PGA HOPE CNY Pro-Am Honors Veterans With American flags adorning the flagstick on each green, Bellevue Country Club welcomed 27 four-person teams for the third annual PGA HOPE CNY Pro-Am on May 27. The red, white and blue décor and a military gun salute by veterans in combat uniforms were among the many touches for an event that celebrated and honored our military veterans while raising funds for the PGA HOPE programs in Central New York. The tournament was featured on local television station NewsChannel 9. PGA REACH CNY Executive Director, Joe Tesori, PGA and PGA HOPE Ambassador Eric Schuster were interviewed. They discussed the mission of PGA HOPE CNY and how local veterans can join one of programs. Drumlins' Team Russell finished first for the second time in three years at 12-under-par 59 playing an 18-hole Captain and Crew format. Team members were Gary Russell, PGA of America Member Sean Dadey (Drumlins Country Club), Dan Michaels and Connor Wisniewski. New this year was a Veteran low team score division as many teams had at least one military veteran. Sunset Ridge Golf Club took first place with Andy Myers, PGA, Stephen Hall, Benny Schmidt and veteran Roy Barnes. •••••• Manning wins Stroke Play ChampionshipWith back-to-back rounds of 72 and 73, PGA of America Member Eric Manning successfully defending his title at the Performance Harley-Davidson Stroke Play Championship on June 2 at Seven Oaks Golf Course. Manning (Elm Tree Golf Course), a CNY PGA Hall of Famer, earned the win by avoiding any major mistakes over his 36 holes to finish at 1-over-par 145. He carded seven birdies against eight bogeys on the day. Ryan McGinnis, PGA (Turning Stone Resort Casino) finished second at 6-over 150 after posting consistent rounds of 75 and 75. A week later, Manning picked another win at the Empire Golf Cars Pro-Am/Pro-Officer Tournament on June 9. Manning, the defending champion, carded an even-par 72 to edge Robert Larsen, PGA (Onondaga Golf & Country Club) by one stroke at En-Joie Golf Club. •••••• Vinal captures CNY Open
The competitive side of PGA of America Associate Zach Vinal came out at the right time during the Central New York Open. Despite not playing much golf over the past 12 months, Vinal’s confidence in his game helped him fire rounds of 67 and 69 to win his first major as a Professional June 30 at Cortland Country Club. “It just felt like the right things came together at the right time,” Vinal said. “I found something in my golf swing on Friday that I knew if I trusted it for this event, I could play like I know how. So, this was nice to win in such a big event.” Vinal, the Director of Golf at Yahnundasis Golf Club, finished his 36 holes at 8-under-par 136 overall, three strokes better than Ryan McGinnis, PGA (Turning Stone Resort Casino) and Tim Hume, PGA (McConnellsville GC). Vinal, a Syracuse native, returned to Central New York two years ago after working in the golf industry for five years while living in Florida. As an amateur, the CNY PGA Junior Tour alum regularly competed in the AIM Championship (formerly the Post-Standard Amateur) and most recently played in the U.S. Open Qualifier in May. “I love to compete,” Vinal said. “I love the pressure and love to win so not much has changed in that department for me. I will always play in events just to really understand what I need to work on in my game.” -Fran Piraino |