The wait is over for Nick Serafino.
After 36 tries, the PGA of America Golf Professional scored his first Central New York PGA Section Championship on Aug 26 at Turning Stone Resort Casino. For Serafino, it was a rewarding moment to finally hoist the championship trophy.
“It’s great,” said Serafino, who is the director of golf at Timber Banks Golf Club. “I say, I’m 1 for 36 because this is my 36th Section Championship and to get a victory, it’s really nice and I’m very happy.”
Serafino shot rounds of 70 and 71 at the Shenendoah Course and withstood a challenge from 2011 champion Mark Tucker to finish at 3-under-par 141. Tucker (Cazenovia Country Club) finished two strokes back at 1-under 143.
After a challenging first round Aug. 25, Serafino ended on a high note with an eagle on No. 18 from 60 yards out. He carded a 2-under 70, one shot back of leader defending champion Dennis Colligan (3-under 69).
Serafino carried that momentum into the final round playing with close friends Colligan and Tucker.
Serafino, who is also the chairperson of the PGA REACH CNY, seized the lead on the front nine with birdies on holes 4, 6 and 9. Tucker erased Serafino’s two stroke lead and pulled into a tie with two birdies on 10 and 13 after Serafino carded bogeys on No. 10 and 12.
“I wasn’t really looking at the leaderboard,” Serafino said. “I’m not a leaderboard watcher. But I knew Mark birdied 10, and I bogeyed it so I knew we had to be close.”
Not to be denied this year, Serafino came through with a birdie on the par-3 No. 14 to regain the lead for good.
“I hit a great shot that kind of turned things around on 14,” Serafino said. “I hit it to about a foot and made birdie and then just hung on from there. I made that shot on 14 when I needed it.”
Serafino enjoyed earning his milestone win playing alongside Tucker and Colligan.
“I had a great pairing,” Serafino said. “They’re both tremendous friends and great players. It was nice to be with them for the victory.”
Serafino and Tucker will represent the CNY PGA at the 59th annual PGA Professional Championship next April. Matthew Jaynes (Corning CC) earned the third spot for nationals in a playoff over Tim Hume (McConnellsville GC), who scored a hole-in-one on No. 14.
Hume is the first alternate. second alternate Colligan, who won a playoff against Joey Tesori. Tesori (CNY PGA) is the third alternate.
The 2025 CNY PGA Section Championship was presented by Club Car, Corebridge Financial and Rolex.
PHOTOS FROM ROUNDS ONE AND TWO