DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025
CNY PGA NEWS
SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS UNVEILED SEAMANS’ YEAR IN REVIEW
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PLAYER(S) OF THE YEAR!
2025 CNY PGA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
RUTH WEYDIG
INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 3 YEAR IN REVIEW FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS WEYDIG INDUCTED INTO HOF NOTAH BEGAY PRO-AM
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EDUCATION HUB MEMBER LINKS PDR CYCLE INFORMATION
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STAFF CONTACTS
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
JR TOUR COACH’S PANEL INFLUENTIAL ATHLETE PARTNERSHIP PGA REACH CNY TOY DRIVE
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CONGRATS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR SCHOLARSHIP COMPENSATION SURVEY
CONTRIBUTING CONTENT: FRAN PIRAINO CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREW WOWELKO
CNY PGA
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear CNY PGA Members, As year end approaches, I would like to take a brief moment to reflect on our collective accomplishments and thank all of you and our staff for your extraordinary dedication to the game and business of golf. Together we have continued to strengthen the value of PGA membership, and I hope you feel as proud of our achievements as I do.
Highlights from the past year include 587 kids participating in Junior League Golf. Twenty-nine section members administered 67 programs, generating over $125,000 in payments to those coaches. Additionally we saw more than 450 kids participate in our Drive, Chip and Putt Qualifiers. We had another strong turnout with almost 200 kids becoming members of our Junior Tour and over 900 entrants in our tournaments. The Foundation also reached new heights on many fronts as well. Together we secured a new title partner and course sponsor for our PGA REACH CNY Pro-Am. The inaugural Birdie Bash fundraiser was a major success. The twelve two-person teams raised over $60,000, allowing us to make a significantly impactful major gift donation to the Upstate Galisono Children's Hospital. We now have 60 members certified as HOPE instructors. The 27 HOPE sessions served 278 veterans and participating members received over $55,000 in program administration fees. Continuing this growth allows us to create new opportunities to promote and celebrate more of our members' accomplishments while also growing the game locally. We’ve built a great team on your behalf that is committed to celebrating and supporting these accomplishments. Your tireless efforts as leaders, educators, and ambassadors drive our Section's success. As we look toward 2026, we are excited about celebrating our centennial. A task force has worked hard and created a marketing campaign with several elements, each designed to connect PGA Professionals, golf enthusiasts, and the public across Central New York. The goal is to honor the past, celebrate the present and inspire the future. We will be unveiling a centennial webpage, a commemorative magazine, an interactive centennial video series, and a golf event for all members to participate in. Please save July 13th on your calendar for a memorable day on the links with your fellow members. I am incredibly grateful for your commitment to the Central New York PGA and look forward to what will undoubtedly be an amazing centennial year! Sincerely,
Alan Seamans, PGA CEO/Executive Director
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CNY PGA
Dennis Estes named Golf Professional of the Year PGA of America Golf Professional Dennis Estes, the Head Professional at The Cavalry Club, was named the 2025 Central New York PGA Golf Professional of the Year. For the 37-year-old Estes, having his name added to the list of previous Golf Professional of the Year winners is a career highlight. “It’s amazing that I’m with a legendary group of CNY PGA Professionals,” Estes said. “It’s unusual for somebody in their 30s to get something like this and join the legends who are in this room. But this is incredibly special. It means a lot to be able to celebrate this award with an amazing (Cavalry) team.” During his acceptance speech, Estes gave credit to his team of PGA Professionals and support staff who share his passion for golf and helped facilitate significant change at The Cavalry Club including major course renovations and upgrades.
WEYDIG INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME PGA of America Golf Professional Ruth Weydig was inducted into the Central New York PGA Hall of Fame on Dec. 4.
Notah Begay ProAm Invitational February 23-25 @ Gila River Resort; Whirlwind GC Cattail Course (Phoenix, AZ) (Site of the LPGA Ford Championship) $12,000 Team and Low Pro Purse Each Day (Tuesday and Wednesday) Amateurs receive $250 Titleist and FJ shopping spree online 3 Rounds of Golf 3 Nights 4-Diamond Gila River Resort & Casino 7 Meals Drinks and Nightly Entertainment $4,275 PER AM Website: www.nb3proam.com
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Weydig, the Head Professional at Oneida Community Golf Course, earned Hall of Fame honors for her contributions and accomplishments within the Section especially in the area of youth and player development. Prior to her formal Hall of Fame induction, Weydig received her ninth career Youth Player Development Award. Weydig’s longtime friend, Cathy Quinn, introduced her, and Weydig received a standing ovation from those in attendance at the Holiday Party. “This is an incredible milestone for me,” Weydig said. “I just love what I do.” During her acceptance speech, Weydig recognized individuals who have had an impact in her career including PGA peers Stanley Lisk, Steve Nacewicz, Alan Seamans, Jack Conger and Dustin Jones. Weydig, of Oneida, has been a PGA Member for 37 years. Her dedication to introducing the game of golf to junior players has been at the forefront of her career.
PGA REACH CNY
Jr. Tour Coach’s Panel The CNY PGA Junior Tour has created an exciting new opportunity to members this season. Starting out on February 10, with a Coach’s Panel. A big thank you to Keith Batson (Ithaca College), Lauren Cupp (Hamilton College), Jim Ironside (Utica University), Kalin Merkley (SUNY Cortland), Bernie Herceg (Binghamton University) and Joe Tesori (LeMoyne College) for participating in the panel, and increasing the value of our Junior Tour Membership!
New Partner: Influential Athlete Central New York PGA is excited to announce a new partnership with Influential Athlete, the leading NIL education company in high school and college athletics. This collaboration will deliver comprehensive Name, Image, and Likeness education to junior golfers and families across upstate New York. With more than 200 PGA professionals serving golfers throughout the region, the CNY PGA is committed to preparing young athletes for the next level of success both on and off the course.
JLG 2026 Registration It’s never too early!!!! Coach’s registration is now open!!!!!! Player registration for the 2026 Jr. League Golf season will open on January 5th. Make sure you have your program registered and ready by then!
Please contact Mike if you have any questions or need any assistance.
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PGA REACH CNY ANNUAL TOY DRIVE In association with Syracuse Police Athletic/Activities League (PALS), PGA REACH Central New York made a positive impact during the holiday season with it’s second annual toy drive. More than 75 toys were donated by Central New York PGA Members and friends at the annual Fall Meeting in October and during the month of November. The donated toys helped Syracuse PALS with their toy giveaway Dec. 18 at Roberts Pre-K-8 School on Glenwood Ave. in Syracuse. PGA of America Golf Professionals Joey Tesori and Brittany Wowelko were on hand to assist with the giveaway with members of the Syracuse Police Department. “It was awesome,” Tesori said. Syracuse PALs is a youth development program that brings youth and law enforcement together in a non-law enforcement setting to build positive relationships within the community. Many children at Roberts benefited from the donations from the CNY PGA. Gift bags with toys were given to students during the school day in the gymnasium. The event was coordinated by Jimmy Oliver, the Director of Community Engagement for the Syracuse Police Department. “It was cool seeing these kids receive their presents,” Tesori said. “Jimmy (Oliver) said some of these kids don’t have a Christmas so this was very meaningful and up lifting.” The CNY PGA Membership Associates and friends donated a variety of toys to assist with the giveaway. Last year, PGA REACH CNY’s toy drive benefited the Mary Nelson Holiday Giveaway for underprivileged families in the local community.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR!
SECTION: TIM HUME, McCONNELSVILLE CC SENIOR: TIM HUME, McCONNELSVILLE CC ASSISTANT: ROBERT LARSEN, ONONDAGA G&CC WOMEN: BRITTANY WOWELKO, CNY PGA
Please Update your Compensation Survey
2026 Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship We're excited to announce that the PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship application for the 2026-2027 academic year will be live starting Tuesday, December 9, 2025! This scholarship is a wonderful way to support the educational journey of the children and grandchildren of our dedicated PGA Members. To apply, please click here. Who Can Apply? (Undergraduate Students Only) 1. PGA Family Connection: -Applicants must be a child* or grandchild* of a PGA of America member who is in good standing. -The PGA member may be living or deceased. -Please note: Children or grandchildren of Class "F" PGA members are not eligible. -A friendly reminder: The selection criteria is based solely on the student's merit, not the member's involvement or achievement. *Stepchildren and step-grandchildren are included.
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MEMBER INFORMATION OFFICE CLOSINGS The office will be closed Monday December 22nd January 4th and will reopen on Monday January 5th at 9am. We hope you all have a happy and healthy holiday!
PGA MEMBER LINKS CNY PGA Membership Directory Section & Foundation Partners Workday Home Page Workday Help Video Northeast Region Education Hub
NEW PDR CYCLE The NEW PDR cycle period is 6/16/25 - 6/15/28. Click here to see the PGA Professional Development Requirements chart for ways to earn credits. Check out our new Northeast Region Education Hub for more PDR opportunities.
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It has officially become hibernation season. The snow will not stop coming and the temperature is still in college. That means you can find me 1 of 2 places: inside my house or in Orlando. One of my favorite holiday traditions is watching all of the classic movies. (And I get to take a break from the list of serial killer/alien documentaries Joe has recommended to me.) My top five: 1.Muppet’s Christmas Carol 2.Jingle All the Way 3.How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey or Boris Karloff only) Honorable Mention: 1.Home Alone 2.The Santa Clause 3.Love Actually
4. It’s a Wonderful Life 5.Christmas Vacation
“That really was a bomb? This is a sick world we live in! Sick people!” -Myron Larabee, Jingle All the Way
4. Die Hard 5. Harry Potter
As a self proclaimed movie critic, favorites that I can’t admit out loud: The Holiday The Night Before Office Christmas Party
Now that I’ve filled more than your Holiday break with cinema, I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday and hope you enjoy all the time you get with your loved ones! We hope to see you all at the PGA Show and look forward to sharing some exciting promotions for the upcoming Centennial year!
Brittany Wowelko