SDGA Hall of Fame Welcomes 2025 Class
- Jack Margaros
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
The Syracuse District Golf Association (SDGA) welcomed its Class of 2025 at a luncheon ceremony held at Tuscarora Golf Club. Headlined by seven-time Player of the Year Kevin Vandenberg, world-renowned instructor Suzy Whaley and multiple-time NYS champion Sally Dee this class of inductees showcases a collection of trailblazers, community leaders, coaches and decorated amateurs who’ve made a significant impact on the game of golf and helped shape its landscape in Central New York.
The SDGA Hall of Fame welcomed the following individuals:
Kevin Vandenberg
A winner of 5 SDGA Men's Majors and 3 SDGA Senior Majors, and NYS State Senior Championship, who has continued his impressive play at the regional and national levels, winning many senior titles across the country and recently repeating as the Golfweek's National Senior Amateur Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
Career Highlights:
• Gerry Ashe Memorial: 09’, 14’
• AIM/Post Standard: 14’, 15, 17’
• SeniorAIM/Post Standard: 25’
• SDGA Men’s Player of theYear: 09’, 11’, 17’, 18’
• SDGA Senior Player of the Year: 21’, 22’, 25’
• NYS Senior Amateur: 22’
Frank Plata
A steady player who dominated the local Senior circuit for many years, with 11 local Senior Major titles as well as the NYS Senior Championship and whose name is synonymous with integrity, sportsmanship, and lifelong dedication to the game.
Career Highlights:
• SDGA Senior Match Play: 06’
• SDGA Senior Stroke Play: 07’, 13’, 15’, 16’
• Senior AIM/Post Standard: 08’, 10’, 13’, 14’, 15’
• SDGA Senior Player of the Year: 06’, 07’, 09’, 13’, 14’
• NYS Senior Amateur: 14’
Sally Dee
A fierce competitor, a devoted mentor, who rose from the local and state junior and women's amateur levels becoming a 3-time College All American, and then competed 5 years on the LPGA Tour, playing in all of the Women's Majors.
Career Highlights:
• SWDGA Girls’: 87’, 88’
• SWDGA Women’s: 90’
• NYS Girls’: 88’
• NYS Women’s Am: 91’
Joe Russo Jr.
Whose game has stood the test of time, winning numerous local junior, college and men's and senior amateur championships over a span of many years, with 2 SDGA major victories 24 years apart, and whose nickname "The Prince" is analogous with "Legend" in CNY.
Career Highlights:
• SDGA Junior Stroke Play: 65’, 66’, 68’
• SDGA Junior Match Play: 68’
• SDGA District Am: 72’
• SDGA Senior Stroke Play: 09’
• AIM/Post Standard: 96’
• SDGA Player of the Year: 72’
John Clare
A tremendously talented golfer with even greater humility, achieving the coveted SDGA Triple Crown at the age of 18, excelling in college golf and then turning pro to compete on the Latin American Tour and PGA Tour Canada.
Career Highlights:
• SDGA Junior Match Play: 12’
• SDGA Gerry Ashe: 15’
• SDGA District Am: 16’
• AIM/Post Standard: 13’
• SDGA Junior Player of the Year: 12’
• SDGA Player of the Year: 15’, 16’
Suzy Whaley
A trailblazer, the first woman president of the PGA of America and the first woman since Babe Zaharias to play in a men's PGA Tour Event and who got her start here in CNY. Her accomplishments on and off the course have opened doors and changed perceptions, paving the way for countless others.
Career Highlights:
• SWDGA Women’s: 84’
• NYS Girls’ Junior: 84’
