Members honored at Special Awards

The 21^st annual Central New York PGA Special Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Ceremony was held at Drumlins Country Club on Dec. 5. The event celebrated the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, Bruce Martins and Joe Lanza, as well as recognizing the Section’s 2024 award winners including Golf Professional of the Year Linda Mulherin, PGA Master Professional.

After a buffet dinner, CNY PGA CEO and PGA REACH President Alan Seamans, PGA served as the evening’s emcee. The ceremony was presented by Turning Stone Resort Casino, New Penn Golf Cart Leasing Co. (Frank “Red” Costello), and Satch Sales Mobile Solutions.

In attendance were Section supporters: Paul Pinckney and Dave Neuser from Empire Golf Cars, Jeff Kelley from Titleist, Steve Wineburg from Bernards Custom Logo and Trey Walewski, PGA from Under Armour.

CNY PGA Tournament Director Dylan Plis, PGA Associate, kicked off the Special Awards by recognizing the Players of the Year presented by Rolex. This year’s recipients — Dennis Colligan (Section and Senior POY; Cazenovia GC), Brittany Wowelko (Women POY; CNY PGA) and Robert Larsen (Assistant POY, Onondaga G&CC) — were all repeat winners.

Many Special Award recipients were first-time winners in their respective categories. They gave meaningful speeches while also thanking their families, friends and mentors for being a part of their golf journey.

Highlights include:

*Jason Harris, PGA (Tioga Golf Club) received the Patriot Award for the first time in his career. Harris dedicated his award to his late father, George, a military veteran. Harris launched a PGA HOPE program at his facility in 2023 in honor of his father.

*Michael Hogan, PGA (Oswego CC) earned this year’s Youth Player Development Award Winner for the junior golf programs he’s implemented.

*Ryan McGinnis, PGA (Turning Stone Resort Casino) received the Teacher and Coach of the Year Award for his efforts in golf instruction. He gave credit to the late Richard Winstead, PGA and Marty Nowicki, PGA (Turning Stone) for having a big impact on his career.

*Linda Mulherin, PGA MP (Drumlins CC) received the Section’s top honor, Golf Professional of the Year. She was introduced by Brittany Wowelko, the CNY PGA Director of Foundation Programs and Marketing. Mulherin gave a poignant speech about how golf has fostered important relationships during her career.

*Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Martins (Elm Tree GC) was introduced by Joe Tesori, PGA (Pompey Club), who shared a few humorous stories of his friend. Martins humbly expressed his gratitude for the honor.

*Jon Fowler, PGA (Stone Creek GC), who received the Player Development Award earlier in the evening, introduced Hall of Fame inductee Joe Lanza, who talked about his career and how he strived for professional excellence.

The 2024 awards winners were announced in November. There were:

Teacher/Coach of the Year: Ryan McGinnis (Turning Stone Resort Casino)

Player Development Award: Jon Fowler (Stone Creek Golf Club)

Professional Development Award (Education): Michael Discenza (Cortland Country Club/Le Moyne College)

Bill Strausbaugh Award (Mentoring): Sean Dadey (Drumlins Country Club)

Youth Player Development: Michael Hogan (Oswego Country Club)

Patriot Award: Jason Harris (Tioga Golf Club)

Assistant Professional of the Year: Dylan Plis (CNY PGA) and Kyle Siegel (Beaver Meadows Golf Club)

Golf Salesperson of the Year: Trey Walewski (Under Armour/Meadowbrook Golf Course)

Merchandiser of the Year

*Public – Jay Turcsik (Mark Twain Golf Club)

*Private – Dennis Estes (Cavalry Club)