,” the league website states.

Registration information will be posted to the Penn-York Junior Golf League Facebook page and at www.

swnynwpa.com.

The full 2026 Penn-York Junior Golf League schedule:

• June 29th – Elkdale

• July 13th – Pennhills

• July 20th – Wellsville

• July 27th – Pine Acres

• August 3rd – Bartlett

Ischua Valley Country Club 2026 Membership Application

Payment can be made at the time of service, paid via check or credit car in the Admin Office. Please make checks payable to Play More Golf LLC Please remit to: Ischua Valley Country Club, P.O. Box 187 Franklinville, NY 14737

I agree to abide by all the rules and regulations of the club.

You will receive event information and club correspondence to the email addresses listed

You can also view this information on the club website: www.IschuaValleyCC.com

Blaisdell Pro Am draws national field

Scaletta to defend title

By SARA FURLONG

Special to the Golf Guide

PGA Club Professionals from across the country converge on Bradford in July for The Blaisdell Pro Am at the Pennhills Club, competing for generous prize money in an event nurtured by George B. Duke in the Blaisdell name and respected by all.

Pennhills Club Professional John Rook said, “Professionals from all over the country come in from everywhere — out

west all the way to Florida, everywhere — not just because of the great event, which is what it is, but because they want to pay respect to the effort that the family puts into the event.”

According to blaisdellproam.com, it was while watching a friend struggle with a lighter at the Bradford Country Club that George G. Blaisdell was struck with the idea for his Zippo lighter.

“Mr. Blaisdell had quite a few passions in life, but his family, his lighter and the game of golf topped the list,” the site reads. “Zippo is proudly sponsoring the Blaisdell Pro Am Tournament as a tribute to Mr. Blaisdell’s enthusiasm for the game and the golf course he loved.”

The long-running annual two-day event actually gets started with a draft night July 19, when the professionals are drafted to the amateur teams — three amateurs and two pros to a team.

“Everyone shows up to see how that unfolds,” Rook said, “enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as the process unfolds.”

Then, July 20, 36 total teams comprising 180 golfers hit the 18-hole course to battle it out for more than $40,000 in prize money.

On July 21, 72 professionals will return to compete on the par-70, 6,400yard championship course for more than $135,000 in prize money, including the $50,000 winner’s purse.

“The public is welcome to come watch

Tuesday,” Rook said. “Check in with the Pro Shop to be told where to go. People come out and watch free of charge, just enjoy the day.”

There is one snack station and two restrooms situated along the course.

Tee times begin at 9:30 a.m., when groups of three will go off until 12:30 p.m. Play will typically continue on the course until about 4:30 p.m.

Paul Scaletta secured the $50,000 cash prize in 2025 and will return to defend his title this summer.

Blaisdell Pro Am

...continued from page 28

“Every champion returns, not just defending their title, but out of respect to Mr. Duke and the Blaisdell name,” Rook said. “They know how much he puts into the event and they want to come back and keep supporting it.

“Every pro who plays in this event understands it wouldn’t be possible without

Mr. Duke and the family,” Rook declared.

“To play in something of this magnitude in this area for a relatively small entry fee because the family is very gracious and wants to put on a good event — we’re very appreciative of that.”

To learn more, visit blaisdellproam. com.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

June 6th

June 16th

June 21st

June 29th

July 10th-13th

July 18th

August 1st

Smethport Fire Department

Member - Member

Father/Son - Junior/Senior

Smethport School Foundation

Member-Guest

Thrash Scholarship

Olive Oyl Open

August 2nd Smethport PTO

August 9th Hamlin Bank Open

August 16th Smethport PTO

August 22nd Close’s Lumber

August 28th Senior Calcutta

August 29th Lathrop

September 19th Smethport Calcutta

Elkdale has a ‘club in the country’ feel for members and visitors

By KELLEN M. QUIGLEY Special to the Golf Guide

SALAMANCA — Nestled in the scenic hills north of Salamanca, Elkdale Country Club is looking forward to its 100th year as a golfing destination for Western New York and the Southern Tier.

After a wetter and colder spring than hoped for, both the club’s staff and its members are ready for the season to begin. Behind the scenes, employees have been working hard to prepare the course and clubhouse as they look forward to a fantastic season filled with great events, friendly competition and plenty of memorable moments with friends and family.

Golf Professional Alex Fisher said preparations for this season have gone well. They’d hoped to open on April 15, but had to push it back a few days due to rain.

“The course is looking great, a lot of our event information is getting out there and we should have a great season,” he said.

Clubhouse Manager Denise Lord said the clubhouse is geared up and ready as well. The kitchen opened for lunches on April 15 and will begin serving Friday Fish Fry dinners on May 1 and Sunday

morning breakfasts on May 3, along with daily lunch hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Elkdale has long embraced a semi-private philosophy, welcoming both members and the public. This dual identity allows the club to serve as a recreational hub for the broader community while maintaining an exclusive, member-oriented environment.

“What I like about it is it’s a country club, but it’s also a club in the country,” Lord said. “It’s just so down-to-earth, the people are very nice and the staff in all areas get along. We’re a great team.”

The course itself came through the winter in great shape, and the grounds

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Elkdale...continued

crew has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season.

The 2026 Spring Clean Up Day was held on March 28.

“We just need a little less rain, but the course recovered phenomenally,” Fisher said. “Should be good once Mother Nature decides to let off on us.”

The club again has a full slate of golf events over the next few months, as well as the weekly leagues.

NEW THIS year is the inaugural Women’s Play for P.I.N.K Golf Tournament on Aug. 31. This exciting day benefits breast cancer research and promises fun for all participants, from competitive challenges like Beat the Pro to mystery pink envelopes and even pink speciality drinks.

“We have a lot going on for it,” Fisher said. “It supports Play

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for P.I.N.K., which is breast cancer research, so hopefully we get a big crowd for it, and it goes as well as we hope it does.”

A native to the area and an Ellicottville Central School graduate, this is Fisher’s second year as Elkdale’s head pro. After attending SUNY Delhi and working as a golf pro at the Paramount Country Club just north of New York City, he is excited to bring his knowledge back home.

“I grew up playing Holiday Valley, but if I wasn’t there, I was here,” he said of Elkdale. “I was a part of (former Elkdale pro) Jack Widger’s junior program, and he’s a big reason I ended up being in the golf industry. I’m happy to be back and happy to bring some new events and some fresh stuff over here that you

may have seen at other facilities.”

One of those new features Fisher brought to Elkdale in 2025 was fitting days — promotional events where golfers test new equipment under the supervision of manufacturer reps or certified fitters. After hosting five days last year, he said he has seven scheduled for this year.

“It’s a great opportunity to talk about stuff and to get better,” he said, noting the male members’ average handicap dropped from about 18 to 14. “There’s more chatter in the club talking about golf than there had been when I first came in.”

For more information about the club and golf course, rates and fees or to book a tee time, visit elkdalecc.com or call (716) 945-5553.

3 notable health benefits of a round of golf

Playing a round of golf is a great way to spend a morning, afternoon or early evening. That’s particularly true when the weather is warm and a golf course is soaked in sunshine and cooled down by warm breezes whistling through the surrounding trees.

Though many see golf as recreation, the sport can offer some notable health benefits. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, which was founded in 1754 and has since grown from a small club to one with 2,500 members across the globe, published a golf and health report in 2020. That report highlights research indicating the ways golf promotes both mental and physical health, and such evidence can make anyone feel better about spending a day on their nearest course. With that in mind, individuals can consider these three notable health benefits of playing golf the next time they’re thinking about visiting their local course.

1. Golf may help you live longer.

Frustrated golfers who can’t master their short game may suggest otherwise, but a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science and Sports discovered a 40 percent reduction in mortality rates among 300,000 members of the Swedish Golf Federation. That corresponded to an increased life expectancy of roughly five years and applied to golfers of all ages, genders and socio-economic backgrounds.

2. Golf can help combat disease.

A summary of findings conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2016 found that golf can help prevent and treat 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attack, stroke, depression, dementia, and cancers of the breast and colon. That link probably has something to do with golf being a physical activity that encourages people to embrace a less sedentary lifestyle. Indeed, the R&A notes that additional studies have found that risk factors for heart disease and stroke, including high blood pressure, are reduced among people who play golf.

3. Golf promotes social interaction.

The Alzheimer’s Society reports that social isolation can increase a person’s risk for dementia by roughly 60 percent. People who play golf tend to play in groups of two, three or four, and that social interaction can promote social interaction among people of all ages. Social isolation also has been linked to additional mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, so activities like golf that encourage social interaction can help people safeguard their mental health.

A round of golf may be widely viewed as a recreational activity. However, a day on the links also provides some notable health benefits.