The Erie District Golf Association celebrates its centennial anniversary this year. The EDGA hosted its first event, the Amateur Championship in 1921. Lamour Adams was the inaugural champion and in 1923 became the event’s first two-time champion. W.W. Fisher was the first player to claim back-to-back titles winning in 1927-28. Norm Gaylord stopped that streak in 1929 and then, when he added titles in 1931 and 1933 became the first three-time EDGA Amateur champion. He was the only player to capture three titles under the match play format. The format was changed to stroke play in 1961 and was conducted at 72 holes until 1969, when it was reduced to 54 holes, which is the current format.
John Britton won the first Amateur Championship under stroke play in 1961 and, in doing so, became the second player with three Amateur titles, having won in both 1956 and 1958.
There are 7 players with 3 EDGA Amateur Championship titles. In addition to Gaylord and Britton is Tim Dunlavey (1986,89,90), Brett Kieffer (1980,81,91), Tom Amendola (1995,97,2002), Ron Coleman (2003,07,12) and Austin Romeo (2009,13,15). There are two players in the 2020 field with a chance to capture their third title. Defending champion Tyler Cozad (2017,19) and Dario Cipriani (1984,87).
There is only one four-time champion, Lake View’s Ellery Tarbell who won his titles in 2005,06,08 and 2011. The title in 2011 was the last event held at the Kahkwa Club, this year’s host.
There are 14 players with 2 titles. Lamour Adams (1921,23), W.W. Fisher (1927-28), J.J. McCarthy (1925,30), Alex Holtz (1930,35), Lou Geisler (1940-41), Harold Cloyd (1942-43), Bob Flanigan (1939,46), Les White (1938,49), Dave Hambly (1965-66), Gene George (1974-75), Dale Loeslein (1976,78), Dario Cipriani (1984,87), Joe Cassano, Jr. (1992-93), and Tyler Cozad (2017,19).
Les White and Brett Kieffer hold the record for the most years between titles with 11 years.
Champions in the 2020 field include Ed Podufal (1979), Mike Capotis (1983), Dario Cipriani (1984,87), David Hewett (2000), Bob Paris (2001), Drew Deimel (2010), and Tyler Cozad (2017,19).
Here are some EDGA Amateur Championship Records:
Most Runners-Up – Tom Amendola (5) (1983,85,92,2001,03)
Most Top 3 Finishes – Tom Amendola (9)
Most Top 10 Finishes – David Ciacchini, Sr. (21)
Most Top 20 Finishes – Rick Carlotti (33)
Consecutive Top 10’s – David Ciacchini, Sr. (10) (1982-91), David Hewett (10) (1991-2000)
Largest Winning Margin – 72 holes – Dave Hambly (12 strokes) (both 1965 and 1966)
Largest Winning Margin – 54 holes – Dale Loeslein (10 strokes) (1976)
Largest Playoff – 3 players in 2008, Ellery Tarbell (won), Gregor Orlando and David Hewett
Lowest Winning Score – 72 holes – Denny Lyons (+5) (1963)
Highest Winning Score – 72 holes – Joe Early (+17) (1967)
Lowest Winning Score – 54 holes – Austin Romeo (-9) (2009 @ D), Patrick Kelly (-9) (2018 @ MCC)
Highest Winning Score – 54 holes – Dave Liebau (+9) (1971)
Largest 36 hole lead – Tom Amendola (9) (138), Ron Coleman (147) in 2002 at LV
Largest 54 hole lead – Joe Early (8) (224), Dick Marasco (232) in 1967
Largest Final Round Comeback – Ron Coleman (8) behind Drew Deimel afer 36 holes in 2012 at LV
Lowest Round – 6 under par – Bill Koper (64 @ GH 1987), Mike Capotis (66 @ D 1988),
David Ciacchini, Sr. (64 @ GH 1989), Jeff Webster (66 @ LS 2004), Ron Coleman (66 @ LV 2012)
Most Rounds Holding the Lead – Brett Kieffer (10)
Most Rounds – Low Round of Day – Dario Cipriani (10)
Most Sub-par Rounds – Tom Amendola, Bob Paris (11)
The only time a player has had the lowest score each round was :
Dale Loeslein (1976, 1 round tied) and Sean Howell (1998, 2 rounds tied)
When stroke play began in 1961 the event was conducted over 4 different course and then beginning in 1969 over 3 different venues. In the 54-hole format a club would generally enter the rotation for round two, move to round one the next year and then round 3 in their third year. In 1991 the format was changed so that all three rounds were conducted at the same course. That is the current format and the only exception was in 2015 when the event was held at Erie, Downing and Whispering Woods.
In the stroke play era, Lake View and Lake Shore have hosted the Amateur the most (33 rounds) and Lawrence Park has hosted 31. The Kahkwa Club will have hosted 32 after this year’s event.