Month: October 2022

Seven Philadelphia PGA Professionals Competing in 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship

Good luck to the seven Philadelphia PGA Professionals competing in this week’s 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Golf Clubs in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico! These seven PGA Members qualified for the event via their play in the 2022 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship at Medford (N.J.) Village Country Club, won by Rich Steinmetz, PGA:

  • Rich Steinmetz, PGA, Spring Ford C.C., Royersford, Pa.
  • Brian Kelly, PGA, Life Member
  • Eric Kennedy, PGA, Overbrook G.C., Villanova, Pa.
  • Terry Hertzog, PGA
  • Dave McNabb, PGA, Applebrook G.C., Malvern, Pa.
  • Eddie Perrino, PGA, C.C. of York, York, Pa.
  • Brendon Post, Univ. of Delaware, Newark, Del.

Click here for live scoring.

 

Helping Our Golf Industry Friends Affected by Hurricane Ian

As you are probably aware, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida last week, and devastated many parts of the state, including in both the North Florida and South Florida PGA Sections. Thankfully, both Section’s staff and their families remain safe, aside from just a few minor inconveniences, and both offices survived the storm, and are open. However, many PGA Professionals, their families, and facilities, were not as lucky, and there are ways you may help those affected by the storm:

  1. Donate to an organization or relief fund you know and trust
  2. Contribute to the PGA Medical and Disaster Relief Fund
  3. Purchase and send gift cards to the North and South Florida Sections
PGA Medical and Disaster Relief Fund

Every year, PGA Members nationwide are faced with difficult situations that can leave their family in a financial crisis. Through the generosity of PGA Members, the PGA Medical and Disaster Relief Fund provides assistance to members who are faced with temporary financial problems due to serious medical emergencies or the impact of natural disasters. It provides relief for documented out-of-pocket expenses in critical circumstances, to help members and their families get back on their feet faster.

When Irma, Harvey, and Maria hit in 2017, over $500,000 was allocated to PGA Members and Associates from the fund. While Ian was just one storm, the widespread damage was immense, and impacted PGA Professionals throughout Florida. At this time, $400,000 has been allocated to the fund. Still, as we continue to learn of total property losses for PGA Professionals due to the incredible storm and flooding, we could easily surpass the amount currently allocated. Please be aware that there are two separate links so that contributions can be tracked:

Gift Card Collection
The North Florida and South Florida PGA Sections are also collecting gift cards, which is may be a great way to help. The gift cards can be sent to our Section offices via the addresses listed below. While any gift card will be accepted, big box stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart may be the most useful.

North Florida PGA Section
7450 Sparkling Court
Kissimmee, FL 34747
(386) 256-1221
South Florida PGA Section
7201 Georgia Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 729-0544

Any help and support you can offer is greatly appreciated by the North and South Florida PGA Sections, and their PGA Professionals, as well as the Philadelphia PGA Section.

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 Announces Team for 30th Philadelphia Challenge Matches

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 5, 2021) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is proud to announce that its 12-member team for the 30th Philadelphia Challenge Matches has been finalized. The competition, played annually between top Philadelphia PGA Professionals and Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) amateurs, is slated to take place on October 18 on Saucon Valley Country Club’s Grace Course in Bethlehem, Pa. Zac Oakley, PGA, the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year, will lead the Section’s team as captain.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches would not be possible without the support and energy of Robin McCool. McCool was instrumental in getting the matches started 30 years ago and revitalizing them by bringing in support from Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and our host facility, Saucon Valley C.C. McCool serves as the Honorary Captain for the GAP team and serves as Honorary Chair of the event. Everyone owes Robin a debt of gratitude for all of his efforts.

The 12 PGA Professionals representing the Philadelphia PGA Section include:

  • Zac Oakley, PGA (C)
    Bidermann Golf Club
  • Trevor Bensel, PGA
    Sandy Run Country Club
  • Brian Bergstol, PGA
    Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
  • Terry Hertzog, PGA
    Philadelphia PGA
  • Eric Kennedy, PGA
    Overbrook Golf Club
  • Michael Little, PGA
    Makefield Putters
  • Hugo Mazzalupi, PGA
    Linfield National Golf Club
  • Eddie Perrino, PGA
    Country Club of York
  • Parks Price, PGA
    Country Club of York
  • Steve Sanderson, PGA
    Pine Valley Golf Club
  • Braden Shattuck, PGA
    Rolling Green Golf Club
  • Mark Sheftic, PGA
    Lookaway Golf Club

Philadelphia PGA Challenge Matches Team

Captain Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C. – In 2021, Oakley earned the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year title and captured its F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy, which awards the PGA Professional with the lowest season scoring average for their consistently stellar play, with a  68.93 over 14 rounds, marking the lowest scoring average since the trophy was commissioned in 1964. Oakley made his major championship debut in the 2022 PGA Championship, following his tie for sixth place finish in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship; he again will have a chance to qualify for 2023’s second men’s major championship in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico. While a Section victory has eluded him in 2022, Oakley racked up two-straight wins in the PGA Tournament Series over the winter, won the 2022 Delaware Open, and has accumulated five top-10s in Philadelphia PGA stroke play events.

Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C. – Bensel, the 2022 National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Champion and Philadelphia Tournament Players Division (TPD) Champion, currently leads the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) Player of the Year race, thanks in part to his three PAO wins and three top-three finishes in his other three PAO starts. In the Section’s Player of the Year race, Bensel is currently in the fifth position. He is slated to compete in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico, next April, thanks to his play in the 101st Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship.

Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & G.R. – Bergstol is enjoying a very successful 2022 campaign in Section events, having already been crowned the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion at DuPont C.C. and Concord C.C., and earning more Section victories in the 46th Pro-Am for Wishes, and 2022 Henry McQuiston Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship. As Section Champion, Bergstol will lead his Section peers in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Pueblo Golf Clubs. Bergstol also took home the $15,000 PGA Professional champion’s check at the inaugural Silvercrest Cup at Gulph Mills G.C. in September. He also qualified for the 46th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship at PGA G.C. this November through his play in the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship.

Terry Hertzog – Hertzog had a great start his 2022 golf season, winning the Delaware Valley Open at Rolling Green G.C., an event which also doubled as the first Silvercrest Cup qualifying event of the year. He went on to rack up nine more top 20 finishes in Section events, including a victory at the 2022 A.B. Thorn Memorial Pro-Am at Lancaster C.C. Hertzog also qualified for the 2022 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico, thanks to his finish in the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. As of this writing, Hertzog is in the third position in the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year race.

Eric Kennedy, Overbrook G.C. – Kennedy, currently 12th in the Section’s Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year points standings, earned his first victory of the season at the Section’s annual Pinehurst Pro-Am in North Carolina, and has since finished in the top 10 four more times. He went on to pick up his first senior win at the inaugural Silvercrest Cup at Gulph Mills G.C. Additionally, Kennedy will be competing in the 2022 Senior PGA Professional Championship later this month.

Michael Little, Lookaway G.C. – Little, a past Section Player of the Year and the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Challenge Matches captain, is currently 11th in the 2022 standings, having finished near the top of the leaderboards in the 101st Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, the GALV Lehigh Valley Open, and the Indian Valley Team Stableford Pro-Am. Little also has nine additional top 20 finishes on his 2022 resume, and will compete in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico.

Hugo Mazzalupi, Linfield National G.C. – Mazzalupi started strong early in his 2022 season, winning the Connelly Cup / Philadelphia PGA Head Professional Championship at North Hills C.C., and has followed that up with five other top 10 performances. He is currently in the eighth position in the Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year race. His play in the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship also earned him a playing spot in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico.

Eddie Perrino, C.C. of York – Perrino is currently fifth in the Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year race, and 21st in the Section’s Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year race. Perrino tied for first to take the 2022 Conestoga Classic Senior Division title in June, and has made nine other Senior top 10s this season.

 

 

Parks Price, C.C. of York – Price, the 2021 Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic champion, is sixth in the Section’s Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year race, and took home the top prize and Silvercrest Cup qualifying bonus at the 2022 William Hyndman III Memorial Classic at Huntingdon Valley C.C. His game remained consistent throughout the year, with eight top 10 finishes, and another six top 20s.

Steve Sanderson, Pine Valley G.C. – Currently 19th in the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year points standings, Sanderson tied for first in the weather-shortened 2022 Philadelphia Pro-Assistant Pro Championship, and earned top 10 finishes in this year’s Tournament Players Division Championship, and Pro-Scratch Championship. He is ninth in the PAO Player of the Year standings, having placed in four top 10s in five events, with his best finish, T2, at the PAO event at Brookside C.C.

Braden Shattuck, Bidermann G.C. – Shattuck currently leads the Section’s Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year race by over 1,200 points, thanks in part to his three Section wins in 2022: the 36th Burlington Classic, Doylestown Open, and the Jack Jolly & Son Championship. Shattuck also leads the low scoring average competition, putting him in line to earn his first F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy, with a current stroke average of 69.06 over 16 rounds. In addition to his victories, Shattuck has recorded eight more top 10s in 2022, and will compete in New Mexico in the 2023 PGA Professional Championship.

Mark Sheftic, Lookaway G.C. – In 2021, the Section honored Sheftic by naming him a Philadelphia PGA Playing Legends, thanks to his consistent play at high levels, including in major championships, PGA Cups, and more. In his 2022 campaign, Sheftic has eight top 10s, with his best finish, a T2, at the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic, which doubled as a Silvercrest Cup qualifier.

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

Participate in the Philadelphia PGA’s Fall Teaching & Coaching Summit

The Philadelphia PGA Section, in coordination with its Instruction and Education committees, has organized a Fall 2022 Teaching & Coaching Summit to take place on Tuesday, November 15, at Llanerch Country Club in Havertown, Pa., beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The event will feature Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame member Mike Mack, PGA; 2016 Philadelphia Youth Player Development Award recipient Steve Sieracki, PGA; Golf Digest Best Young Teacher Scott Chisholm, PGA, and Golf Digest Best Teacher in Pennsylvania Nick Iacono, PGA; discussing common golf swing faults and fixes. The full agenda is listed below.

Thanks to the support of our summit partners, Clippd and GOLFFOREVER, the cost to attend is $30 per person, which includes a light continental breakfast and lunch. Seven MSR credits will be distributed to attendees for participating. To register, click here.

Fall 2022 Philadelphia PGA
Teaching & Coaching Summit

Tuesday, November 15
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Llanerch Country Club
Havertown, Pa.

Summit Schedule

8:30 a.m.
Registration / Light Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Faults & Fixes: Chronic Slice
10:00 a.m.
Partner Recognition: Clippd
11:00 a.m.
Faults & Fixes: Short Game
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m.
Faults & Fixes: Chronic Hook
2:00 p.m.
Partner Recognition: GOLFFOREVER
3:00 p.m.
Faults & Fixes: Lack of Distance

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 Nominating Committee Announces 2022 Slate of Nominees

The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Nominating Committee has announced its 2022 Slate of Nominees for open District Director positions in Districts 2, 4, and 6. The election is scheduled to take place at our Fall Membership Meeting at White Manor Country Club on October 31. The committee has put forth the following slate of endorsed candidates:


DISTRICT 2 
Michael Caldwell, PGA
DuPont Country Club
Endorsed Candidate

Michael Caldwell is currently the PGA Head Professional at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del. In the last 12 years since returning to the Philadelphia PGA Section, Caldwell has worked for Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., 2010-2016; Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del., 2017-2019; and DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del., 2020-present. Caldwell says his activity level within the Section allows him to stay connected with other PGA Professionals, which offers the chance to talk about and learn what others are going through in their respective roles.  Caldwell remains an active participant in the Section’s tournament program, in addition to attending meetings, and other gatherings / events whenever possible. Caldwell has worked to expand his knowledge of the golf business by looking for continuous education opportunities, including Rules of Golf seminars and completing the PGA of America’s Certified Professional program, specializing in Golf Operations, in 2018. For the last three years, he has served on the Section’s Junior Golf Committee, which has given him the chance to start the process of giving back to the game that has given him so much in his lifetime. Caldwell says that he would like to continue that service in a larger capacity as the District 2 Director. 


DISTRICT 4 
Mike Molino, PGA
Country Club of Scranton
Endorsed Candidate 

Mike Molino has been a Class A PGA Professional since 2002, but Molino says that his love for the game began at White Deer Golf Course in Montgomery, Pa., where he was taught the game, and business, by John Kulhamer, PGA. Molino graduated from the University of Charleston in West Virginia in 1991, and has since spent time working as a PGA Assistant Professional at Glen Oak Country Club in Clarks Summit, Pa., 1993; and Huntsville Golf Club in Dallas, Pa., 1995-2003; before accepting the PGA Head Professional position at Huntsville in 2004, a role he served in through 2012. Molino then served as a PGA Professional at Dick’s Sporting Goods in 2013, then moved to his current facility, the Country Club of Scranton in Clarks Summit, Pa., as a PGA Assistant Professional in 2014, before taking the PGA Head Professional job in 2015. Molino is the Section’s current District 4 Director.


DISTRICT 6 
Scott Chisholm, PGA
Rolling Green Golf Club
Endorsed Candidate

Scott Chisholm is finishing his fifth season as PGA Head Professional at Rolling Green Golf Club, and is prepared to dedicate his time to continue the strong tradition of our Section. During his tenure in the New Jersey PGA Section, he held the following positions: Section Board of Directors, 2016-2017; Section Assistants’ Association President, 2015; Section Education Committee member, 2013-2015; and Section Assistants’ Committee member, 2013-2015. He has been fortunate to be recognized by various organizations for professional achievements, including: New Jersey PGA Player Development Award recipient, 2017; Golf Digest Best Young Teachers, 2016-2022; Golf Digest Best Teachers in State, 2016-2020; New Jersey PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year finalist, 2016-2017; New Jersey PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year finalist, 2014-2016; and the New Jersey PGA Professional Development Award finalist, 2014. Chisholm thanks you in advance for your support of his candidacy for District 6 Director; he hopes to have the privilege to serve you, his fellow PGA Members.


DISTRICT 6 
Tom Gilbert, PGA
Gulph Mills Golf Club
Endorsed Candidate

Tom has been the PGA Head Professional at Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pa., for the past 19 seasons. He routinely participates in the Section’s tournament program, educational opportunities, and served a short time on the Section’s Tournament and Nominating committees. During his tenure, he has mentored several PGA assistant professionals and PGA Golf Management interns. Over this period, Tom has been extremely proud to have placed six assistants into their own PGA head professional positions. He believes strongly in helping those that dedicate their lives to Gulph Mills, and is willing to do whatever it takes to assist them in reaching their career goals. This dedication was recognized by the Philadelphia PGA Section in 2017 when Tom was awarded the Section’s Bill Strausbaugh Award. He was also recognized in 2016 as a Section Merchandiser of the Year in the Private Category. Tom is married to his wife Elena, and they have two children, Jack, 10; and Victoria, 7. Together they make every effort to spend as much time as possible with their kids, while still maintaining a balance at work. Tom developed a passion for instruction while teaching snow skiing for 10 years in Massachusetts and Vermont, and is an avid fly fisherman.


DISTRICT6 
Jon Arthur, PGA
Radley Run Country Club
At-Large Candidate

Jon Arthur is completing his third season as the PGA Head Professional at Radley Run Country Club in West Chester, Pa., since moving back to the Section in 2019. After a year as a sales representative for Stitch Golf, he was able to familiarize himself with the area and many of you in District 6. Now that he am back on the green grass side and settled in, he says that he is excited to become more involved in the Section and represent his fellow PGA Professionals. In his 13 years working in the South Florida PGA Section, he held many roles at the Chapter and Section levels, including serving as a member on the South Florida PGA Tournament, and Awards committees, and as co-chair of the Section’s Education Committee. He is also a member of PGA Magazine‘s Ambassador Program, and has extensive experience in working with PGA Professionals in collaboration and resource sharing. He believes there are great benefits of the Section and its PGA Professionals working together to create the best possible product for everyone involved. Additional training, Certifications and accolades: Certified PGA Professional in Golf Operations, and General Management; Sandler Online Sales Training; 2018 South Florida PGA Golf Professional of the Year nominee; 2016 South Florida PGA Player Development Award finalist; 2011 South Florida PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year; 2010 South Florida PGA Southeast Chapter Assistant Golf Professional of the Year; TPI Level 1 Certified golf instructor, 2010; and 2002 Penn State PGM Player of the Year. Professional involvements: PGA Magazine Ambassador Program; Golf Business Network; former South Florida PGA Southeast Chapter Awards Committee member; former South Florida PGA Southeast Chapter Education Committee co-chair; member of the South Florida PGA and Southeast Chapter Tournament committees; South Florida CMAAmember, 2016-2018; and PGA Member since 2008.


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