Cobblestone Creek Ready to Shine in the Spotlight of the 2025 RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial
VICTOR, NY – This week, the biggest event on the RDGA Tournament calendar – the RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial – returns for a third time to Victor’s Cobblestone Creek Country Club. Although one of the relative newcomers to the regular rotation of clubs hosting the RDGA District Championship, Cobblestone Creek has a lengthy championship pedigree.
Since opening in 1991, Cobblestone Creek has hosted two RDGA District Championships, three RDGA Match Play Championships, one RDGA Senior Championship, one RDGA Mid Amateur Championship and one RDGA Junior Championship in its 34-year existence – not to mention other premier events such as the Western New York PGA Section Championship and the New York State Men’s Amateur.
Clearly, Cobblestone Creek Country Club has extensive experience hosting major golf tournaments – hardly a newcomer when it comes to hosting big-time tournament golf.
When the 2025 RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial comes to Cobblestone Creek on July 31 through August 2, one big difference from those prior championships is that it will mark the first time that the upscale private facility has hosted an RDGA Championship since its recent renovation program. The renovations, which were completed between 2019 and 2023, sought to make the club more playable for high-handicappers, yet at the same time, challenging, but fair, for the championship-caliber player.
“For a long time, our reputation was that players thought they got beat up by this course,” says Neil Reidy, Cobblestone’s long-time PGA Head Professional. “I think when they play here for the District Championship this year, they will find it very playable.”
For the staff and membership at Cobblestone Creek – including Chief Operating Officer Cheol Kessler, Superintendent Brent Wenzel and PGA Head Professional Neil Reidy – hosting the RDGA District Championship will provide the facility yet another opportunity to shine as one of the top private clubs in the Rochester area.
Born of Excellence; Cobblestone Enjoys a Rich History
Originally built by local business and real estate executive Bill Wilmot, an avid golfer, Cobblestone Creek Country Club was conceived, designed and built with the purpose of being one of the top private country clubs in the Rochester area, with adjoining properties surrounding the golf course being offered as luxury homesites.
To design the course, Wilmot hired one of the top golf architects in the country, Dr. Michael Hurdzan, who brought in protege Craig Schreiner – who would later head his own firm – to lead the design team and construction began in early 1990. Helping with the construction was James “Rusty” Madden, who later became the club’s first superintendent.
Built across 412 acres of hills, meadows, creeks, ponds, and forests, Hurdzan and Schreiner designed Cobblestone in the style of a classic Scottish Links course, with fairways shaped by mounds, bunkers and water features and very few trees. Now more of an industry standard when it comes to new course construction, at the time, Hurdzan and Schreiner’s design was somewhat revolutionary.
When it officially opened, during the summer of 1991, Cobblestone Creek offered a 6,800-plus yard championship layout, in which ponds and creeks come into play on 10 of 18 holes – as well as a wide range of elevation changes.
Almost immediately – within the first couple of years of its existence – Cobblestone Creek attracted critical acclaim from national publications, being named as Golf Digest’s 10th Best New Course in the Country in 1992, and the 13th Best Course in New York State the following year.
In the years that followed, Cobblestone became more than just a premier golf facility as it grew into a community, with nearly 200 homes being built on the properties surrounding the course – many of which belonged to members of the club.
Today, Cobblestone Creek Country Club’s memberships are at all-time highs – including up to twice as many individual members when you count spouses, children and other family members.
Renovations to the Golf Course Aim to Make Cobblestone a Club for Everyone
In 2019, Cobblestone became a member-owned private facility, with the goal of making it more accessible to families and attracting more members.
One of the first efforts to accomplish this goal was to reimagine parts of the golf course. Namely – those parts that gave it that original reputation of being overly penal, even to the best players in the area. In a member-led effort to renovate the course – with input and assistance from Reidy, the club’s Head Professional – the course’s original architect was contacted.
“In collaboration with Dr. Michael Hurdzan, we devised a phased master plan for renovating the course,” says Reidy. Significant changes included the elimination and rebuilding of bunkers and expanding fairways and tee boxes, all designed to enhance the golfing experience.
“The initial phase, completed in 2023 by Tony Grenzy of Faery’s Golf, primarily focused on bunkers and approach areas. We reduced approximately 25 percent of the bunkers and completely rebuilt the rest. Many of the rebuilt bunkers now feature raised floors, and greenside bunkers were repositioned closer to the green edge. Moreover, we installed new sod to ensure consistent turf conditions around the greens.”
One of the perceived challenges of Cobblestone’s layout were the areas of forced carry – over water as well as fescue and other grasses. As a result, one of the things that the renovations focused on was reducing the size of these forced carry areas.
“Following these renovations, the course rating, which measures the challenge for a scratch golfer, remained consistent,” notes Reidy. “However, the slope rating, indicating the challenge for a bogey golfer, was reduced by two strokes or more from both men’s and women’s tees.”
A Well-Earned Reputation for Producing Top Champions
From its earliest years, Cobblestone Creek has earned a reputation of producing outstanding champions, born under the pressures of top competition.
Just three years after it opened, Cobblestone hosted its first major championship event – the 1994 New York State Men’s Amateur Championship – made memorable by the brother-brother duel of Rochester-area golfers Dave and Paul Bonacchi (won by Dave in the 36-hole match play final).
Cobblestone hosted its first RDGA event in 1998, when Jim Scorse won his first of nine RDGA Match Play Championships to date, defeating Dave Benedict in the final match.
The club next hosted the RDGA Junior Championships in 2003, producing the first District titles for some familiar names, including Mike Colosi (Boys Junior), Andrew Kay (Boys Sub Junior), and Joey Colosi (Boys Pee Wee).
Later, Cobblestone hosted the RDGA Mid Amateur Championship in 2017 – for male golfers ages 25 and above. Tim Saur won his first of two Mid Am titles at Cobblestone that year. And in 2021, Ken Ogden emerged from a highly competitive field to capture the RDGA Senior Championship, Wilson Fitch Memorial, also hosted by Cobblestone.
The District Championship Comes to Cobblestone
The RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial was first held at Cobblestone in 2005, when Scorse won his third title in a playoff. History then repeated itself seven years later, when Scorse won his fourth District Championship title (of five to date) again in a playoff, in 2012.
Hosting its third RDGA District Championship this year, Cobblestone will be a familiar to some players – although, since it last held the Championship 13 years ago, there is literally an entire generation of tournament golfers in the area who have never contended for the Ryan trophy on its fairways and greens.
The shorter front side at Cobblestone has water carry off the tee on three holes – none more dramatic than on the short, 362-yard ninth hole, which requires a precise tee ball to keep it in play for a shot at the green in two.
The back nine is all about length off the tee – being nearly 250 yards longer than the front. All but one of the par-4s on the back side is longer than 400 yards and the two par-3s are each nearly 200 yards.
The biggest challenge facing contestants on the back nine at Cobblestone are the three closing holes, beginning with the 515-yard, uphill par-5 16th, which features a narrow fairway and a target green; No. 17 offers the longest par-3 on the course at 225 yards from the tips. The closing hole is another 500-plus-yard par-5, mostly downhill but with an elevated, shallow green.
A Major Championship for Local Golfers
As the premier event on the Rochester District Golf Association’s annual tournament calendar, the RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial is also the RDGA’s longest-running event, having been played every year since 1930 – with the exception of 1943, in the midst of World War II.
In the early years of the District Championship, the tournament was hosted by a rotation consisting of most the original 12 member-clubs of the RDGA, with the format of the event beginning as a 32-player match play competition. This format continued, with minor changes, through 1968 – but in 1969, the controversial decision was made to change the District Championship to a 72-hole stroke/medal play competition, following lengthy debate amongst delegates from RDGA-member clubs. Although considered a “trial” format at its inception, the popularity of the stroke-play format quickly took hold and the District Championship was conducted in that format for the next 50 years.
In 2020, the tried and true format of four rounds and 72 holes of competition changed – only slightly – to a three-round, 54-hole stroke play Championship, allowing for players to take less time off from their places of employment, as well as providing the host club an opportunity to allow for more member play during the busy local summer season.
Only one other significant change has been made to the RDGA Championship format since the switch to stroke play in 1969. As the event continued to grow in popularity, so too did the number of entries, with the RDGA occasionally having to limit the starting field based on players’ Handicap Index. Following a record number of 169 entries for the 1990 RDGA Championship, the decision was made to begin hosting separate qualifying rounds prior to the District Championship beginning in 1991 – a schedule that has continued to this day.
From its’ beginnings, the RDGA Championship produced many memorable champions – some young, some old – but it was a young RDGA Champion from whom the RDGA District Championship now takes its name. In July, 1982, 20-year-old CCR member John Ryan Jr. won his second consecutive District Championship – just a preview of the many he was sure to win throughout his life. Tragically, though, Ryan was killed just two weeks later in a boating accident. It didn’t take long for the RDGA to honor young Ryan – renaming the tournament as the John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial in 1983, another District Championship tradition that continues to this day.
Since 1990, the RDGA District Championship has seen six repeat champions, including Monroe Golf Club’s John Kircher, winner of four RDGA District Championship titles (1990, 2000, 2004 and 2011); Stafford Country Club’s Jim Scorse, who has five RDGA titles to his credit (2001, 2003, 2005, 2012 and 2017) – including two at Cobblestone – and Irondequoit Country Club’s Larry Sand, who won titles in 1997 and 2008.
More recently, Gavin Hall became a three-time District Champion at Irondequoit in 2013 (following his titles in 2009 and 2010). Between 2014 and 2016, Trevor Sluman – the nephew of pro tour golfer and 1977 RDGA winner Jeff Sluman – won the RDGA Championship three consecutive years before declaring his professional status. And in 2021, Yaroslav Merkulov added a second RDGA District Championship title to his first one in 2019.
Spampinato Enters the 2025 District Championship as Defending Champion
In 2024, the 94th RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Memorial was hosted by the Irondequoit Country Club, which was celebrating its 108th anniversary. Following the revised 54-hole format, the 2024 District Championship was held over three days, Thursday through Saturday, July 18-20.
Saturday’s third and final round opened with one player – Aiden Spampinato of Cobblestone Creek Country Club – holding a two shot lead with a 36-hole total of 5-under-par 139. In second place – two shots back – was 2018 RDGA District Champion Chris Blyth of the RDGA eClub. Tied for third place at 2-under-par 142 were three players: Alex Zurat and Kyle Downey of Oak Hill and Andrew Fedele of Ridgemont. This leaderboard set the stage for what would be an exciting final round.
Out of the gate, Spampinato carded a triple-bogey 7 on the first hole – but, over the next six holes, Spampinato carded four birdies – and by the end of the final round, he finished with his second consecutive 1-over 73.
While this was happening, two of Spampinato’s closest friends – defending RDGA District Champion Jason Lohwater and this year’s CCR Invitation winner, Philip Minnehan – were also clawing their way to the top. Both rivals jumped several places on Saturday – but Minnehan was the biggest mover, rising seven places on the strength of a 5-under-par 67 that included two eagles – on holes 3 and 16.
But both efforts fell just one shot short of their mark. Spampinato’s 4-under-par 212 for the 54-hole Championship was good enough to claim his second major championship in two weeks – which included the prestigious New York State Men’s Amateur the week before – as well as the biggest RDGA victory in his career: the RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial title.
The victory marked an interesting set of “doubles” – back to back New York State and RDGA Championships for Spampinato, as well as back to back first time RDGA Championships for past
A Look Ahead To This Year’s Championship
The schedule for this year’s RDGA District Championship John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial begins with the fourth annual RDGA Hall of Fame Induction Celebration on Tuesday, July 29. Honorees joining the RDGA Hall of Fame this year include: longtime local golf administrator and women’s amateur golf advocate Kitty Colliflower; Rochester native and successful PGA Tour golfer Terry Diehl; career PGA Professional and longtime Penfield Country Club head pro, Denny Ferstler; top local amateur and winner of the 1967 RDGA District Championship, Dr. James Infantino; and the Wegman Family, whose leadership and philanthropic efforts for more than 40 years helped advance women’s professional golf in Rochester.
On Wednesday, July 30, the annual Championship Practice Round and opening ceremonies will take place. Following a long-standing tradition of the RDGA Championship, there will be a ceremonial “first tee shot” during Wednesday’s pre-tournament Opening Ceremony.
The 2025 District Championship begins with the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday, July 31 and August 1, with a field of 148 players starting off holes No. 1 and No. 10. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 40 players (plus ties) and will conclude with Round 3 on Saturday, August 2. Following the conclusion of the Championship on August 2, an awards presentation and post-Championship reception will be held, honoring the 2025 RDGA Champion.
Other notes of interest at this year’s RDGA District Championship at Cobblestone:
- A RECORD SEVENTEEN (17) Cobblestone Creek Country Club members will be attempting to win the 2025 RDGA Championship on their home course this year, INCLUDING defending champion Aiden Spampinato: Colin Barber, Bryce Barber, Jay Barber, Brody Burgess, Andrew Burns, Nick Cieslica, Ethan Domajnko, Alex Hill, Jacob Hughes, Philip Minnehan, Patrick O’Flynn, Frank Pecora, Charles Rumsey, Jeremy Summerson, Ryan Valle and Greg Voci.
- The amateurs-only starting field includes at least one former professional who had his amateur status recently re-instated by the USGA: Christian Chapman. Chapman won the RDGA District Championship at the Country Club of Rochester in 2022, just before he declared his professional status. He spent much of the next two seasons playing in various professional tours, all while trying to earn membership to one of the major tours, including the PGA Tour. Late last year, however, Chapman decided to return to the Rochester area and pursue other occupations. Earlier this season, he became an officially re-instated amateur.
- This year’s starting field includes at least THREE sets of brothers: Colin Barber (18) and Bryce Barber (22), as well as twins Jack Doran (19) and Carter Doran (19), and Zachary Nowak (28) and Josiah Nowak (26) – as well as TWO father-son pairings; Tim Spitz (49) and Timmy Spitz (17); and Jay Barber and Colin and Bryce Barber.
- The youngest players in this year’s field are 15-year-olds Ethan Domajnko, John Paddock and Fletcher Weins; the oldest player is 65-year-old Chris Sorci.
- Five past Champions are in this year’s starting field, accounting for a combined 9 District titles: Jim Scorse (2001, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2017); 2018 champion Chris Blyth, 2022champion Christian Chapman, 2023 champion Jason Lohwater and 2024 defending champion Aiden Spampinato.
- A total of 16 players over the age of 55 are in the field this year – all of whom will be competing for the annual RDGA District Championship Low Senior medal: – Eric Baglin, Jay Barber, Andrew Burns, Kevin Carlson, Kennedy Cheruiyot, Tim Disanto, Christopher Doeblin, Keith Kogler, Kamal Messalti, Ken Ogden, Charles Rumsey, Wade Sarkis, Jim Scorse, Chris Sorci, Greg Voci and Chris White.
- This year’s District Championship marks the 43rd anniversary of the tragic passing of tournament namesake John H. Ryan Jr. in a boating accident. Ryan was killed just two weeks after winning his second consecutive RDGA District Championship title in July of 1982. The RDGA soon thereafter renamed the tournament as the John H. Ryan Jr. Memorial in 1983. (Ken Andrychuk was the first to win the District Championship title as the Ryan Memorial in that year).
Portions of this article were written by RDGA Communications Director Dave Eaton.
