Eric Manning won the Central New York PGA Senior Section Championship in a two-hole playoff over Nick Serafino and Michael Deuel at Teugega Country Club. The two-day tournament for Section players 50 and over was held July 24-25.

 

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

 

Manning (Elm Tree GC) and Serafino (Timber Banks GC) shot a 2-under 68 in the final round while first-round leader Deuel (En-Joie GC) carded a 70. The trio finished tied for the lead with even-par 140 in regulation forcing a playoff.

LEADERBOARD

 

On the first playoff hole (playing the par-4 No. 18), Manning and Deuel both made par while Serafino had a bogey.

 

Deuel and Manning headed back to the 18th tee box for a second playoff hole. Manning earned the title with a par after Deuel recorded a bogey on the hole.

 

Manning, the reigning CNY PGA Player of the Year, cashed $925 for first. This is Manning’s first Senior Championship crown. He finished second last year behind Mark Tucker at Bellevue Country Club.

 

By winning the CNY PGA Senior title, Manning earned a spot in the 34th Senior PGA Professional Championship which will take place in October 13-16 Twin Warriors Golf Club at Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa and Santa Ana Golf Club, both in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

 

Serafino and Deuel also qualifying for nationals. Defending champion Tucker (Cazenovia CC) defeated 2020 champion Jeff Reader (Cazenovia GC) in a playoff for the fourth qualifying spot.

 

This year’s alternates (in order) are: Reader, Alan Savage (Turning Stone) Tony Saraceno (Genegantslet Golf Club), And Jay Turscik (Mark Twain GC). Dennis Colligan (Cazenovia GC), who finished sixth, withdrew his name as an alternate because of a scheduling conflict.

 

Six-time Senior champion Saraceno shot rounds of 74 and 75 to win the Super Senior Division.