Jake Katz is a jitterbug, lanky with boundless energy and sentences that never seem to end, one thought carrying into the next in conversation. And while the Williamsville product has an impressive golf resume for a local player, his biggest accomplishment prior to this summer was winning the Lonnie Nielsen Scratch Invitational at Crag Burn Country Club.

In contrast, Russell Henley is considered one of, if not the best amateur golfer in the world, a player who stands so deliberately over each shot that his final group was nearly 20 minutes behind the next-to-last group on Friday. His achievements include being named first-team All-American and placing 16th in the U.S. Open last month, tying with the likes of Lee Westwood and Jim Furyk.

When today’s final round of the 52nd Porter Cup tees off at Niagara Falls Country Club, though, the two will be together in the final group — joined by David Chung, the latest prodigy from the Stanford University golf program that produced Tiger Woods. All three stand at 8-under-par after a wild third round on Friday.
(click here for full article)

Those leafing through the pairings sheet for the 52nd Porter Cup’s second round almost certainly had the trio of Russell Henley, Jin Jeong and Peter Uihlein circled as the day’s must-watch group.

Made sense. All three were in the top five of the most recent incarnation of the Scratch Players World amateur rankings, and Henley was just a shot off the lead after the opening day of play at Niagara Falls Country Club.

But while that high-profile group got the galleries, the unheralded pairing of Garrett Rank, Jake Katz and John Hurley produced the best numbers on Thursday as Rank and Katz — both of whom gained invitations to the tournament through the qualifier — finished with rounds of 64 on a picture-perfect afternoon. Hurley came in at 68.  (click here for full article)

Luke Bleumink weathered the wind and beat the rain to take a one-shot lead on the opening day of the 52nd Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club.

Bleumink, 25, an Australian playing here for the third year in a row, shot a 6-under-par 64 on Wednesday highlighted by an eagle on the third hole.

“He hit it from about what he calls 50 meters, so 61 yards, it took two hops and it went right in the hole,” said Bleumink’s caddy, Eric Matthews, an NFCC member and co-owner of the Brickyard Pub & BBQ in Lewiston.

“It was a bit funny because I was doing a bit of work from that exact same distance yesterday,” Bleumink said. “It got the momentum rolling.”  (click here for full article)

We would like to welcome you to the Niagara Falls Country Club, host of the 52nd Annual Porter Cup. Each year, the tournament builds on the foundation laid down previously to reach new heights of excellence in amateur golf.

The tournament is pleased to again have a strong field of the world’s best collegiate and mid-amateur golfers. Top players from the United States, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Argentina, Bolivia and South Africa will be vying to have their name engraved on the Alexander L. Porter Cup.

For the first time in tournament history, the Porter Cup welcomes the reigning United States Amateur and British Amateur Champions. Byeong-hun An and Jin Jeong are both making their Porter Cup debut.

NCAA Player of the Year Russell Henley is returning to NFCC for another Porter Cup. Russell tied for 16th at last month’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, marking the best finish by an amateur since 2004.  (click here for full article)

Tournament News
Whipple Named Chairman of 52nd Porter Cup
June 16, 2010

Mr. Michael Whipple, Vice President of Business Banking at M&&T Bank, has been named General Chairman of the 2010 Porter Cup Golf Tournament. Mr. Robert Woods, President of Bison Logo Corporation, will serve as Vice Chairman.

The Porter Cup will attract more than 80 top-ranked amateur players from around the world. The Tournament will take place from July 27th-31st, 2010 at NFCC. Whipple emphasizes the tournament is open to the public and admission is free.

2010 marks the 22nd consecutive year M&&T Bank will serve as the Porter Cup’s Official Tournament Sponsor.

“We expect this year’s field to be as strong as ever”, Whipple said. He added that in addition to the players who have received an invitation based on past Porter Cup performance or due to their current level of play, an additional eight golfers will earn a spot in the field via a local qualifying tournament which is scheduled for June 28th NFCC.

“The last year has been a pleasure working with the Executive Committee and volunteers for this year’s Porter Cup Tournament,” Whipple noted. “I’m looking forward to a wonderful week for all players, volunteers, spectators, and Club members.”