Month: March 2022

Volunteer for the 2022 Shoprite LPGA Classic

The Shoprote LPGA Classic is scheduled for June 6-12 at Seaview Golf Club in Galloway, N.J.! Volunteers are crucial to the success of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. Join us as a Volunteer to build lasting friendships and join one of the committees that will help host a world-class women’s professional golf event.

Committees include: Marshals | Walking Scorers | Standard Bearers | and more!

Volunteer Price: $50

Benefits include: Official Volunteer Shirt | Official Volunteer Hat | Tournament Volunteer Pin | Volunteer Badge | Breakfast and Lunch on days worked | Free Volunteer Parking | One (1) Round of golf at Seaview’s Bay Course *

Registration for volunteers 21 and under is Free! Group volunteer spots available for golf teams, community organizations and clubs!

*must work minimum of 3 shifts, mandatory cart fee

Register

Questions? Contact Samantha Mok: smok@outlyr.com, 727.977.5183


PGA Professionals ONLY: The 2022 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer is seeking Philadelphia PGA Professional volunteers to work the scoring areas and player development lesson area at Seaview on June 10-12.

If you are interested in becoming a scoring volunteer for this year’s ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, please click on the button below and complete the form. A tournament representative or Section staffer will contact selected volunteers as the event nears.

CLICK HERE FOR PGA PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

Register for the 2022 Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization Spring Membership Meeting

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) spring membership meeting will be held in person at DuPont Country Club on Monday, April 11. The meeting will highlight the upcoming year and will be followed by a golf instruction seminar featuring two “best in state” coaches, John Bierkan, PGA, and Mark Sheftic, PGA. The day will conclude with competition and camaraderie on the golf course.

Attending the meeting and seminar only is an option, however you must attend the meeting and seminar to be eligible for golf. This is a terrific opportunity to knock off the winter rust, learn something new, and get a practice round at the host site of the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship.

If you need help finding a partner, you are welcome to register as an individual. To register, click here.

2022 PAO Spring Membership Meeting Schedule of Events

Format: two-person scramble

8:30 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m.
Meeting (golf attire)

10:00 a.m.
Coaching Seminar

11:30 a.m.
Warm up and boxed lunch

12:00 p.m.
Shotgun start

PAO Membership & Patron Program: To play in events and take advantage of all the PAO has to offer, you must submit a registration for annual membership. PAO membership registration is now live on Golf Genius but wait, before you pay your own membership dues, ask your PGA Head Professional to sponsor your membership via the PAO Patron Program. It is perfect for PGA Head Professionals who put a premium on professional development and a “pay it forward” mentality. PAO membership will not only help you network but create friendships for life.

To visit the PAO Patron Program registration page. click here. To register as a PAO member yourself, click here.

2022 PAO Board

Co-Chair: Keith Clawson, PGA

Co-Chair: Jeff Kiddie, PGA

Tournament Chair: Andrew Turner, PGA

Communications / Mentorship Chair: Brad Sanders, PGA

Education Chair: Cameron Small, PGA

Youth Golf / Charity / Finance Chair: Anthony Shields, PGA

Philadelphia PGA Section Partners with GOLFFOREVER

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 25, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section today is pleased to announce it has partnered with GOLFFOREVER, a company dedicated to preparing golfer’s bodies to play feel-great golf by helping build flexibility, mobility, and rotational power.

As part of the agreement, GOLFFOREVER will support the Section’s 2022 Fall Teaching & Coaching Summit. The summit is part of the Section’s education series, which includes a mix of in-person seminars, and virtual webinars held throughout the year for its PGA Professionals. The 2022 Spring Teaching & Coaching Summit was attended by over 60 PGA Members and Associates, and featured a range of topics relating to golf coaching and instruction. The fall summit’s date, location, and agenda will be announced in the near future.

“The Philadelphia PGA is pleased to welcome GOLFFOREVER into the Section’s partner family,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “The company understands the importance of golf fitness, not just for amateur golfers, but for PGA Professionals and their businesses. Their expertise in the fitness arena will help elevate our Teaching & Coaching Summit to the next level”

“The Philadelphia PGA Section is one the most esteemed bodies in all of golf and its PGA Member Professionals are among the most accomplished and respected in the country,” says GOLFFOREVER Managing Director Jon Levy. “We are excited to share Dr. Jeremy James’ innovative GOLFFOREVER program and team of world-class experts with these PGA Professionals to help them integrate golf’s number one digital platform for fitness, flexibility, strength, balance and recovery into their teaching operations and programming for business growth.”

PGA Professionals looking to learn more about the Section’s partnership with GOLFFOREVER should contact Section Communications Director Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.

About GOLFFOREVER
GOLFFOREVER is an fully-integrated app-based physical training solution designed to optimize a golfer’s ability to make golf swings with flexibility, balance, strength and proper form that staves off pain and injury. GOLFFOREVER’s research-based program, consisting personalized programs and instruction from top PGA Tour doctors, physical therapists and trainers, is designed to meet the abilities and goals of golfers of all ages, skills and levels of fitness. Founded in Aspen, Colorado in 2019 by Dr. Jeremy James, a leading specialist in chronic back pain and co-author of the Younger Next Year Back Book, GOLFFOREVER is the ideal companion to expert golf instruction. For more information go to www.golfforever.com or download the new mobile application on the Apple Store for IOS or Google Play for Android.

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.

Contacts: 

Matt Frey, PGA, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com, (215) 481-9086
Carl Mickelson, Kevin Frisch PR, carl@kevinfrischpr.com, (512) 797-2673
Kevin Frisch, Kevin Frisch PR, kevin@kevinfrischpr.com, (989) 614-0241
Jon Levy, GOLFFOREVER, jon@golfforever.com, (480) 227-4248

PGA Member Eric Kennedy Leads Overbrook Golf Club Team to Victory in 2022 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am

Pinehurst, N.C. (March 23, 2022) — Overbrook Golf Club’s PGA Head Professional Eric Kennedy led his team of amateurs, Mike Moran, James Kane, and Thomas Helmig, to victory in the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

The group finished with a team score of 23-under-par, 409, in the 54-hole one gross and one net competition, good for a three-stroke victory over the team from Bayside Resort G.C.: Bryce Young, PGA, Steve Dennis, Joe Fields, and Sid Burkot. Applebrook G.C.’s Dave McNabb, PGA, Chuck Lawson, John Diederich, and Jeff Shapiro finished third at 18-under-par.

The annual pro-am has become a staple on the Section’s tournament schedule each spring, and quickly sells out each season. This year, the field played Pinehurst’s Nos., 2, 4 and 8 courses, in addition to a practice round on No. 6. The highlight of the event each year is the round on No. 2; built in 1907 by renowned golf course architect Donald Ross, and restored in 2010 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the course has hosted several major golf competitions, including a PGA Championship, a Ryder Cup, three men’s U.S. Opens, and a U.S. Women’s Open, with several more tournaments scheduled in the future.

While the team from the C.C. at Woodloch Springs finished tied for fourth place, one of their amateurs, Craig Schneider, delivered perhaps the best golf shot of the pro-am: a hole-in-one on No. 8’s 13th hole. Schneider used a 6-iron from 164 yards, in the rain, to record his ace.

To view the full 2022 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, visit our Facebook page by clicking here.

The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Pinehurst Resort, its management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, 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

Evolve Golf Returns as Philadelphia PGA Section Partner

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 21, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section today announced a the renewal of its partnership with Evolve Golf, a company committed to making golf products that are better for the player, course, and planet.

As part of the agreement, Evolve Golf support the Section’s 2022 Spring and Fall Membership Meetings, and their corresponding pro-pro golf events.

“The Philadelphia PGA is happy to yet again partner with Evolve Golf,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “The company understands the importance of the PGA Professional and caters to them to provide quality and green golf products, such as tees, custom socks, and more.”

Evolve Golf Account Manager Blake Valand said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Philadelphia PGA Section and look forward to seeing everyone at the Spring Pro-Pro next week!”

PGA Professionals looking to learn more about the Section’s partnership with Evolve Golf, please contact Section Communications Director Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.

About Evolve Golf
Evolve Golf is committed to making products that are better for the player, better for the course, and better for the planet.

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.

Contacts: 

Matt Frey, PGA, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com
Max Lerner, Evolve Golf, max@evolvegolf.com
Blake Valand, Evolve Golf, blake@evolvegolf.com

Conlin’s Print Returns as Philadelphia PGA Section’s ‘Preferred Printer’

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 18, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section today announced the renewal of its partnership with Conlin’s Print, a digital print, mail, and marketing solutions company that has served the Philadelphia region since 1980.

As part of the agreement, Conlin’s Print will remain the Preferred Printer of the Philadelphia PGA Section, PGA REACH Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour. Conlin’s Print will also extend an initial 10 percent discount to Philadelphia PGA Members and Associates to use for their print, mail, and/or marketing needs.

“The Philadelphia PGA is excited to yet again partner with Conlin’s Print, a revered firm that produces quality products on time and on budget,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “The benefit that Conlin’s will be providing to our members will certainly help make their jobs easier and boost their professional standing at their facilities and with their members, customers, and students.”

Conlin’s Print President and Owner Bill Conlin said: “We are honored to continue to partner with the Philadelphia PGA Section as the Preferred Printer. We look forward to providing quality products and excellent service to the many Philadelphia PGA Members and Associates.”

In addition to their commitment to Philadelphia PGA Professionals, Conlin’s Print ‘preferred’ status will provide the Section a reliable partner for its own printing needs.

PGA Professionals looking to learn more about the Section’s partnership with Conlin’s Print, please contact Section Communications Director Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.

About Conlin’s Print
Since 1980, Conlin’s has served the Philadelphia region with exceptional digital printing, signs, banners, displays, bindery, and direct mail fulfillment services. Businesses of all sizes trust Conlin’s to deliver quality printing and fast turnarounds. When other printers can’t meet your deadline, Conlin’s can! As part of our exemplary customer service, all jobs are guaranteed. For more information, visit conlinsprint.com.

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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board Renews as Philadelphia PGA Premiere Partner

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 18, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA today announced the renewal of Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) as a Premier Section Partner. The VFTCB is a non-profit membership sales and marketing organization which actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pa.

As part of the agreement, Valley Forge and Montgomery County becomes a Presenting Partner of the Philadelphia PGA’s Make Golf Your Thing and Women’s initiatives, as well as the 2022 PGA REACH Philadelphia Pro-Am, Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships, Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, and the Summer-Pro Lady Team Championship.

“The Philadelphia PGA is thrilled to yet again partner with Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, an organization that promotes all types of businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania, including our PGA Professionals’ golf facilities,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “Having Valley Forge on board to help tell the story of our golf courses will not just be a win for our PGA Professionals and their businesses, but a win for the entire region.”

“It is such an honor to work with the Philadelphia PGA, an organization that represents the class, respect, and integrity of the sport of golf,” said Mike Bowman, President & CEO of the VFTCB. “Supporting such high-quality caliber events that have a positive economic impact on the region only helps to highlight our 50 historic and top-ranked courses as part of our Montco Golf initiative, and puts the spotlight on the county as a true golf destination.”

This partnership is designed to maximize exposure to area golf courses and their PGA Professionals, while stimulating local businesses. A key portion of the agreement centers around the Philadelphia PGA’s inclusion initiatives, including the Section’s Women’s Networking Series, and Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships. Additionally, VFTCB will support the Section’s Make Golf Your Thing program, which will feature two beginner women golfers’ journeys from the lesson tee to the golf course on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s “Inside Golf” television program.

For those looking to learn more about the Section’s partnership with Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, please contact Section Communications Director Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.

About Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a private, non-profit membership sales and marketing organization which actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by promoting patronage of its member hotels, restaurants, attractions and services. The Board represents more than 600 member businesses throughout Southeast Pennsylvania, and is funded from a combination of Pennsylvania grants, membership dues, and a tax imposed on visitors occupying the county’s more than 9,200 hotel rooms. For more information, visit valleyforge.org.

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.

Contacts: 

Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

Justine Garbarino, Associate Vice President of Marketing, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, garbarino@valleyforge.org

Rachel Riley, Associate Vice President of Communications, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, riley@valleyforge.org

2022 Philadelphia PGA Section Spring Membership Meeting Reports and Agenda

As a reminder, the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Section Spring Membership Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 28 at Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pa. To register for the meeting, click here.

To review the agenda and read the reports submitted by our officers and committee chairs, which provide updates on the Section’s business, initiatives and activities, click here.

As a reminder, PGA REACH Philadelphia and the Philadelphia PGA Section will be collecting vital supplies as humanitarian aid for the victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine at our Spring Membership Meeting. The collected supplies will be donated to the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee (UUARC). The UUARC is fundraising to provide vital medical supplies to victims, care for the injured and refugees, as well as shelter and food to those affected. A list of items being accepted is listed below.

Ukrainian Aid Collection List

  • Medical Supplies
    (min. 9-month exp.)
  • Hygiene
    (bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, women’s sanitary products)
  • Baby formula, diapers, wipes  
  • Adult briefs, patient underpads 
  • Mobility aid
    (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, bedside commode)
  • Linens
    (towels, sheets, blankets)
  • Hand and feet warmers
  • Knee pads
  • Newly packaged undergarments and socks
  • Trash bags

Furthermore, golf organizations across the world have come together to offer support by donating to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) work in Ukraine with the #GolfersForUkraine campaign. We are always stronger when we stand together. All donations will go to UNICEF’s work in Ukraine. There are no winners here. No victories to be had. And no business edge. We just want to make a stand for what we believe is right and to invite everyone who feels the same way to join us. To donate to the #GolfersForUkraine campaign / UNICEF, 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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

Philadelphia PGA Partners with Parx Casino®

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 17, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the PGA of America’s 41 geographical managing entities, and Parx Casino®, the No. 1 casino in Pennsylvania, have partnered to amplify the Section’s pro-am series, in which the casino has been named the Presenting Partner. The Section will also assist Parx Casino® with the creation of boutique client experiences for its VIP guests.

The Philadelphia PGA Pro-Am Series, Presented by Parx Casino®, includes seven events:

  • Plantation Lakes Pro-Am Championship
    Thursday, April 14 at Plantation Lakes G. & C.C.
  • Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship
    Tuesday, May 24 at Lehigh C.C.
  • A.C. Stableford Team Championship
    Wednesday, May 11 at Ballamor G.C.
  • Indian Valley Stableford Team Championship
    Monday, July 18 at Indian Valley C.C.
  • Pro-Scratch Championship
    Monday, August 8 at Trump National G.C. – Philadelphia
  • Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship
    Wednesday, August 24 at Sunnybrook G.C.
  • Fall Finale Pro-Am Championship
    Wednesday, October 26 at Bulle Rock G.C.

In addition to the Section pro-am series, Parx Casino® will also become a Presenting Partner of the PGA REACH Philadelphia Pro-Am Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club on Tuesday, October 11. PGA REACH Philadelphia, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Philadelphia PGA Section, has a mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf, concentrating on three key pillars: Youth, Military, and Diversity.

“We are very excited to have Parx Casino® join the Philadelphia PGA Section’s partnership family,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “Parx will surely improve our events for our PGA Professionals and their members and guests, and we are delighted to be able to help refine the casino’s boutique client experiences.”

Parx Casino® Chief Marketing Officer Marc Oppenheimer said “We are thrilled to partner with the Philadelphia PGA Section this year for their series of pro-am events. We also are proud to support the mission of PGA REACH Philadelphia. We look forward to building a long lasting relationship together providing great golf experiences for all in the Philadelphia area.”

About Parx Casino®
Parx Casino® is owned and operated by Greenwood Racing, Inc. and is the #1 revenue generating casino property in Pennsylvania. Parx Casino® is conveniently located 20 minutes north of center city Philadelphia, I-95 exit 37 or PA Turnpike exit 351 (westbound), exit 352 (eastbound) on Street Road in Bensalem Bucks County. Parx features over 200,000 square feet of gaming; 3,270 slot machines and 124 live table games; 48 poker tables in custom built private room; live racing & simulcast action; Xcite Center, 1,500 seat live entertainment venue, Liberty Bell Gastropub, farm-to-fork inspired menu; Parx Grill, an upscale signature restaurant; Foodies quick service dining; Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab House and SportsBar; Jax sports bar; Circle Bar; Bambu Noodle House; Bugervana; XLounge, luxury casino lounge; a massive year-round Beer Garden and complimentary parking for over 5,000 cars. In 2019, Parx Casino® launched sports betting with a $10M world-class sportsbook, online gaming and online sports betting. For more information on Parx Casino®, visit www.parxcasino.com.

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.

Contacts: 

Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

Carrie Nork Minelli, PR Director, Parx Casino®, cnorkminelli@parxcasino.com