JoeSeptember 21, 2017Comments Off on Hertzog Comes from Behind to Capture the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional ChampionshipChampionships
Tony Leodora Interviews 96th PPGA Champion Terry Hertzog
Mount Laurel, N.J. – September 21, 2016 – Terry Hertzog (Country Club of York), is the winner of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, at Laurel Creek Country Club. Hertzog will lead 13 Philadelphia PGA Professionals to compete in the 51st PGA Professional Championship, next June 17-20, 2018 at Bayonet Black Horse in Seaside, California.
Hertzog’s charge to the top of the leaderboard was slow and steady but in the end it proved to be the method best suited for him. Hertzog found red numbers on holes 5, 10 and 11 and after 36-hole leader Perla was unable to capture the magic from day two Hertzog quickly found himself in the mix for the Championship.
Other names tried to play their way into the top spot including a pair of past champions, Jordan Gibbs and Dave Quinn. Gibbs got to 2-under after 15 holes but a pair of bogeys on holes 16-17 dropped him from contention for a second consecutive title. Quinn also found himself at 2-under after 15 holes but similar to Gibbs, a bogey on the difficult 16th hole proved too much to overcome.
Although Hertzog trailed the leader by seven shots heading into the final round consistent play throughout the week, especially in today’s round ultimately vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard with a championship total of 2-under (210). Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) was the Championship’s runner-up, after carding a three day total of 1-under-par 211. They are joined by Jordan Gibbs (Gulph Mills Golf Club), Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range), Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club), Tony Perla (LedgeRock Golf Club), Billy Stewart (The ACE Club), Brett Melton (Radley Run Country Club), Brendon Post (Univ. of Delaware), Alex Knoll (Riverton, N.J.), Mark Sheftic (Merion Golf Club), Rusty Harbold (Philadelphia Cricket Club), and Dave McNabb (Applebrook Golf Club).
The win was Hertzog’s third Philadelphia PGA Professional title becoming the tenth Philadelphia PGA Professional to accomplish the feat. George Smith (1929-30, 1932), Charles Schneider (1933, 1937, 1939), Henry Williams, Jr. (1949, 1953, 1958), Stan Dudas (1955, 1959, 1968), Art Wall, Jr. (1956, 1962-63, 1965, 1971), Dick Smith, Sr. (1974, 1977, 1981-83), Rick Osberg (1985, 1989, 1992), Brian Kelly (1995, 2000, 2005), and Rich Steinmetz (2007, 2010-11).
“It feels really amazing to get this win today”, commented Hertzog on his Championship. “I honestly didn’t think I had a chance heading into today but I wanted to put together a good round to qualify for the PGA Professional Championship next June. I played really well early in the day and that helped offset some blemishes late in the day. It’s a great feeling and I’m so thankful to the staff and membership at Laurel Creek for allowing us to use their facility the last few days.”
JoeSeptember 20, 2017Comments Off on LedgeRock’s Perla Surges Into the Lead at the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional ChampionshipChampionships
Mount Laurel, N.J. – In stark contrast to what players had to battle in their opening rounds, the weather conditions for the second round of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship were near perfect giving all in the field the chance to post a low number.
One player taking full advantage of the relatively benign conditions was Tony Perla (LedgeRock Golf Club). After an opening round 1-under-par Perla was looking to make a move and put himself in a good position heading into the Championship’s final round. Perla not only put himself into prime position he catapulted himself into the lead after a tournament best 7-under par (64). Perla played a flawless round of golf at Laurel Creek while adding an eagle and five birdies along the way to grab the 36-hole lead. Perla’s two-day total of 8-under (69-64-133) is five shots clear of the field.
Sitting in second place is defending champion Jordan Gibbs (Gulph Mills Golf Club). Gibbs carded an even par (71) is his opening round at Laurel Creek and as his championship shifted to Burlington Country Club for the second round he needed to make move. Gibbs got off to a fast start with birdies on his first three holes. Gibbs would go on to add one additional birdie but coupled with a lone bogey Gibbs would finish his second round at 3-under (67) giving him a 36-hole total of 3-under (71-67-138).
Although overnight leader Brendon Post (Univ of Delaware) could not find the same success that vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard after round one he did play well enough to maintain a spot within the top three. Post had a relatively uneventful round with one birdie and one bogey but a hiccup on the tough par-5 14th hole dropped Post into a third place tied with past champion Terry Hertzog (CC of York). Hertzog posted an impressive 3-under (68) in his second round today at Laurel Creek to put him in red figures at 1-under (72-68-140) after 36-holes.
Rounding out the top five at the end of day two a pair of champions sit within striking distance at even par (141). Dave McNabb (Applebrook Golf Club) got to even par with scores of (73-68-141) while Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) got there with a (71-70-141).
In addition to competing for the championship’s top prize and the William B. Packer trophy, players are also competing for a spot in next summer’s 51st PGA Professional Championship which is being held at the Bayonet Black Horse in Sunriver, California. There are several players within striking distance of the leaders but there are also more than 15 players within three shots of a qualifying spot.
The final round of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship will get underway at 8:00 AM at Laurel Creek Country Club with the tournament leaders teeing off at 12:30 PM.
For continued coverage of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship coverage you can visit philadelphia.pga.com or on social media @PhiladelphiaPGA / #PPGAChamp
Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship
Sep 19 – Sep 21, 2017
Individual Professional Media Results
1 Tony Perla LedgeRock GC 69-64--133 -8
2 Jordan Gibbs Gulph Mills GC 71-67--138 -3
T3 Brendon Post Univ of Delaware 68-72--140 -1
T3 Terry Hertzog CC of York 72-68--140 -1
T5 Dave McNabb Applebrook GC 73-68--141 E
T5 Dave Quinn Philmont CC 71-70--141 E
T7 Rusty Harbold Phila Cricket Club 70-72--142 +1
T7 Billy Stewart ACE Club 75-67--142 +1
T7 Brett Melton Radley Run CC 71-71--142 +1
T10 Chris Krueger Kings Creek CC 75-68--143 +2
T10 Rich Steinmetz Spring Ford CC 74-69--143 +2
T10 Mark Sheftic Merion GC 73-70--143 +2
T10 Stu Ingraham M Golf Range 74-69--143 +2
T14 Alex Knoll Bethlehem GC 72-72--144 +3
T14 Bill Sautter Phila Cricket Club 74-70--144 +3
T14 Greg Farrow Deerwood CC 75-69--144 +3
T14 John Bierkan Aronimink GC 71-73--144 +3
T18 Ashley Grier Overbrook GC 75-70--145 +4
T18 Rob Shuey Colonial GC 72-73--145 +4
T18 Pat Butkus Overbrook GC 72-73--145 +4
T21 Mike Molino The CC of Scranton 74-72--146 +5
T21 Sam Ambrose Aronimink GC 71-75--146 +5
T21 Mike Ladden Whitford CC 74-72--146 +5
T21 Kirk Deyer Philadelphia CC 72-74--146 +5
25 Jakob Gerney Trump National GC 73-74--147 +6
T26 Rick Gibney Colonial GC 79-69--148 +7
T26 John Cooper Green Valley CC 68-80--148 +7
T26 Don DeAngelis Center Square GC 79-69--148 +7
T26 Brian Kelly Bucknell GC 74-74--148 +7
T26 John Pillar CC at Woodloch Springs 80-68--148 +7
T26 John Rudolph Fieldstone GC 75-73--148 +7
T32 Terry Hatch Hidden Valley GC 74-75--149 +8
T32 Chip Richter Carlisle CC 73-76--149 +8
T32 Dave Pagett Whitemarsh Valley CC 74-75--149 +8
T32 John DiMarco Laurel Creek CC 72-77--149 +8
T32 John Appleget Wildwood Golf & CC 79-70--149 +8
T32 Dean Halterman Galloway National GC 75-74--149 +8
T32 George Forster Radnor Valley CC 75-74--149 +8
T32 Shawn Matthews Huntingdon Valley CC 77-72--149 +8
T32 Mike Grabosky Heidelberg CC 75-74--149 +8
T32 Bob Hennefer Indian Springs GC 80-69--149 +8
T42 Anthony Malizia Bidermann GC 76-74--150 +9
T42 David Morano CC of York 81-69--150 +9
T42 Jeff Bonicky Sea Oaks GC 76-74--150 +9
T42 Curtis Kirkpatrick Indian Springs GC 78-72--150 +9
T42 Dave Fields Brookside CC 74-76--150 +9
T42 Don Allan Burlington CC 75-75--150 +9
T42 Joe Kogelman GolfTEC Moorestown 79-71--150 +9
T42 Dan Marz Huntingdon Valley CC 76-74--150 +9
T42 Peter Lovenguth Silver Creek CC 73-77--150 +9
T42 Robby Bruns Merion GC 72-78--150 +9
T52 Dustin McCormick Glen Brook GC 74-77--151 +10
T52 John Spina Phila Cricket Club 76-75--151 +10
T52 Hugh Matthis Tavistock CC 75-76--151 +10
T52 Mark Parson Harbor Pines 79-72--151 +10
T52 Eric Schultz Sunnybrook GC 74-77--151 +10
T52 Gregg Gipp Phoenixville CC 72-79--151 +10
T52 Andy Fisher Frosty Valley CC 75-76--151 +10
T52 Michael Caldwell Bidermann GC 76-75--151 +10
T60 Kevin Nicholson White Manor CC 78-74--152 +11
T60 Eric McNamee Golf Galaxy 77-75--152 +11
T60 Carson Solien Aronimink GC 75-77--152 +11
T60 Richie Krebs Outdoor CC 73-79--152 +11
T60 John Allen Huntingdon Valley CC 76-76--152 +11
T60 Michael Little Lookaway GC 77-75--152 +11
Mount Laurel, N.J. – In stark contrast to what players had to battle in their opening rounds, the weather conditions for the second round of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship were near perfect giving all in the field the chance to post a low number.
One player taking full advantage of the relatively benign conditions was Tony Perla (LedgeRock Golf Club). After an opening round 1-under-par Perla was looking to make a move and put himself in a good position heading into the Championship’s final round. Perla not only put himself into prime position he catapulted himself into the lead after a tournament best 7-under par (64). Perla played a flawless round of golf at Laurel Creek while adding an eagle and five birdies along the way to grab the 36-hole lead. Perla’s two-day total of 8-under (69-64-133) is five shots clear of the field.
Sitting in second place is defending champion Jordan Gibbs (Gulph Mills Golf Club). Gibbs carded an even par (71) is his opening round at Laurel Creek and as his championship shifted to Burlington Country Club for the second round he needed to make move. Gibbs got off to a fast start with birdies on his first three holes. Gibbs would go on to add one additional birdie but coupled with a lone bogey Gibbs would finish his second round at 3-under (67) giving him a 36-hole total of 3-under (71-67-138).
Although overnight leader Brendon Post (Univ of Delaware) could not find the same success that vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard after round one he did play well enough to maintain a spot within the top three. Post had a relatively uneventful round with one birdie and one bogey but a hiccup on the tough par-5 14th hole dropped Post into a third place tied with past champion Terry Hertzog (CC of York). Hertzog posted an impressive 3-under (68) in his second round today at Laurel Creek to put him in red figures at 1-under (72-68-140) after 36-holes.
Rounding out the top five at the end of day two a pair of champions sit within striking distance at even par (141). Dave McNabb (Applebrook Golf Club) got to even par with scores of (73-68-141) while Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) got there with a (71-70-141).
In addition to competing for the championship’s top prize and the William B. Packer trophy, players are also competing for a spot in next summer’s 51st PGA Professional Championship which is being held at the Bayonet Black Horse in Sunriver, California. There are several players within striking distance of the leaders but there are also more than 15 players within three shots of a qualifying spot.
The final round of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship will get underway at 8:00 AM at Laurel Creek Country Club with the tournament leaders teeing off at 12:30 PM.
For continued coverage of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship coverage you can visit philadelphia.pga.com or on social media @PhiladelphiaPGA / #PPGAChamp
Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship
Sep 19 – Sep 21, 2017
Individual Professional Media Results
1 Tony Perla LedgeRock GC 69-64--133 -8
2 Jordan Gibbs Gulph Mills GC 71-67--138 -3
T3 Brendon Post Univ of Delaware 68-72--140 -1
T3 Terry Hertzog CC of York 72-68--140 -1
T5 Dave McNabb Applebrook GC 73-68--141 E
T5 Dave Quinn Philmont CC 71-70--141 E
T7 Rusty Harbold Phila Cricket Club 70-72--142 +1
T7 Billy Stewart ACE Club 75-67--142 +1
T7 Brett Melton Radley Run CC 71-71--142 +1
T10 Chris Krueger Kings Creek CC 75-68--143 +2
T10 Rich Steinmetz Spring Ford CC 74-69--143 +2
T10 Mark Sheftic Merion GC 73-70--143 +2
T10 Stu Ingraham M Golf Range 74-69--143 +2
T14 Alex Knoll Bethlehem GC 72-72--144 +3
T14 Bill Sautter Phila Cricket Club 74-70--144 +3
T14 Greg Farrow Deerwood CC 75-69--144 +3
T14 John Bierkan Aronimink GC 71-73--144 +3
T18 Ashley Grier Overbrook GC 75-70--145 +4
T18 Rob Shuey Colonial GC 72-73--145 +4
T18 Pat Butkus Overbrook GC 72-73--145 +4
T21 Mike Molino The CC of Scranton 74-72--146 +5
T21 Sam Ambrose Aronimink GC 71-75--146 +5
T21 Mike Ladden Whitford CC 74-72--146 +5
T21 Kirk Deyer Philadelphia CC 72-74--146 +5
25 Jakob Gerney Trump National GC 73-74--147 +6
T26 Rick Gibney Colonial GC 79-69--148 +7
T26 John Cooper Green Valley CC 68-80--148 +7
T26 Don DeAngelis Center Square GC 79-69--148 +7
T26 Brian Kelly Bucknell GC 74-74--148 +7
T26 John Pillar CC at Woodloch Springs 80-68--148 +7
T26 John Rudolph Fieldstone GC 75-73--148 +7
T32 Terry Hatch Hidden Valley GC 74-75--149 +8
T32 Chip Richter Carlisle CC 73-76--149 +8
T32 Dave Pagett Whitemarsh Valley CC 74-75--149 +8
T32 John DiMarco Laurel Creek CC 72-77--149 +8
T32 John Appleget Wildwood Golf & CC 79-70--149 +8
T32 Dean Halterman Galloway National GC 75-74--149 +8
T32 George Forster Radnor Valley CC 75-74--149 +8
T32 Shawn Matthews Huntingdon Valley CC 77-72--149 +8
T32 Mike Grabosky Heidelberg CC 75-74--149 +8
T32 Bob Hennefer Indian Springs GC 80-69--149 +8
T42 Anthony Malizia Bidermann GC 76-74--150 +9
T42 David Morano CC of York 81-69--150 +9
T42 Jeff Bonicky Sea Oaks GC 76-74--150 +9
T42 Curtis Kirkpatrick Indian Springs GC 78-72--150 +9
T42 Dave Fields Brookside CC 74-76--150 +9
T42 Don Allan Burlington CC 75-75--150 +9
T42 Joe Kogelman GolfTEC Moorestown 79-71--150 +9
T42 Dan Marz Huntingdon Valley CC 76-74--150 +9
T42 Peter Lovenguth Silver Creek CC 73-77--150 +9
T42 Robby Bruns Merion GC 72-78--150 +9
T52 Dustin McCormick Glen Brook GC 74-77--151 +10
T52 John Spina Phila Cricket Club 76-75--151 +10
T52 Hugh Matthis Tavistock CC 75-76--151 +10
T52 Mark Parson Harbor Pines 79-72--151 +10
T52 Eric Schultz Sunnybrook GC 74-77--151 +10
T52 Gregg Gipp Phoenixville CC 72-79--151 +10
T52 Andy Fisher Frosty Valley CC 75-76--151 +10
T52 Michael Caldwell Bidermann GC 76-75--151 +10
T60 Kevin Nicholson White Manor CC 78-74--152 +11
T60 Eric McNamee Golf Galaxy 77-75--152 +11
T60 Carson Solien Aronimink GC 75-77--152 +11
T60 Richie Krebs Outdoor CC 73-79--152 +11
T60 John Allen Huntingdon Valley CC 76-76--152 +11
T60 Michael Little Lookaway GC 77-75--152 +11
Mount Laurel, N.J. – The opening round of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship was held on Tuesday, September 19 at both Laurel Creek Country Club and Burlington Country Club. The field of 139 PGA Professionals was split between the two facilities for the Championship’s first day.
Playing in the tournament’s first pairing, Brendon Post (Univ of Delaware), playing his opening round at Laurel Creek Country Club, set the pace early. Post carded three birdies on his opening nine holes to make the turn at 3-under. As Post made his way back to the clubhouse he carded two birdies along with two bogeys to finish his inward nine at even par giving him a day one total of 3-under (68).
It was not until four hours later that anyone would join Post at the top of the leaderboard. John Cooper (Green Valley Country Club), also playing at Laurel Creek Country Club got off to a quick start with a birdie on the first hole. Cooper would add an additional birdie on the par-5 5th hole but after a double bogey on the tricky par-4 8th, his only blemish of the day, Cooper would make the turn at even par. After a couple of pars early in his back nine, Cooper would card three consecutive birdies on holes 12-14 to get to 3-under which is where he would finish his opening round.
While Post and Cooper were the low scores of the day, there are a number of players within striking distance heading into the Championship’s second round. Playing at Laurel Creek Country Club, Rusty Harbold (Philadelphia Cricket Club) managed one more birdie than bogey to post an opening round 1-under (70). A pair of even pars from Sam Ambrose (Aronimink Golf Club) and defending champion Jordan Gibbs (Gulph Mills Golf Club) leave them three shots back after round one.
The low round of the day at the Championship’s second course, Burlington Country Club, went to Tony Perla (LedgeRock Golf Club). Perla traded two birdies against two bogeys to make the turn at even par. After consecutive birdies on holes 10-11 Perla would drop a shot at the difficult par-3 12th hole dropping him to 1-under which is where he would finish.
The 54-hole Championship features a 36-hole cut and is the marquee event for all Philadelphia PGA Professionals. The top finisher will take home the William B. Packer Trophy along with the first place check and will lead 12 Philadelphia PGA Professionals to next summer’s 51st PGA Professional Championship at Bayonet Black Horse in Seaside, California. Players will now flip courses before playing their second rounds.
For complete coverage of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship be sure to follow the action on philadelphia.pga.com or via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@PhiladelphiaPGA).
Mount Laurel, N.J. – The biggest event on the Philadelphia PGA calendar is set to take place next week at beautiful Laurel Creek Country Club in southern New Jersey. The 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship will feature nearly 140 Philadelphia PGA professionals all looking to cl
aim their spot as the Section’s top golfer and have their name forever engraved on the William B. Packer trophy. In addition to the top prize, all competitors will be looking to secure one of thirteen spots into next year’s 51st PGA Professional Championship at the Bayonet Black Course in Seaside, California.
Championship week will officially get underway on Monday, September 18 at Laurel Creek Country Club with the annual Mariniello Tournament of Champions Pro-Am. The Pro-Am is named in honor of past Variety – The Children’s Charity president and longtime friend of the Philadelphia PGA Vince Mariniello. The event will bring together more than twenty teams and will help to generate donations for the Philadelphia PGA’s charitable partner, Variety – The Children’s Charity of Delaware Valley.
As Championship week moves into tournament play, the first and second rounds of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship will be held on Tuesday, September 19 and Wednesday, September 20 with play at both Laurel Creek Country Club and Burlington Country Club. For the opening rounds the field will be split with competitors alternating courses after their opening rounds. At the conclusion of the second round the tournament field will be cut to the low 60 players plus ties.
The final round of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship will be played on Thursday, September 21 at Laurel Creek Country Club. The final round will get underway in the morning with players just inside the cut line leading the way allowing the tournament leaders to play together in the final parings in the early afternoon. At the conclusion of play, ties for the overall champion as well as any qualifying spot will be settled via a sudden death tiebreaker.
This year’s tournament field will feature thirteen past champions including defending champion Jordan Gibbs (Gulph Mills Golf Club). Gibbs will look to become the first person to defend his title since Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club) accomplished the feat in 2010-2011. Also in the fie
ld will be 2015 champion Dave McNabb (Applebrook Golf Club) who will be arriving at the Championship just a couple days after representing his country in the PGA Cup matches.
For complete coverage of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship be sure to follow us on our Social Media Channels Facebook / Twitter / Instagram by using the #PPGAChamp
JoeSeptember 14, 2017Comments Off on Team USA makes its bid to win back Llandudno Trophy in showdown with Great Britain & Ireland in the 28th PGA CupUncategorized
By Bob Denney
PGA Historian
OTTERSHAW, Surrey, England (Sept. 14, 2017) – For those American players present two years ago, watching their Great Britain & Ireland counterparts taking turns leaping into a pond by the 18th green at CordeValle in San Martin, California, was unsettling.
The first U.S. loss on home soil in PGA Cup history stung, and now sets up a compelling weekend nearly 27 miles southwest of London. The 28th PGA Cup, the premier international event for PGA Club Professionals, opens Friday at Foxhills Club & Resort’s Longcross Course.
The U.S. owns a 17-6-4 series lead since the event began in 1973, and is 6-5-1 on the road in the chase for the Llandudno International Trophy.
To set the stage for Friday morning’s four-balls, the Americans got a heavy dose of encouragement following Thursday’s opening ceremony. They viewed a video in the Team Room featuring Jack Nicklaus, Paul Azinger, Dave Stockton, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw, Maj. Dan Rooney, Golf Channel announcer/North Florida PGA Member Charlie Rymer and reigning PGA Champion Justin Thomas.
If that wasn’t enough, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk dialed in from Florida, asking the team to “set the winning plate for us as we come over next year.” Furyk closed by saying, “Play your own game. I promise you it’s good enough.”
PGA of America President and U.S. Captain Paul Levy of Indian Wells, California, said he likes what’s he’s seen in his team during practice.
“We have five veterans that have played in these matches before and five who haven’t. But there are also a lot of mature guys,” said Levy. “It’s not like we have a team of 25-year-olds. We have got a lot of experienced players – even those who haven’t played in the match before – who have been top-notch club professionals, tour experienced-type players. So we are excited. We think we’ve got a great team.”
Among the veterans is a twosome who competed at CordeValle in 2015: reigning PGA Professional Champion Omar Uresti, a PGA Life Member from Austin, Texas; and Jamie Broce of Indianapolis, the new head men’s and women’s golf coach at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
“I feel like I take a lot of responsibility for my singles match in 2015,” said Broce. “I played great, and the guy I played made two eagles and three birdies in the last eight holes on me. He won the match and he really played well. I think their whole team played well and they earned it. We didn’t give them anything. For us to come over here to reclaim the Cup, we’re going to have to earn it. We’re not going to be able to back into anything.”
This marks Uresti’s third international team event, having competed in the Japan Friendship Matches as a junior at the University of Texas. “We definitely want to win the Cup back. To be on the first team that lost the Cup on U.S. soil was disappointing,” he said. “They have good players on their team and we have good ones on ours. We’ll be playing a course that is narrower than the old U.S. Open courses we’ve played.”
The 6,751-yard, par-72 Longcross is deceptively inviting in length, but has been honed to the specifications of Great Britain & Ireland Captain Albert MacKenzie. The fairways, according to Foxhills Director of Golf Chris Fitt, “have been pinched to provide bottlenecks” as a defense to the longest hitters.
There are no par-4s over 400 yards on the back nine, which leads to a shotmaker’s course and ideal for match play.
Great Britain & Ireland’s original plan was to utilize the longer Bernard Hunt Course. Both courses are well known to PGA Members here, as they host the annual Senior PGA Professional Championship.
“We just felt the Longcross Course was a little bit more British in its nature, where precision may be par around that course,” said MacKenzie, who was vice captain to winning 2015 Captain Jon Bevan. “Aesthetically, it’s easier on the eye and would provide a great theater for match play and the opportunity for more birdies on the back nine.
“Having been here the last four years for the British Seniors Championship, and finishing runner-up here in 2014, I am very fond of Foxhills. It is a wonderful resort, and offers virtually anything you want.”
MacKenzie doesn’t hide the fact that planning two years ago was paramount to bringing momentum to Great Britain & Ireland. “That was a great week,” said MacKenzie, “Jon (Bevan) was an inspirational Captain. We prepared very thoroughly. I would say the year before the PGA Cup, Jon and I had spoken 250 of the 365 days. It was a fantastic journey. We put a lot of effort into it. We had a template that we studied very closely for what happened in CordeValle and I pretty much used my personal twists.”
For Levy and his team, the task was aligning compatible partners who could mount a challenge. He also will call upon veterans in two-time PGA Professional Champion Matt Dobyns of Glen Head, New York; Mark Brown of Oyster Bay, New York; and 2013 PGA Professional Champion Rod Perry of Port Orange, Florida.
“It’s really exciting to represent your country. It’s a great honor, It’s something that most people don’t get to do very often,” said Dobyns, a PGA Head Professional at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, New York. “It’s also to be on a team, which in golf we don’t get to do very often. It brings back a lot of good memories from college. Being in England, adds another dimension to it, taking a special trip and kind of living the life of a tour player is really exciting and something we all cherish.”
Perry arrived Wednesday morning, having secured his family and home following the passing of Hurricane Irma. He was one of the fortunate to get early clearance for a flight from the nearby Orlando International Airport. The PGA Head Professional at Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club in Port Orange, who missed two days of practice here, was not using any excuses.
“I was ready to play and really enjoyed my time around the course. Playing with Jamie (Broce) was a lot of fun,” said Perry, who competed in 2013 at Slaley Hall in Northeast England, when the U.S. forged a tie to keep the Cup for two more years. “We know we are in for a tough match.”
Brown, a 51-year-old PGA Head Professional at Tam O’Shanter Club in Glen Head, New York, last competed in the PGA Cup in 2000. He’s a three-time runner-up in the PGA Professional Championship.
“When we get on the course, we’re pulling for each other,” said Brown. “When you see that flag on the back of your shirt, it is really a special honor. Hopefully, we’ll take care of business.”
Levy said that he is pleased with the pairings that have come together through the practice rounds.
“The most important things about putting people together are all about relationships. After three days, we have a good idea and two players and want to win a match,” said Levy. “The golf course is very narrow and some areas the rough is tough. When it’s all said and done it’s about getting the ball in the hole faster than the other.”
The U.S. PGA Cup “rookies” include 2016 PGA Professional Champion Rich Berberian Jr. of Hooksett, New Hampshire; Paul Claxton of Claxton, Georgia; Dave McNabb of Newark, Delaware; Adam Rainaud of Chester, Connecticut; and Josh Speight of Locust Hill, Virginia.
“When my brother and I found out that I had made the team, it was the most pumped up that I have been,” said Rainaud, a PGA Assistant Professional at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. “We get the camaraderie of the team and are friends forever.”
It’s been a season of major highs for McNabb, who competed in the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, was runner-up to Uresti in the PGA Professional Championship; and added appearances in the U.S. Senior Open and the PGA Championship.
“I think this would be one of the highlights of my career, to be one of the top 10 PGA Professionals in the country and to represent my country,” said McNabb, the PGA Head Professional at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania. “I think we have to play good solid team golf and bond together as a unit to get the job done.”
28th PGA Cup
United States
Captain: Paul Levy, Indian Wells, Calif.
Rich Berberian Jr., Hooksett, N.H.
Jamie Broce, Indianapolis, Ind.
Mark Brown, Oyster Bay, N.Y.
Paul Claxton, Claxton, Ga.
Matt Dobyns, Glen Head, N.Y.
Dave McNabb, Newark, Del.
Rod Perry, Port Orange, Fla.
Adam Rainaud, Chester, Conn.
Josh Speight, Locust Hill, Va.
Omar Uresti, Austin, Texas
Great Britain & Ireland
Captain: Albert MacKenzie, Devon, England
Phillip Archer, Warrington, Cheshire, England
Robert Coles, Romford, Essex, England
Matthew Cort, Leicester, England
Christopher Currie, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
David Higgins, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Gary Houston, Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales
Greig Hutcheon, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Chris McDonnell, Chichester, West Sussex, England
Damien McGrane, Kells, County Meath, Ireland
Andrew Raitt, London, England
Friday Morning Four-Balls
7:30 a.m. (2:30 a.m. EDT)
Rod Perry, Port Orange, Fla. & Jamie Broce, Indianapolis, Ind. (USA) vs. Greig Hutcheon, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland & Damien McGrane, County Meath, Ireland (GB&I)
7:45 a.m. (2:45 a.m. EDT)
Rich Berberian Jr., Hooksett, N.H. & Adam Rainaud, Chester, Conn. (USA) vs. Robert Coles, Romford, Essex, England & Chris McDonnell, Chichester, England (GB&I)
8:00 a.m. (3:00 a.m. EDT)
Matt Dobyns, Glen Head, N.Y. & Mark Brown, Oyster Bay, N.Y. (USA) vs. Phillip Archer, Warrington, England & Andrew Raitt, London, England (GB&I)
8:15 a.m. (3:15 a.m. EDT)
Omar Uresti, Austin, Texas & Paul Claxton, Claxton, Ga. (USA) vs. Chris Currie, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, Scotland & David Higgins, Killarney, Count Kerry, Ireland (GB&I)
