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John Foti putts on the 18th green during the final round of the 49th Italian-American Golf Tournament on Saturday at Holiday Valley Resort. Photo by Cam Hurst

Three playoff holes later, John Foti was speechless.

Not only had the 32-year-old son of Rob and Diane Foti and partner Dan Cotter paced day one and two leaders Todd D’Angelo and Joe Willig all day Saturday, but he had minutes earlier sunk a fast 6-foot putt to save face and possibly force a continuation Sunday morning.

But after Willig missed on a subsequent 3-footer, the comeback by Foti and Cotter was officially complete, giving the pair their first overall victory in the 49th Italian-American Charity Golf Tournament at Holiday Valley.

“It’s a huge monkey off my back,” Foti joked, finally finding words for the accomplishment, noting his father Rob’s victories in 1995 and 2010 with partner Craig Lundgren, and brother Dave’s victory in 2014 with Nick Madden.

“To finally win it after my dad and my brother had done so, it’s just amazing,” he said of winning the tournament that has benefitted cancer research since 1971. “It’s such an amazing cause and such an amazing tournament and we grinded all day to get here. It’s just an awesome feeling.”

Dan Cotter hits from a hazard on No. 18. Photo by Cam Hurst

Entering the day down two strokes to D’Angelo and Willig’s 123 overall, Foti and Cotter stayed with the pair, who were last victorious in 2016. After nine holes, the victors had taken a one-stroke lead, yielding it after the 16th before taking it again heading into the 18th hole. But, the pair could not hold the lead, allowing D’Angelo and Willig to tie it to force the playoff. The pair finished having shot a 67 to finish with a combined 192.

Cotter added, “It’s just all for a great cause. I love the cause and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”

D’Angelo and Willig shot a 69 to also finish with a combined 192. Adam Mason and Patrick MacIntyre led the second flight with a 195. George Panebianco and John O’Mara led the third flight with a 197. Sandy Volpe and Jamie Barton led the fourth flight with a 202. Dave Foti and Nick Madden led the fifth flight with a 200. Mark Panebianco and Sean Larson led the sixth flight with a 206. Chris Cusimano and Josh Nelson led the seventh flight with a 216.

The final putts of the 49th Annual Italian-American Charity Golf Tournament (video courtesy of Cam Hurst):

OVERALL CHAMPION
John Foti-Dan Cotter 192

OVERALL RUNNERS-UP
Todd D’Angelo-Joe Willig 192

7TH FLIGHT
Chris Cusimano-Josh Nelson 216
Vic Tarana-Randy Ordines 221
Steve Cusimano-Tad Wright 221

6TH FLIGHT
Mark Panebianco-Sean Larson 206
John Panebianco-Nelson Johnson 208
Pete Pillittierri-Andy Sandstrom 210

5TH FLIGHT
Dave Foti-Nick Madden 200
Chris D’Angelo-Craig Knorr 206
Tony Vitello-John Deppas 211

4TH FLIGHT
Sandy Volpe-Jamie Barton 202
Tom Tantillo-Nick Bell 202
Joe Vitello-Kevin Thorpe 204

3RD FLIGHT
George Panebianco-John O’Mara 197
Joe Frangione-Tyler Nelson 198
Tom D’Angelo-Steve Johnson 199

2ND FLIGHT
Adam Mason-Patrick McIntyre 195
Jon Scalise-Kurt Eimiller 199
Jordan Bardon-Jordan Woleen 200

1ST FLIGHT
John Foti-Dan Cotter 192
Todd D’Angelo-Joe Willig 192
Sam Peppy-Charlie Moss 195

Original article by The Post-Journal.

Todd D’Angelo and Joe Willig hold a two-shot lead after the second round of the 49th annual Italian-American Charity Golf Tournament.

The duo, who won the event in 2016, recorded a net best-ball 67 on Friday at Holiday Valley Resort, bringing their two-day total to 123, two shots in front of John Foti and Dan Cotter, and four in front of Sam Peppy and Charlie Moss.

There is a two-way tie in the Second Flight between Jon Scalise and Kurt Eimiller (129), and Adam Mason and Pat MacIntyre (129). John LaMancuso and Mike Roberts are two back.

Tom D’Angelo and Steve Johnson parlayed a 61 into first place in the Third Flight with a two-day total of 129, three shots in front of Joe Frangione and Tyler Nelson and five ahead of Dennis Palermo and Bernie Auer.

In the Fourth Flight, Joe Vitello and Kevin Thorpe lead the way after their 64 gave them a 134 total after two rounds. Sandy Volpe and Jamie Barton are one shot back, while Nick Trussalo and Kyle Hocking stand two back.

Topping the Fifth Flight are Dave Foti and Nick Madden (66-137). The teams of Chris D’Angelo and Craig Knorr, and John Sirianno and Ryan Calkins are tied for second two shots back.

In the Sixth Flight, Mark Panebianco and Sean Larson lead the way at 66-139, a shot in front of Jasyn Consiglio and Josh Dankovich and two ahead of Pete Pillittieri and Andy Sandstrom.

Finally, in the Seventh Flight, Chris Cusimano and Josh Nelson are in first place after a 66 yesterday put their two-day total at 142, four strokes in front of Sam Triscari and Dave Rowe, and five shots in front of Steve Cusimano and Tad Wright.

The tournament concludes today. The overall champion and runners-up can come from any flight.

Original article by The Post-Journal.

Todd D’Angelo and Joe Willig teed off at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the first round of the Italian-American Charity Golf Tournament.

Their score stood up all day.

The tandem fired a net best-ball 14-under 56 for medalist honors at the 49th annual event at Holiday Valley Resort.

That was three shots better than John Foti and Dan Cotter and four better than Sam Peppy and Charlie Moss. Those three teams are in the First Flight.

Ties dominate the remaining flights.

Jon Scalise and Kurt Eimiller, Dave Rizzo and Tim Mead, and Mike Schifano and Alex Johnson all shot 66 in the Second Flight; Mike Condella and Dave Anderson, Pete Morgante and Jon Gren Jr., and Dennis Palermo and Bernie Auer all fired 68 in the Third Flight; and Nick Trussalo and Kyle Hocking, Mike Caprino and Mike Marshall, and Tommy Tantillo and Nick Bell each recorded a 69 in the Fourth Flight.

Also, Sam LaMancuso and Matt Hartweg, Mike Panebianco and Nick Shelley, and Dave Foti and Nick Madden all shot 71 in the Fifth Flight; and Mark Panebianco and Sean Larson, Pat Smeraldo and Richie Joslyn, and Paul Pappalardo and Mark Brunenavs had 73s in the Sixth Flight.

In the Seventh Flight, Sam Triscari and Dave Rowe lead the the way after a 75. Vic Tarana and Randy Ordines, and Todd Frangigone and Mark Tarbrake are second after shooting a 76.

The second round is today, followed by the final round on Saturday. The overall champion and runners-up can come from any flight.

Original article by The Post-Journal.

The Italian American Charity Golf Association recently presented UPMC Chautauqua with a $50,000 check, proceeds from their 2018 golf tournament and other fundraising activities. This was the first installment of the Italian American’s three-year $150,000 pledge to enhance local cancer care at UPMC Chautauqua within the medical oncology unit.

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