Male and female junior players and PGA of America Members and Associates from golf clubs around the Central New York PGA Section competed Aug. 5 the Rocky Kelly Pro-Junior Tournament. The event is annually held at picturesque Green Lakes State Park Golf Course where Kelly was the head professional.

 

Nick Serafino (Timber Banks Golf Club) and Kyle Siegel (Beaver Meadows Golf Club) tied for first at 3-under-par 68 in the PGA of America Members category.

 

Siegel, who finished second last year, carded two birdies on his last two holes to secure a tie for first. He finished with five birdies and two bogeys. Serafino finished with four birdies against one bogey.

 

Onondaga Golf and Country Club placed first in the scramble team event with a 19-under 52. Team members were Robert Larsen, PGA and juniors Porter Matt, Patrick O’Connor and Huey Roddy.

 

FINAL RESULTS

 

The tournament has special meaning for members of the Kelly family, who were on hand to support the event.

 

“This carries on Rocky’s legacy and how important junior golf was to him,” Mike Kelly said. “Obviously with (Rocky’s) dad being a pro, it passed down to him and he passed it down to so many others. To have his name associated with youth golf in Central New York, it’s tremendous. We want to make sure it goes on forever, we’re so proud. We thank the CNY PGA so much.”

 

Team scoring was a 3-person scramble with the opportunity to use any of the Professional’s shots and or score.

 

For many juniors, like Brayden Thomas, the event is a fun day of golf. Thomas has played in the event for the last three years on the Drumlins Country Club team.

 

“I love this tournament,” Thomas said. “I like playing with Sean and having fun.”

 

“I like the format,” said Jacob Olearczyk, who played with Trey Walewski, PGA for the second straight year on the defending champion Meadowbrook GC team. “There’s not as much pressure on yourself as a normal individual tournament. You can have a little more fun with it.”