Mt Laurel, N.J. – The annual TaylorMade Classic, was played on Monday, September 9 at Laurel Creek Country Club in Mount Laurel, NJ. The event featured over 100 players and was a combined event with the Section’s Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO).

Playing early in the day, Brian Kelly (Bucknell Golf Club) posted a number for everyone to chase. Kelly made his way around the par-71 6700 yards long course relatively unscathed finishing with a score of 5-under (66). Kelly carded four birdies and one bogey on his outward along with three birdies and one bogey on the inward nine to reach his final number. Kelly’ seven birdies were the most of any player in the field. However, with much of the field still to play, Kelly needed to watch the leaderboard throughout the afternoon to see if his number would hold.

The first player to make a run at Kelly was Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club). Steinmetz was able to overcome an early bogey on the par-4 second hole, his only blemish on the day, by scattering five birdies throughout his round. Unfortunately for Steinmetz, he fell one shot shy of Kelly finishing with a final score of 4-under (67).

Throughout the afternoon several additional players made a run at Kelly and the top of the leaderboard. Billy Stewart (The ACE Club), Brian Bergstol (Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort), and Michael Tobiason (Deerfield Country Club) all tried to earn a victory at Laurel Creek but unfortunately for the trio they all came up one shot short with a score of 4-under (67).

With no players able to match Kelly at 5-under, he earned his first win of the 2019 season as well as his first TaylorMade Classic win. The victory was twice as nice for Kelly as he also took home the top spot in the tournament’s senior division. Finishing in solo second place with a score of 3-under (68) was Greg Farrow (Deerwood Country Club). Four players finished tied for third after posting a score of 1-under (70). Included in that group was Rick Flesher (Phila PGA), Eddie Perrino (Eagle Rock Resort), John Appleget (The Shore Club), and George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club).

Despite falling just short in the overall tournament, Don DeAngelis (Spring Ford Country Club) took home the top spot in the Super Senior division after posting a 4-under (67).

Played in conjunction with the TaylorMade Classic, the Section’s Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) also held their own tournament. With most players playing in both events, the PAO field was one of the largest of the 2019 season. At the end of regulation, three players found themselves tied at the top of the PAO leaderboard with matching scores of 4-under (67). However, only two players remained at the course at the end of the day to compete in the payoff. After two holes of a sudden death playoff, Michael Tobiason (Deerfield Country Club) defeated Brain Bergstol (Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort) with an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole. Finishing in third place in the PAO tournament was Billy Stewart (The ACE Club).

The Section would like to thank our tournament sponsors TaylorMade Golf and our Section representatives Mike Zupi and Jay Junkin as well as our supporting sponsor BagBoy.

The next event on the Philadelphia PGA tournament calendar is the 98^th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship set to be played September 16-18 at Union League Golf Club – Torresdale and Riverton Country Club.

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

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Lower Gwynedd Township, PA., September 9, 2019 … PGA REACH Philadelphia, the charitable arm of the Philadelphia Section PGA (PPGA), has announced its inaugural “Month of Giving,” a fundraising campaign that will take place from October 1^st through October 31^st, with proceeds going to support the foundation’s three core pillars: Youth, Military and Diversity.

As PGA REACH Philadelphia’s signature fundraising initiative, “Month of Giving” will encompass several key events and programs. Information and registration for this event can be found HERE.

Additional “Month of Giving” events include:

• The annual Philadelphia PGA Golf Marathon, where PGA Professionals pledge to play 100 holes in 1 day. To donate, register, or participate CLICK HERE.
• A PGA REACH Philadelphia Awareness Event at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale on October 9^th.

“The inaugural “Month of Giving” campaign is vital to our fundraising efforts at PGA REACH Philadelphia,” said Leila Mackie, Foundation Director, PGA REACH Philadelphia.  “Since our launch earlier this year, support of our programs has been incredible, we are using this month-long series of events and activities to promote our foundation and help raise funds that are core to our mission of positively impacting lives and communities through the game of golf.”
Among the key programs that will benefit from “Month of Giving” fundraising, is PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the PGA of America’s flagship military program.  Through PGA HOPE, PGA Professionals provide weekly golf clinics to Veterans with disabilities in order to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. As golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation process for many Veterans with disabilities, PGA HOPE is truly making a difference in their lives.

The foundation will also continue growing its successful flagship youth initiative, PGA Jr. League. Golf’s version of Little League Baseball provides a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls, ages 13 and under, to learn and play the game of golf in a popular “team” scramble format. Each team is coached by a PGA or LPGA Professional, and all players wear team uniforms with player numbers on the back. In 2019, more than 1,800 kids participated throughout the Philadelphia PGA region, encompassing over 150 teams, playing in 31 Leagues at 86 public, private and First Tee facilities.

Additionally, PGA REACH Philadelphia’s “Golf in Schools” Program will be a benefactor of the “Month of Giving” campaign. This program, operated in partnership with the Golf Association of Philadelphia, grows the game of golf among youth in local communities, backed by a comprehensive curriculum developed by PGA Professionals designed to introduce the game to students of all skill levels through their physical education classes in school. Currently, there are 30 schools that take part in PGA REACH Philadelphia’s Golf in Schools Program through their physical education classes throughout the Philadelphia region.

Lastly, PGA REACH Philadelphia Philly Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship will benefit from the “Month of Giving” campaign. In 2019, PGA REACH Philadelphia awarded three scholarship opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate on the elite Philly Junior Tour (PJT). The PJT leads the region in competitive junior golf with over 90 events seasonally held at many of the area’s top facilities. Membership consists of junior golfers 18 years of age and younger who play a tournament schedule that covers all geographic areas of the Philadelphia Section.

Anyone who would like to get involved with PGA REACH Philadelphia’s “Month of Giving” campaign, including the  Philadelphia PGA Golf Marathon, and PGA REACH Philadelphia Awareness Event, can click on one of the links above. To make a general donation to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please visit: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/pgareachphila_donate

For more information on PGA REACH Philadelphia visit: www.pgareach.org/philadelphia

About PGA REACH Philadelphia

The PGA Reach Philadelphia Foundation is the 501c3 charitable arm of the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America (PPGA), which encompasses Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey (Trenton – south), Delaware and parts of Northern Maryland. The Foundation was created to support the PGA of America’s national PGA REACH program, whose mission is to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf, with a focus on 3 core pillars: Youth, Military and Diversity. Under the guidance of more than 850 PGA Professionals and Assistants from the PPGA, the Foundation hosts a dynamic line-up of dynamic golf programming that provides access for individuals from all backgrounds to experience golf in a welcoming environment.

PRESS CONTACTS:  Joe Monforto/Communications Director at (215) 481-9086 or jmonforto@pgahq.com
                                           Jared Minski/Mastro Communications at (732) 469-5700 or jared@mastrocomm.com

By: Joe Juliano

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. – The second Pro-Lady Team Championship was held on Wednesday, August 29 at Sunnybrook Golf Club. The summer Pro-Lady Team Championship featured 48 teams from across the Philadelphia PGA, featuring one PGA Professional and three female amateurs. The Pro-Lady Team Championship featured both a Gross and Net competition.

Leading the way in the Net division was the team from Stone Harbor Golf Club featuring Professional Jay Gross and his partners Carolyn Gavaghan, Martha Freda, and Anne Oberg who posted a team score of 15-under (57) to win by two shots. Finishing just behind Stone Harbor in a tie for second place were a pair of teams that finished with a score of 13-under (59). The first team to get to 13-under was from Lehigh Country Club and featured Professional Chris Wegner and partners Linda Epstein, Erica Hyman, and Debbie Hawk. Joining Lehigh at 13-under was the team from Woodstone Country Club with Professional Ray Silnik and his partners Barbara Barry, Terry Zerby, and Suzy Armbruster.

In the Gross division, it was the team from Commonwealth National Golf Club featuring Professional Patrick Shine and partners Kere Averett, Karen Siegel, and Shannon Reilly that took home top honors after posting a 7-under (65). The Commonwealth team narrowly edged out a trio of teams who all finished with a score of 6-under (66). Commonwealth reached their magic number in large part because of a stretch of seven consecutive birdies towards the end of their round. The teams finishing one shot back included a team from the Philadelphia Cricket Club with Professional Michael Ferguson and partners Marji Goldman, Joanne Bidwell, and Soohee Lim. A team from Spring Ford Country Club with Professional Rich Steinmetz and partners Gwen Ward, Anne Giannopoulos, and Michelle Finley as well as a team from RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve and Professional Mike Matson and partners Allie Robertson, Toni Barbine, and Delia Keys.

The Section thanks our tournament partners Lincoln Motor Company, SynLawn and Jo-Fit as well as the membership and staff of Sunnybrook Golf Club for their support of the Philadelphia PGA and the Pro-Lady Team Championship.

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Full Tournament Leaderboard

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – On a cool, late summer day, the second and final round of the 17^th Pro-Am for Wishes was played at Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester, Pa. The second round of the 36-hole tournament featured 50 Section Professionals and one amateur, who qualified because of his performance in round one.

Sitting atop the leaderboard as play began on day two was Zac Oakley (Bidermann Golf Club) who posted a 4-under (67) on day one to lead by two shots. Joining Oakley in the tournament’s final pairing were Michael Little (Lookaway Golf Club) and Dustin Wallis (Dustin Wallis Golf) who both posted an opening 2-under (69). A pair of veteran players also found red figures on day one. Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club) and Dave Quinn (Laurel Creek Country Club) each posted a 1-under (70) and were playing in the penultimate group.

As players made their way around the course it was a name that was just outside the top of the leaderboard that made the biggest move. Terry Hertzog (Country Club of York) posted an opening round 1-over (72) and found himself five shots behind Oakley. However, as Hertzog played his second-round things got off to a quick start after a birdie on the opening hole. Hertzog added an additional birdie on the par-4 eighth hole and made the turn at 2-under bringing him into red figures for the tournament.

As Hertzog played his way back to the clubhouse, he added three additional birdies, including one on his closing hole helping him to overcome a late bogey and bringing his two-day total to 3-under (139). Although he was now the low man in the clubhouse, there was a lot of play behind him meaning Hertzog would have to wait to see if his number was good enough.

Overnight leader Oakley got off to great start with two birdies and an eagle against only one bogey on his outward nine which brought him to 7-under for the tournament. However, Oakley was unable to find any more birdies and unfortunately for him a couple of bogeys as well as a double on his closing hole dropped him into a tie with Hertzog at 3-under (139).

With no other players left on the course, Hertzog and Oakley headed to the first tee at Penn Oaks to start their sudden death playoff. After both players found the fairway with their tee shots, Hertzog hit his approach shot close and was able to convert his birdie putt giving him the win and title of 2019 Pro-Am for Wishes Champion.

Rounding out the podium in the Professional division was John Appleget (The Shore Club) who posted the only other sub-par round on day two helping him to move up the leaderboard and bringing his 36-hole total to 1-under (141).

Hertzog and Appleget also finished first and second in the tournament’s senior division and were joined by third place finisher Dave Quinn who posted rounds of 70-74 to finish with a tournament total of 2-over (144).

Next up for the Philadelphia PGA is the Summer Pro-Lady Team at Sunnybrook GC on Wednesday, August 28 in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. The Section would like to thank everyone involved in the Pro-Am for Wishes, including Penn Oaks Golf Club and all the supporting sponsors.

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Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (August 23, 2019) – On a warm and humid summer day, eight PGA Junior League All-Star teams from across the Philadelphia Section gathered at Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell, Pa., to compete in the PGA Jr. League Philadelphia Section Championship presented by National Car Rental. Teams earned their spots in the Championship by winning one of four qualifying spots in the two Divisional Qualifiers (West Qualifier – Out Door CC & East Qualifier – Penn Oaks GC) that were played in the weeks leading up to the Section Championship on August 19.

In the Championship’s first matches, teams from the East Qualifier (HVCC 1 vs Jersey Shore and Radnor vs North Philly 2) played the front nine (holes 1-9) at Cedarbrook Country Club while teams from the West Qualifier (Penn State vs Scranton and Lancaster vs Phoenixville) played the back nine (holes 10-18). At the end of the morning matches, HVCC 1 advanced after winning 8.5 to 3.5 over the team from the Jersey Shore league and Radnor advanced after posting 10 points to North Philly 2’s 2 points. In the West side of the bracket, Penn State moved on to the semifinals by winning 10 points to 2 points over Scranton and Lancaster advanced by beating Phoenixville 8 to 4.

As play moved to the afternoon and the semifinal matches, the four remaining teams switched sides of the golf courses giving each team a new look at Cedarbrook. Throughout the semifinal matches the four remaining teams should a lot of grit but in the end advancing through the East bracket was the HVCC 1 league after they beat the Radnor all-stars 8.5 to 3.5. In the West bracket the all-stars from Penn State found themselves in the Championship match for a third consecutive year after they outlasted the team from Lancaster earning 7.5 of the 12 available points.

After storms delayed the start of the Championship match, the teams from Penn State and HVCC finally got on the course at 4:00 pm. As the teams played their third match of the day, they were battling more than just their opponents, they were also battling exhaustion after playing golf in the 90-degree temperature all day. However, both team put forth a valiant effort but, in the end, it was the all-star team from Penn State that came out on top besting the team from HVCC 9 to 3.

The Penn State team will now travel to the Region 2 Championship where they will play for one of 12 spots in the 2019 PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental at Grayhawk Golf Club (Scottsdale, Arizona) Oct. 11-14. This year’s Region 2 Championship is scheduled to be played on September 14-15, 2019 at Seaview Golf Club in Galloway, NJ and in addition to the Philadelphia Section PGA will feature teams from the Central New York Section PGA, Metropolitan Section PGA and the New Jersey Section PGA.

Led by coach Steve Wager, PGA the PGA Junior League All-Star team from the Penn State League was comprised of Isaak Bloom (Bellefonte. Pa.), AJ Corson (State College, Pa.), Crosby Denis Duncansville, Pa.), JP Hay (State College, Pa.), Luke McGraw (Boalsburg, Pa.), Nate Price (State College, Pa.), Kevin Stolberg (State College, Pa.), Brady Wager (State College, Pa.), Maxwell Wager (State College, Pa.), Reese Walizer (Mill Hall, Pa.).

The PGA Jr. League Postseason presented by National Car Rental is designed to celebrate the recreational spring/summer season held in March through July, as well as provide a fun and welcoming environment for the 19 percent of PGA Jr. League players who identify as competitive golfers. Following the regular season, 10-player All-Star teams were formed from a combination of players in each local league.

PGA Jr. League brings friends and families together around fun, co-ed team golf experiences, all with expert coaching and instruction from PGA and LPGA Professionals. Kids wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with friends, using a scramble format for competition that encourages mentorship and promotes sportsmanship. A record 50,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Jr. League last year, growing from 42,000 players in 2017. For more information on PGA Jr. League, visit PGAJrLeague.com.

As the Official Partner of PGA Jr. League, National Car Rental is committed to growing future business leaders by growing junior golf. National Car Rental helps provide fun, engaging and welcoming experiences for PGA Jr. League golfers and their families all season and postseason long.

Cape May Court House, N.J, – Nearly two months after its originally scheduled date, the 2019 Atlantic City Team Stableford was played at Union League National, a new venue for the Philadelphia PGA, on a warm and humid summer afternoon. For this rescheduled event, 25 teams traveled down the AC Expressway to the New Jersey shore for the championships that pairs one PGA Professional with three amateur partners playing a stableford points.

In the Net division, Eric McNamee (Golf Galaxy – Montgomeryville) and his amateur partners Joseph Boyle, Walt Hoffner, and Jesse Brookreson combined for a team score of 94 points, four more than their closest opponent. Each member of the team contributed to the overall score including every member of the team carding a natural birdies.

In the Gross division, the team of Eric Figueroa (McCall Golf and Country Club) and his amateur partners Jon Stein, Pat Reynolds, and Russ Loue took home the tournament’s top spot. While each member of the team contributed to the overall score, it was the fantastic play of Figueroa, who posted a 4-under (68) on his ball that led to the team’s first place finish.

The Philadelphia PGA would like to thank our tournament sponsors the Morell Studios, Maui Jim, Red Arrow Markers, and Morgan Stanley for their support of the AC Stableford Team Championship. The Philadelphia PGA also thanks the membership and staff of Union League National for their support.

The next event on the Philadelphia PGA calendar is the Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship set to be played on August 19-20 at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa.

For more information, visit www.philadelphia.pga.com or follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Full Tournament Results

OCTOBER is PGA REACH Philadelphia MONTH OF GIVING and we are looking for Philadelphia Section Members and Associates to help the cause by participating in our Golf Marathon. PGA Professionals can choose to play 100 holes of golf on any one day during the month of October at their local club to help support programming for Youth, Military and Diversity. Participating Professionals will solicit donations from their members, customers, family or friends to help us reach our overall GOAL of $25,000! The money raised will help fund specific programs including Golf in Schools, PGA HOPE, and PGA Jr. League funding for kids in need of financial assistance