March '26 Newsletter

MARCH 2026

CNY PGA NEWS

PGA HOPE CNY & VISIONS SECURE 4YEAR PARTNERSHIP IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO BECOME A JLG COACH!

2026 CNY PGA

CENTENNIAL SCHEDULE RELEASED

INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 3

PAGE 7

A THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS NEW! HOPE PLAY DAYS SYRACUSE CRUNCH NIGHT

EDUCATION HUB MEMBER LINKS PDR CYCLE INFORMATION

PAGE 4

PAGE 8

CENTENNIAL GOLF CELEBRATION LAST CALL JLG COACHES TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE OPEN

PAGE 5

STAFF CONTACTS

PAGE 9

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

NYSGA RULES OF GOLF SEMINAR

PAGE 6

SCHOLARSHIP COMPENSATION SURVEY

CONTRIBUTING CONTENT: FRAN PIRAINO CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREW WOWELKO

PGA REACH CNY

PGA HOPE CNY Secures 4 year partnership with Visions FCU

We are thrilled to share fantastic news regarding the continued growth and support for our PGA HOPE Central New York program.

A tremendous thank you goes out to Tim Strong and his dedicated team at Visions Federal Credit Union for their commitment as a four-year partner for the PGA HOPE CNY Play Days. This vital support will directly impact the lives of our local PGA HOPE Veterans, with each play day consisting of 40-60 participants.

We currently have three exciting events slated for the season, with a fourth to be announced soon in the Binghamton area.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to the professionals and their teams at our inaugural host sites for their generous support: Evan Sitts at Ouleout Creek GC on May 7 Stanley Gorman at The Pompey Club on June 11 Bruce Martins & Eric Manning at Elm Tree on July 14 This partnership with Visions Federal Credit Union means we have even more great news to share with our local PGA HOPE veteran community, and we look forward to a successful four years of serving those who have served our country.

TO OUR VALUED CNY PGA PROFESSIONALS We are thrilled to officially introduce our new PGA Works Fellow, Dakota Holbrook, who joined us earlier this month and will be with our team for the year.

We are incredibly excited to work alongside him as he takes a major lead in all of our PGA REACH CNY programs and initiatives. Please keep an eye out for his communications as he gets settled into the role.

PGA Works has consistently provided our foundation with outstanding Fellows over the past three years, and they are ultimately here to benefit you, our PGA Members. Our strict focus remains on utilizing the PGA REACH CNY programs to bring new golfers to your facilities and membership, which indirectly helps put more revenue in your pockets. Those of you who actively participate in our REACH programs are already seeing this value, and with your continued support, we will grow and prosper in these critical efforts.

The success and impact of our PGA REACH CNY foundation is truly nothing without the commitment of our PGA Members. You are the driving force behind our continued growth, and it is amazing what we can accomplish with a collaborative mindset. We appreciate you!

As we inch closer to the season, please be sure to reach out with any questions you may have, and keep an eye out for Dakota’s communications.

PGA REACH CNY will be again partnering with the Syracuse Crunch for a golf night Saturday April 11th. Be on the lookout for a link for discounted tickets. Please consider joining us as the Crunch take on the Utica Comets at 7pm!

PAGE THREE | CNY PGA

My best, Joe Tesori, PGA Executive Director PGA REACH CNY

PGA REACH CNY/CNY PGA

PGA REACH CNY at the NYC Marathon We are pleased to announce that PGA REACH has been approved for our 10th consecutive official charity team set to run in this year's 50th anniversary of the five borough course for the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1st, 2026!

If you know of any PGA Members in your Section that might be interested in being a part of this year's PGA of America Golf Professional led team please have them fill out THIS FORM by Monday, March 16 to be considered for the team. All applicants will be notified of their status by no later than Friday, March 20.

The 2026 Tournament Schedule Open for Registration!

100 years in the making - the 2026 schedule and first step into the next 100 is here!

Thank you to all of our Professionals and partners who are the reason why we are able to put together such a fantastic tournament schedule for you each year!

Register Now!

Centennial Golf Celebration!

Save the Date Centennial Celebration!

July 13th Binghamton CC A fun, inclusive format for all current, previous & honorary members to enjoy celebrating the CNY PGA!

PAGE FOUR | CNY PGA

ALL INTERESTED JR LEAGUE GOLF COACHES There’s still time to become a Jr. League Golf Coach for the 2026 season!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow the game, earn deferred compensation, PDR, and extra income!

Did you know last year $125,650 were paid out in coaching fees to Central New York coaches alone!

This year we are on pace for even more. Contact Mike Discenza at mdiscenza@pgahq.com if you are interested or have any questions.

Each program earns maximum 75 deferred compensation points, and on average 37.5 deferred compensation points.

UPDATED 2026 PDR INFORMATION New guidelines regarding 2026 PDRs went into effect on January 1. In 2026, there is no maximum of PGA of America Members earning credit per team/season, which includes up to 12 credits per PDR cycle year. All 2025 PDRs will be applied under the previous criteria.

Central New York PGA Scholarship Our Scholarship Program was created with the purpose to encourage higher education goals for the children and grandchildren of Central New York PGA Members who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement during high school or college.

To apply, please click here.

Please Update your Compensation Survey

2026 Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship We're excited to announce that the PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship application for the 2026-2027 academic year will be live starting Tuesday, December 9, 2025!

This scholarship is a wonderful way to support the educational journey of the children and grandchildren of our dedicated PGA Members.

To apply, please click here.

Who Can Apply? (Undergraduate Students Only) 1. PGA Family Connection: -Applicants must be a child* or grandchild* of a PGA of America member who is in good standing.

-The PGA member may be living or deceased.

-Please note: Children or grandchildren of Class "F" PGA members are not eligible.

-A friendly reminder: The selection criteria is based solely on the student's merit, not the member's involvement or achievement. *Stepchildren and step-grandchildren are included.

PAGE SIX | CNY PGA

MEMBER INFORMATION SPRING MEETING Save the date for the Spring Meeting of the Membership, April 20th at Turning Stone Resort Casino. We will have special guests, and Centennial debuts!

PGA MEMBER LINKS CNY PGA Membership Directory Section & Foundation Partners Workday Home Page Workday Help Video Northeast Region Education Hub

NEW PDR CYCLE The NEW PDR cycle period is 6/16/25 - 6/15/28.

Click here to see the PGA Professional Development Requirements chart for ways to earn credits. Check out our new Northeast Region Education Hub for more PDR opportunities.

PAGE SEVEN | CNY PGA

Maybe it’s here? 70 degrees this weekend and the sun peeking out has me cautiously optimistic that maybe, just maybe it’s time to crawl out of the cold dark corner.

That means the season will be here in a blink! Dylan has put together a great tournament schedule and that’s thanks to all of you for supporting our efforts! Joe has a great line-up of some PGA REACH CNY events that are certain to grow the game and impact the community in such a way that golf can leave it’s incredible mark here in Central New York!

We have a Centennial Celebration set up for July at Binghamton Country Club. I hope to see as many people there as possible! My deep dive into the past 100 years has been one of the coolest things I’ve got to learn about while being on staff. This is my last plea for any info, photos, stories, articles, life chats- ANYTHING anyone wants to submit for the history of the Section. Be on the lookout for the launch of a historical webpage, Section wide scavenger hunt and a few more fun surprises at the Spring Meeting!

Thank you all for your constant efforts to grow the game see you soon!

"Once a year, Donna and I spend a day treating ourselves. Clothes.

Treat yo self. Fragrances. Treat yo self. Massages. Treat yo self.

Mimosas. Treat yo self. Fine leather goods. Treat yo self.”

-Tom & Donna Parks & Rec

(Brittany when the sun finally comes out)

Brittany Wowelko