Somers Point, N.J. (June 14, 2021) — PGA Professional teams from Overbrook G.C. and Woodcrest C.C. tied for first place in the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Assistant Professional Championship at Greate Bay C.C. with Four-Ball scores of 5-under-par 65s.

Overbrook G.C. PGA Head Professional Eric Kennedy teamed with PGA Assistant Professional and 2020 Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year Ashley Grier to card six birdies at Greate Bay, a golf course that the field roundly commended. Woodcrest C.C. PGA Director of Golf John DiMarco paired up with PGA Director of Instruction Stephen Sieracki to tie Overbrook’s PGA Professionals, with five birdies of their own. Seven teams tied for third, one stroke back, at 4-under-par.

Kennedy shot a 69 on his own golf ball, assisting his other two-person teams to high finishes too: all five Overbrook teams finished T11 or better.

In the Non-PGA Professional Division, Green Valley C.C. PGA Head Professional John Cooper teamed with staffer Bertus Wessels for a 5-under-par 65 to win the division by two strokes over one of Cooper’s other staff members, Eric Mahoney, and the Regents’ Glen C.C. team of Andrew Geesey, PGA, and Matthew Chalupa. Three teams tied for fourth place in the division.

The 2021 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Assistant Professional Championship is supported by Bespoke Golf, Earth Networks, Golf Genius Software, Scott & Karen Hutchinson, and Trinity Flavors. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Greate Bay C.C., its membership, management, staff, and host PGA Professional staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

To view the full 2021 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Assistant Professional Championship leaderboard, click here. To view photos from today, click here.

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

Westampton, N.J. (June 7, 2021) — PGA Professional Braden Shattuck, Bidermann G.C., won the 35th Burlington Classic presented by WSFS Bank at Burlington Country Club following a very competitive final round.

After an impressive 64 in the first round and a 71 in the final round, Shattuck finished the tournament at 5-under-par to win by two strokes over Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C., and Terry Hertzog, Merion G.C.

“Burlington C.C.’s golf course was perfect,” said Shattuck. “It was firm and fast. I hit a lot of good shots on the back nine, but didn’t make anything until No. 17, where I made a 25-footer for par, and a 10-foot come-backer for par on 18.”

Shattuck credits his recent work with his PGA Coach, Nick Iacono, Chester Valley G.C., for helping him with his driver, which he said he hit better this week. He went on to thank Bidermann C.C. PGA Head Professional Anthony Malizia, his coworkers, the club’s membership and committee for allowing him to play and for their support. He also thanked his girlfriend, Cat Hammer, a sports dietician, for helping him with his fueling techniques and her support, and Titleist Sales Representative Jerry McGoey.

With his win, Shattuck is the the first to hoist the event’s new trophy, the Mike Mack Cup, named in honor of host PGA Member Mike Mack, which was unveiled during the pro-am’s dinner on Sunday, June 6, and presented to Braden by Mack and Burlington Classic Tournament Chair John M. Hanuscin.

Burlington C.C. member Bob Reilly followed his first round 71 with an 82 to finish at 12-over-par and clinch low amateur honors and the Marotto Medal. Reilly bested the other two amateurs to qualify for the final round, Anthony Manto, +20, and Fred Kondash, +21.

Eight PGA Professionals tied for fourth place at 2-under-par.

Hertzog finished atop the Senior Division, besting the four PGA Professionals who tied for second by one stroke. Don DeAngelis, Spring Ford C.C., won the Super Senior Division at 5-over-par to win by four strokes over J.R. Delich, Concord C.C.

The 35th Burlington Classic Pro-Am presented by WSFS Bank is supported by Burlington C.C., the Lincoln Motor Company, Jani-King, and adidas. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Burlington C.C., its membership, management, staff, host PGA Professional Mike Mack, Tournament Chair John M. Hanuscin, and the entire 2021 Burlington Classic Pro-Am Committee, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

To view the full 35th Burlington Classic Pro-Am leaderboard, click here.

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex Player of the Year tournament on the schedule is the Conestoga Classic on June 21 at Conestoga C.C. in Lancaster, Pa.

About the Burlington Classic Pro-Am

The Burlington Classic Pro-Am was founded in 1986 by Mike Mack, PGA, Joe Fattorini, Leroy Peacock, Rex McWilliams, Chip Miller, George Hilt, and Donald “Butch” Eckman. The event quickly became one of the most popular events on the Philadelphia PGA Section’s tournament calendar, and is now a Philadelphia PGA Rolex Player of the Year Points Event.

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

Westampton, N.J. (June 6, 2021) — PGA Members Bill Walker, Riverton C.C., and Eric McNamee, Golf Galaxy – Montgomeryville, lead their team of amateur partners, Steve Mazurek, Anthony Manto, and Rob Sitzler, to victory in the 35th Burlington Classic Pro-Am presented by WSFS Bank.

On a hot and humid day where temperatures topped out in the mid-90s, Walker and McNamee’s team shot a blistering 29-under-par 111 for 18 holes in the two best of five net format. The team turned in seven net birdies, eight net eagles, and two net double eagles. They finished two strokes ahead of the second place team of Dustin Moser, Toftrees Resort G.C., Tony Shields, Union League Liberty Hill, Bob Reilly, Chris McCool, and Bill Hnatiuk.

Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., Vince Ramagli, Montclair G.C., Sean Scanlon, Mike Hanf, and Leon Cichon  finished in third place at 26-under-par. Finishing fourth at -22 included Chris Krueger, Kings Creek C.C., Tyler Spielberger, Frog Hollow G.C., John Melton, Joe Duarte, and Ken Fairchild.

Teams tying for fifth place included Jason Calhoun, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Jason Panter, InClub Golf, Parimal Upadhyay, Neil Spence, and Tom Taylor; Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C., Anthony Napoletano, GOLFTEC – Malvern, Frank Monaghan, Paul Morris, and Jack Rowland; and Mark Anderson, St. Davids  G.C., Jesse Williams, Peninsula G. & C.C., Dennis Walsingham, Mike Cassano and Ray O’Neill.

The three low amateurs from the first round will advance to round two. Bob Reilly, 71, Anthony Manto, 75, and Mike Behrend, 76, will compete for low amateur honors and the Marotto Medal on Monday, June 7, alongside the PGA Professional field.

The individual PGA Professional event will also conclude on Monday, and Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C., leads the field by one stroke following his impressive round of 7-under-par 63. Mazzalupi’s round included six birdies and one eagle. Braden Shattuck, Bidermann G.C., and Eddie Perrino, Eagle Rock Resort, are in second place at 6-under-par. PGA Member George Forster finished the first round in fourth place at 5-under-par.

Mazzalupi also leads the Senior Division by one stroke over Eddie Perrino. PGA Member George Forester is two back. Don DeAngelis, Spring Ford C.C., leads the Super Senior Division at 1-over-par.

During the pro-am’s annual dinner, Tournament Chair John M. Hanuscin presented host PGA Professional Mike Mack with the new Mike Mack Cup, which will be presented to the low PGA Professional each year, beginning with this year’s event. This year’s participants were also gifted commemorative lapel pins to honor Joe Fattorini, the tournament’s first chair, who sadly passed away last year.

The 35th Burlington Classic Pro-Am is supported by the Lincoln Motor Company, Jani-King, and adidas. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Burlington C.C., its membership, management, staff, host PGA Professional Mike Mack, Tournament Chair John M. Hanuscin, and the entire 2021 Burlington Classic Pro-Am Committee, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

To view the full 35th Burlington Classic Pro-Am leaderboard, click here.

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex Player of the Year tournament on the schedule is the Conestoga Classic on June 21 at Conestoga C.C. in Lancaster, Pa.

About the Burlington Classic Pro-Am

The Burlington Classic Pro-Am was founded in 1986 by Mike Mack, PGA, Joe Fattorini, Leroy Peacock, Rex McWilliams, Chip Miller, George Hilt, and Donald “Butch” Eckman. The event quickly became one of the most popular events on the Philadelphia PGA Section’s tournament calendar, and is now a Philadelphia PGA Rolex Player of the Year Points Event.

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

Allentown, Pa. (May 25, 2021) — The team from DuPont C.C. went low to win the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship by one stroke on a beautiful spring day at Lehigh Valley C.C.

DuPont’s team, consisting on PGA Head Professional Michael Caldwell and his amateur partners, Laura Ford, Jane Sassaman, Katherine Sahm, finished with a net 13-under-par 57, a round that included 16 gross birdies in the foursome, and two net eagles.

Dupont C.C. finished ahead of the team from Moselem Springs C.C., which included Chris Wegner, PGA, Jill Kramer, Linda Meeneghan, and Kayla Maletto.

Two teams finished tied for third place, including: Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Jim Smith Jr., PGA, Courtney Schultz, Joanne Bidwell, and Jean Fitzpatrick; and Saucon Valley C.C.’s Mike Wood, PGA, Pam Kennedy, Robin Woolford, and Kim Watts.

In the Gross Division, Overbrook G.C.’s team of Eric Kennedy, PGA, Tina Aberant, Mary Cagliuso, and Danielle DeHoratius; took first place with a 6-under-par 64. Overbrook G.C. PGA Head Professional shot 64 on his own ball.

Teams tying for second place in the Gross Division included Aronimink G.C.’s Jacob Woodman, PGA, Katie McGeary, Tara Semisch, and Joan Greenwald; and Stonewall Links’ Ryan Lagergren, PGA, Ann Flannery, Stephanie McSwain, and Jessica Shure.

The 2021 Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship is supported by the Lincoln Motor Company, Ohana Farm LLC, Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), and Trinity Flavors. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Lehigh C.C., its membership, management, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

To view the full 2021 Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship leaderboard, click here.

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

West Chester, Pa. (May 24, 2021) — Deerfield Head Professional and PGA Associate Michael Tobiason turned in a score of 2-under-par 70 to win the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship at Radley Run Country Club. The Connelly Cup is named in honor of Jack Connelly, a Past President of both the PGA of America (2001-02) and Philadelphia PGA Section (1983-84).

Tobiason, who made one eagle and 17 pars, won the event by one stroke over a trio of PGA Professionals: Michael Little, Lookaway G.C.; Dustin Moser, Toftrees Resort G.C.; and John DiMarco, Woodcrest C.C. Peter Clarke, Manufacturers’ G. & C.C., finished in fifth place at even par.

“Radley Run is a great golf course, and it played as difficult today as I’ve personally seen it,” said Tobiason. “I hit the ball well, and even though I could have made more putts, I’m happy with how I played. I give lots of credit to my caddie Jerry too.”

Tobiason’s eagle on the 345-yard par-4 15th was the highlight of his round; his tee shot landed hole-high, and his approximate 25-yard pitch found the bottom of the cup.

In the Senior Division, John DiMarco came out on top, winning by two strokes over George Forster. Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C.; and Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C.; finished tied for third place.

To view the full 2021 Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.

The 2021 Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship is supported by Bridgestone Golf, Hole-In-One U.S.A., Jim Ravina Golf Sales, and Scott & Karen Hutchinson. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Radley Run C.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.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (May 10, 2021) —PGA REACH Philadelphia, the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, is proud to announce its 2021 Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship recipients: Sophia Blair, Williamstown, N.J.; Hannah Kopac, State College, Pa.; Gabriella Magno, Delran, N.J.; Isabella Magno, Delran, N.J.; and Kasim Narinesingh-Smith, Kennett Square, Pa.

PGA REACH Philadelphia created the scholarship program to provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, an elite circuit for youth golfers ages 18 and under. The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships provide recipients annual tour membership dues and tournament event fees (up to seven tournaments per year until the recipient turns 18 years old). The foundation will also connect recipients to PGA Professional mentors for golf instruction / coaching and clubfitting. Additionally, new for 2021, thanks to a partnership with the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s 1854 Foundation, the scholarship recipients will receive new golf bags, and additional equipment, based on their PGA Professional mentor’s recommendations.

“PGA REACH Philadelphia is delighted to provide scholarships that will inspire youth in our community by providing access to programs designed to promote social skills, self-esteem, leadership, and athleticism through the game of golf,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Leila Mackie. “This year’s scholarship recipients were chosen among dozens of youth golfers who applied, and were selected based on their academic success, passion for the game, and references from PGA Professionals, coaches and teachers.”

Sophia Blair is a 13-year-old hailing from Williamstown, N.J. In her scholarship application essay, Blair recognizes that while she lives in a diverse community and attends a school with kids from many backgrounds, there is much room for improvement when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She also recently wrote a school paper arguing that women professional golfers should be paid the same winnings as male professionals. Blair also plans to play competitive golf in high school, and believes that her membership on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour will help her improve her game, while also providing her access to golf courses that she may not otherwise be able to play.

Hannah Kopac is 14 years old, lives in State College, Pa., and hopes to become a collegiate golfer while studying for a career in the medical field. To help prepare for competitive golf, and now the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, Kopac has been working with Penn State University G.C. PGA Professional Dan Merrell on her golf swing and course management strategies.

Gabriella Magno, 11, resides in Delran, N.J., with her sister Isabella, also a 2021 scholarship recipient. In her application essay, Magno wrote “golf is not just a game because it provides me with constant life skills that I can use in my every day life which can always can be improved.” In the future, Magno hopes qualify for the annual Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National G.C. and play competitive golf at both the high school and college levels.

Isabella Magno is 14, and like her sister Gabriella, lives in Delran, N.J. She started playing golf when she was just four years old and has worked on her game since to prove that girls can be just as good as boy golfers.

“This scholarship will allow me to experience golf in so many various settings,” said Magno. “I cannot wait to see how my golf skills respond to a variety of golf clubs.”

Kasim Narinesingh-Smith, 15, is from Kennett Square, Pa. He says that winning this scholarship means a lot to him and will allow him to establish friendships through the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour. His father introduced him to the game, and Kasim hopes to play on a Division I golf team, following in his sister’s footsteps.

The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship program is one of many programs and initiatives managed by PGA REACH Philadelphia and is the foundation’s flagship program under its Diversity pillar, helping to positively impact lives through the game of golf. PGA REACH Philadelphia’s goal is to grow the game by providing financial assistance, coaching, instructional materials, mentoring, equipment and scholarships to individuals and organizations throughout the region, with the help of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 800 PGA Professionals, who work at more than 300 public and private golf facilities in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware and northeastern Maryland.

The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour leads the region in competitive youth golf with over 90 events held seasonally at many of the area’s top facilities, covering all of the Section’s geographic areas.* In addition, the tour hosts four major championships throughout the season, including nationally ranked events that provide exposure for youth golfers looking to play competitively. With opportunities to learn, grow, and compete, many tour members graduate to play at the college level and beyond.

The 1854 Foundation’s mission is to support of local, regional, national, and international amateur sports competition; preservation and maintenance of public facilities and artifacts related to amateur athletics; and enhancing the local community’s environmental health, beautification, and stabilization.

About PGA REACH Philadelphia 

PGA REACH Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 as the charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the 41 Sections within the PGA of America. PGA REACH Philadelphia is committed to serving our communities and growing the game of golf through our three pillars: Youth, Military, and Diversity.

For more information on PGA REACH Philadelphia and its mission to positively impact lives through golf, visit PGAREACHPhiladelphia.com. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.

Contacts:

Leila Mackie, PGA
Director, PGA REACH Philadelphia
lmackie@pgahq.com

Courtney Curcio
Coordinator, PGA REACH Philadelphia
ccurcio@pgahq.com

Matt Frey, PGA
Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section
mfrey@pgahq.com
*The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour’s 2020 season has been shortened due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Chester County, Pa. (May 17, 2021) — Philadelphia PGA Member Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, fired a 3-under-par 68 at French Creek Golf Club to win the 2021 TaylorMade Classic by one stroke over a trio of his peers.

Bergtsol’s round, which included five birdies and two bogies, was made even more impressive by the fact that today’s round was his first at French Creek.

“I had a solid round today,” said Bergstol. “I had a couple of three putts and missed a two-footer, but overall, it was pretty solid; it was my first time here.”

Bergstol’s win today continues his good play as he also won the Philadelphia PGA Section’s team event last week, the Spring Pro-Pro Championship, alongside Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C.

PGA Professionals tying for second place included Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C.; Mark Sheftic, Lookaway G.C.; and Parks Price, C.C. of York.

Hugo Mazzalupi won the Senior Division by two strokes over Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C., who finished at even par. There was a four-way tie for third place in the Senior Division. In the Super Senior Division, Don DeAngelis, Spring Ford C.C.; topped Joe Ambrose, Saucon Valley C.C. with a even par 71.

Bergstol also won the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) event by two strokes over Oakley,  Bensel, who both finished with 1-under-par 70s.

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex Player of the Year tournament on the schedule is the Burlington Classic Pro-Am on June 6-7 at Burlington C.C.

To view the full 2021 TaylorMade Classic leaderboard, click here.

The 2021 TaylorMade Classic, a Rolex Player of the Year event, is supported by the TaylorMade Golf Company, Kevin McClellan Golf Sales, Ohana Farm LLC, Jani-King, and Rolex. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank French Creek 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.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com

Camp Hill, Pa. (May 10, 2021) — Philadelphia PGA Professionals Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C., and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, teamed to win the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship at West Shore Country Club.

Bensel and Bergstol combined for eight birdies to finish with a team score of 8-under-par 64 to win by four strokes over Dustin Wallis, Honey Run G.C., and Steve Swartz, West Shore C.C. Teams tying for third place at 3-under-par included Pine Valley G.C.’s Matt Episcopo and Chad Ferguson; Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., and Jordan Shuey, West Shore C.C.; and Rob Rohrbach, Foxchase G.C., and Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C.

Bergstol won the 2020 edition of the event, with Alex Knoll, PGA, who did not participate at West Shore.

Glen Brook G.C.’s Dustin McCormick, who serves as the Section’s District 4 Director, made a hole-in-one on the 177-yard 18th hole, with a five iron; it was his 23rd ace.

To view the full 2021 Spring Pro-Pro Championship leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the tournament, click here.

The 2021 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship is supported by Doc Murphy, Golf Max, L2 Brands, Trinity Flavors, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank West Shore C.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.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com