Fitzgerald captures prestigious New York State Open

Final round 76 just enough for 1 stroke victory, $17,000 payday

            Farmingdale, NY-Following scintillating rounds of 69-66 at the always treacherous Bethpage Black, Jesse Fitzgerald began the final round of the 27^th New York State Open with a comfortable five shot lead Greg Bisconti.

            Playing with such a large cushion, Fitzgerald could afford to post a final round 5-over par 76 and still lay claim to one of the nations richest and most illustrious championships.

            Competing in just his 2^nd New York State Open, Fitzgerald drastically improved upon last year’s 21^st place showing en route to collecting the winner’s check of $17,000 from a total purse of $110,000.

He now joins an elite group of New York State Open champions, including Champions Tour members Jim Albus and Jim Thorpe and 2004 PGA Tour winner Joey Sindelar.

            This triumph builds to an already impressive 2004 resume for the former St. John’s standout. Through four events on the Cleveland Golf Tour, the second year touring pro has posted three top 25 finishes.

            In addition, Fitzgerald tied for 14^th in the Mass Open and also Monday qualified for the Reese’s Classic on the Nationwide Tour in July, finishing tied for 45^th.

            Noah Zelnik and Joe Horowitz also competed in this year’s New York State Open. Zelnik, who finished 14^th last year, rebounded beautifully from an opening 76 to finish in a tie for 6^th place at 4-over par following comeback rounds of 68 and 73. Horowitz, meanwhile, a past NYC Amateur champion, finished backed in the pack at 16-over par after rounds of 75, 76 and 78.