KINGSTON, N.Y. — Tournament director Bryan Smith is hoping to increase the participation at the third annual Green Acres Golf Course Two-Man Best-Ball Tournament by shifting it from the summer to Friday, Sept. 11.
Though Smith was pleased that the tournament increased from eight to 12 teams when it was held on July 19, 2025, he is hoping that the shift away from some club tournaments and summer vacations will grow the tournament even more.
“I think we made progress last year, but I’d like to see us get to 15 teams or even the maximum of 18 teams,” said Smith, a four-time champion of the Ulster County Men’s Amateur Golf Championship (The Herdegen). “If we don’t increase the size of the tournament or we remain the same, we might have to look at some other things.”
In an effort to entice more teams, Smith said the tournament purse has increased based on a full field of 18 teams (36 players). This year’s winning team will split a first prize of $1,200, compared to the $1,000 the winning team of Brandon and Jake Bonesteel received a year ago.
The runner-up team will share $800, followed by third place ($600), fourth place ($400), fifth place ($200) and sixth place ($100).
Last year’s runner-up team received $400, third place received $300 and fourth place was awarded $200.
There will also again be a skins game available for those chipping in $20 per team.
Smith feels like the host venue will help draw more participants due to the fine condition of the nine-hole public golf course and the construction of a new dining/bar area that has been drawing large crowds.
“I think the word is out about Green Acres,” Smith said. “Everyone loves the golf course and it’s certainly proven to be a challenge.”
Green Acres owner Brian Bonesteel said the golf course is looking forward to the third renewal of the team best-ball tournament.
“We are excited to host this event again this year,” Bonesteel said. “Each year, the event and the competition have grown. September is a great time of year and we will have the course ready to test the players.”
The Bonesteel brothers, who represent the home course, won last year’s best-ball tournament with a 3-under-par 69.
The next-lowest score was a 2-over 74 recorded by Saugerties High’s Ty Monroe and teammate Dominic Giamei, a former Rondout Valley High star.
Monroe, a senior at Saugerties High this fall, went on to capture his first Herdegen title last month by eight strokes with a 54-hole total of 8-under 205 from June 26 through 28. Giamei, who will be a sophomore at Defiance College in Ohio in the fall, took eighth place in the Herdegen at 13-over 226.
Smith acknowledged the shift to Sept. 11 will probably limit the number of college players in the field.
“Obviously, we lose the potential of young college kids,” Smith admitted. “But I looked at the field last year and we only had a couple college kids.”
Entry fee for the event is $300 per team, which is a scratch event (no handicap) and for amateurs only.
The fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart and lunch. Entry forms are available at area golf courses and driving ranges.
Entries must be received no later than Tuesday, Sept. 1. Checks should be made payable to Green Acres Golf Course and mailed to: Bryan Smith, 310 Joys Lane, Hurley, New York 12443.