The Central New York PGA celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Mitchell Cup by defeating the Syracuse District Golf Association, 30-18, on Oct. 1 at Onondaga Golf and Country Club in Fayetteville.

 

The Mitchell Cup is an annual team event format between the CNY PGA and SDGA’s top players. The event is named in honor of former Onondaga Golf and Country Club head professional and CNY PGA hall of famer William Mitchell.

 

The CNY PGA won the Modified Alternate Shot morning round, 9-3. The CNY PGA also took the Four-Ball events, 21-15. The SDGA was the defending champions.

 

CNY PGA members Jeff Reader and Nick Serafino, who rank 1-2 for qualifying for the most Mitchell Cups, said it’s a privilege to compete in the annual event. Reader has qualified 28 times, Serafino, 27.

 

”It’s the main goal of the season for me, especially as I get older,” Reader said. “It means a lot to everyone who plays in it. We appreciate it and enjoy it a lot.

 

“It’s always been a goal of mine to make the Mitchell Cup team because of the tradition,” Serafino said. “It’s our version of the Ryder Cup. It’s an honor to play. To play Onondaga is always a treat too.”

 

Among the highlights were two holes-in-one during the morning session, both coming on the eighth hole. Luke Hobika of the SDGA team aced the hole witnessed by teammate Jim Hirsh and CNY PGA opponents Mark Tucker and Eric Manning. In the next foursoume, Mel Baum, PGA scoring his 13th career hole-in-one, witnessed by teammate Joe Tesori and SDGA opponents Brett Cunningham and Brian Evans.

 

Recognized during the luncheon were SDGA Mitchell Cup co-captains Todd Dischinger and Gene Meyle. Both are retiring after this season. Retired Onondaga G&CC head professional Russell Schreiber made a special guest appearance.

 

Competing for the CNY PGA were: Reader, Serafino, Trey Walewski, Manning, Tucker, Matt Jaynes, Alan Savage, Rob Phelps, Baum, Tesori, Mike Discenza, and Michael Deuel.

 

Members of the SDGA squad were: Hobika, Joe Petrin, Chris Quilty, Steve Arlukiewicz, Jackson Saroney, Doug DeCarlo, Damian George, Hirsh, Adam Butch, Cunningham, Evans and Andrew Brunozzi.

 

The CNY PGA leads the all-time series 31-17-1.