The 19th annual Central New York PGA Special Awards Banquet was held at Drumlins Country Club on Dec. 1. The event celebrated the Section’s 2022 award winners including Golf Professional of the Year Michael Deuel as well as honoring our 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, Steve Aloi.

 

The 2022 awards winners were announced in November. The banquet and ceremony were sponsored by Section Partners: Turning Stone Resort Casino, PGA National Resort and Spa, New Penn Golf Cart Leasing Co., Satch Sales/Club Car and M. Lemp Jewelers.

 

CNY PGA Executive Director Alan Seamans served as emcee for the awards ceremony. The evening began with Don Lemp, of Silver Partner M. Lemp Jewelers, recognizing the M. Lemp Jewelers Players of the Year Awards presented by Gold Partner Rolex.

 

The evening highlights included:

 

*Robert Larsen (Onondaga G&CC), Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, spoke about his efforts and experiences to boost the profile of CNY PGA Assistants.

 

*Ryan McGinnis (Turning Stone Resort Casino) received the Patriot Award for his work with PGA HOPE. His clinics for military and veterans had 350 participants last year.

 

*Ruth Weydig (Oneida Community GC) earned this year’s Youth Player Development Award Winner for her commitment to growing the Section’s Junior Tour, PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip and Putt Qualifiers. This is the seventh time she has won this award.

 

*The 2022 Bill Strausbaugh Award was given to CNY PGA’s Executive Director Alan Seamans. Seamans said it was an honor to receive this award (given to a PGA Professional that helps enrich the lives of PGA Professionals, mentors PGA associates in addition to their service to the community and Section).

 

*For the second straight year Section board member Mike Discenza (SUNY Cortland) earned the Professional Development Award for his outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education.

 

* Marty Nowicki (Turning Stone Resort Casino), one the Section’s most decorated teaching professionals, received The Teacher and Coach of the Year Award for the eighth time in his career.

*Martha Wells (Skaneateles CC) won the Player Development Award for the second straight year. Wells recognized the Skaneateles CC board and her staff for helping grow the game at her club including her Girl Power Golf Programs.

 

*Michael Deuel (En-Joie GC) received the Section’s top honor, Golf Professional of the Year. Deuel spoke about his appreciation for the many people who had an impact on his career including his club members, his PGA peers and his family.

 

*Hall of Fame inductee Steve Aloi (Camillus CC) expressed his gratitude for the special people he’s had the opportunity to work with during his career.

 

Members of this year’s Special Awards Committee include: Chairman Rick Frederick; Martha Wells, Skaneateles CC; Jeff Kleinman, Turning Stone Resort Casino; Mike Discenza, SUNY Cortland and Stan Gorman, Pompey Club.

 

During the evening the CNY PGA also recognized the section supporters in attendance:

Dave Neuser and Paul Pinckney – Empire Golf Cars

Stuart Miller – Stuart Miller Golf Sales

Jeff Kelley – Titleist

Jim Yeager – Callaway

Andrew Hickey, Dan Thompson, Jack Travers and Mike Dirkes from the New York State Golf Association

Jim Wheeler, Tuscarora Golf Course in support of the Folds of Honor Foundation