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The Otesaga Hotel
Seniors Open & Fun and Philanthropy at Cooperstown's Grand Resort Seniors Open Dates: Benefits
the Pathfinder Village |
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Cooperstown Native and Porthsmouth, RI Pro Scott Spence is awarded a check representing the purse for the 25th annual Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open at the Leatherstocking Golf Course on Friday, September 7. Presenting the check are Host Pro and Tournament Chair Dan Spooner, Pathfinder Village CEO Ed Shafer, Leatherstocking President Eric Straus, Otesaga Hotel General Manager John Irvin, and Tournament Co-Chair Daryl Forsythe. |
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Cooperstown Native Scott Spence wins 25th Annual Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open at 10-under par!
-- First-time winner earns one-stroke victory in Cooperstown; takes home $20,000 first-place prize --
Click here for Seniors Open Scores
(COOPERSTOWN, NY) September 7, 2007 – Tied with Don Brigham entering the final round, and fighting through a pulled muscle in his lower back, Portsmouth, R.I. resident and Cooperstown native Scott Spence shot a four-under-par 68 to win the 25th annual Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open in Cooperstown, N.Y., capturing a first-prize purse of $20,000. In the three-day, $100,000 tournament, Spence shot individual rounds of 65-73-68 to finish 10 under par (206). Spence’s first-round 65 was the low round of the tournament.
“My parents ashes are out on the 18th tee box,” Spence said. “We grew up here, we were raised here. It’s a big place in my heart. It’s easy to come back and play golf. Yesterday was a struggle a little bit. I think my mom and dad were throwing a little power my way, or birdies – whatever it is. I think we have to find a place out here for the summer.”
The Director of Instruction at the Carnegie Abbey Club in Portsmouth, Spence pulled a muscle on the 8th hole, but was able to hold off Roy Vucinich, who shot a final-round 66 to finish nine under par. Spence credited his comfort with the course with keeping him relaxed, and lauded the lessons he learned from longtime Leatherstocking Golf Pro Eddie Kroll.
“He was my teacher, my idol,” Spence said. “He’s a great man.”
Spence, participating for the first time after missing last year’s Seniors Open (he turned 50, but had a work obligation), finished one stroke ahead of Vucinich and three ahead of Bobby Heins, who won the Seniors Open in 2006; it was Vucinich’s second consecutive second-place finish. Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, participating for the second time, finished tied for 26th with a four-over-par 220.
The traditional post-Labor Day competition is hosted by the Otesaga Hotel and its Leatherstocking Golf Course, and presented by sponsors NBT Bank and Coca-Cola Bottling of New York. Proceeds from the Seniors Open benefit Pathfinder Village in nearby Edmeston, a residential community dedicated to children and adults with Down syndrome. Annually, the tournament raises more than $50,000 for scholarships and endowments at Pathfinder, and directly helps the village’s 80-plus residents. The tournament also contributes to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum endowment, a recently created fund that enables the world-famous institution to fulfill its educational mission and care for its priceless collections.
The complete list of former champions: 2006: Bobby Heins; 2005: Darrell Kestner; 2004: John Gentile; 2003: Lonnie Nielsen; 2002: Dan Wood; 2001: John Traub; 2000: Paul Parjeckas; 1999: Marty Bohen; 1998: Tony Perla; 1997: John Gentile; 1996: Austin Straub; 1995: Tom Joyce; 1994: Tom Joyce; 1993: Ray Montgomery; 1992: Dave Philo; 1991: Tom Joyce; 1990: Jim Albus; 1989: Dick Sarta; 1988: Pete Hessemer; 1987: Doug Dalziel; 1986: Bob Bruno; 1985: Richard Howell; 1984: Rolland Stafford; 1983: Donald Hoenig.
Overlooking picturesque Otsego Lake, the Otesaga Hotel’s Leatherstocking Golf Course is considered one of the East’s most scenic and historic par-72 layouts. Designed by the legendary Devereux Emmet in 1909, Leatherstocking has been rated “four stars” by Golf Digest’s “Places to Play.” For more information, on the Seniors Open, please contact the Leatherstocking Golf Course at 607.547.9931. -30-
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Jersey City’s Brigham and Cooperstown Native Spence Share Lead Heading into Final Day of 25th Annual Otesaga Hotel
Seven
golfers within two strokes of leaders
of
Hall of Fame Mike Schmidt 10 strokes back
(COOPERSTOWN, NY) September 6, 2007 – The second round of the 25th annual Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open golf tournament concluded Thursday evening with Jersey City’s Don Brigham, and Cooperstown native Scott Spence, now from Portsmouth, RI, tied for the lead at four under par, heading into the final day of play Friday. Ten other golfers are under par through two rounds and 15 are within five shots of the leaders, in the three-day, $100,000 senior golf event with proceeds benefiting two local non-profit organizations, Pathfinder Village and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Brigham shot a 69 for the second consecutive day while Spence, who led after the first round with a six-under par 65, shot a 73. Bobby Heins, last year’s Otesaga Hotel Open winner, from Purchase, NY, Edward Whitman from Blairstown, NJ, and Kevin Morris from Palm Beach Gardens, Fl, each sit one shot back in a tie for second place. Four others are two shots off the lead. Mike Schmidt, who starred for the Phillies and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995, had a second round score of 79 and is 10 strokes behind the leaders.
The 25th annual tournament continues through Friday, with 127 senior golf professionals from throughout the country competing for a first-place purse of $20,000. The traditional post-Labor Day competition is hosted by the Otesaga Hotel and its Leatherstocking Golf Course, and presented by sponsors NBT Bank and Coca-Cola Bottling of New York. Play concludes at Leatherstocking late Friday, followed by an awards ceremony at the clubhouse with a check presentation to this year’s champion.
Proceeds from the Seniors Open benefit Pathfinder Village in nearby Edmeston, a residential community dedicated to children and adults with Down syndrome. Annually, the tournament raises more than $50,000 for scholarships and endowments at Pathfinder, and directly helps the village’s 80-plus residents. The tournament also contributes to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum educational programs, which enable the world-famous institution to fulfill its educational mission and care for its priceless collections.
Overlooking picturesque Lake Otsego, the Otesaga Hotel’s Leatherstocking Golf Course is considered one of the East’s most scenic and historic par-72 layouts. Designed by the legendary Devereux Emmet in 1909, Leatherstocking has been rated “four stars” by Golf Digest’s “Places to Play.” For more information, on the Seniors Open, please contact the Leatherstocking Golf Course at 607.547.9931. -30- |
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Portsmouth, RI Resident Spence Leads
Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt Tied for Fifth with First-Day 69 in Three-Day, $100,000 Event in Cooperstown
(COOPERSTOWN, NY) Sept. 5, 2007 . . . The first round of the 25th annual Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open golf tournament concluded Wednesday evening with Portsmouth, RI’s Scott M. Spence holding a two-stroke lead after an opening round 65, six under par, on a beautiful September day at the Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown. Seven golfers are within four shots of Spence, including Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, who is competing in the senior event for the second time. Schmidt finished the opening round of the three-day, $100,000 tournament in a three-way tie for fifth with an opening round 69.
The annual Cooperstown event benefits two local non-profit organizations, Pathfinder Village and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Roger Stern of Bethlehem, Pa., sits two strokes back after an opening round 67, while Bobby Heins of Purchase, N.Y., last year’s Otesaga Hotel Open winner, is in a third-place tie with Roy Vucininch of Moon Township, Pa., with first-round scores of 68. Schmidt shares the fifth-place tie with Don Brigham of Jersey City, N.J., and Joe Clark Jr. of Holderness, N.H. at 69. Schmidt tees off Thursday at 8:18 a.m.
The 25th annual tournament continues through Friday, with 127 senior golf professionals from throughout the country competing for a first-place purse of $20,000. The traditional post-Labor Day competition is hosted by the Otesaga Hotel and its Leatherstocking Golf Course, and presented by sponsors NBT Bank and Coca-Cola Bottling of New York. Play concludes at Leatherstocking late Friday, followed by an awards ceremony at the clubhouse with a check presentation to this year’s champion.
Proceeds from the Seniors Open benefit Pathfinder Village in nearby Edmeston, a residential community dedicated to children and adults with Down syndrome. Annually, the tournament raises more than $50,000 for scholarships and endowments at Pathfinder, and directly helps the village’s 80-plus residents. The tournament also contributes to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum educational programs, which enable the world-famous institution to fulfill its educational mission and care for its priceless collections.
Overlooking picturesque Lake Otsego, the Otesaga Hotel’s Leatherstocking Golf Course is considered one of the East’s most scenic and historic par-72 layouts. Designed by the legendary Devereux Emmet in 1909, Leatherstocking has been rated “four stars” by Golf Digest’s “Places to Play.” For more information, on the Seniors Open, please contact the Leatherstocking Golf Course at 607.547.9931. -30- |
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Tuesday's Winners Shoot 26-Under-Par to
Pro Davis Leads Team in Pre-Cursor to Three-Day Tournament Beginning Wednesday
(COOPERSTOWN, NY) -- Senior Pro Bill Davis of Tequesta, Fla., and four amateur players combined to shoot a 26 under par 118 on Tuesday, capturing the Pro-Am title as the four-day 25th Annual Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open Tournament opened play at the Leatherstocking Golf Course. The Pro-Am and Seniors Open is sponsored by NBT Bank and Coca-Cola Bottling of New York. During the event banquet Tuesday evening at the Otesaga Hotel, Pathfinder Village was presented with a check for $50,000 for its ongoing efforts. Additionally, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum received a $10,000 check for its endowment fund.
Davis was joined by four teammates in the victory: Jim Aufmuth, Tom Baum, Roger Cohn and Mike Hutcherson. The names of the first-place team will be engraved on the Joseph P. Franzee Memorial Trophy, named after the tournament’s founder.
In all, 32 five-somes (128 amateurs and 32 professionals) took to the famed Leatherstocking Golf Course to raise funds for Pathfinder Village Scholarship Fund, a residential community in nearby Edmeston for children and adults with Down syndrome. Proceeds from the tournament also benefit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s educational programs, which enables the world-famous institution to fulfill its educational mission and care for its priceless collections.
Baseball Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt served as celebrity host of the 2007 Pro-Am, and his appearance was provided by Lily Transportation of Needham, Mass. Schmidt, an accomplished golfer, will also compete as one of the 134 pros scheduled to tee off Wednesday morning in the three-day Senior event.
The second place team, fronted by pro Mike Burke Jr., finished with a 23 under par, 121. Team members Paul Catan, Marty Hull, Joe Stagliano, and Dave Theleman joined Burke in the second-place finish. Two teams finished in a virtual tie for third place with a 22 under par, 122. The top-three teams in the Pro-Am each received gift certificates to the Pro Shop at the Leatherstocking Golf Course.
Competition in the Seniors Open begins Wednesday morning with 7:30 a.m. tee times and continues through Friday, with 134 Senior Pros expected to vie for the first-place purse of $20,000. In all, $100,000 will be awarded in the tournament. Schmidt will tee off at 11:22 Wednesday morning in the first round.
25th Annual
Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open Pro-Am Winners
-- 30 --
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For Immediate Release August 14, 2007
25th Annual Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open
to
135 Pros
to Compete for $100,000 Purse;
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.: In an annual post-Labor Day tradition, 135 professional golfers will descend on Cooperstown, N.Y., beginning today, to participate in the 25th Annual Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open, a 54-hole tournament at the Leatherstocking Golf Course.
Following a Tuesday Pro-Am Golf Tournament featuring more than 100 golfers, including Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, the senior golfers will compete for a $100,000 purse, including a $20,000 first-place prize. The tournament’s proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund at Pathfinder Village, a residential community in nearby Edmeston, dedicated to children and adults with Down syndrome, along with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s annual fund, which provides resources for educational outreach activities.
“We usually net $50,000 to help our scholarship fund, which has given well over $1 million in scholarships since the tournament’s inception to help people continue to live at Pathfinder Village,” said Edward Shafer, chief executive office of Pathfinder Village. “It also provides Pathfinder a profile that allows us to build friends, helping us to get the message out regarding the needs of individuals with Down syndrome and the work we do with them.”
Pathfinder Village, which opened in 1980, houses more than 80 residents, some of whom will assist with tournament preparations. Shafer said that the Otesaga Hotel, Clark Estates and National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum have all proven great supporters of Pathfinder and this event showcases that unity. Proceeds beyond $50,000 will be donated to the Museum’s educational endeavors.
The tournament itself will feature a high level of competition, said Dan Spooner, tournament co-chair and golf pro for the Leatherstocking Golf Course. Spooner cited the success of past winners such as Darrell Kestner (2005) and Lonnie Nielson (2003), who are among several to compete at least part-time on the Champions Tour.
“From what the players tell me, it is the largest, most popular independent event that they play in the United States,” Spooner said. “Most tournaments are run by the USGA or some PGA section or some other regular tour. Outside of the Champions Tour, this is the most money that they play for outside the tour, but still in the country.”
The Pro-Am
portion of the event, which features 31
teams, comprised of four amateurs and a
professional, is similarly popular.
Spooner said that amateurs will often sign
up as foursomes, enabling him to slot a
pro in without having to worry about
dynamics like balance of skill. Entry fees
paid by the amateurs constitute the
biggest portion of the fundraising effort. -- 30 -- |
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