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HISTORY OF THE DCA

Since the first tournament on July 4th, 1936 when Ray Billows of Poughkeepsie defeated Joe Vallo of Beacon 4 and 3 in match play at College Hill Golf Course, the Dutchess County Amateur Tournament has gone through many changes.

After that first year, the tournament was discontinued until 1946 when Billows won again at College Hill.  The event was played from that year until 1952 when it was again discontinued.  Finally revived at Tom Carvel’s Sports City in 1971, the tournament continues 44 years later. 

After two years at Sports City, the tournament then moved to McCann Memorial Golf Course in 1973 and was held there (in a two round format) until 1997, when it moved again to Casperkill Country Club for six years.  From 2003 to 2011, a three course rotation began at McCann Memorial Golf Course, Casperkill Country Club and Dutchess Golf & Country Club.  The current rotation includes Red Hook Golf Club, The Links at Unionvale and McCann Memorial Golf Course.  As it grew in popularity, a committee was formed to help oversee the tournament, knowing that a starting field of 81 was manageable for all courses involved.   The Committee continued to make changes that helped to improve the tournament.  One of those changes was the incorporation of a qualifying round to allow newer players to have a chance of playing in the DCA.  The format of playing three rounds at three different locations starting with 81 players continued with cuts being made after the first day (low 54 and ties) and the second day (low 27 and ties).  The low 27 and ties then compete for the championship.  The low 54 and ties after the end of play on the first day are exempt from qualifying for the next year’s tournament.  The qualifying tournament was used to fill out the field of 81.

In 2015 the Committee continued its history of tweaking the tournament by eliminating the cut on the first day and changing the cut on the second day to the low 30 and ties, thus giving all golfers a chance to play two days. The low 50 and ties after the second day are exempt from qualifying for next year’s tournament.

The DCA has always had as its foundation the idea of being a self-sustaining entity that provides a show case for the best golfers of the area. It is the hope of the Tournament Committee that with the innovative changes that continue to be made, and the support of the local golfing community, the legacy of this tournament will be assured.