We enter 2025 with the excitement of new and fresh ideas within the Tri-State Section and the PGA of America. The Section welcomes our new officers, board and committee members, who inspire us to continue growing the game. We are grateful for this tremendous team of dedicated professionals.
Dan Braun is our newly elected Section President, following now Honorary President Bernie Hough. Mike Papson is Vice President and Jay Mull has been elected as Secretary.
We welcome the following individuals to the board and committees: Mike Frisina (Scholarship), Andrew Heffernan (Special Awards & Hall of Fame), Steven Hopley (Assistant/Associate), David Yokitis (Player Development & Growth of the Game) and Cory Livingston (Education). They will sit alongside and work with our returning committee: Devin Gee (Sponsor Relations/Publicity), Pete Micklewright (Employment/Club Relations), Christian Sheehan (Mentorship), Drew Bohn (Junior Golf/ LV Chairman), Bernie Hough (Ethics Chairman) and Jeff Hutchinson (WV Representative).
Brett Carman joins the Tournament Committee alongside returning members Jay Mull (Chairman), Devin Gee (Vice Chairman), Tony Traci, Kevin Shields, Dan Rodgers and Steve Kusenko.
We look forward to seeing everyone this month at the 2025 PGA Show in Orlando, and meeting with our current and prospective new partners.
There is so much value and inspiration to bring home and offer to our membership at our upcoming board meeting. Value to add to the foundation of building blocks set in place in previous years and in the 2024 season, which was an exciting time for the section with elevation and advancements in our Tournaments, PGA HOPE, PGA Jr. League and Junior Golf Tour programs. Section and Regional leadership and structure have set the foundation and building blocks to continue to grow and thrive in 2025.
—Frank D. Murgia
The Western New York PGA is proud to celebrate a historic milestone in 2025 — its 100th anniversary. The 100th anniversary will be a yearlong celebration highlighting key moments in the organization’s history, recognizing the contributions of past and present PGA of America Professionals, and honoring the communities that have supported the Association’s mission.
Founded in 1925, the WNYPGA has played a pivotal role in shaping the golf landscape across the region, promoting the growth of the game, supporting local Section Professionals, and fostering a spirit of community. The WNYPGA’s first President, Jack Gordon, played a key role in shaping the early organization of professional golf in the region. A respected figure in the local golf community, he was known for his contributions as a club professional and his leadership in promoting the game across Western New York.
For a century, the Western New York PGA has been a cornerstone of the golf world, providing opportunities through its various tournaments, education programs and community partnerships. The Western New York PGA continues to inspire the next generation of golfers and elevate the standards of excellence in the sport.
As the Association marks this momentous occasion, it reflects on its rich legacy of service, leadership and commitment to the game. From the early days of organizing tournaments to its continued focus on player development and community outreach, the Western New York PGA has been a driving force in making golf accessible and enjoyable for all.
The centennial celebration will honor the people and moments that have defined the region’s golf history, while looking ahead to the next 100 years of growth and innovation. Stay tuned for special events and initiatives throughout the year as the Western New York PGA invites the community to join in this historic celebration.
—Mollie Mars
Mick Smith was on some kind of roll late in the 2024 Wisconsin competitive golf season – a fact that the Australia native proved once and for all in the final round of the Wisconsin PGA Professional Championship.
All Smith did was shoot his second straight round of 66 at Wisconsin C.C. in Milwaukee to win the Wisconsin PGA Professional Championship for the third time in his career, this time by a robust margin of seven strokes.
After posting seven birdies and a lone bogey in shooting 66 on Monday, Smith actually played better in the final round, if that’s possible. On Tuesday, Smith had a clean card while recording six birdies.
Smith’s dominant performance at Wisconsin C.C. was merely another gem in his season of sparkling moments. In just a two-month period, the 51-year-old Smith also won the Wisconsin Senior PGA Professional Championship (at Reedsburg C.C.) and the Wisconsin State Senior Open (at North Shore G.C.).
Smith, who operates Mick Smith Golf, finished at 12-under-par 132 to win the Wisconsin PGA Professional Championship by seven strokes over Jamie Christianson of Horseshow Bay G.C. (68-71) and Jason Tipton of Chenequa C.C. (73-66), who tied for second at 139.
Tied for fourth at 141 were Jim Schuman of Blue Mound G.&C.C. (69-72) and Michael Crowley of Morningstar G.C. (72-69).
Five berths into the 2025 PGA Professional Championship were also on the line at Wisconsin C.C. The top five finishers – Smith, Christianson, Tipton, Schuman and Crowley – earned those exemptions into the event at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, scheduled for April., where they might earn a spot in the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone at Wisconsin Country Club for hosting us.
—Rick Pledl