Year: 2021
Trevor Bensel, PGA, Wins 2021 Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway G.C.
Buckingham, Pa. (September 20, 2021) — PGA Member Trevor Bensel of Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa., won the 2021 Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club following his birdie on No. 18 to break a six-player tie.
As players from the morning wave finish their rounds, it became apparent that 4-under-par would be the number to beat; Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C.; and Mark Sheftic, Lookaway G.C.; were first in, and were quickly followed by Andrew Turner, Berkshire C.C.; Eric Kennedy, Overbrook G.C.; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.
“I hit the ball great all day,” Bensel said of his round. “I was fortunate to have a couple of tap-in birdies; my putter has been pretty cold all year, so it was nice to get a few to drop today.
While Bensel has won several Section tournaments in previous years, this was his first individual win of 2021; he tied in this year’s storm-shortened Conestoga Classic, and teamed to win the Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship with Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, and the Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch Championship with amateur James Furness.
Bensel went on to thank the Overbrook G.C. members for their constant support and encouragement, Lookaway G.C. for hosting, and Section partners Scott and Karen Hutchinson.
Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C.; Matt Episcopo, Pine Valley G.C.; and Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; tied for seventh place at 3-under-par. Five players rounded out the top 10.
Eric Williams, Glenmaura National G.C., successfully defended his low amateur title with a 3-over-par 75.
Brian Kelly took top honors in the Senior Division at 4-under-par, followed by Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek G.C.; at 2-under-par in second place. Eddie Perrino, Eagle Rock Resort, and Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C., finished tied for third place at 1-under.
To view the full 2021 Philadelphia Players Championship leaderboard, click here.
The Philadelphia Players Championship was simply an idea over casual conversations between two men who have a passion for golf and a love for Lookaway – Michael Little, PGA Head Professional at Lookaway, and Scott Hutchinson, Lookaway member, much the same way Lookaway was first envisioned. In addition to his commitment to developing this event, Hutchinson is the main sponsor of the event.
The 2021 Philadelphia Players Championship is supported by Scott and Karen Hutchinson. The event is also a Rolex Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Lookaway G.C., its membership, management, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Dave McNabb Captures 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship
At times during the final round, McNabb seemed to be coasting; at one point he had a five stroke lead, but the field kept pushing back. Ultimately, McNabb carded rounds of 67-73—140 to win. Kelly finished with a gritty even-par 72, while Pillar turned in the low round of the day, a 4-under-par 68, to tie Kelly for second place.
“We had a field of great champions, and great players,” McNabb said holding the trophy. “It was a fun day, and I stayed in the moment, which was key.”
McNabb, the 2018 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Champion and 2015 Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion, won the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Skee Riegel Senior Open last month at Radnor Valley C.C. and has had a busy season; in addition to all of his responsibilities as PGA Head Professional at Applebrook G.C., he has played in many competitive golf tournaments, including the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship and 2021 Philadelphia PGA Haverford Classic over the past two weeks. However, McNabb is looking forward to the national senior championship next month.
“My ultimate goal for [the 33rd Senior PGA Professional Championship] is to win,” continued McNabb. “I hope to have a solid week in Florida to punch my ticket to another [KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship].”
Joining McNabb, Kelly, and Pillar at PGA G.C.: Terry Hertzog, Merion G.C., who finished in solo fourth place at even-par; Eddie Perrino, Eagle Rock Resort; and Terry Hatch, Royal Oaks G.C.; both finishing tied for fifth at 1-over-par.
George Forster, Dave Quinn, Bill Walker, Hugo Mazzalupi, and John Appleget will serve as first through fifth alternates, respectively.
The top 35 finishers in the 2021 Senior PGA Professional Championship will earn a spot in the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Professional Championship, scheduled to be played May 2022, at Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor, Mich.
PGA Life Member Don DeAngelis ran away with the Super Senior Division with rounds of 69-76—145, to finish with a nine-stroke margin at 1-over-par. Marjorie Jones, Shore Club, finished second in the division. DeAngelis had shot his age (69) in the opening round.
The 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, and is supported by Golf Channel, John Deere, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Huntsville G.C., its membership, management, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Dave McNabb Leads 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship
Shavertown, Pa. (September 14, 2021) — Dave McNabb, PGA, of Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa., leads the 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship at Huntsville Golf Club by two strokes over Brian Kelly, PGA, of Bucknell Golf Club in Lewisburg, Pa. George Forster of Villanova, Pa., is in third place at 2-under-par. The championship is presented by Cadillac, and is supported by Golf Channel, John Deere, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The top six finishers following tomorrow’s final round will advance to the 2021 Senior PGA Professional Championship presented by Cadillac at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on October 21-24. McNabb won this championship in 2018 at White Manor C.C.
Eddie Perrino, Eagle Rock Resort; and Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club; finished their rounds at 1-under-par, in a tie for fourth place. John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.; Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C.; and John Appleget, Indian Spring C.C.; find themselves five behind McNabb, while 2017 champion Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.; Terry Hatch, Royal Oaks G.C.; and two-time defending champion John Pillar, C.C. of Woodloch Springs; rounded out the top 10 at 1-over-par.
PGA Life Member Don DeAngelis shot his age, 69, to build a commanding lead in the Super Senior Division at 3-under-par. Marjorie Jones, Shore Club, finished at 4-over-par, while James MacFarlane, Camden County Golf Academy is at 9-over-par headed into the final round.
The final round is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow, Sept. 14, at Huntsville G.C.
The top 35 finishers in the 2021 Senior PGA Professional Championship will earn a spot in the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Professional Championship, scheduled to be played May 2022, at Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor, Mich.
The 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, and is supported by Golf Channel, John Deere, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Huntsville G.C., its membership, management, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
PGA Member Parks Price Wins 24th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic in Sudden Death Playoff to Win $100,000
Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (September 7, 2021) — PGA Member Parks Price of the Country Club of York in York, Pa., won the 24th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic at Sunnybrook Golf Club in dramatic fashion by draining a long birdie putt on the first sudden death playoff hole to top Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C., and Brett Walker, Sunnybrook G.C. Price’s winner’s check is $100,000, the largest first-place prize available from any event across the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections. It was Price’s first appearance in the event.
Price was the first of the trio in the clubhouse at 4-under-par, tapping in for par on No. 18 for a 68. Oakley soon followed on No. 9 (his 18th hole), but it was Brett Walker who delivered last-minute heroics at his home club. Walker was at 3-under-par on the 18th, and managed to hole a long birdie putt of his own to join the playoff.
On the first hole of sudden death, No. 18, Price hit to about 25 feet to set up his birdie, while Oakley and Walker both hit to within 15 feet, with significantly easier undulations to navigate. Price proceeded to make his long left-to-right breaking putt with authority, causing the crowd to erupt. Oakley and Walker’s birdie putts both missed.
“This was the most fun I could have on a golf course,” said Price after the playoff. “Making that putt in the playoff was incredible.”
Parks went on to thank the event’s title partner, The Haverford Trust Company, their founder and director George Connell, Sunnybrook Golf Club and its membership, the membership and his students at the C.C. of York, and his fiancé.
“I’m getting married in April, so this $100,000 will help that cause,” Price joked.
Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, finished in fourth place. Six PGA Professionals tied for fifth place.
To view the full leaderboard, click here.
In the Senior Division, Mike Moses, Concord C.C., finished at 2-under-par, one stroke ahead of Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C., John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs, and Stu Ingraham, MGolf Range & Learning Center, finished two back, while Pete Lovenguth, Applecross C.C., tied for fifth.
Steve Wetherill, a Sunnybrook G.C. club champion, finished with Low Amateur honors after turning in a 3-under-par 69 to top Hank Smith by three strokes. Amateur Francis Vaughn made a hole-in-one on the 185-yard eighth hole.
The 24th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic’s title partner is The Haverford Trust Company, and is supported by Precise Yardage Books. The event is also a Rolex Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year bonus points event. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Sunnybrook G.C., its membership, management, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
About The Haverford Trust Company
The Haverford Trust Company was founded in 1979 on Philadelphia’s landmark Rittenhouse Square. Since our founding, one thing has remained unchanged…our commitment to quality. Haverford has prospered for 40 years in a finance industry dominated by giants through our passion and adaptability. With 110+ employees and $13.4 billion* in assets, our size is our advantage. We focus on the essentials: the Quality Investing philosophy that provides our clients with the right mix of stability and growth across the market cycle. For more information, visit HaverfordQuality.com.
*Including assets under management or consultation for The Haverford Trust Company and Haverford Financial Services as of 7/31/2021.
Brett Walker, PGA, Captures 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship
Newtown Square, Pa. (September 2, 2021) — Brett Walker, PGA, of Sunnybrook G.C. in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., winner of the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Aronimink Golf Club and Applebrook Golf Club, will lead 11 Section PGA Professionals to compete in the 55th PGA Professional Championship, April 17-20, at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas. The championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex.
Walker turned in a winning total of 8-under-par, 67-66—133, to win his first Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, following the cancellation of the final round due to severe weather stemming from remnants of Hurricane Ida. Zac Oakley of Bidermann G.C. in Wilmington, Del., was runner-up at 6-under-par. They are joined by Billy Stewart of Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pa.; Ashley Grier of Overbrook G.C. in Villanova, Pa.; Rusty Harbold of Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa.; Terry Hertzog of Merion G.C. in Ardmore, Pa.; Dave McNabb of Applebrook G.C. in Malvern, Pa.; Trevor Bensel of Overbrook G.C.; George Forster; Hugo Mazzalupi of Patriots Glen National G.C. in Elkton, Md.; Steve Sanderson of Pine Valley (N.J.) G.C.; and Parks Price of C.C. of York in York, Pa. Forster, Mazzalupi, Sanderson, and Price clinched their trips to Texas in a six players-for-four spots playoff Thursday at Aronimink.
Mike Furey of Saucon Valley C.C. in Bethlehem, Pa., and Scott Reilly of Philadelphia C.C. in Gladwyne, Pa., are first and second alternates, while Michael Little and Mark Sheftic, both of Lookaway G.C. in Buckingham, Pa., are third and fourth alternates. Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley C.C. in Lafayette Hill, Pa., is fifth alternate. Walker had previously qualified for the 2022 PGA Professional Championship via play in this year’s PGA Professional Championship.
“My goal for Aronimink was just to break par,” said Walker. “The low score on the course the day before was even par, so I figured being under par would give me a leg up on the rest of the field.”
Walker said he hopes to use the experience he picked up this week in the 55th PGA Professional Championship in April.
“Aronimink can play difficult and has hosted major championships and PGA Tour events, and I feel like my game was set up pretty well for it, Walker continued. “I am definitely going to take that to other tournaments and courses.”
Walker went on to thank Sunnybrook G.C., its membership, and PGA Professionals Greg Wingate and Brad Sanders for the support, as well as his parents, Bob and Betty, his girlfriend Sarah and her parents, who were all in attendance as spectators.
Walker also made his major championship debut earlier this year in the 103rd PGA Championship at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort’s Ocean Course. In addition to having his name engraved on the William B. Packer Trophy, Walker earned $9,000 for his win, coming from the $72,000 purse.
The PGA Professional Championship and 41 PGA Section Championships feature a total purse of more than $1.5 million. Golf Channel will televise all four rounds of the national Championship.
If eligibility is met and maintained, the low 20 scorers in 2021 will earn berths into the 104th PGA Championship, May 19-22, 2022, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. 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 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, Ship Sticks, Visit Delco, Pa., and Precise Yardage Books.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
PGA Member Brett Walker Leads 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship Entering Final Round
Newtown Square, Pa. (August 31, 2020) — PGA Member Brett Walker, Sunnybrook G.C., surged to the top the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship leaderboard with a second round score of 4-under-par 66 at Aronimink Golf Club. The championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex.
Walker, who won his first Section event earlier this month at the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship, had not played Aronimink prior to today’s round, making it even more impressive. Walker’s scorecard featured four birdies and an eagle and is the low round of the week at Aronimink. First round leader Ashley Grier shot 66 in her first round at Applebrook Golf Club.
“My strategy has been to hit a lot of fairways, and I hit it really well off the tee, which allowed me to attack some of the hole locations,” said Walker. “The course was playing tough if you missed fairways, but I did a good job of keeping it in position, which made it an easier round for me.”
Walker, who played in his first major championship, the PGA Championship, earlier this year, said that he would employ the same strategy for tomorrow’s final round.
Bidermann G.C.’s Zac Oakley turned in a 3-under-par 67 at Aronimink today, placing him in second place, two behind Walker. Oakley has won or tied for first in two Section events this season, including the Doylestown Open and Conestoga Classic. He is also currently second in the Rolex Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year race.
Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill, is in third place following his 71 at Aronimink, five back. Overbrook G.C.’s Grier is in fourth at 2-under-par. Yesterday, she became the first woman to lead a Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship after any round.
Rounding out the top five at 1-under-par: Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Terry Hertzog, Merion G.C.; and host PGA Professional at Applebrook, Dave McNabb. Overbrook’s Trevor Bensel is at even-par; Six PGA Professional are tied for tenth. The top 11 players at the conclusion of play will advance to the
Sixty-six Philadelphia PGA Section’s will advance to the final round to compete for the William B. Packer Trophy and a berth into the 55th PGA Professional Championship, April 17-20, at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas.
The championship is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, September 1, at Aronimink G.C., with tee times beginning at 8:00 a.m. Follow the action via our live scoring by visiting golfgenius.com/pages/2799551 and our social media channels: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
For more information on the championship, including the week’s schedule, pairings, and more, visit the championship’s official e-publication.
Members of the media are welcome onsite to cover the championship.
The 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, Ship Sticks, Visit Delco, Pa., and Precise Yardage Books.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
PGA Member Ashley Grier Leads 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship After Opening Round 66
Newtown Square, Pa. (August 30, 2020) — As the Philadelphia PGA Section celebrates its centennial, history continues to be made, as Aronimink Golf Club and Applebrook Golf Club host the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship for the first time. Making more waves is PGA Member Ashley Grier, Overbrook G.C., who leads by one stroke after firing a 5-under-par 66 in the opening round, marking the first time a woman has led after any round of the event. The championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex.
Grier, the 2020 Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year, made six birdies and a lone bogey at Applebrook Golf Club. She will play her second round at Aronimink Golf Club tomorrow.
“I was unusually calm today,” Grier said of her opening round. “It’s going to be a long week, so I was trying to be really strong mentally today. I hit the golf ball really well.”
Hitting the ball well may be an understatement, as Grier hit all 18 greens in regulation. Her only bogey came after a three-putt on No. 18. She went on to say that it was one of the best rounds for ballstriking and putting she has had in a while.
“I plan to look at the second round at Aronimink similarly to today’s round at Applebrook,” she continued. “You have to hit a lot of fairways and greens [at Aronimink]. I am going to take it one step at a time and try to sit down and rest as much as I can to rest my back as it’s been a little sore.”
Grier, the inaugural Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional champion, leads Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill, and Brett Walker, Sunnybrook G.C., by one stroke. PGA Professionals tied for fourth place, two back, include Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C., and Steve Sanderson, Pine Valley G.C.
The two host courses scored very differently for the first round. After the first round, the top nine players had all played at Applebrook. The PGA Professionals who turned in the low rounds at Aronimink (even par 70s) are tied for 10th and included Parks Price, C.C. of York; Scott Reilly, Philadelphia C.C.; and George Forster. Others at T10 include Peter Lovenguth, Applecross C.C.; Dustin Wallis, Honey Run G.C.; Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C.; John Bierkan, Aronimink G.C.; Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.
One-hundred-sixty-three of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s best players are competing for the William B. Packer Trophy and a berth into the 55th PGA Professional Championship, April 17-20, at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas.
The second round continues tomorrow, August 31 at 9:00 a.m. at both Aronimink G.C. and Applebrook G.C. Follow the action via our live scoring by visiting golfgenius.com/pages/2799551 and our social media channels: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
For more information on the championship, including the week’s schedule, pairings, and more, visit the championship’s official e-publication.
Members of the media are welcome onsite to cover the championship.
The 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, Ship Sticks, Visit Delco, Pa., and Precise Yardage Books.
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
