Nicholas Westchester Open 2023. Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Golf Association
James Nicholas secures the win at the Westchester Open just weeks after claiming the title at the Long Island Open.
James Nicholas generated two big bangs in the first half of June, capturing both the Westchester Open and Long Island Open titles over a two-week stretch. The Westchester CC and Deepdale GC member, who turned pro in 2019, solidly topped stellar fields of pros and amateurs in both events.
At the 101st Westchester Open Championship at The Whippoorwill Club, Nicholas chalked up a 7-under 63 on his final round, matching the same score he made on the first round of the tournament. A second-round 68 helped him tally a 16-under-par total and one-shot victory over PGA TOUR Latino America player Josh Goldenberg of Fenway.
Nicholas withstood a charge by defending champion Brad Tilley, an amateur playing out of Sleepy Hollow heading into the final round. Goldenberg and Alex Beach of Westchester CC were right behind as the round began. The battle with Goldenberg was nip and tuck until the final holes, when Nicholas pulled ahead for good despite Goldenberg’s course-record 62 for the round. It was another week of hot play by Nicholas, whose scorecard carried just one lone bogey over the three rounds.
Tilley finished in solo third at 10-under, earning low amateur honors in the championship for the third time. Beach finished at 8-under for solo fourth, and amateur Nolan Forsman of Winged Foot rounded out the top five at 4-under. Only two other players finished under par for the 54-hole event. Chris Gabriele of Quaker Ridge and Michael Miller of Knollwood turned in 3-under and 1-under tournament totals, respectively.
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The week before his triumph at Whippoorwill, Nicholas led wire-to-wire to win the 99th Long Island Open by seven strokes. The win was his first since he claimed the title at the 2020 New York State Open Championship.
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