Jerry Reilly is the recipient of the Tony DeVivo “Umpire of the Year” Award. P-J file photo by Matt Spielman

Jerry Reilly joined Marv Cummings and Ray Spacht for a round of golf at Pinehurst Golf Club in Westfield on Friday.

For the record, Spacht won, beating his buddies by a stroke.

But that’s not the main reason the trio got together.

Cummings, the president of the Chautauqua County Baseball Umpires Association, had something to tell fellow umpire Reilly, with an assist from Spacht, who is also a CCBUA member.

It was supposed to wait until they’d made the turn, but after completing four holes, Cummings couldn’t wait any longer.

“We were getting ready to tee off on No. 5, we cracked open a beer and we broke it to him,” Cummings said.

The news nearly brought Reilly to tears.

Completely understandable.

It’s not every day that you’re recognized as the best by your peers.

So, come October, Reilly will be making a trip to Binghamton where he will be presented the Tony DeVivo “Umpire of the Year” Award by the New York State Baseball Umpires Association.

The honor caps quite a journey for the Dunkirk resident, on and off the field.

Almost exactly a year ago, Reilly was diagnosed with leukemia. After months of treatment, he was declared in remission, and by the start of high school baseball season this spring he was back to umpiring, just as he’s done for the past four decades.

“He umpired my high school games. That’s how long he’s been doing it,” Cummings said. “He’s the reason I got into umpiring, the reason I joined the board and became an officer of the board. I wasn’t going to come back, but when Jerry had his bout with leukemia the first thing he said to me was, ‘Look, the only thing I want to do is get back on the field with you.’ So I said, ‘I’m not quitting now.’ We came back and had a great season.”

Cummings said he nominated Reilly in May and was informed of the news a little more than a week ago.

“He knows the rules, No. 1, and he’s just got that calm demeanor that makes him successful umpiring,” Cummings added. “He just deals with the players and coaches like no other umpire. He’s a people person, and just has the ability to keep control of the game.”

In addition to his onfield presence, Reilly, who wasn’t immediately available for comment, has been CCBUA’s assignor for more than 20 years.

“That’s the most work, and he does it so (well),” Cummings said. “He’s got the respect of all the coaches, all the athletic directors and he has the respect of our board. He’s the glue, he really holds things together. He’s the voice of reason.”

Now, the “voice of reason” will receive his avocation’s highest honor on Oct. 1.

“It makes me just as happy as it does him,” Cummings said. “Nobody deserves it more.”