Michael Shine tees off in the Annual Emerson Resort & Spa Woodstock Open
Photo by Jonas Finkel, courtesy of Emerson Resort & Spa
The Hudson Valley assistant pro takes home the title win for the first time with an impressive three-stroke lead.
Michael Shine notched his first victory in five tries at the Emerson Resort & Spa Woodstock Open this year. The 27-year-old assistant pro from Schuyler Meadows Club won by three shots over amateur winner and 2019 champion Justin Lane and senior champion and professional Mark Brown.
“It’s always a special event for me to play here,” says Shine. “I’m not a long hitter, and this course fits my game. I knew I’d have a chance if I played my own game.” He carded three consecutive birdies on holes 5 through 7 to post a two-under 33 for the front nine. He followed that with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes and another on the 171-yard 13th hole.
The win earned Shine a winner’s check of $3,000 and the Emerson Resort & Spa Woodstock Open’s championship robe. He had placed second in the unique, historic tournament twice in his last three attempts.
“This is absolutely the highlight of the year,” Shine says. “The greens are always challenging here with the pin locations. You need to be patient and trust your game. I feel comfortable here. When I pull up in the parking lot at Woodstock, I always feel I can shoot a good number here.”
Mark Brown, who tied for low club pro in the 2019 Senior PGA Championship, carded the lone score under par during the morning session, firing a one-under 69. He was followed by three players at even-par during the morning rounds including Chris Ferraro, JesseSteel and defending champion Greg Bisconti. Brown pocketed $1,700 for tying with Lane for overall runner-up and $1,200 for winning the senior division by one shot over Jim McCann.
The shot of the day belonged to Ted Heins, an assistant pro at Fresh Meadow Country Club, when he holed out his second shot on the 463-yard par-5 for a double-eagle 2.
This one-day tournament is believed to be the longest running tourney in the country at one site for both professionals and amateurs. Past Woodstock Open fields have included Masters champions Gene Sarazen and Doug Ford.
Woodstock Golf Club is a private nine-hole course with panoramic mountain views and fairway routes that navigate players along running creeks. Guests who stay at the tournament sponsor, Emerson Resort & Spa, can play at the otherwise private club.
