Brian Bergstol, PGA, Captures 101st Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship; Earns Berth in 2023 PGA Professional Championship
Wilmington, Del. (August 31, 2022) — Brian Bergstol, PGA, of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Shawnee on the Delaware, Pennsylvania, winner of the 101st Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at DuPont Country Club and Concord Country Club, will lead 14 Section PGA Professionals to compete in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship, April 30 – May 3, at Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Pueblo Golf Clubs in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. The championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex.
Bergstol made five birdies and three bogies in his final round at DuPont Country Club on Wednesday, finishing with rounds of 66-69-69–204, topping the leaderboard at 9-under-par for a two-stroke victory over Braden Shattuck, PGA, of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania.
“It was stressful out there today,” Bergstol said of his final round. “I’m glad it’s over, but I’m very happy to be walking away with the [William B. Packer} Trophy.”
Bergstol’s assessment of the final round was accurate, as there were many lead changes, particularly on the final nine holes. At one point, the 36-hole leader, Zac Oakley, PGA, of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Delaware, reached 10-under-par, and was five strokes clear of Bergstol. However, the eventual champion remained patient, made two quick birdies on hole Nos. 8 and 9, and holed out for a par four on No. 10, after having to take a stroke-and-distance penalty from the tee following his first drive.
“That’s when things started to change,” Bergstol continued.
Although he made one last bogey on No. 11 to fall one behind Oakley, he quickly followed with birdies on Nos. 13, 15, and 18, the last one to clinch his victory.
Bergstol went on to thank his wife Megan, and children Brendan and Beau, in addition to Shawnee, TaylorMade Golf, TravisMathew, and his fellow PGA Members.
“I really want to thank the other PGA Professionals out here,” he said. “They helped me get across the finish line to earn my PGA Membership, which allowed me to be eligible for this championship.”
Bergstol was elected to PGA Membership on August 1 of this year.
Shattuck, who was also making his first appearance in a Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, made sure to make things interesting by firing a 5-under-par 66, which tied the low round of the championship.
In addition to having his name engraved on the William B. Packer Trophy, Bergstol earned $9,000 for his win, coming from the $72,000 purse.
Bergstol (1), Shattuck (2), and Oakley (3) will be joined at the 2023 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico by Trevor Bensel of Sandy Run Golf Club in Oreland, Pa. (T4); Michael Little of Makefield Putters in Bensalem, Pa. (T6); Terry Hatch of Royal Oaks Golf Course in Lebanon, Pa. (T6); Hugo Mazzalupi of Linfield (Pa.) National Golf Club (T6); Matthew Zehner of Wilmington (Del.) Country Club; Billy Stewart of Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pa. (T9); Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford Country Club in Royersford, Pa. (T11); John Pillar of the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa. (T11); and Terry Hertzog, PGA, who advanced in a playoff following the final round. Additionally, Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa. (T4); and Joanna Coe of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. (T11); will also compete in New Mexico, having already secured their spots via play in previous events. Brian Kelly of Bucknell Golf Club in Lewisberg, Pa., also finised tied for 11th place, but is not eligible to advance due to his PGA Life Member classification.
Not pictured in photo: Dave McNabb, PGA; Michael Little, PGA; Terry Hatch, PGA; Rich Steinmetz, PGA; Terry Hertzog, PGA;
Steve Sanderson of of Pine Valley (N.J.) Golf Club is the first alternate, followed by Grant Gardiner of Merion Golf Club; Mark Sheftic of Lookaway Golf Club in Buckingham, Pa.; Sam Ambrose of Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pa.; and Eric Kennedy of Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa.
If eligibility is met and maintained, the low 20 scorers in 2022 will earn berths into the 105th PGA Championship, May 15-21, 2023, at Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, N.Y. In addition to the Walter Hagen Cup, the PGA Professional Championship winner also receives an exemption into future PGA Professional Championships and exemptions into PGA TOUR events. 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 101st Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and supported by Titleist, FootJoy, Nike, Callaway, TaylorMade Golf, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, Precise Yardage Books, SCNS Sports Foods, Ship Sticks, and Visit Delco, Pa. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our hosts, DuPont Country Club and Concord Country Club, its members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
To view the full 101st Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.
The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament on the schedule is the 25th annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic on Tuesday, September 6, at Sunnybrook Golf Club.
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.
