PGA of America Golf Professional Michael Deuel kicked off the 2025 Turning Stone Resort Casino Pro-Am Series in style with a five-stroke victory on May 12 at the Kaluhyat Course.

 

Deuel fired a 5-under-par 67 to finish atop the leaderboard. He also led his En-Joie Golf Club team to a first-place finish in the Team Division.

 

LEADERBOARD

 

Despite a bad three-putt on the 3rd hole and missing a 3-foot putt on No. 7, Deuel carded five birdies on the front 9 to get off to a fast start.

 

“I putted really well all day and made quite a few putts finally (after misses on Nos. 3 and 7),” Deuel said. “Five birdies on the first eight holes was a pleasant surprise.”

 

The first Turning Stone Resort Casino Pro-Am Series of the season provided players the opportunity to finally play in ideal conditions, a sharp contrast to the constant rain that washed out play for two weeks in Central New York.

 

“It was an amazing day with clear skies and very little wind,” Deuel said. “It felt great not to be wearing three or four layers of clothes.”

 

Deuel recorded with eight birdies against three bogeys to finish five shots ahead of Eric Manning (Elm Tree GC) and Robert Larsen (Onondaga G&CC). Both Manning and Larsen carded an even-par 72.

 

Deuel enjoyed playing Kaluhyat with En-Joie GC members Gregg Castaldo, Paul Murray and Mark Mezzadonna. They finished at 15-under 129. The tournament drew 33 teams.

 

“I had a great bunch of guys to play with,” Deuel said. “They kept things light and we played very well as a team with everyone contributing during the round.

 

Cazenovia Golf Club (Jeff Reader), Tioga Golf Club (David Horn) and Elm Tree Golf Club (Eric Manning) all finished tied for second in the team event with a 13-under 131.

 

Tim Hume (McConnellsville GC) won the Senior Division at 2-over 74.

 

The Central New York PGA would like to thank featured sponsor Turning Stone Resort Casino for their support of the Pro-Am Series. Thank you also to John Plumb of Antigua who provided players with a crewneck as well as Pro-Am Series No. 1 supporting partners Golf Max (Mike Sierchio), Hole-in-one USA (Amy Grogan), Oakley (Matt Cunha) and Callaway (Jim Yeager).