Dennis Colligan prevailed over Kevin Roman in a two-hole playoff to win the Central New York PGA Senior Section Championship at Green Lakes State Park Golf Course. The annual tournament for Section players 50 and over took place July 17-18.

 

The Senior Section Championship was presented by Cadillac and the Golf Channel.

 

Colligan held a three-stroke lead over Roman and Mark Tucker after a 6-under-par 65 in the first round. On Day 2, Roman erased the deficit with four birdies. He held a one-stroke lead over Colligan with five holes to play. But Roman fell into a tie with a bogey on 17.

 

Colligan (Cazenovia GC) and Roman (Valley View GC) both made par on 18 and after 36 holes the pair finished tied for first at 5-under-par 137 requiring a playoff for the championship.

 

On the first playoff hole (par-4 No. 18), Colligan and Roman both made par. The pair played the par-3 No. 16 for the second playoff hole where Colligan played the hole a little differently than in regulation. Colligan sank a short putt for par while Roman’s par putt rolled wide, giving Colligan his first Senior Section crown.

 

“Earlier I hit it over the left bunker and it bounced all the way through the green,” Colligan said. “This time I just tried to keep it a little right of the pin.”

 

Colligan said it was a good feeling to win the title.

 

 

“Your ultimate goal is to finish in the top four to advance to the (national) Seniors,” Colligan said. “Winning is always fun and I’m very happy. This is the first time I can go to nationals. The previous two years I couldn’t go.”

 

The 53-year-old Colligan earned $925 for first while Roman cashed $765. Both players earned a spot in the Senior PGA Professional Championship which will take place October 26-29 at the PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker and Ryder Courses in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

 

Roman is preparing to relocate to South Carolina to become the Director of Instruction at Sea Points Country Club in Hilton Head in September. He was happy with his play except for one shot he wished he had back.

 

“I made a mistake on 17,” Roman said. “I made one bad shot all day. I just lost focus.”

 

FINAL RESULTS

 

Besides Roman and Colligan, Tucker (Cazenovia CC) and Nick Serafino (Timber Banks) also qualified for nationals. Serafino was the second-round medalist with a 3-under 68.

 

This year’s alternates (in order) are: Michael Deuel (En-Joie GC), Alan Savage (Turning Stone), Jeff Reader (Cazenovia GC) and 2022 Senior Section champ Eric Manning (Elm Tree GC).

 

Rob Phelps (Vesper Hills) shot rounds of 76 and 71 to win the Super Senior Division.