Mark Tucker, PGA wins Senior Championship Every season PGA of America Golf Professional Mark Tucker sets his sights on qualifying for the national Senior PGA Professional Championship. Tucker achieved his goal again by winning the Central New York PGA Senior Section Championship on July 22. Tucker fired a tournament-best 69 in the final round to beat Eric Manning (Elm Tree Golf Course) by two strokes and earn his fifth career Senior crown. The two-day tournament July 21-22 for Section players 50 and over was held at Timber Banks Golf Club in Baldwinsville, NY. After an opening round of 74, Tucker (Cazenovia Country Club) carded four birdies and played bogey-free golf for 17 straight holes for a 3-under-par 69 in the closing round. He finished at 1-under 143. “I thought if I could keep it even par I could win this, and I did one better,” he said. “I’m very pleased.” Tucker attributed his solid two-day performance on a hot putter. Tucker’s other Senior titles came in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021. “I hit a lot of solid putts,” he said. “Even putts that didn’t go in were still solid.” Manning made a push to catch Tucker on the back 9 in the final round with three birdies. But Tucker stayed atop the leaderboard by staying bogey-free until carding a 5 on the par-4 18th hole. Manning, who won the event in 2022, had rounds of 75 and 70 for a 145 to finish in second. He also qualified for nationals as did defending Senior champion Michael Deuel and first-round leader Dennis Colligan. Deuel (En-Joie GC) and Colligan (Cazenovia GC) finished tied for third at 147. The alternates are Jeff Reader (Cazenovia GC), Tim Hume (McConnellsville GC), Jay Turcsik (Mark Twain GC) and Nick Serafino (Timber Banks).. 2008 Senior champion Bruce Martins (Elm Tree GC) won the Super Senior Division with a 153 total. •••••• Matt Campbell, PGA Associate scores two wins in August As hot as Central New York’s temperatures were in August, so was PGA of America Golf Associate Matt Campbell (Teugega Country Club). The 35-year-old Campbell retained his CNY PGA Assistants Championship title on Aug. 1 then 10 days later chalked up another significant win at the Emmett Kelly Masters. In the Assistants Championship, Campbell fired rounds of 69 and 64 in the 36-hole competition at Tuscarora Golf Club in Camillus, NY. Campbell won by seven strokes over Tom Christoffersen (En-Joie GC). Campbell finished at 9-under-par 133. Christoffersen, the first-round leader, shot rounds of 68 and 72 for an overall total of 140. Campbell sat one shot back entering the second round until Campbell overtook Christoffersen on the second hole of the final round and never looked back. Campbell carded six birdies plus an eagle on the par-5 16th hole, playing bogey-free golf until the 17th hole. The Assistants Championship wasn’t the only tournament Campbell successfully defended this year. He also repeated as the Assistants Player champion in June at Yahnundasis Golf Club. At the 44th annual Emmett Kelly Masters, Campbell edged amateur John Duthie to win the overall title at the Cavalry Club in Manlius on Aug. 11. Campbell played 14 straight holes without a bogey and finished 8-under-par 64 while Duthie, of Lansing, carded eight birdies and finished as the tournament top amateur at 7-under 65. It was a satisfying win for Campbell, who finished with nine birdies against one bogey. The tournament is open to professional and amateur golfers. “This is my first win at the Emmett Kelly Masters,” Campbell said. “It’s nice to finally win this and get my name on the trophy with a lot of talented golfers.” Seven-time Masters champion Mark Tucker, PGA (Cazenovia Country Club) finished first among the PGA of America Golf Professionals. Tucker carded a 3-under 69 and was tied for sixth overall.
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