Section honors 2023 Award Winners

The 20^th annual Central New York PGA Special Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet was held at Drumlins Country Club on Dec. 7. The event honored the 2023 Hall of Fame inductees, Tony Biata and Eric Manning, as well as recognizing the Section’s 2023 award winners including Golf Professional of the Year Richard Chapman.

With CNY PGA CEO and PGA REACH President Alan Seamans at PGA Headquarters in Frisco, Texas attending a PGA REACH conference, CNY PGA Assistant Executive Director Joe Tesori and Director of Foundation Programs and Marketing Brittany Wowelko served as emcees for this year’s awards ceremony.

The evening began remarks by Jack Conger, CNY PGA board member and co-chair of the special awards committee with Michael Doctor. Don Lemp, of supporting partner M. Lemp Jewelers, recognizing the M. Lemp Jewelers Players of the Year Awards presented by Rolex.

It was an emotional night as many award winners gave heartfelt speeches thanking their families, friends, mentors and club members for being a part of their golf journey.

Highlights include:

*Danny Thomas, Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, paid tribute to his co-workers and peers at Skaneateles Country Club and the people who have helped him in his career.

*Stanley Gorman (Pompey Club) received the Patriot Award for the third time in his career. Gorman conducts tournaments annually that are devoted to military and veterans.

*Ruth Weydig (Oneida Community GC) earned this year’s Youth Player Development Award Winner for the eighth time in her career. Among her accomplishments is implementing elementary golf programs in four school districts.

*The 2023 Bill Strausbaugh Award Winner Joey Tesori spoke about how much golf has given him. He thanked all the mentors who influenced his career and how he strives to pay it forward and give back to the game. Joe Tesori, Sr. returned from Florida to surprised his son.

*Steve Nacewicz (Crestwood GC) received the Teacher and Coach of the Year Award for his exemplary reputation for coaching and instruction. He is also among PING’s National Top 100 club fitters.

*Richard Chapman (Thendara GC) received the Section’s top honor, Golf Professional of the Year. He was introduced by Thendara superintendent Matt Simon. Chapman shared his award with all the people who work with him at Thendara.

*Hall of Fame inductee Eric Manning (Elm Tree GC) was introduced by Mike Discenza, who shared a few humorous stories. Manning humbly expressed his gratitude for the honor.

*Steve Nacewicz and Michael Biata introduced Hall of Fame inductee Tony Biata, who talked about how special his time was with the CNY PGA. Biata spent 17 years as a CNY PGA Section member. During his tenure, Biata served as Section President from 2008-2010 as well as instituting Folds of Honor.

The 2023 awards winners were announced in November. The Section would like to thank the banquet’s presenting partner: Turning Stone Resort Casino and supporting partners: New Penn Golf Cart Leasing Co. (Frank “Red” Costello), Satch Sales/Club Car and M. Lemp Jewelers.

Other section supporters this year include: Empire Golf Cars (Dave Neuser and Paul Pinckney), Titleist (Jeff Kelley), Greg Norman (Alex Smith), Cutter&Buck (Brian Robinson), DeFrancisco & Falgiatano (Charlie Falgiatano) and Pat Kilmartin.

The 2023 Special Award winners:

Golf Professional of the Year: Richard Chapman (Thendara GC)

Player Development: Mike Discenza (SUNY Cortland)

Teacher of the Year: Steve Nacewicz (Crestwood GC)

Professional Development (Education): Jeff Kleinman (Turning Stone Resort Casino)

Bill Strausbaugh (Mentoring): Joey Tesori (CNY PGA)

Youth Player Development: Ruth Weydig (Oneida Community GC)

Patriot Award: Stan Gorman (The Pompey Club)

Merchandisers of the Year

Private: Zach Maslyn (Skaneateles CC)

Resort: Eric Lorenzetti (Turning Stone Resort Casino)

Public: Dallas Pylinski (Seven Oaks GC)