On Nov. 20 the NENY PGA held our 2024 NENY PGA Special Awards Banquet at Albany Country Club. Over 50 NENY PGA of America Members, friends and family members celebrated their 2024 success for an incredible night of accomplishment. A big congratulations to all of our award winners:
Golf Professional of the Year - Steve Jensen, Schuyler Meadows Club
Teacher & Coach of the Year - Chris Polidoro, Wyndhurst Golf & Club
Doug Evans Distinguished Service Award - Ken Handy, Merchant Preferred
Professional Development Award - Marc Levesque, Wyantenuck Country Club
Youth Player Development Award - Michael Decker, McGregor Links Country Club
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year - Michael Shine, Schuyler Meadows Club
Bill Strausbaugh Award - Erik Tiele, Waubeeka Golf Links
Sales Representative of the Year - Mike Perreault, Callaway Golf
Merchandiser of the Year (Public) - Brian Hampson, Normanside Country Club
Merchandiser of the Year (Private) - Eric Mabee, Country Club of Pittsfield
Player Development Award - Lucas Cohen, NY State Golf Park
Patriot Award - Rich Scott, Fox Run Golf Club
Roland Stafford Award - Noel Gebauer, Town of Colonie Golf Course
Additionally, we would like to spotlight our 2024 NENY PGA Playing Awards. Congratulations to the following professionals on an outstanding golf season:
Rolex Player of the Year - Scott Berliner, Glens Falls Country Club
Vardon Stroke Average - Scott Berliner, Glens Falls Country Club, 70.06 Average
Rolex Senior Player of the Year - Jeremy Kerr, Van Schaick Island Country Club
Rolex Assistant Player of the Year - Scott Berliner, Glens Falls Country Club
Rolex Legends Player of the Year - John Durcan, Retired Life Member
—Zach Follos
More than 31 years ago, on a cool October night in 1993, Nick Paez etched his name into Cleveland sports lore in one of the most thrilling high school football games in Ohio history.
As a senior on the St. Ignatius High Wildcats, Paez’s extra point in triple overtime sealed a 35-34 victory over rival St. Edward in front of 13,000 fans at Lakewood Stadium. That unforgettable season saw the Wildcats capture a fifth state championship and their second national title, with Paez set to continue his football career at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) as a placekicker after an undefeated four years of high school football.
In high school, Paez was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in football, tennis and track. He only played golf a few times. His now-wife Susan, who went to Magnificat High School in Ohio, cheered him on from the sidelines. After arriving at BGSU, complications arose with the football team roster, leaving him unexpectedly without a spot. Undeterred, Paez, with extra time on his hands, accepted an invitation from a friend to try golf — a sport he had never played competitively. It was a revelation, and he soon bought his first set of clubs, captivated by the challenges and precision golf demanded.
After graduating from BGSU, he worked at Madison Country Club as a second assistant to Tom Fussaro and spent winters at Fiddlesticks in Florida. In 2001, he took a teaching position at Westwood Country Club. Using his education from the PGA of America, he created a business plan to bring GOLFTEC to Cleveland, opening his first franchise in 2007. Now, he employs 26 golf professionals at six locations in Northeast Ohio. As a renowned coach he has won multiple Golf Digest, NOPGA and GOLFTEC awards.
Nick’s love for competition translates to success on the course. He’s consistently ranking among the top players in the Northern Ohio PGA, qualifying for four of the last six Ohio Cup teams.
—Danielle Monas
The Northern Texas PGA defeated the Southern Texas PGA 20-4 to reclaim the cup at the 44th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches at Midland Country Club.
The win marked the largest margin of victory for either side in Texas Joe Black Cup Matches history. It also evened the record to 21-21-2.
The Texas Joe Black Cup Matches is an annual competition between the Northern Texas PGA and the Southern Texas PGA Sections. The event was started in 1981 to honor Joe Black, a Snyder, Texas, native who was completing his first year as President of the PGA of America.
The 2024 Texas Joe Black Cup Matches were supported by Club Car, Mizzen + Main, Srixon and Nike.
••••••
The eighth Levy Cup Matches were held at Black Hawk Country Club, and the Northern Texas PGA won the Levy Cup with a final score of 9-3 over the Southern Texas PGA. Due to inclement weather and conditions of the golf course, the Singles Matches were not able to be played. The overall Levy Cup Match score is now 5-3-0 in favor of Northern Texas.
Named after PGA of America Past President Paul Levy, the Ryder Cup-style event features 12 PGA of America Professionals representing each PGA of America Section in Texas. Each team consists of four Assistant PGA Members, four STPGA Members of any Classification not already represented in these matches or the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches, and four Senior PGA Members.
The Matches were presented by Club Car, Dunning and Ping.
—Margaret Miller
The 76th Hudson Cup Matches, held this past fall at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland, Washington, brought together the top 10 Pacific Northwest PGA of America Professionals and the top 10 amateurs in a thrilling Ryder Cup-style competition. Alongside the main event, the 33rd Senior Hudson Cup Matches featured leading Senior Professionals and amateurs.
The captains included Jason Aichele for the PGA of America Professionals Brad Karns for the amateurs, Steve Stull for the Senior PGA of America Professionals and Dick Cartmell for the Senior Amateurs.
After two days of intense play, the Hudson Cup ended in an exciting 10-10 tie, allowing the amateur team to retain the Cup. In the Senior Hudson Cup, the PGA of America Professionals emerged victorious with a final score of 12 to 8.
Each year, the Hudson Cup Matches honor players who exemplify sportsmanship and skill. This year, Jake Koppenberg received the Charles Congdon Award, selected by the Professional Team, and Shane Prante was awarded the Larry Lamberger Award, chosen by the amateurs. In the Senior Matches, Greg Chianello earned the Bill Eggers Award from his fellow professionals, while Jeff Gove was presented with the Bob McKendrick Award, selected by the senior amateurs.
The Pacific Northwest Section PGA extends its sincere gratitude to sponsors Craig Pelzer of Pelzer Golf Supplies, Brian Dickson of Pukka and Keith Moskowitz of Under Armour, as well as to Meadow Springs Country Club for their support in hosting this special event.
—Marlena Cannon