PGA of America Associate Zach Vinal closed out the 2025 season the best way possible by winning his first career Central New York PGA Players Championship on Sept. 23.
Vinal earned his second major title of the year in a two-hole playoff against Mark Tucker, PGA at Thendara Golf Club. Both players finished at 2-under-par 142 in regulation.
In addition to his victory at Thendara, Vinal won the Central New York Open in June and finished tied for third at the Assistants Championship this year.
“There’s nothing like overcoming nerves and pulling through to win and to outlast some really great players,” Vinal said. “To have won two majors this year amidst one of the busiest years of my career has been special. I’m lucky to have a lot of great people around me to cheer me on that help me to believe in myself so I am just happy to earn these wins and make them proud.”
Vinal readily admits the demands of his job as Director of Golf at Yahnundasis Golf Club limits his ability to work on his game. Yet he proved this season his skills are championship caliber.
“It’s weird because I have played so little golf this year,” Vinal said. “But I really get excited for tournament golf and to get the juices flowing, I just love tournament golf.”
Vinal was three back of first-round leader Eric Manning, PGA (Elm Tree GC) entering the second round. Despite a nocturnal visit from a large racoon outside his hotel door Monday night and a weather delay in the final round, Vinal said his plan was to be aggressive.
Vinal carded a 3-under 69 as did Tucker (Cazenovia Country Club). Vinal had a one-stroke lead with one hole to go but Tucker forced a playoff by sinking a 30-foot putt for birdie.
“I played one of my best rounds all year in that second round,” he said. “I only missed three greens the entire day and just didn’t convert a lot of good opportunities so I knew I still had some good momentum going into the playoff.”
Vinal never looked at the leaderboard until the 18th tee when he realized he was 1 up on Tucker, who he was playing with.
“I did what I needed to do by hitting a 3-wood down and then wedge on the green,” Vinal said. “I left my birdie putt two inches short right in the center. But credit to Mark. He made a 30-footer down the hill to force a playoff.”
Both players made par on the first playoff hole, No. 1. Vinal won the title on the par-5 No. 2 with an eagle thanks to valuable intel from Tucker in regulation.
“I knew he had a tough two-putt so I was aggressive as I only had 140 in,” Vinal said. “I hit it to about 4 feet and then it spun off the front of the green but it was an easy putt straight up the hill. Mark actually had the putt earlier in the round so I just thought back to his putt and what he did. So, I got up there and made the eagle putt ending the playoff.”
Vinal said he played with nothing to lose and his win is a testament to good ball striking.
“I knew it was going to take an eagle to win on number 2 so I just was trying to make that happen and luckily it did. Mark and I have a great relationship and I think playing with him today really helped me to play as well as I did so I thank him.”
Tucker, a four-time former Players champion, won the Head Professional Championship with a 3-under 69.
The annual Players and Head Pro Championships are held concurrently at Thendara Golf Club. The Head Professional tournament is for PGA of America Members who are A-1, A-4, or A-13.