To learn more and apply for the Philadelphia PGA Section communications internship, click here.
To learn more and apply for the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour tournament internship, click here.
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of PGA Life Member Bernie Haas; he was 88. Haas won the 1961 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Philadelphia Country Club.
There will be no services observed at this time. A memorial service will be held at a future date and will be announced by the Freay Funeral Home. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point, Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. To read his full obituary, 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.
Golf is a game for all and it is a transformative sport for individuals of all abilities. One out of every 10 individuals in the U.S. is disabled.
As part of Make Golf Your Thing’s continued focus on inclusion, the golf industry is hosting a virtual seminar that focuses on how to create welcoming environments for golfers with disabilities. The details are as follows and you’re invited to attend using the registration link below.
Date/Time: November 16, 11 a.m. ET
Topic: Creating an Inclusive Environment for Golfers with Disabilities
Presented by: Make Golf Your Thing and the National Alliance for Accessible Golf
Presenters:
Moderator: Michael Williams
Panelists: Dave Barton, PGA, National Alliance for Accessible Golf executive director; Dr. Amanda Kloo, National Inclusion Project; David Windsor, PGA, Georgia State Golf Association adaptive golf director; Jordan Thomas, Jordan Thomas Foundation founder
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (November 10, 2022) — The FDS Winter Tour has officially rebranded itself as the Johnny C Winter Tour, paying tribute to longtime tour supporter and competitor John “Johnny C” Carpineta, PGA, of Bensalem (Pa.) Township Country Club.
The tour can trace its roots back to 1990 when PGA Members Bob Sheppard and Gary Deetscreek hosted a few events in the fall and winter months. In 1991, Jamie Shaffer, PGA, launched a winter golf tour, ultimately naming it after his parents, Floyd and Dorsey: the FDS Winter Tour.
“Nobody is better than Johnny C,” Shaffer said, following the tour’s rebranding announcement. “We think it is the perfect time to rename the tour for Johnny, as he’s still competing in our events.”
John Carpineta, PGA, was named the 2019 Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest annual honor given to a Philadelphia PGA Professional, awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the Philadelphia PGA Section and the game of golf. Carpineta also was awarded the Philadelphia PGA Patriot Award three times, bestowing special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates an unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected our country. He is a military veteran himself and earned his PGA Membership in 2003. Along with serving on the Section’s Player Development and PGA REACH Philadelphia Committees, Carpineta co-chairs the PGA HOPE Philadelphia (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, along with the Wounded Warriors Project and Philly VA Amputee Swing endeavor.
To view the full 2022-23 Johnny C Winter Tour schedule, click here. For more information, contact Jamie Shaffer, PGA, at shaffer004@aol.com.
All events will have 10:00 a.m. shotgun starts
November 11
Valleybrook Country Club
November 18
Shore Gate Golf Club
November 28
White Oaks Country Club
December 2
Blue Heron Pines Golf Club
December 9
Centerton Golf Club
December 16
Avalon Golf Club
Christmas Scramble
January 6
The Shore Club
January 13
Valleybrook Country Club
January 20
Brigantine Golf Links
January 27
Twisted Dune Golf Club
February 3
Shore Gate Golf Club
February 10
Greate Bay Country Club
February 17
Golden Pheasant Golf Club
February 24
Blue Heron Pines Golf Club
March 3
Pitman Golf Course
March 10
Running Deer Golf Club
March 17
Avalon Golf Club
Championship
March 24
Avalon Golf Club
Championship rain date
Andy Miller, PGA, a Philadelphia PGA Section Member and PGA Director of Instruction at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, is the 2021 PGA Youth Player Development Award winner. The honor is given to a PGA Member who has made extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of youth player development. He boasts an impressive record of serving his fellow PGA Members currently in the role of Section Chairman of Instruction and contributing to numerous committees, including Player Development. Miller is well known in his community for working with local businesses, charities and schools to grow the game of golf. He was an early adopter of PGA Jr. League and was Mid-Atlantic Captain of the Year in 2013. Miller has a passion for sharing his expertise with others, which he displayed on a large scale by presenting on junior golf at the CMAA World Conference in San Francisco back in 2018. He has received several awards from the Philadelphia PGA Section, including Teacher & Coach of the Year Award (2020); Youth Player Development Award (2013, 2018, 2019,); 5-Time Golf Range Magazine Growth of the Game Award, and one of Golf Digest “Best in PA” 2017-2022. Miller is a US Kids Master Coach and a certified PGA Coach.
Full Press Release: Orlando, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2022) – PGA Golf Professional of the Year Tom Wildenhaus, PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year Jamie Mulligan and PGA Golf Executive of the Year Joe Assell headline the PGA of America’s National Awards for 2021.
The 13 winners were unveiled during the 2022 PGA Show’s Opening Ceremony today at the Orange County Convention Center.
“This year’s outstanding class of National Awards recipients are inspiring those involved with the game of golf and the advancement of PGA Professionals throughout our industry,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “The PGA of America is proud to recognize their accomplishments, as they reflect the incredible expertise and talent throughout our Association. From nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals, these 13 recipients are at the forefront, reflecting a standard of success for all of us to emulate and admire.”
2021 PGA of America National Awards Recipients
PGA Golf Professional of the Year
Tom Wildenhaus, PGA – Olde Florida Golf Club – Naples, Fla.
PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year
Jamie Mulligan, PGA – Virginia Country Club – Long Beach, Calif.
PGA Golf Executive of the Year
Joe Assell, PGA – GOLFTEC – Englewood, Colo.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Tim Beckwith, PGA (posthumous) – Sarasota National Golf Club – Sarasota, Fla.
PGA Professional Development Award
Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA – Sam Houston State PGA Golf Management University Program –
Huntsville, Texas
Deacon Palmer Award
Bryan DeMarco, PGA – Pine Barrens Golf Club – Jackson, N.J.
Patriot Award
Joe Grohman, PGA – Old Ranch Country Club/PGA Hope National Trainer – Seal Beach, Calif.
PGA Player Development Award
Thomas Yost, PGA – First Tee – Four Corners – Kirtland, N.M.
PGA Youth Player Development Award
Andrew Miller, PGA – LedgeRock Golf Club – Mohnton, Pa.
Herb Graffis Award
Carolinas PGA Section
PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category
Caroline Basarab, PGA – Reynolds Lake Oconee – Greensboro, Ga.
PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category
Brian Tolnar, PGA – Mill Creek Park Golf Course – Canfield, Ohio
PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category
Ian Brown, PGA – Butterfield Country Club – Oakbrook, Ill.
For bios and information on all of the PGA of America National Award winners, click here.
The 2021 PGA of America National Awards are scheduled to be presented on Nov. 1, as part of the 2022 PGA Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Herb Graffis Award will be presented during the Annual Meeting content that week as well.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Contacts
Michael Abramowitz, PGA of America 561-389-4647 mabramowitz@pgahq.com
Jared Minski, Mastro Communications 732-469-5700 jared@mastrocomm.com
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of PGA Life Member Francis “Buzz” Garvin; he was 84. He was predeceased by his wife Suellen, and survived by his children Timothy Garvin (Kathryn Garvin) and Mary Kate DiNisio (Andrew DiNisio); and his grandchildren, Paige Garvin, Ella DiNisio, James Garvin and Connor DiNisio.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Patrick Catholic Church (13591 Prosperity Farms Rd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410). A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 1:00 p.m. at the same location.
In lieu of flowers or cards please consider a donation in the name of Buzz Garvin to: South Florida PGA Foundation, 7201 South Georgia Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33405.
Buzz Garvin was born at Garden City, N.Y., in 1938 and grew up in Colorado. He learned to play golf as a caddy at the Cherry Hills C.C., and attended the University of Colorado where he played on the basketball team. In 1959, Garvin turned professional, joining the PGA Tour with an “Approved Players Card.” For four years he was on and off the tour, and in 1962, he played in the U.S. Open at Oakmont C.C.
He was working for Sam Snead and Gary Nixon in Boca Raton in late 1962 when Nixon was hired as the PGA Professional at the Philmont C.C. In the spring of that next year Garvin came to the Philadelphia PGA Section as Nixon’s playing and teaching assistant at Philmont. Three years later when Nixon left Philmont, Garvin took over the PGA Head Professional position.
As a player in the Section, he qualified for the PGA Championship twice and finished second in the Philadelphia Open two straight years. In 1967, Garvin was a member of the first Schmidt Challenge Cup team. Late in 1971, he became involved in PGA politics when he was elected second vice president of the Section.
Garvin hosted the Section Championship in 1974. He served as the second vice president for three years, and in late 1974, Garvin became the 21st Section president. He was reelected twice, holding the office from 1975 through 1977. As the Section president, he created the Booster Pro-Am, which was used to thank the Section’s tournament sponsors and was instrumental in creating new ones. Also he formed an advisory committee composed of some of the region’s leading amateurs.
Garvin was a delegate to the PGA Annual Meeting three times. In 1977 he was the Section’s Golf Professional of the Year. He left Philmont in 1984 to be the PGA Professional at the Overbrook G.C., where he stayed four years before taking a PGA Head Professional position at a new club in Florida.
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.
Nearly 200 PGA Professionals gathered at White Manor to conduct the Section’s official business, including board elections. Those in attendance were graced with the presence of Jay Wright, the former Villanova men’s basketball coach, who took part in a keynote discussion led by PGA Member Dean Kandle. The two discussed leadership, team building, and much more during their nearly 50-minute dialogue. During his tenure at Villanova, Wright led two teams to national championships in 2016 and 2018, and was recently inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2021 class.
Four PGA Members were elected by acclamation to the Section’s Board of Directors: Michael Caldwell of DuPont C.C. was elected as District 2 Director, Mike Molino of the C.C. of Scranton was elected as District 4 Director, while Scott Chisholm of Rolling Green G.C., and Tom Gilbert of Gulph Mills G.C., were elected as District 6 Directors.
On behalf of our entire PGA Professional membership and board, we thank outgoing board members for their years of service: Anthony Malizia of Bidermann G.C., District 2; Gerry Davis of Flourtown C.C., District 6; and Dean Kandle of Golf Business Network, District 6.
The Section also recognized its 2022 playing award winners, led by Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year and the winner of the F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy for Scoring Average, Braden Shattuck, PGA, of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa. Additional winners included: Joanna Coe of Merion G.C., Women’s Player of the Year; Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford C.C., Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year and Senior PGA Professional Scoring Average; Brian Kelly, Super Senior Player of the Year and Central Counties PGA Chapter Senior Player of the Year; Trevor Bensel of Sandy Run C.C., Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) Player of the Year; Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, Central Counties PGA Chapter Player of the Year; Travis Deibert of Doylestown C.C., Comeback Player of the Year; and Sam Ambrose of Chester Valley G.C., Ike Turner Most Improved Player. To read more about the Section’s 2022 playing awards, click here.
Section partner Signature Golf was also in attendance, and presented a $7,350 donation to PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, to help support its Youth, Military, and Inclusion programming. Foundation Director Courtney Curcio, and PGA WORKS Fellows Erin Martin and Rachel Goetz accepted the generous donation, and thanked Signature Golf for their support of PGA Professionals and local golfers in the Section.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, a field of nearly 100 PGA Professionals teed it up in a two-person scramble, with DuPont C.C.’s Michael Caldwell and Matt Finger winning by one stroke over Rob Rohrbach, Foxchase G.C., and Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C.; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C. and Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.
To view the full 2022 Fall Meeting Golf Event leaderboard, click here.
The 2022 Philadelphia PGA Fall Membership Meeting is supported by AccuPin, Cobra Puma Golf, Evolve Golf, Trinity Flavors, Workhorse Brewing Company / Workhorse Tour, StickX, and Precision Pro. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, White Manor 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.
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.