The #2016IJM moved into day two of competition. The morning 18 holes completed the stroke play qualifying and recent St. Francis grad David Hanes, soon to be a Canisius College student and golfer, holed a pitch shot from the front of the 18th green to secure the Gary Player trophy as qualifying medalist, with a score of 142. Just behind Hanes were Danny Gianniny and Evan Gaesser, both from the Rochester area, at 144. Five golfers tied at 156 for three spots, so a playoff was held. In were defending champion Marc Holzhauer, Zack Mason of Toronto, and Dean Naime of Egypt. Other local golfers to advance to the Championship flight of match play were Ben Reichert (146) and Matthew Genaway (151). Out were Simon Uribe of Colombia and Tyson Holmes of Australia.
In the afternoon, the top 32 golfers went out for a round of head-to-head match play golf, to determine the 16 participants in each of the championship and consolation flights. Of the local golfers, Hanes, Reichert and Holzhauer emerged victorious, while Genaway lost a tough, 1-down decision to Colin Dubnik of Rochester. Hanes and Reichert were two of the best high school golfers in western New York this season. Hanes was the cream of the Monsignor Martin High School Athletic Association, while Reichert isthe 2015 NYSGA Junior champion, and the ECIC and Section VI champion as well. Also remaining in the running for the title are three Rochester-area golfers, four Canadian golfers, three representatives of Mexico, and one each from Colombia and Australia (in case anyone ever doubted the “International” in the title.)
Competition will also begin on Thursday morning in four other flights. Genaway is the lone Buffalo-Niagara resident in the consolation flight. Jacob Mertz of Williamsville and Michael Wells of Getzville just missed the top 32, and will compete in the Gold flight, along with Nolan Ditcher of Randolph, and Mitchell Smith of Orchard Park. Six other locals will compete in the Silver flight: Cary Ignaczak (Derby), Erik Schleicher (East Aurora), Ian Wagner (Medina), Connor MacDonald (North Tonawanda), Connor Seeley (Wilson) and Casey Woodard (Alden), while six more area golfers will compete in the Bronze flight.
Titles in all five flights will be decided Friday afternoon at the 2016 International Junior Masters.
