For the second straight year, Dan Molter got off to a torrid start and never looked back en route to winning the Central New York PGA Assistant Championship on Aug. 30 at Seven Oaks Golf Club.

 

The 26-year-old Molter (Binghamton Country Club) shot a 5-under-par 67 in the morning round to establish a six-stroke lead then closed with a 3-over 75 to repeat as champion.

 

“To be able to play two solid rounds of golf, that’s what I’m most happy with,” Molter said. “I’m lucky to win this back-to-back years and I’m happy that I did.”

 

With a 2-under 142 total, Molter won by five strokes over Eric Manning. He won the tournament last year by a four-stroke margin at Turning Stone.

 

Manning (Elm Tree Golf Club) shot rounds of 75 and 72 for an overall total of 3-over 147.

 

Molter brought his A game to Seven Oaks and was 5-under after the first 10 holes which gave himself a sizable cushion over the field in the morning. During the early round, Molter carded an eagle and five birdies to go with two bogeys. His eagle was at the 371-yard, par-4 10th hole.

 

“I played solid and made some putts in the first round,” Molter said. “I posted a number and went to work in the second round. That’s always the game plan to come out strong.”

 

Molter strengthened his game by changing his swing last winter which has made a big difference in being more consistent. Molter spends his winter months in Florida at the PGA Golf Club working on his game.

 

“I went through a big swing change last year,” Molter said. “To be able to hit the shots I need to under pressure and to shoot lower numbers, that’s been a big thing for me. Even though today wasn’t as consistent as I would have wanted it, I did what I had to do in the second round to close it out.”

 

 

The CNY PGA Section Assistants annual tournament is sponsored by National Car Rental, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, John Deere and Golf Advisor.

 

The victory earned Molter $1,125 and his second consecutive trip to the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship which will be held November 14-17 at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

 

Molter missed the cut at the national tournament by a shot last year.

 

Manning, who cashed $900 for second, will be the Section’s alternate to the national assistant’s tournament. Earlier this season, Manning also qualified to play in the Senior PGA Professional Championship October 3-6 at Omni Barton Green Resort in Austin, Texas. He also won the CNY PGA Stroke Play Championship on July 15 at Cortland Country Club.