Husqvarna Riding Mower Won't Start?

I bought my YTH22V46 tractor from Lowes in May 2018 and it worked beauifully through last years mowing season. Since I use the tractor during the winter to pull my lawn trailer I did not drain the gas and winterize it after the mowing season. I did keep fresh gas in it all winter. As the winter went on it became harder to start, it would crank and crank but not fire. I replaced the spark plugs and fuel filter, as recommended, but that made no difference. Lowes told me to contact an authorized service representative. The first one I called gave me an appointment on June 24th. Knowing that my lawn would be about a foot tall by then I contacted another authorized service dealer who picked up the tractor he next day.

The first mechanic who checked it out called to tell me that there was nothing wrong with it except that it had no gas (I had drained it out when I sent it to them so I could use it in my old tractor to mow my 8 high grass). He claimed to have checked the choke and found it to be ok and performed no other work on it...total charge including transportation $147.50.. plus tax. When I received it the tractor started properly only once and then it went back to its old ways. I called the service representative and spoke to another mechanic who suggested that I try to start it on full throttle and only move it to choke if it doesn't start. That has been working fine ever since. If I had gotten this mechanic first I could have saved $147.50 plus tax and had far less hassles.
This is a great tractor now that I can get it started but the Briggs and Stratton 22hp engine has some inherent problem with the choke that apparently floods the engine if used as it is designed to be. I would recommend the higher model with the Kohler engine which is what my neighbor has, starts 1st time every time. '