The Porter Cup has featured competitors who went on to become some of golf’s biggest names, with this year’s group looking to join a list that includes Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Denny McCarthy.
The 66th edition of the Porter Cup will be held from July 16 through 19 at Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston. Representing nine countries, 113 golfers, 76 men and 37 women, are scheduled to compete, with several top finishers from years past returning.
For the first time, the country club will host a member qualifier this Saturday to determine the final men’s spot.
This is also the third year where both men’s and women’s divisions will run simultaneously, something Tournament Media Chairman Marty Shimmel said has been a very positive change.
“It’s nice when you hear parents who have daughters and sons … they can get a chance to be here together with both of their kids,” Shimmel said.
In the men’s division, last year’s runner-up Ryan Edholm, from Tonawanda and Canisius University, will return as will Charlie Berridge, 2023’s runner-up. Defending champion Chase Nevins will compete for the chance to win again.
Notable participants include Reed Greyserman, younger brother of PGA Tour golfer Max Greyserman, NHL referee Garrett Rank, and Hudson Lawson, the top high school golfer from Alabama.
The tournament wants Rocco Salvitti from Notre Dame to compete again, but his qualifying date for the United States Amateur Championship falls during the Porter Cup — but he hopes to reschedule.
Local competitors include Billy Hanes from Elma, Ryan Hart from Buffalo, Ben MacLean and Nolan Piazza from Niagara Falls, Ont., Rocco Randazzo from Grand Island, Jack Tebeau from Hamburg, and Anthony Delisanti from Sanborn.
In the women’s division, last year’s top three finishers, Kendall Todd from Arkansas, Nicole Gal of Mississippi, and Amelie Phung of Rice will all return, as will 2023 champion Sarah Gallagher from Ball State and runner-up Ella Weber from Purdue.
Local competitors include Rosie DiNunzio and Victoria Leach from Clarence Center, Natalie Wasik from Lockport, and Gwendolyn Yarnall from East Aurora.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Jay Sigel’s first Porter Cup victory in 1975, winning the tournament by nine strokes. The celebrated amateur golfer, having passed away this past April at age 81, was the only golfer to ever win three Porter Cups, his other two successes in 1981 and 1987.
Since its first staging in 1959, Porter Cup participants have featured 68 future men’s major winners, 93 current PGA and LIV tour members, and 11 current LPGA or Epson Tour members.