2024 Stroke Play champion Eric Manning and event presenting partner Stu Miller (Stu Miller Golf Sales).
Eric Manning defeated defending champion Mark Tucker by two strokes to win the 2024 Central New York PGA Stroke Play Championship on June 3 at Soaring Eagles Golf Club in Horseheads.
The Stroke Play Championship is one of the CNY PGA’s major tournaments and worth double points in the Rolex Player of the Year standings.
Manning (Elm Tree Golf Course) fired a 4-under-par 67 in the morning to lead all players in the first round. Manning stayed atop the leaderboard during the afternoon session with an even-par 71 to finish at 4-under 138.
“The golf course was in great shape and the set up was very challenging, so winning yesterday felt great,” the CNY PGA hall of famer said.
Tucker (Cazenovia Country Club) and Tim Hume (McConnellsville Golf Club) attempted to overtake Manning in the second round on the back nine. But Manning finished his last six holes at even par to maintain his first-place position and win the title.
“I saw Mark and Tim were close, and at one point I think that we were tied,” Manning said. “I played very steady on the back nine in the afternoon and knew I had a two-stroke lead coming down 18 which eased the pressure a little bit.”
Tucker shot rounds of 71 and 69 to finish the tournament at 2-under 140.
There was a three-way tie for third place at 1-under 141 between Dennis Colligan (Cazenovia Golf Club), Hume and Michael Deuel (En-Joie Golf Club).
Consistent play proved to be the winning formula for Manning, who last won the event in 2019.
“I played very solid golf, and didn’t make any mistakes that cost me, luckily,” Manning said.
The CNY PGA would like to thank presenting partner Stu Miller and Stu Miller Golf Sales for supporting the event.