A Season of Friends was the theme this summer in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Central New York PGA Junior Tour presented by the Esther Cannizzo Junior Golf Foundation.

 

The CNY PGA Junior Tour was created to provide affordable, competitive events for junior golfers and help further develop the quality of junior golfers in the region in addition to encouraging sportsmanship while promoting the rules and etiquette of the game.

 

We are grateful for the support of presenting sponsor the Esther Cannizzo Junior Golf Foundation, created in honor of the late Lakeshore Golf & Country Club member. The Foundation, founded by her three children (Jackie, Kelley and Joe) is designed to help junior golfers in Esther’s home town of Syracuse and Atlanta, Ga. Syracuse native Jackie Cannizzo, PGA is the President of the Esther Cannizzo Junior Golf Foundation.

 

The original mission of the Junior Tour continues today by providing junior golfers of all skill levels affordable events that are administered to the highest professional standards of the PGA of America.

 

The Junior Tour is open to boys and girls ages 9-18. The Junior Tour also had a Developmental Division for ages 9-11. The 2024 season opened with the Bernard’s Custom Logo Junior Open in April and ran until mid-August, ending with the Tesori/Mulherin Cup.

 

The silver edition of the Junior Tour saw a modest increase of members with 183 players. They played 894 tournament rounds, which was approximately 100 more rounds than last season.

 

This year’s highlights included:

*Bernard’s Custom Logo Junior Open

Jackson Saroney shot back-to-back rounds of 73 to win the Overall Boys title at Mark Twain Golf Course and Soaring Eagles Golf Club. Rachel O’Rourke was the Girls Overall winner (91-79—170).

 

*Junior AIM

Rachel O’Rourke won the girls title while Mitchell Archer repeated as the boys champion at the fourth annual Apogee Investment Management Junior Championships on July 11-12, held at Sunset Ridge Golf Course and Oswego Country Club.

 

*Junior Tour Championship

Turning Stone Resort Casino hosted the championship in August. Players had the opportunity to compete on the Kaluhyat course and at Shenendoah.

This year’s winners by age group were (See photo gallery):

 

Boys 9-11: Collin Helmer of Manlius

Boys 12-13: Ashton Ricci of Vernon

Boys 14-15: Brayden Thomas of Syracuse

Boys 16-18: Jacob Olearczyk of Barneveld

Girls 9-11: Livia O’Rourke of Rome

Girls 12-14: Ellie Kent of Warners

Girls 15-18: Evie Denton of Rome

 

*Tesori/Mulherin Cup

In the season ending Junior Tour event, Team Tesori prevailed this year, becoming the first back-to-back winner.