The Metropolitan PGA Section recently hosted the 2025 Lenox Advisors / NFP New York State Open at the prestigious Glen Oaks Club located in Old Westbury, New York. The New York State Open annually brings together a highly competitive field of professionals and amateurs from all over the state of New York. Traditionally held at Bethpage Black, this year’s championship shifted to Glen Oaks as Bethpage prepares to host the Ryder Cup in September. An exciting transition, Glen Oaks presented a championship-caliber test with its pristine layout and demanding conditions. Defending champion and 2024 Met PGA Player of the Year Pete Ballo of Connecticut Golf Club fired a final-round 67 (-3) to force a playoff with Christian Cavaliere, an amateur out of Hudson National Golf Club. Ballo narrowly missed a birdie on the 54th hole, while Cavaliere saved par from a tricky position to stay tied. In the playoff, Ballo had the advantage after a strong approach on the 18th hole to inside 15 feet. Cavaliere responded with a clutch up and down par from yet another tricky position. Ballo missed his par putt yielding the win to Cavaliere. Christian Cavaliere secured the title with a 72-68-68 three-round total of 208 (-2). A four-time low amateur at the State Open (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), Cavaliere added a major milestone to his résumé by capturing both the overall title and low amateur honors at this year’s championship. Following Cavaliere and Ballo, Lucas Spahl of The Meadow Brook Club earned a career-best third-place finish, while Dylan Newman, the 2023 Met PGA Player of the Year, secured fourth place. Peicheng Chen of Rock Hill Golf and Country Club, the 2023 New York State Open champion who, like Cavaliere, won the title as an amateur, finished tied for fifth. In addition to championship play, the Metropolitan PGA proudly recognized its 2025 Special Award winners. These honors celebrate excellence across instruction, leadership, player development, and service within the golf industry. 2025 Special Award Recipients: Professional of the Year – Chris Kenney, The Patterson Club Teacher of the Year – Matt McCullough, Country Club of Darien Bill Strausbaugh Award – Greg Bisconti, The Saint Andrew's Golf Club Professional Development Award – Cody Smith, Old Oaks Country Club Deacon Palmer Award – Ted Heins (Fresh Meadow), Jim Wahl (Whippoorwhill Club), Dave Renzulli (Country Club of Fairfield) Patriot Award – Jim McCann, Spook Rock Golf Course Player Development Award – Ambry Bishop-Santillo, The Saint Andrew's Golf Club Youth Player Development Award – Peyton Hemme, Innis Arden Golf Club Merchandiser of the Year (Private) – Chris Carter, Engineers Country Club Merchandiser of the Year (Public) – Jon Janik, Longshore Club Park Assistant of the Year – Chris Gabriele, Quaker Ridge Country Club Sam Snead Award – Michael Book & Rick Van Benschoten
The Metropolitan Section is proud to celebrate these members for their commitment to excellence and their ongoing impact on the game at every level. |
