2026 Season Review & Awards
The Buffalo District Golf Association is pleased to complete another successful season of competitive golf in Western New York.
The 2026 Season saw a familiar face capture the BDGA Men's Player of the Year Award, as Billy Hanes of East Aurora CC claimed his 6th POY title. Hanes standout season included a victory at the BDGA Match Play Championship, a runner-up finishe at the BDGA Mid-Amateur Play and a top 10 at the BDGA Individual.
Brian Kumiega of the Country Club of Buffalo earned the BDGA Senior Player of the Year Award. Kumiega's impressive 2026 season included winning both the BDGA Senior Match Play Championship. Runner up for the Low Senior Award at the BDGA Individual. On top of that Kumiega finished 6th at the NYS Men's Senior Championship. This is Kumiega's first Senior POY title.
The BDGA Junior Player of the Year was awarded to Braeden Lee of Transit Valley CC. Lees' victories at the BDGA Junior Match Play & Junior Erie County Am Championship along with making the Championship flight at the International Junior Masters. His placement on the Junior Points List throughout the season earned him the opportunity to represent the BDGA at the 2026 Williamson Cup, which was hosted by the Metropolitian Golf Association at Knickerbocker CC. This is Lees' first Junior POY.
Jameson Finn of NYSGA eClub - WNY earned the Boys' 14U Player of the Year Award. Finn won both the BDGA Boys' 14U Match Play Championship and finished runner up at the BDGA Boys' 14U Stroke Play. This is Finn's first 14U Junior POY.
Related: BDGA Points Lists
We would also like to honor all of the 2026 Buffalo District Golf Association champions for their outstanding accomplishments this season:
Buffalo District Two-Man Scramble Championship
Niagara Frontier Golf Club, May 4
Open Division Winners: David Lefebre & Cory Cullen
Runners-up: Tyler Edholm & Joseph Torrillo
Senior Division Champions: PJ Alterio & Jim Berrigan
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Mid-Amateur Championship
Park Country Club, June 11-12
Winner: David Wagner
Runner-up: Billy Hanes
Story / Full Leaderboard
Erie County Amateur Championships
Elma Meadows GC, July 11-12
Men's Division Champion: Kris Boyes
Women's Division Champion: Gwendolyn Yarnall
Senior Division Champion: Axel Ackerman
Boys' Division Champion: Braeden Lee
Girls' Division Champion: Natalie Wasik
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Boys' & Girls Junior Match Play Championship
Sheridan Park Golf Course, July 14-16
Winner: Braeden Lee
Runner-up: Caleb Occhino
Girls 18U Winner: Clarie Brady
Boys' 14U Winner: Jameson Finn
Girls 14U Winner: Elise Brady
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Boys' & Girls Junior Stroke Play Championship
Willowbrook Golf Club, July 22-23
Winner: Caleb Occhino
Runner Up: Dylan Brooks
Girls 18 Hole Division: Natalie Wasik
Boys 14U: Andrew Pickhardt
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Men’s Individual Championship
East Aurora Country Club, July 29-31
Winner: Michael Wolski
Runner-up: Charlie Fischer
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Women’s Individual Championship
East Aurora Country Club, July 29-31
Winner: Jocelyn Wintersteen
Runner-up: Eliana Wierzbowski
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Match Play Championship
Niagara Falls Country Club, August 25-27
Winner: Billy Hanes
Runner-up: Joseph Mitchell
Senior Winner: Brian Kumiega
Story / Full Leaderboard
Buffalo District Senior Championship
River Oaks Golf Club, September 23-24
Overall Winner: Jeff Schauger
Runner-up: Jim Sweeney
Legends Division Champion: John Gaffney
Masters Division Champion: Bob Dewitt
Story / Full Leaderboard
The BDGA would like to thank our host member clubs and their staff for the continued support of the BDGA including; Park Country Club, Elma Meadows Golf Club, Niagara Falls Country Club, Niagara Frontier Golf Club, Willowbrook GOlf Club, River Oaks Golf Club, Sheridan Park, and River Oaks Golf 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.
