2025 Season Review & Awards
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo District Golf Association is pleased to complete another successful season of competitive golf in Western New York.
The 2025 Season saw a new face capture the BDGA Men's Player of the Year Award, as Kristopher Boyes of Sheridan Park GC claimed the POY title. Boyes standout season included a victory at the Erie County Amateur Championship, as well as a runner-up finishe at the BDGA Match Play and top 10 finishes at the BDGA & NYSGA Mid-Amateur's. This is Boyes first time winning this award.
Andy Bernatovicz of River Oaks GC earned the BDGA Senior Player of the Year Award. Bernatovicz's impressive 2025 season included winning both the BDGA Senior Strole Play & Senior Match Play Championships, and winning the Low Senior Award at the BDGA Individual. On top of that Bernatovicz won the NYS Men's Senior Championship at Brookfield CC. Lastly, his season concluded with a top 10 finish in the BDGA Mid-Am and top 20 finishes in the NYS Men's Mid-Am & Senior Porter Cup. Bernatovicz has now won this award in back to back seasons as well as four of the last six.
The BDGA Junior Player of the Year was awarded to Cole Jones of East Aurora CC. Jones' victories at the BDGA Junior Stroke Play & Match Play Championship and runner-up finish at the Boys' Erie County Am propelled him to the top of the BDGA Junior Points List. Jones' placement on the Junior Points List throughout the season earned him the opportunity to represent the BDGA at the 2025 Williamson Cup, which was hosted by the Quebec Golf Association at Le Club Laval Sur Le Lac. Jones has now won this award in back to back seasons.
Michael Jordan of Crag Burn GC earned the Boys' 14U Player of the Year Award. Jordan won both the BDGA Boys' 14U Stroke Play & Match Play Championships and finished 5th in the NYS Boys' 14U Championship. Jordan has now won this award in back to back seasons.
Related: BDGA Points Lists
We would also like to honor all of the 2025 Buffalo District Golf Association champions for their outstanding accomplishments this season:
Buffalo District Two-Man Scramble Championship
Niagara Frontier Golf Club, May 5
Open Division Winners: David Lefebre & Cory Cullen
Runners-up: Matt Scalfani & Jeff Janese
Senior Division Champions: PJ Alterio & Jim Berrigan
B-Division Champions: Christopher Pettis & James Parker
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Mid-Amateur Championship
Transit Valley Country Club, June 3-4
Winner: Shane Dobesh
Runner-up: Billy Hanes
Story / Full Leaderboard
Erie County Amateur Championships
Grover Cleveland GC, July 12-13
Men's Division Champion: Kris Boyes
Women's Division Champion: Gwendolyn Yarnall
Senior Division Champion: PJ Alterio
Boys' Division Champion: Jack Tebeau
Girls' Division Champion: Claire Brady
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Boys' & Girls Junior Match Play Championship
Sheridan Park Golf Course, July 15-17
Winner: Cole Jones
Runner-up: Caleb Occhino
Girls 18U Winner: Charlotte Occhino
Boys' 14U Winner: Michael Jordan
Girls 14U Winner: Claire Brady
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Men’s Individual Championship
Cloverbank Country Club, July 24-26
Winner: David Hanes
Runner-up: Michael Donner
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Buffalo District Women’s Individual Championship
Cloverbank Country Club, July 25-26
Winner: Gwendolyn Yarnall
Runner-up: Jocelyn Wintersteen
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Boys' & Girls Junior Stroke Play Championship
Orchard Park Club, July 30-31
Winner: Cole Jones
Runner Up: Ryan Kelly
Girls 18U: Natalie Wasik
Boys 14U: Michael Jordan
Girls 14U: Claire Brady
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Match Play Championship
Lancaster Country Club, August 20-22
Winner: Ryan Edholm
Runner-up: Kris Boyes
Senior Winner: Andy Bernatovicz
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Senior Championship
Wanakah Country Club, September 23-24
Overall Winner: Andy Bernatovicz
Runner-up: Axel Ackerman
Legends Division Champion: Ken Augustyniak
Masters Division Champion: Michael McNulty
Story / Full Leaderboard
The BDGA would like to thank our host member clubs and their staff for the continued support of the BDGA including; Cloverbank Country Club, Grover Cleveland Golf Club, Lancaster Country Club, Niagara Frontier Golf Club, Orchard Park Country Club, River Oaks Golf Club, Sheridan Park, Transit Valley Country Club, and Wanakah Country Club. We’d also like to take this time to recognize our volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to support and administer golf throughout Western New York.
