But sometimes the most satisfying feeling is to be known as the King of the Neighborhood.

The golf résumé of Jason Jaworoski has expanded in leaps and bounds in recent years. But the title that warms his heart the most is the Stamford Amateur Golf Championship.

Jaworoski added his fifth Stamford Amateur Golf Men’s Championship crown to his collection Sunday by overcoming a rainstorm and a stubborn group of opponents in the 2017 edition of the Stamford Amateur at Sterling Farms golf course.

Jaworoski’s final round 72 left him with a 145 total and a seven-stroke victory over Jim Romaniello (79-73=152). Cahal McMonagle (76-78=154) was third.​

“Earning a fifth Stamford Amateur title is special for me,” said Jaworoski, who last took home the cut crystal champions vase in 2015. “This tournament means so much to me. To win in your hometown is priceless.”

Even after the rainstorm hit with the men’s championship flight on the 16th hole, Jaworoski showed how his golf game has grown with experience. He began Sunday with a three-stroke edge and maintained the lead throughout.

“The ability to get the ball in the hole in tournament conditions has become a strength for me. I was playing for something that matters dearly to me. I’ve embraced all that playing solid tournament golf entails,” Jaworoski said. “The fact that I’m able to play a schedule of tournament golf with two young children at home is such a tribute to my wife Patricia. I love her and I’m so blessed to have her.”

The Women’s Championship division was settled in a one-hole playoff between Carol Frattaroli and Jeanette Chagaris. Frattaroli hit her 90-yard approach shot just six inches from the cup to win. Chagaris earned the Women’s Handicap division crown.

“It was a great competition between Jeanette and I,” Frattaroli said. “I was 4-up on No. 14 and 2-down on the 18th.”

Until the rain, Sterling Farms course conditions were impeccable and the greens were rolling truer than in previous memory for the field of 97 golfers.

In the Men’s Senior Division, Rob Tyska (82-77=159) rallied from a four-shot deficit to win by four strokes. First-round leader Jerry Marifke (163) was runnerup.

“I was solid tee to green. I only missed four greens (in regulation) all day,” Tyska said. “The round and my swing had good tempo. I had two birdies. And my caddy (Dr. Gary Lazarus) kept me calm and focused. I’m happy to win my first Stamford Amateur title.”

In the Men’s Handicap A Flight, Marc Schultz’ 16-year quest for a Stamford Amateur crown is over.

Schultz (74-87=161) posted a two-stroke victory over Max Gross. Mike Tiscia (164) was third.

“I’ve been at this a long time. I started out playing in Men’s Handicap D Division and slowly improved enough to move up to A Division. I’m so happy to finally break through,” Schultz said. “I love golf so much because every hole is a fresh start and a new challenge. It was a grinding round capped by two pars to secure the win.”

In Men’s Handicap B Division, Peter Szemenyei won a one-hole playoff over first round leader Kevin Beddington to capture his first-ever Stamford Amateur crown. Szemenyei hit an approach shot 100 yards out of the sandtrap and two-putted on the playoff hole for the triumph.

“I had triple bogies on Nos. 9 and 13 but I stayed calm,” said Szemenyei, who went back on the course to caddy for his son Mike after winning. “I hit my best sandtrap shot ever on the playoff hole. This is so rewarding.”

In Men’s Handicap C Division, first-round leader Scott Brown (83-87=170) finished the job for a five-stroke win over runnerup Howard Meditz.

“I think it was about 20 years ago when I won the Handicap B Division title at the Stamford Amateur,” Brown recalled. “I tried to manage my game but the front nine was very hard. Getting a par on No. 13 finally settled me in.”

In Men’s Handicap D Division, Brendan Brady (93-88=181) rallied from five shots back to edge first round co-leader Jacob Koester of Stamford High for the one-stroke triumph.

“My consistent putting was the key,” Brady said. “There aren’t many (championship) crystal vases in my cabinet so I should be able to find some room for this one.”

rdepreta

@stamfordadvocate.com

 

2017 STAMFORD AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Final round at Sterling Farms GC

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Jason Jaworoski (73-72=145); Jim Romaniello (79-73=152); Cahal McMonagle (76-78=154);

Ralph Vitti III (78-78=156); Tony Tedesco (77-79=156); Brett Shulick (80-77=157);

Mike Szemenyei (83-76=159); Rob Colucci (79-81=160); Frank Rubino (78-84=162);

Ron Russo Jr. (79-84=163); Craig D’Andrea (78-87=165); Declan McCabe (91-78=169);

Michael Calderone (82-88=170); Tim Robb (84-87=171); Jamie Russo (84-88=172).

MEN’S SENIORS

Rob Tyska (82-77=159); Jerry Marifke (78-85=163); Jeff Mayfield (83-82=165);

Dave Chilenskas (85-100=185); Brian Rossi (95-92=187); Tom Powell (95-93=188); Timo Aittola (93-98=191).

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Carol Frattaroli (90-88=178) (wins on 1st playoff hole); Jeanette Chagaris (91-87=178);

Dana Barnes (92-102=194); Jackie Johnson (97-100=197); Sydney Bardsley (98-100=198);

Patana Iamkrasin (102-100=202); Sharon Clark (105-102=207).

WOMEN’S HANDICAP

Jeanette Chagaris (79-75=154, champion); Sharon Clark (79-76=155); Jackie Johnson (76-79=155);

Patana Iamkrasin (76-82=158); Dana Barnes (76-87=163); Dona Romano (83-85=168);

Pat McGrath (83-88=171); Sydney Bardsley (85-87=172); Erin Turner (92-85=177)

MEN’S HANDICAP A

Marc Schultz (74-87=161); Max Gross (77-86=163); Mike Tiscia (78-86=164);

Alex Mazzola (80-86=166); Justin Valenti (82-87=169); Bill Duggan (84-87=171);

Chris Velander (88-83=171); Matt Ruberg (82-90=172); Ted Steede (82-92=174);

George Arias (88-87=175); Jack Ferrone (89-86=175); Ryan Boland (82-94=176);

Cody Nizzardo (87-89=176); Alex Lionetti (90-88=178); Luigi Cardillo (86-92=178); Nick Handrinos (89-90=179).

MEN’S HANDICAP B

Peter Szemenyei (81-85=166, wins on 1st playoff hole); Kevin Beddington (80-86=166);

Hugh Brewster (86-84=170); Dennis Ashley (87-83=170); Tom Aberle (82-88=170);

Noel McNamara (91-80=171); Jacob Ninan (88-86=174); Troy Helmbolt (85-90=175);

Liam Hickey (87-89=176); Mike Bicknell (94-83=177); Brian Stunkel 84-93=177;

Pat Dillon (89-90=179); Seizo Mazer (88-92=180); Ryan Duggan (89-92=181);

Bob Kolenberg (88-94=182); Joji Parappallil (93-90=183); John Tarelton (99-87=186); David Lang (98-95=193).

MEN’S HANDICAP C

Scott Brown (83-87=170); Howard Meditz (89-86=175); Ken Swan (87-92=179);

Kevin Chang (96-84=180); Sal Carrara (92-88=180); Ian Duggan (89-92=181);

P.J. Tynan (91-91=182); Matt Hofmann (87-96=183); John Mcgroarty (95-89=184);

Wade Rocco (97-87=184); Pete Silver 93-92=185); Noel Connolly (92-93=185);

Sheldon Hochstedler (95-95=190); Kurt Studer (98-96=194); Jim McEvoy (95-101=196); Joe Paladino (105-99=204).

MEN’S HANDICAP D

Brendan Brady (93-88=181); Jacob Koester (88-94=182); Michael Tom Williams (88-98=186);

Paul Atkinson (94-96=190); Daniele Pozzi (98-96=194); Noel McQuillan (100-94=194);

Rico Imbrogno (96-100=196); Robert McGrath (99-98=197); Jim Collins (101-100=201);

James Bailey (100-111=211); Brandon Watson (102-110=212).