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Farrell Takes LI Senior Open in Dramatic Fashion

Jim Farrell putt

Farrell's winning putt on the final hole.


HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (September 9, 2020) -- Birdies on three of the final four holes including a 30-footer on the par-4 18th led Jim Farrell of Hamlet to a 3-under 68 final round and a one-shot victory in the Long Island Senior Open Championship Sponsored by Steve Madden, Wednesday at Cold Spring Country Club

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Farrell's long putt placed him one shot clear of low amateur Dennis Lynch of Nassau Players Club. Lynch had a stellar round going as birdies on the par-5 16th and par-3 17th pushed him to 6-under on the day and built a three-shot lead heading to the last. However, Lynch made seven on the closing hole, hitting his initial tee shot out of bounds before also three-putting the two-tiered green.

Farrell saw Lynch three-putt and though he didn't know the stakes for sure, was just trying to make his best score on the hole.

"I was trying to sneak it all the way on the top level and I just kind of came out of it and hit it in the middle of the green," said Farrell of his approach to the back hole location. "But, I said, 'Just give it a chance to go in,' and it went in."

The birdie capped an incredible finish, as Farrell made a 35-footer from the fringe to birdie the par-4 15th, rolled in a 15-foot birdie on 16, and saved par from seven feet on 17.

"I just kind of stumbled in the middle, made a bogey or two," said Farrell. "Then with a few holes to go I said, 'Just play hard,' and I birdied three of my last four holes."

After his even-par 71 in the opening round, Farrell carried some positive thoughts into the final round as he thought back to earning medalist honors several years ago at Cold Spring in a Met Open qualifier in which he shot a score in the mid-60s.

His 68 did the trick on Wednesday.

Farrell becomes the fourth player to win both the Long Islan Open (2015) and Long Island Senior Open, joining Darrell Kestner, Mark Brown and Mark Mielke.

Farrell, competing in the championship for the third time, was thrilled with the victory, having been in the mix coming down the stretch each of the last two years as well.

Lynch finished solo second at 2-under for the championship, while fellow amateur Dave Scialabba of Meadow Brook finished third at 1-under thanks to a 2-under 69 in the final round.

First round leader Mark Brown of Tam O'Shanter shot 2-over 73 to finish at even-par alongside amateur Jay Sessa of Cherry Valley, who shot 2-under 69. Thomas Trakoval of Port Jefferson made it four amateurs in the top six slots behind his even-par 71 in the final round for a 1-over tournament total.

Darrell Kestner of Deepdale and Mike Meehan of Old Westbury tied seventh at 2-over, while Charles Bolling and Cold Spring's own amateur Alex James rounded out the top 10 with 3-over totals.

Steve Madden was on hand to present Farrell with the trophy at the conclusion of play. With Madden's support, the purse for the championship increased to $15,000 in 2020.

The 2021 Long Island Senior Open Championship Sponsored by Steve Madden will take place at Huntington Country Club.