Pompey & Syracuse, NY – The Central New York PGA Junior Tour held their Junior PGA Championship Qualifier on Sunday and Monday, July 6–7, as rising junior golf talent teed it up at The Pompey Club and Drumlins Country Club. The event featured exceptional performances in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, culminating in dramatic finishes and national championship qualifiers.
Boys Division: Goodelle Clinches Title, Thomas Outlasts Stilwell in Playoff
Thomas Goodelle of New Hartford, NY, delivered a rock-solid performance with rounds of 72 and 71 to finish even par (143) and claim the overall boys’ title by a commanding 7 strokes.
The race for second came down to a tense three-hole sudden-death playoff between Brayden Thomas (East Syracuse, NY) and Michael Stilwell (Whitesboro, NY), who both posted 7-over-par 150.
After matching bogeys on the par-5 1st hole, Thomas nearly holed a pitch on the 2nd and tapped in for par, while Stilwell rolled in a 12-foot downhill putt to keep the match alive. On the final playoff hole—the short par-4 3rd—Brayden found the fairway and stuck his approach to 5 feet. Michael, forced to pitch out from the trees, recovered well but left himself 10 feet for par. Brayden converted the birdie putt to secure second place and a spot in the national championship.
Top 5 Boys Results:
- Thomas Goodelle – New Hartford, NY | 72-71 – 143 (E)
T2. Brayden Thomas – East Syracuse, NY | 72-78 – 150 (+7)
T2. Michael Stilwell – Whitesboro, NY | 74-76 – 150 (+7)
- John Lazzaro – New Hartford, NY | 72-79 – 151 (+8)
- Drew Kippen – Cicero, NY | 71-81 – 152 (+9)
Girls Division: Abel Goes Wire-to-Wire for Victory
In the girls’ division, Delaney Abel of Corning, NY, turned in back-to-back rounds of 75 to secure the overall girls’ title at 150 (+7). Abel’s consistency across both rounds proved the
difference as she topped Kamryn Yerman (Frankfort, NY), who opened strong with a 72 before finishing second at 155 (+12).
Lindsey Chong (Manlius, NY) placed third with rounds of 85-81 (166), while Rachel O’Rourke (Rome, NY) and Anna Fuller (Fayetteville, NY) tied for fourth at 167.
Top 5 Girls Results:
- Delaney Abel – Corning, NY | 75-75 – 150 (+7)
- Kamryn Yerman – Frankfort, NY | 72-83 – 155 (+12)
- Lindsey Chong – Manlius, NY | 85-81 – 166 (+23)
T4. Rachel O’Rourke – Rome, NY | 81-86 – 167 (+24)
T4. Anna Fuller – Fayetteville, NY | 85-82 – 167 (+24)
National Championship Bound
With their first- and second-place finishes, Thomas Goodelle, Brayden Thomas, Delaney Abel, and Kamryn Yerman have earned the opportunity to represent Central New York at the National Junior PGA Championship, to be held at Purdue University at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Indiana, from July 29–August 1, 2025.
The Central New York PGA congratulates all participants and extends its gratitude to The Pompey Club and Drumlins Country Club for hosting this memorable event.