Flourtown, Pa. – One day removed from Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, the annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic was held at Sunnybrook Golf Club. Despite temperatures and conditions that were more like fall weather, it did not deter the field of 150 players (138 professionals and 12 amateurs) for competing for the Section’s largest first place check…$100,000.

One year removed from the sting of a runner-up finish, Andrew Turner (Sunnybrook Golf Club) was primed to have a different outcome in 2017. Playing early in the day, Turner did not get off to the start he envisioned after he bogeyed the par4 2^nd hole. However, using some home course knowledge Turner was able to turn things around and birdie four holes to close his opening nine holes at 3-under. After making the turn, Turner carded four additional birdies but it was not all that good coming in as three bogeys dropped Turner to 4-under (68) at the end of his round. The early tee time meant that the only thing Turner could do was sit and wait to see if his score would be good enough for a win.

As play went on in the morning wave players now knew the number they needed to reach. However, at the end of the wave, the closest someone would get would be three shots, as fresh off his appearance at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club) would finish his day at 1-under (71).

In the afternoon wave, a few players made a charge at Turner and the top of the leaderboard. The first to make waves was Justin Riegel (French Creek Golf Club). After twelve holes, Riegel was able to match Turner at 4-under but a couple of bogeys on his closing holes dropped Riegel out of the top spot.

The next player to make a charge for the lead was Jake Gerney (Trump National Philadelphia). Gerney made the turn at even par but after three consecutive birdies on holes 11thrru 13, Gerney was only one shot back. However, that was as close as Gerney would get, as an untimely bogey on the par 4 14^th hole dropped Gerney to 2-under (70) which would ultimately be good enough for a solo second place finish.

The final player to make a charge at Turner was Steve Swartz (Regents Glen Golf Club). Like Gerney, Swartz reached the 3-under number but a couple of late bogeys also dropped Swartz out of contention.

When all was said and done no one was able to match Turner at the top and his 4-under number would be good enough to give Turner the title and the $100,000 first place prize. It was a great time for Turner to capture his first Philadelphia PGA tournament win as the first place prize in the Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic is the largest of the year.

Leading the way in the amateur division was Joe McClatchy who posted an impressive 5-under (67). As a note, amateurs playing in today’s tournament play from a modified set of tees.

As always the members of the Philadelphia PGA would like to thank Mr. George Connell and the Haverford Trust Company as well as the membership of Sunnybrook Golf Club for their tremendous support of this event.

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With Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start to the summer around the corner 53 teams converged on the Jersey Shore and Galloway National Golf Club for the annual Oakley Skull Cup Pro-Am. The Better Ball of partners event pairs one PGA Professional and one amateur partner who receives 80% of his handicap. Players in the field had to battle the ever changing weather conditions throughout the afternoon.

Leading the way in the event was the pair of Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) and his amateur partner Bryon Driscoll. As a team Ingraham and Driscoll carded nine birdies and one eagle on their round which helped them overcome two bogeys posting a team net score of 8-under (63). The number was good enough for a two shot victory over the field.

Finishing just behind Ingraham and Driscoll was the team of Robert Hennefer (Indian Spring Golf Club) and his partner Matt Jugan. With only one bogey on their card the pair played a near perfect round. Adding five birdies and one eagle Hennefer and Jugan finished with a score of 6-under (65) which put them in solo second place.

Rounding out the top three a pair of teams finished tied for third with a score of 5-under (66). The first team to reach the 5-under number was Mark Parson (Harbor Pines Golf Club) and his partner Stan Bergman. The team posted eight birdies against three bogeys. Joining Parson and Bergman at 5-under was the duo of Andrew Pierson (Camden County Golf Academy) and his partner Rob Carbone. Pierson and Carbone had five birdies and an eagle along with two bogeys to finish at the 5-under number.

The Section would like to thank our title sponsors Ralph Viola and Justin Cobb from Oakley as well as PGA Director of Golf Jason Lamp and the entire staff and membership of Galloway National for their hospitality.

The next event on the Philadelphia PGA tournament calendar is the Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic on Tuesday, May 30 at Sunnybrook Golf Club.

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Lancaster, Pa. – After a one-year hiatus, the Philadelphia PGA returned to Conestoga Country Club for the reinstated Conestoga Classic. Although the calendar read late May temperatures for today’s were anything but enjoyable as players battled cool and damp conditions throughout the day.

Early in the day, it seemed like the number to get to would be 2-under (68). As scores were posted it was a common number as seven players would all finish T4 after reaching the 2-under. However, a few players would manage to pass this group and separate themselves from the field.

The first players to do so happened to be paired together. Brian Bergstol (Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort) and Brett Melton (Radley Run Country Club) both finished with a score of 5-under (65).

Bergstol got off to a hot start with four birdies on his opening nine holes. After a bogey on the par 4 12^th hole, Bergstol would recover with two additional birdies on his final two holes to get to 5-under.

Playing alongside Bergstol, Philadelphia PGA newcomer Brett Melton got off to an average start after trading two birdies against two bogeys to finish his outward nine at even par. After making the turn, Melton turned things around and finished in a torrid pace with birdies on five of his last six holes.

For a long time, it seemed as though the pair would be facing each other in a playoff at the end of the day. However, one player had another plan in mind.

Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) got off to a perfect start after opening his round with an eagle on the par5 1^st hole. Not only was Quinn’s eagle the only one on the first hole, it was the only eagle carded the entire day. Quinn would add two birdies on his front nine but a bogey on the 8^th hole stopped his run. Making the turn at 3-under, Quinn would continue the good play as he made his way back to the clubhouse. On his inward nine, Quinn would add four more birdies before closing with a bogey on his final hole to finish with a 6-under (64) good enough for a one-shot victory.

“I have been playing really well all year but have not been able to get my putting going’, said Quinn of his round. “I had a conversation with a friend last night and after an hour of practice I put a new putting method into place today and it seemed to work out. The eagle on one really helped to give me confidence and I look forward to carrying this momentum with me going forward.”

Quinn also took home the top spot in the tournament’s senior division after finishing four shots clear of runner-up Brian Kelly (Bucknell Golf Club).

All was not lost for Bergstol and Melton as the pair would share the top honors in the tournament’s Philadelphia Assistants Organization (PAO) division.

The Section would like to thank the members and staff of Conestoga Country Club for hosting our event as well as our tournament sponsors, Mizuno Golf, Jani-King and Golf Max.

The Philadelphia PGA will return to action on Wednesday, May 24 at the Oakley Skull Cup which will be held at Galloway National Golf Club.

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Allentown, Pa. – On Tuesday, May 16 Lehigh Country Club hosted the first Philadelphia PGA National Rental Car Pro-Lady Team Championship of the 2017 season.  Teams consisted of one PGA Professional with three female amateur partners with the classic William Flynn-designed golf course providing a spectacular backdrop for the day’s action to unfold.

After the morning wave, host professional Wayne Phillips (Lehigh Country Club) and his partners Deb Benavage, Linda Meeneghan, Amy Scalici were atop the leaderboard with a score of 13-under (57). The team managed to offset a single bogey with three net eagles on holes 4, 10, and 18, as well as, eight net birdies.

However, in the afternoon, Team Phillips was quickly joined at the top of the leaderboard by another Lehigh Country Club team featuring PGA Professional Steve Frederick and his partners Mo Bryan, Deb Hawk, and Linda Epstein. As a team, they posted eleven birdies and one eagle to reach 13-under (57). Although 13-under is an impressive score before days end there would be new leaders in the clubhouse.

The first team to position themselves as the new leaders was the third team from host facility Leigh Country Club featuring PGA Assistant Professional Ryan Jones and his partners Cathy Wright, Terry Khory, and Jackie Beck. The team sprinkled 14 net birdies and one net eagle on the par 4 no. 14 on their card on their way to a 14-under (56) and a 1-shot lead. Shortly after Jones’ team posted their score, Tom Koenig (Penn Oaks Golf Club) and his partners Donna Dalusio, Tina Landis, and Dawn Capriotti matched the 14-under (56) number to tie for the lead.  Their round also included 14 net birdies and a net eagle. After all the scores were tallied 14-under-par would hold on to the lead and Jones and Koenig’s teams would be declared co-champions.

In the tournament’s gross division, the team from Overbrook Golf Club featuring PGA Professional Ashley Grier and her partners Olivia Traynor, Karen McFadden, and Sue Burt carded a 5-under (65) to take the top spot. As a team, they carded six birdies to just one bogey on their way to a 1-shot victory over the second Overbrook Golf Club team featuring PGA Professional Eric Kennedy and his partners Mary Beth Schell, Joann Fisher, and Kate Loftus.

Special congratulations to Janet Coady from Aronimink Golf Club for carding a hole-in-one on the tough par3 no. 7. Coady hit a four hybrid from 133 yards to carry the water protecting the front of the green and accomplish her amazing feat. The ace was Coady’s second of her career.

The Section would like to thank our sponsors National Rental Car, Golf Life Navigators, Syn Lawn as well as Leigh Country Club’s members and staff for their support of today’s tournament.

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Mohnton, Pa. – On Monday, May 15, the 2017 Spring Pro-Pro Championship was played at scenic LedgeRock Golf Club. This was the first time since 2013 that the Philadelphia PGA hosted an event at LedgeRock GC. The Pro-Pro brings together two PGA Professionals partnered in a four-ball competition (Better of ball of partners). Fifty-two teams competed in the event where players had to battle blustery conditions throughout their round.

In the second grouping of the day, the pair of Kevin Kraft (Bumble Bee Hollow GC) and Michael Little (Lookaway Golf Club) posted a remarkable score of 11-under (61).  As a team the pair combined for 10 birdies as well as an eagle on the par 5, 18^th against only one bogey.  We may see this team pair up again as this is the first time the two played together in a Section team competition.

Finishing in second place, three shots behind the leaders in the clubhouse were Brian Bergstol (Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort) and Terry Hatch (Hidden Valley Golf Course).  Bergstol and Hatch posted nine birdies and only one bogey to post their score of 8-under (64).

Two teams finished in a tie for third place at 7-under (65).  The first to do so was the team of Shawn Hall (Radley Run Country Club) and his teammate Andrew Turner (Sunnybrook Golf Club).  They weren’t alone in third for long as Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) and Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) matched them about an hour later.

The Section would like to thank our generous tournament partners, Ahead, Morell Studios, PGA Tour and destination partner, Whistling Straits/Blackwolf Run.  Through their support, the Spring Pro-Pro Championship has been a staple event on the Philadelphia PGA tournament calendar.

The Philadelphia PGA tournament department will be on location tomorrow (5/16) for the Spring Pro-Lady Team at Lehigh Country Club.  For further information on Philadelphia Section PGA tournaments, please visit us online at Philadelphia.PGA.com/Tournaments.

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Malvern, Pa. – On Monday, May 10, the 2017 Club Car, LLC / Golf Cars Inc. Pro-Official was played at beautiful Applebrook Golf Club. The Pro-Official was moved from its traditional fall date and the nearly 50 teams gathered for the event were thankful as they were treated to a nearly perfect spring day. The Pro-Official features one PGA Professional partnered with an officer from his or her facility. The two-person teams compete in a net four-ball competition (better ball of partners).

As the shotgun tournament came to a close and scores were posted fast and furious one team was able to separate themselves from the field. The team from Waynesborough Country Club featuring PGA Professional Adam Brigham and his partner Andy Spillard posted an impressive net team score of 10-under (61). The duo carded two eagles, eight birdies against only two bogeys to finish three shots clear of the second place team. As champions of the event, Waynesborough CC will receive a free utility vehicle to use at their facility during the 2018 season. Additionally, the winning team will also receive the perpetual Pro-Official trophy to showcase in their clubhouse.

Finishing in second place, three shots behind the team from Waynesborough, was the pair from Whitford Country Club with PGA Professional Mike Ladden and his partner Andrew Larosa. Ladden and Larosa carded eight net birdies and only one bogey to post their number of 7-under (64).

Rounding out the podium was a trio of teams who finished at 6-under (65). The first to do so was the team from Medford Lakes Country Club and featured PGA Professional William Bondaruk and his partner Eric Voss. They were immediately joined by the team from Squires Golf Club and PGA Professional Corey McAlarney and his partner Scott Mason. The final team to finish tied for third traveled up from the Delaware beaches, the Philadelphia PGA’s most southern territory. Hailing from Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club, PGA Professional Michael Rushin and his partner Mike Peters played a near perfect round of golf to earn their top three finish.

The Section would like to thank our generous tournament sponsors Club Car LLC. and Golf Cars Inc. Through their support, the Pro-Official Championship has become one of the premier events on the Philadelphia PGA tournament calendar.

The Philadelphia PGAtournament team will now turn its sights to LedgeRock Golf Club and the Spring Pro-Pro Championship scheduled for Monday, May 15. As always you can find complete Philadelphia PGA tournament information online at philadelphia.pga.com/tournaments.

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Concordville, Pa. – The Philadelphia PGA returned to tournament play on Monday, May 8 for the 2017 TaylorMade Classic. The event featured nearly 130 players and was a combined event with the Section’s Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO).

Although the calendar said May 8, the weather for today’s tournament felt more in line with an early Spring event as players battled brisk temperatures and cool winds. Early in the day Mike Little (Lookaway Golf Club) channeled some goods memories from his 2016 win at Concord Country Club. Little carded three birdies and only one bogey to post a 2-under (69). Playing early in the day and knowing that conditions were tough Little would spend the rest of his day closely watching the leaderboard to see if his score would hold up.

As group after group finished players came close to Little’s 2-under number but no one was able to match his score. That was until Peter Clarke (Manufacturers Golf & Country Club) posted his score. Playing more than five hours after Little began his day; Clarke played a flawless round of golf adding two birdies along the way to finish tied for first at 2-under (69).

With no other players able to match the duo, Clarke and Little headed to the par-5 18^th for the start of a sudden death playoff. Both Clarke and Little found the green in three shots giving each player a chance at birdie. With Clarke first to putt he managed to drain a 35’ putt for his birdie forcing Little to make his downhill putt. Despite his best effort, Little’s putt slid over the right edge giving Clarke the title.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work this off-season and it feels incredible to have the hard work pay off,” said Clarke on his first tournament win. “Coming into the year it was definitely a goal of mine to win an event. I hope that I can carry this momentum with me throughout the year. I want to thank Bob Fritz and membership at Manufacturers for allowing me to compete as well as my parents for their continued support throughout the year.”

Today was Clarke’s first Philadelphia PGA tournament victory and was twice as nice as his playoff win also gave him the top spot in the PAO TaylorMade Classic event.

In the tournament’s senior division two players finished tied for first. Both Brian Kelly (Bucknell Golf Club) and Greg Farrow (Deerwood Country Club) finished at 1-over (73) and will share the first place prize.

The Section would like to thank our tournament sponsors TaylorMade Golf and our Section representatives Mark Krahe and Jay Junkin as well as Tom Kelly, PGA representing Adidas. Special thank you to Evolve golf for their added support in today’s event.

Tournament play will continue on Wednesday, May 10 when the Section heads to Applebrook Golf Club for the Club Car, LLC / Golf Cars Inc. Pro-Official.

For complete coverage of the Philadelphia PGA be sure to follow us on our Social Media Channels Facebook / Twitter / Instagram.

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Telford, Pa. – The 2017 Delaware Valley Open (DVO) was played on Monday, May 1 at Indian Valley Country Club. The DVO featured nearly 120 Philadelphia PGA Professionals and served as a dual event with the Philadelphia PGA’s Assistant’s Organization (PAO).

As the calendar turned to May, players competing in the DVO were treated to unseasonably warm temperatures however the warm weather came with blustery conditions that made for a difficult test throughout the day.

Playing early in the day Steve Swartz (Regents Glen CC) carded a score that would prove to be the number to chase. Swartz made his way around the par72 6800 yards long golf course at 1-under (71). Swartz posted six birdies, the most of any player in the field, against five bogeys to reach red numbers. However, Swartz would have to wait more than six hours to find out if his score would hold up.

With players coming close to Swartz’s number throughout the day no one was able to match Swartz at 1-under until Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) finished tied for first. Ingraham paired four birdies, two per side, against three bogeys to finish tied atop the leaderboard. Unfortunately for Ingraham, a prior commitment prevented him from being available for a playoff.

Before was all said and done one more player was able to join the party at 1-under (71). Curtis Kirkpatrick (Indian Spring GC) got off to a hot start with four birdies on his opening nine holes. As Kirkpatrick made the turn he was not able to get the birdie train going again and an untimely bogey on his closing hole dropped him into a tie for first.

With no other players matching the 1-under number Swartz and Kirkpatrick headed back out to the first hole for the start of a sudden death playoff. After both players failed to find the green in regulation it was a sand save that proved to seal the win for Swartz. Finding the greenside bunker Swartz managed to hit his bunker shot to 6 feet before making his par putt to secure his first Philadelphia PGA tournament win.

“I really had no expectation heading into today’s event but I knew that this course would favor a long hitter so that played into my game”, said Swartz on his round. “I’m hoping I can build off of this win and carry some momentum with me through the rest of the season. This is the perfect way to start the week as I begin the next chapter of my PGA career tomorrow at Regent’s Glen CC.”

Although he was unable to compete in the tournament’s playoff Ingraham did manage to walk away with a title on the day. Ingraham’s 1-under (71) was good enough for a two-shot victory over Dave Quinn (Centerton GC) in the tournament’s senior division.

Like the tournament proper the PAO DVO event also finished with a tie at the top of the leaderboard. Kevin Kraft (Bumble Bee Hollow) and defending champion Michael Little (Lookaway GC) both finished at even par (72). Unfortunately for Kraft, he was unable to make it back to Indian Valley giving Little the PAO DVO title for the second consecutive year.

The Section would like to thank our tournament sponsors Jack Jolly & Son, Golf Pride Grips, Morell Studios, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA will return to tournament action on Monday, May 8 at Concord Country Club for the TaylorMade Classic.

For complete coverage of the Philadelphia PGA be sure to follow us on our Social Media Channels Facebook / Twitter / Instagram.

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