November Newsletter

CENTRAL NEW YORK PGA

NOVEMBER 2024

INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 3

OCTOBER TOURNAMENT AND EDUCATION RECAP

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SPECIAL AWARDS BANQUET WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS

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PGA REACH CNY UPDATES TOY DRIVE THANK YOU

PAGE 6 HOPE 4 HEROES INFORMATION

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OFFICE CLOSINGS MEMBER LINKS PDR CYCLE INFORMATION

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JLG WEBINAR DEC 9 JUNIOR TOUR THANK YOU DCP CONGRATS

PAGE 9 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Fall Meeting held at Turning Stone Resort Casino The Central New York

PGA concluded its 2024 season with a meeting of its membership Oct. 21 at Turning Stone Resort Casino’s Shenandoah Clubhouse.

George Urist of Urist Financial and Retirement Planning Inc. spoke on strategies on investment planning. PGA of America’s Senior Career Consultant Jonathan Gold, PGA was also on hand to field questions.

The other breakout session included updates on PGA REACH and its pillars: PGA HOPE, PGA Jr. League and PGA WORKS.

FULL STORY>

PGA HOPE adds 15 New Instructors PGA HOPE national instructor and trainer JP Lunn, PGA, led a oneday training session at Turning Stone Resort Casino with 15 new instructors, including 13 Central New York PGA of America Golf Members and Associates, earning PGA HOPE certification Oct. 17.

It was the second time Lunn, a PGA of America Golf Professional (Middle Atlantic Section), had conducted a PGA HOPE training session for the Central New York PGA Section.

FULL STORY>

FlowCode Training Welcomes Rick Sessinghaus Nationally renowned golf coach Dr. Rick Sessinghaus provided thought-provoking strategies to achieve better golf results during his two-day FlowCode raining Oct. 13-14 at Turning Stone Resort Casino.

Fifteen Central New York PGA Junior Tour members attended the Oct. 13 junior clinic while 23 PGA of America Members participated in the second clinic Oct. 14.

Participants spent the day learning and implementing the FlowCode principles.

Training also included on course practical application of strategies.

FULL STORY>

PAGE THREE | CNY PGA

FULL STORY>

MITCHELL, SOVIK CUP RECAP The 38th Sovik Cup took place Oct. 3 at Tuscarora Golf Club with the SDGA earning a 17-13 win.

Reader teamed up with Campanaro to win their match, 5-0, against SDGA’s John Harrington and Walt McArdell. Serafino and Hume chalked up a 4.5-0.5 win over Chris Smithers and Jack Weinerth.

The CNY PGA leads the all-time series 21-15-1, but the SDGA has won the Cup three out of the last four years.

At the 51st annual Mitchell Cup, the SDGA posted a 27-21 victory over the CNY PGA on Oct. 6.

Although the CNY PGA won the Modified Alternate Shot morning round, 7-5, the SDGA came back to secure the Cup by winning the Four-Ball matches, 22-14.

Colligan and Turcsik earned a team-best six points for the CNY PGA as they won their Four-Ball and Modified Alternate Shot matches.

The CNY PGA leads the all-time series 31-18-1.

CNY SPECIAL AWARDS The Special Awards Committee has been working hard looking over all of the wonderful nominees’ questionnaires. Look for the award winners to be announced soon. Good luck to all our nominees!

Join us in celebration at the Special Awards Banquet on December 5th at Drumlins Country Club! Please RSVP to Brittany to save your seat!

Welcome Officers & Board Members!

Appointed by acclimation at the Fall Meeting of the Membership were: office of President — Will Weimer, PGA (Stone Creek GC); office of VicePresident/Treasure – Michael Discenza, PGA (Cortland CC); office of Secretary – Martha Wells, PGA (Skaneateles CC).

Steve Nacewicz, PGA (Crestwood GC) was elected as the Board of Directors Senior Representative. Ryan Hammerle, PGA (Onondaga G&CC) was elected to an open Board of Director position.

Welcome and congratulations to all!

BECOME A MEMBER CLUB! It’s not too late! This program supports PGA REACH CNY. Your contribution is key to growing the game of golf in Central New York. Thank you to those of you who continue your support and we are hopeful more of you will consider participating as we grow this great game with our youth.

PAGE FOUR | CNY PGA

PGA REACH CNY Joe Tesori was among the guest panelists at the Diversity Forum on Health, Wellness and Sport on Oct. 17.

The goal of Falk College’s two-day forum was students to learn more about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) issues.

“It was a great evening,” Tesori said. “It was so impactful to hear other foundation leaders in our community speak about their dreams and aspirations for the future. At PGA REACH CNY, we are trying to change the narrative with the game of golf and diversify the golf space with historically underrepresented ethnic groups and do it the right way.”

Tesori’s panel appearance helped students learn about the opportunities that are out there through the PGA of America. Tesori fielded numerous questions from students after the panel was finished.

“I can only hope we keep diversifying the golf space here in CNY and with support from our local professionals and foundation partners, we will continue to do so,” Tesori said.

“I appreciate Falk College’s Aaron Knighton and Beth Perez for inviting us to speak and cannot wait to keep collaborating with great people like those two in the future,” Tesori said.

“Through support from our allies like Syracuse University and specifically the Falk College, we are so fortunate to be invited to speak and participate in these great events here in our community.

I just want to personally thank all the PGA Members at the Fall Meeting of the Membership who donated to our toy drive. We had a tremendous turnout and these toys will go a long way to some underprivileged youth in our community.

We will be presenting these toys on December 21st at Nottingham High School in partnership with the Mary Nelson Youth Center. You can learn more about that non for profit organization by clicking here.

For those not in attendance at the fall meeting who would still like to donate, we will be collecting all donations at the Section Office until the end of November.

Once again thank you and this will go a long with these underprivileged families in our local community.

-Joe Tesori PAGE FIVE | CNY PGA

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is on a mission unlike any other – to change and save Veteran’s lives through the game of golf.

Veterans have given everything to be there for our country when we need it the most.

We need to be there when they come back. PGA HOPE aims to serve more than 50,000 Veterans by the end of 2024 and expand to over 550 program locations touching every corner of the United States.

You can help us build a community where Veterans can thrive through the game of golf.

PGA HOPE is doing more than putting a club in a Veteran’s hands – it’s saving that Veteran’s life.

Being there for those who have our six.

Scan the QR Code to JOIN IN on the mission today.

MEMBER INFORMATION OFFICE CLOSINGS

The office will be closed November 11 for Veteran’s Day. We will also be closed November 28-29 for Thanksgiving.

PGA MEMBER LINKS CNY PGA Membership Directory Section & Foundation Partners Workday Home Page Workday Help Video

PDR CYCLE The NEW PDR cycle period is 6/16/22 - 6/15/25. Click here to see the PGA Professional Development Requirements chart for ways to earn credits. Also be on the lookout for emails from your Education Committee for education opportunities in the off season.

PDR CYCLE IS ENDING SOON! PAGE SEVEN | CNY PGA

PGA JR. LEAGUE Coaches’ registration for 2025 is now open!!

Please be sure to register your team as soon as possible! We had 30% growth in players this season, so there will be a lot of parents looking for teams in early 2025! Reach out to Brittany with any questions.

There will be a webinar on December 9th at 10am for all interested 2025 coaches. PDR will be available, and Brian Bain will be answering all questions that you may have.

Link to register for Webinar Thank you for growing the game!

JUNIOR TOUR I would like to give a quick thank you to all of our members that hosted a Junior Tour Event at their facility this season. The kids are always ecstatic to get their home courses and it means the world to them that you all are gracious enough to host them.

Any facility interested in hosting a Jr. Tour Event next season please reach out! We are planning our schedule now!

DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT Congrats to Junior Tour player & CNY DCP Qualifier Tommy Goodelle on winning the Regional Qualifier at the Ridgewood Country Club! Tommy will now head to Augusta the Sunday before The Masters to compete in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals!

We are currently planning our 2026 qualifying season. Please let the section office know as soon as possible if you and your facility are interested in hosting a qualifier next year!

PAGE EIGHT | CNY PGA

The seasonal time change often feels like a drag to me, with shorter days and longer nights casting a shadow over our energy and mood. It's important to remember that even when it feels dark, persevering through this season will eventually lead us to brighter times.

While you personally may not always be in the bright light, your role as a mentor, coach, and motivator is indispensable.

Know that every success, big or small, is a reflection of the thousands of quiet moments of influence you provide. Keep inspiring, for your impact reaches further than you may ever fully realize.

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

Brittany Wowelko

Inspiration of the issue “Everytime anyone accomplishes anything, they achieve it with the help of a thousand silent heroes.”

-Alex Dunphy