Year: 2019
Pareto Systems CEO Duncan MacPherson to Speak at Fall Meeting
Fall Meeting Registration
Duncan is the CEO of Pareto Systems, an industry leading business development firm dedicated to the elite professionals and companies within the knowledge-for-profit sector. Duncan and his team of consultants work with professionals in a wide range of fields including Financial Services, Insurance, Accounting, Legal, Mortgage, and Consulting to create predictable, sustainable, and duplicable businesses. Pareto Systems is well known for its
approach which is based on best practices and for its focus on implementation. As a speaker in high demand, Duncan travels extensively throughout North America and around the world, conveying dynamic and factrich presentations that have made him a popular spokesperson for the knowledge–for-profit industry. Duncan’s expertise in demystifying business development and marketing in the financial world has universal appeal; from the high-level advisor to the successful wholesaler, to corporate financial institutions. Duncan’s primary goal is to help Professionals achieve liberation and order in their businesses through step-by-step methodology and execution. Duncan is also an industry author and has written two best-selling books: Breakthrough Business Development, Take Your Business to THE NEXT LEVEL, and the recently released The Advisor Playbook. Achieving a business breakthrough is done by design, not by luck or chance. Duncan offers a clear plan to take your business to the next level. Beyond the office, Duncan loves spending time with his wife and two sons. They enjoy the four-seasons playground they call home in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. He enjoys staying active with recreational activities such as golf, tennis, and skiing. Duncan MacPherson Bio
Overbrook Golf Club’s Grier and Larney Win 2019 Pro-Official Championship
Full Tournament Leaderboard
West Chester, Pa. – The 2019 edition of the Club Car, LLC / Golf Cars Inc. Pro-Official Championship was played Thursday, October 10 at Concord Country Club. The 24 teams that gathered at the Chester County golf course were treated to a near perfect fall afternoon. 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 scores from the event began to get posted, one team managed to separate themselves from the rest of the field. The duo of PGA Professional Ashley Grier and her partner Joan Larney of Overbrook Golf Club carded a tournament best 10-under (60), finishing three shots ahead of their closest competitors. The pair each contributed multiple shots throughout the day, including a net eagle carded by Larney on the par-4 seventh hole at Concord. As the winners Overbrook Golf Club will host the perpetual Pro-Official Championship trophy at their facility for the next year and will also receive the use of two Tempo walk carts from Club Car LLC and Golf Cars Inc. during the 2020 season.
Finishing three shots behind in solo second place was the team from Gulph Mills Golf Club featuring PGA Professional Alec Brown and his partner Jeff Henderson. As a team, Brown and Henderson carded ten birdies but a couple of bogeys on Concord’s difficult par-3s (4&15) proved too much to overcome and the pair ultimately turned in a score of 7-under-par (63).
Rounding out the podium was the team from Blue Bell Country Club led by PGA Professional Joey Pohle and his partner Bud. Pohle and Hansen combined to post a 6-under (64), good enough for a solo third place finish. The pair posted an impressive seven birdies along with one eagle, but it was a few bogeys scattered throughout their round that ultimately prevented them from moving up the leaderboard any further.
Once again the Philadelphia PGA thanks our generous tournament sponsors Club Car LLC. and Golf Cars Inc. Through their support the Pro-Official Championship continues to remain as one of the premiere events on the Philadelphia PGA calendar year in and year out.
The next event on the Philadelphia PGA tournament calendar is the 29th Annual Challenge Cup Matches which pits members of the Philadelphia PGA against a team from the Golf Association of Philadelphia. As always you can find complete Philadelphia PGA tournament information online at philadelphia.pga.com
Endorsed Nominee’s for Fall 2019 Board Elections
The Nominating Committee would like to announce the following slate of Officers and District Directors in preparation for the election at the Fall Meeting on October 28th, 2019.
| Candidtate | Position | Candidate Bio |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Kiddie | President | Jeff Kiddie Bio |
| Patrick Shine | Vice-President | Patrick Shine Bio |
| Chip Richter | Secretary | Chip Richter Bio |
| Bob Hennefer | Dir. of Section Affairs | Bob Hennefer Bio |
| Eric Kennedy | Dir. of Tournaments | Eric Kennedy Bio |
| Kevin Duffy | District 1 Director | Kevin Duffy Bio |
| Anthony Malizia | District 2 Director | Anthony Malizia Bio |
| Jason Gebhart | District 3 Director | Jason Gebhart Bio |
| Dustin McCormick | District 4 Director | Dustin McCormick Bio |
| Brett Nelson | District 5 Director | Brett Nelson Bio |
| Gerry Davis | District 6 Director | Gerry Davis Bio |
| Eric Schultz | District 6 Director | Eric Schultz Bio |
In the coming days you will find short bios from each of the professionals listed above. Please CLICK HERE to register for the Fall Meeting at Cedarbrook Country Club on October 28th.
Five Teams Share the Top Spot at AB Thorn Memorial Pro-Am
Lancaster, Pa. – After a one-year hiatus the AB Thorn Memorial Pro-Am once again returned to the Philadelphia PGA tournament schedule. The long-time event was not played in 2018 due to inclement weather. However, as players returned to the rolling hills of Lancaster Country Club this year, they were treated to a near perfect golf course. The AB Thorn is played as a four-ball (better ball of partners) tournament with each team consisting of one PGA Professional and one amateur playing to a scratch handicap.
With the course playing tough, any team finding their way into red figures was going to give themselves a chance at coming away with a victory. In the end the number that teams needed to reach was 3-under (67) and by the conclusion of the tournament, five teams found their way to that number and a share of first place.
The first team to post a score of 3-under (67) was Scott Reilly (Philadelphia Country Club) and his partner Chris Button. The pair each contributed birdies to their overall score helping to overcome a lone bogey on the difficult par-3 8th hole.
The next team to reach 3-under also came out of the tournament’s morning wave and feature Matt Goudie (Lancaster Country Club) and partner Ken Phillips. The team posted five birdies against two bogeys, including a blemish on their closing hole, the par-4 18th, to drop them back into a first-place tie.
The third team to finish the tournament at 3-under was the pair of Lee Gardenhour (Chambersburg Country Club) and his partner Kenny Smith. The duo posted four birdies and an eagle two on the par-4 14th hole and found themselves at 5-under heading to the 17th tee. Unfortunately, the pair carded a double bogey to fall back to 3-under which is where the finished at the end of the tournament.
The fourth team to join the groups at 3-under was the duo of Rob Shuey (Philadelphia PGA) and his partner Ryan Knolles. As a team, Shuey and Knolles posted six birdies helping them to overcome their three team bogeys and making them the fourth team to finish at the magic.
The fifth and final team to reach the winning score of 3-under was the pair of Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club) and partner Kevin Koch who despite bookending their round with bogeys manage to post enough red numbers in between to join the crowded first-place spot.
Special congratulations to Dustin Wallis of Dustin Wallis Golf of Philadelphia Cricket Club on carding a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole at Lancaster Country Club. Wallis used a 7-iron on the 160-yard hole to accomplish the feat, which was his fourth career hole-in-one.
The Section thanks our tournament sponsors Greg Norman Apparel, Imperial Headwear and Synlawn for their continued support of the Philadelphia PGA tournament program and specifically the AB Thorn Memorial Pro-Am. Additionally, the players and staff thanks the members and staff of Lancaster Country Club for their outstanding hospitality.
The next event on the Philadelphia PGA tournament calendar is the Fall Pro-Pro Championship set to be played Monday, September 30 at Cedarbrook Country Club. For more information on the Philadelphia PGA and our tournament program visit www.phillypga.com or you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PhiladelphiaPGA.
Little and Sheftic Surge to Win at Fall Pro-Pro Championship
Blue Bell, Pa. – The annual Fall Pro-Pro Championship was played Monday, September 30 at Cedarbrook Country Club. The Pro-Pro brings together two PGA Professionals partnered in a four-ball competition (better ball of partners). Although the calendar turned to fall more than a week ago, today’s event was the first to feature temperatures indicative of the season. However, despite the weather the 40 teams were treated to an outstanding day of golf..
With the course playing firm and fast, shot making was at a premium. However, throughout the day, several teams managed to get around the course with relative ease on their way to scores of 7-under (65). The first of the teams to reach that number was the pair of John Appleget (The Shore Club) and Jason Calhoon (Univ of Pennsylvania) who carded seven birdies and no bogeys. They were eventually joined by the team of Brett Melton (Radley Run Country Club) and Trevor Bensel (Overbrook Golf Club) who posted eight birdies against only one bogey to reach 7-under. Finally, the pair of Ben Debski (The Springhaven Club) and Mark Parsons (Harbor Pines Golf Club) also reached 7-under after posting five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 12th hole, the only eagle of the day on that hole.
However, in the end, it was the team of Michael Little (Lookaway Golf Club) and Mark Sheftic (Merion Golf Club) that were able to go low and separate themselves from the field. As a team, Little and Sheftic posted nine birdies and an eagle on their way to a 10-under (62) and a three-shot win.
The Section thanks our Fall Pro-Pro Championship partners Club Prophet Systems, Sun Mountain, Criquet, Evolve Golf, and the PGA Tour. The Section also thanks the membership and staff of Cedarbrook Country Club for their hospitality in hosting this event.
The Philadelphia PGA will be back in action on Monday, October 7 for the first round of the 36-hole Shawnee Open. For more information on the Philadelphia PGA and our tournament program visit www.phillypga.com or you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PhiladelphiaPGA.
Oakley Goes Low to Win Delaware Valley Open at Radley Run CC
West Chester, PA – Nearly four months after it’s originally scheduled date, the Delaware Valley Open (DVO) was finally contested at Radley Run Country Club on Monday, September 23rd. With a field consisting of nearly 80 players from across the Philadelphia Section PGA everyone was excited to play in the beautiful, albeit warm, weather for the first day of fall.
Host professional Brett Melton (Radley Run CC) was in the first pairing of the day and posted the score to beat with a 3-under (69). Melton’s card had 3 birdies and an eagle 2 on the par 4-15th hole, but two bogies would come back to haunt him later in the day. He managed to stay on top of the leaderboard for most of the day, with those coming close falling short by one or two shots. Zac Oakley (Bidermann Golf Course), finally knocked him from the top with a 4-under (68). Oakley started off slow carding a bogey on his second hole, but quickly followed with two birdies, making the turn at 1-under. His back nine was bogey free and he added three more birdies to his total reach his 4-under par. With only a few more groups to finish, no one else got close to Oakley’s 4-under.
According to Oakley; “I started out the day slow, but by mid-round I was able to get used to the green speeds. I felt like I struck the ball decent the whole round, but I was able to make a lot of my putts on the back nine, which helped. I finished my round with a birdie on 18 which, it turned out, I needed. The course was in great shape, and it is always fun playing with my college teammate Will Scarborough (Peninsula G&CC).”
A pair of players shared the top spot in the tournament’s Senior Division, Dave Quinn (Laurel Creek CC) and Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) both carded 2-under (70). Quinn card had five birdies, two on the front and three more on the back, but had three bogies, the last one coming on the 18th hole for his 70. Ingraham’s scorecard had four birdies, one on the front, and three on the back, but he had two bogies with his final one also coming on the 18th. Mike Moses (Concord CC) finished in third two shots back at even par 72.
The PAO (Player’s Assistant Organization) also joined in, with twenty-four of their group playing in both events. Since Zac is also a PAO member, he took home first in both events. Jeff Herb (Waynesborough CC) came in second with a 2-under par 70, followed by Alex Knoll (Glen Brook GC) and Mike Little (Lookaway GC), both at 1-under par 71.
The Section would like to thank our tournament sponsors Jack Jolly & Son, Golf Pride Grips, Morell Studios, Mizuno, and PGA Tour as well as the membership and staff of Radley Run Country Club. The Philadelphia PGA returns to action on Thursday, September 26 for the A.B. Thorn Memorial Pro-Am at Lancaster Country Club. For complete coverage of the Philadelphia PGA be sure to follow us on our Social Media Channels Facebook / Twitter / Instagram.
Alex Knoll Captures Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship; Earns Berth in 53rd PGA Professional Championship
(Philadelphia, Pa.) (September 19, 2019) – Alex Knoll of (Glen Brook Golf Club), winner of the Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, September 17-19, 2019 at host facility the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale and secondary facility Riverton Country Club will lead eleven Philadelphia PGA Professionals to compete in the 53rd PGA Professional Championship, April 26-29 at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas.
Knoll turned in a winning total of 2-under-par 209 to capture the Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion title. Ryan Lagergren of (Stonewall) was runner-up, finishing at even par 211. They are joined by Travis Deibert (Doylestown Country Club), Tom Cooper (Pine Valley Golf Club), Brendon Post (Univ of Delaware), Mark Sheftic (Merion Golf Club), Dave Pagett (Whitemarsh Valley Country Club), Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range), Terry Hertzog (Country Club of York), John Pillar (Country Club at Woodloch Springs), and Davis Jensen (Merion Golf Club).
The PGA Professional Championship and 41 PGA Section Championships feature a total purse of more than $1.5 million. The PGA Professional Championship purse is $550,000, distributed among those who make the cut in the 312-player field. Golf Channel will televise all four rounds of the national Championship.
If eligibility is met and maintained, the low 20 scorers in 2020 will earn berths into the 102nd PGA Championship, May 14-17, at Harding Park Golf Club, San Francisco, California.
In addition to the Walter Hagen Cup, the PGA Professional Championship winner also receives an exemption into the next 10 PGA Professional Championships and exemptions into six PGA TOUR events over a 12-month period.
Established in 1968, the PGA Professional Championship roster of Champions includes the following premier TOUR professionals: Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg, Don Massengale, Ed Dougherty, Larry Gilbert, and Bruce Fleisher.
The PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and OMEGA. Supporting sponsors are Titleist/FootJoy, NIKE and TaylorMade Golf. Presenting partners are Golf Channel and the PGA TOUR. The 41 Section Championships and the National Championship offer a combined purse of $1.5 million.
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Knoll Leads by Five Shots Heading into the Championship’s Final Round
Philadelphia, Pa. – Once again bright skies and seasonable temperatures greeted players at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale and Riverton Country Club for the second round of the 98th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. For round two, players switched courses, meaning those players who played at the Union League on day one moved to Riverton Country Club on day two and vice versa.
Looking to piggyback off his record setting day one, Alex Knoll (Glen Brook GC) was the first group off at Riverton Country Club. While he did not set another course record, Knoll did post an impressive 2-under (69) in difficult morning conditions. Knoll had three birdies against one bogey to reach 10-under (131) after 36-holes and giving him a sizeable lead heading into the final round.
Two players in the field made major moves up the leaderboard after posting low scores on day two of the Championship. The first player to make a move was Brendon Post (Univ of Delaware). Playing at the Union League, Post posted four birdies, including a stretch of three in four holes from 10-13, before a lone bogey on the par-5 16th hole dropped him back to 3-under for the day and 5-under (136) for the Championship, placing him in solo second place five shots behind Knoll.
The biggest move of the day came from Ryan Lagergren (Stonewall) who posted the best round of the day, a 7-under (64) at Riverton Country Club. Lagergren had six birdies and an eagle on the par-4 18th hole to help him overcome an early bogey. Lagergren’s 7-under second round helped to erase a 2-over (73) in his opening round at the Union League and vaulted him into third place alone.
The final round of the 98th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship will get underway at 8:30 AM at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale with the Championship leaders, Knoll, Post and Lagergen set to get their final rounds underway at 12:15 pm.
In addition to the William B. Packer trophy, awarded to the Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion, the tournament also serves as a qualifier into the 53rd PGA Professional Championship set to be held at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, April 26-29, 2020.
The Philadelphia PGA has 11 qualifying spots into next year’s event. With five players currently tied for the eleventh and final qualifying spot and another twenty players within four shots of the last spot there is plenty up for grabs in tomorrow’s final round.
For complete coverage of the 98th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship be sure to follow the action on philadelphia.pga.com or via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@PhiladelphiaPGA) or the #PPGAChamp.
Alex Knoll has Record Day at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale
The first round of the 98th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship got underway early on Tuesday, September 17. The three-day, 54-hole championship will be held at host facility Union League Golf Club at Torresdale as well as secondary facility Riverton Country Club.
The Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is one of the premier events on the Philadelphia PGA calendar. At stake this week is the Section’s top prize the William B. Packer trophy, awarded to the Championship’s top finisher. Additionally, Professionals are competing for one of 11 spots into next year’s 53rd PGA Professional Championship to be held at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas April 26-29, 2020.
For much of the day it looked as though the two courses would be the story of the Championship’s opening round. For much of the afternoon the best score posted at the Union League was even par (70). While scores at Riverton Country Club were slightly lower, the best number posted on day one was from a trio of players who finished at 3-under (68).
However, playing in the last group of the day at Union League, Alex Knoll (Glen Brook Golf Club) was about to embark on a record setting day. After making a par on his opening hole, Knoll birdied the short par-4 second hole. After a par on the third hole, Knoll found his second birdie of the day on the par-3 fourth hole.
“The course played tough today,” commented Knoll on his opening round. “I know it sounds cliché, but I tried to just play one shot at a time. I wanted to keep the ball below the hole to give myself a chance at birdie.”
After a string of pars to close out his outward nine, Knoll really got his round going on the back nine. Opening with an eagle on the par-5 tenth hole, Knoll then made par on the long par-3 eleventh hole. After consecutive birdies on holes 12 and 13, Knoll parred the par-3 14th hole and was sitting at 6-under as he got set to play par-4 15h hole.
“I knew I had something special going today,” said Knoll. “I tried to use my experience from last year’s PGA Professional Championship to calm my nerves.”
Once again Knoll posted consecutive birdies on the back nine after finding red figures on holes 15 and 16 and was now 8-under, five shots ahead of his closest competitor and eight shots better than those players playing Union League in round one.
After a bogey on the par-3 17th hole, his only blemish of the day, Knoll quickly righted the ship and found the fairway with his tee shot on the closing hole. After his approach shot found the green, Knoll and a 20’ putt for birdie and an opening round 62. Like his did for most of the day, Knoll confidently stepped over his putt and drained one more birdie, his seventh of the day.
“This is by far my lowest competitive round,” said Knoll of his 62. “I have gone low in a couple Pro-Ams but nothing like this.
Not only does Knoll’s 8-under (62) put him in great position after the Championship’s opening round, it also places him in Union League Golf Club history. Knoll’s 8-under round set the competitive course record at Union League, a mark previously held by the legendary Sam Snead who had posted a (64) in the Henry Hearst Invitational held in 1941.
“It will be a cool story to tell, saying I broke a course record once held by Sam Snead,” said Knoll. “However, my goal is still the same, to qualify for the PGA Professional Championship. There is still 36-holes to play and I can’t’ let myself get to think too far ahead.”
Knoll heads into the Championship’s second round with a five-shot lead over past champions Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club) and Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) as well as Dave Fields. All players will now switch courses for the Championship’s second round. At the end of round two, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties who will return to the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale on Thursday for the third and final round.
For complete coverage of the 98th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship be sure to follow the action on philadelphia.pga.com or via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@PhiladelphiaPGA) or the #PPGAChamp.