Last month, 579 of the best amateur golfers in the Empire State entered the qualification process for the 103rd New York State Men’s Amateur Championship.

Evan Steffen was up to the challenge.

Competing out of Chautauqua Golf Club, Steffen needed to crack the top nine in the Buffalo Qualifier at Lancaster Country Club to advance to the state amateur and he did so by shooting a 1-over 73 for a four-way tie for second place to advance to Glens Falls CC in Queensbury July 7-9.

Steffen’s round featured birdies on Nos. 4, 5 and 17 and it was just two shots behind medalist

Michael Donner of Crag Burn Golf Club, who fired a 1-under 71 that featured five birdies.

Steffen shared second place with Tyler Delisahti, Mac Quinn and Connor Jackson. The cut line was 4-over, which Michael Wolski, Jacob Dantonio, Andrew Edbauer and David Brooks were able to match or sneak under.