East Amherst, NY, August 2nd, 2021 – Glen Oak Golf Course in East Amherst, NY hosted the WNY Classic on Monday, August 2nd, which is the 2nd major championship stop on the WNYPGA calendar. The tournament (formerly known as the Rochester Classic) has played host to some of the best club pros in the Western New York Region, including past winners such as Lonnie Nielsen, Denny Lyons, John Calabria and Kirk Stauffer to name a few. The 18-hole, one day championship, is a double ROLEX Player of the Year Points tournament for the WNYPGA Professionals and also includes a best 1 o2 Pro-Am component.
Claiming the overall championship title this year is Nick Palladino, a PGA Associate at The Crag Burn GC in East Aurora, NY. Nick is in his first year working towards becoming a PGA Professional and spent some time in previous years playing on mini tours with some success. This is Nick’s first Major Championship Title as a WNYPGA Associate as he fired a 7-under par bogeyless round of 65 to just edge our runner-up Rob Krajewski of Glen Oak GC. This is the 2nd first time Major winner this season after Jake Eckley captured his first at the WNY Open earlier in the season.
In the Senior Professional Division, Jon Hoecker of Brook-Lea CC posted a 4-under par 68 to edge runner up and a past champion of this event Kirk Stauffer (Chautauqua GC).
The Super Senior Professional Division was won by Bobby Hogan who is an instructor out of River Oaks GC. Bobby came in with a 1-over par, 73.
The Pro-Am, better 1 of 2, event needed a match of cards to find the winning team. That team was Rob Krajewski (Glen Oak GC) and his amateur partner Jason Schmand. Rob and Jason posted a team 11–under par, 61.
In addition to the championship golf event, the Section Tournament Committee selects a PGA Professional to be honored each year at the awards reception for his or her service to the golf industry. This year being presented with the Signs by the Sea WNY Classic Honoree plaque was Ralph Haas. Ralph was the long time Head Pro at Transit Valley CC, past president of the WNYPGA Section and WNYPGA Hall of Fame Member. Well deserved Ralph!
For full results of the championship, CLICK HERE.