Michael Deuel held off three-time defending champion Eric Manning to win the Central New York PGA Section Championship. Deuel shot rounds of 65 and 72 at Corning Country Club to take home the Section crown.
Deuel admitted it was an emotional victory at this stage in his career.
“This win meant a lot and I got a little choked up after I safely hit the 18th green having basically secured the win,” he said. “The last three or four years have been tough, both professionally and personally, so this was a very satisfying win.”
Deuel (En-Joie GC) finished as the first-round medalist after firing a bogey-free 5-under-par 65. In the second round, Deuel carded three birdies against five bogeys to finish at 3-under 137, three strokes ahead of Manning (Elm Tree GC).
After an opening round 73, Manning made a push to catch Deuel on the back nine in the second round. Manning, a seven-time Section champion, shot a 32 on the back thanks to four birdies. But it wasn’t enough to catch Deuel.
“I was worried all day because I was struggling to find fairways off the tee and tried to just ‘hang in there’ as long as I could,” Deuel said. “I figured I had a sizeable lead after 27 holes, but after making bogey on 10, 11, and 13 I knew I was in trouble and my large lead had all but evaporated.”
Deuel said he hit wedge to 2 feet on No. 14 and that key shot helped preserved the cushion he needed in the home stretch.
“I never looked at the leaderboard until the 16th tee and at that time realized that 3 pars would most likely secure the win,” Deuel said. “Thankfully I hit my best three drives of the day on the last three holes, played to the middle of the green each time, and was able to coast in without much stress.”
For Deuel, this was his third career Section Championship. He has now won the title in three decades: 2023, 2013 (at Binghamton CC) and 2005 (at Turning Stone Resort Casino’s Shenendoah Course).
“I’m honored and proud that I’ve won the Section Championship in three different decades,” Deuel said. “I’m very glad to have come out on top this year at Corning because this very well could be my last one.”
Manning finished at even-par 140 to earn $2,750 for second. Mark Tucker (Cazenovia CC) placed third (70-71—141).
Deuel, who cashed $3,750 for first place, earned a berth to the 57th PGA Professional National Championship but will not be able to participate.
Representing the CNY PGA next spring at Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco are: Manning, Tucker and Ryan McGinnis (Turning Stone). McGinnis defeated Matt Jaynes (Corning CC) in a playoff for the third spot.
First alternate is Jaynes, second Alternate is Dennis Colligan (Cazenovia GC) and Alan Savage (Turning Stone).
Many thanks to Corning CC for hosting and to our tournament partners: Club Car, Corebridge Financial and Rolex.