Year: 2022
Philadelphia PGA Member Zac Oakley to Compete in 2022 PGA Championship
Please join us in congratulating Philadelphia PGA Member Zac Oakley of Bidermann G.C. in Wilmington, Del., for finishing T6 in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship, securing his spot on the Team of 20 to compete in the 2022 PGA Championship! Oakley turned in rounds of 69-72-65-75–281 on Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa’s Foothills and Coore Crenshaw courses to finish at 2-under-par. This year’s PGA Championship is scheduled for May 16-22 at Southern Hills C.C. in Tulsa, Okla.
Oakley led 10 other Section PGA Members in this year’s PGA Professional Championship in Texas: Trevor Bensel, Mike Furey, Rusty Harbold, Terry Hertzog, Hugo Mazzalupi, Parks Price, Scott Reilly, Steve Sanderson, Billy Stewart, and Brett Walker. Thank you all for representing our Section so well.
Congratulations, Zac…play well in your first major championship!
Click here to view the full 2022 PGA Professional Championship leaderboard.
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
PGA REACH Philadelphia, Local Golfers Benefit from 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (May 6, 2022) — The PGA of America was in the Delaware Valley to stage the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC), considered the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, on April 30 – May 4. The series of events that were included in PWCC week directly and indirectly benefited PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section‘s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, and local golfers, via a significant donation from the PGA, educational programming, and increased media exposure.
Formerly known as the PGA National Minority Collegiate Championship, the 54-hole tournament was played on courses donated by the Union League of Philadelphia – Union League Liberty Hill and the Union League Golf Club of Torresdale. In its 35th year, the annual championship is open to all minority-serving institutions with a focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Philadelphia PGA Section and PGA REACH Philadelphia was engaged with PGA of America staff all week to host the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship Youth Day Presented by CastleOak Securities, and support the PGA WORKS Beyond the Green at the Comcast Technology Center, as well as the championship itself.
At the PWCC Youth Day, nearly 100 youth golfers, primarily of diverse backgrounds from local organizations such as the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, Sigma Pi Phi, the Police Athletic Academy, Edu Sports Academy, and Delta Epsilon, visited Union League Liberty Hill to receive free golf instruction from PGA Members from the Philadelphia PGA Section and around the country. The kids were treated to appearances by the ever-popular the Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot Phillie Phanatic, the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty, PGA Members Joanna Coe, Merion G.C.; and Gavin Parker, Salisbury C.C. They were treated to a performance by Miles College’s Purple Marching Machine brass band, and music from a local DJ. To view photos from Youth Day, click here; click here to watch a brief video recap.
Following the PWCC Partner Invitational at Aronimink Golf Club on May 2, PGA of America Secretary Don Rea presented the PGA REACH Philadelphia team with a donation of $200,000 to be used for the foundation’s Youth, Military, and Diversity programs, including PGA Jr. League, Golf in Schools, PGA HOPE Philadelphia (Helping Our Veterans Everywhere), and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships.
“We are incredibly thankful to the PGA of America, the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, the Union League of Philadelphia, and all their partners for boosting our foundation via donations and media support,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Courtney Curcio. “The 2022 PWCC will certainly have a lasting impact on our programs, reach, and operations, particularly with our PGA WORKS Fellowship position.”
The PGA WORKS Fellowship provides the opportunity for a one-year, paid immersion in a PGA Section’s foundation operations. This entry-level employment experience offers a taste of what a career in the golf industry can provide. The foundation’s first-ever fellow, Erin Martin, was hired in March, and was intimately involved with the PWCC week festivities. Martin will continue to assist the foundation and Section staff with programming, events, education, tournaments, communications, fundraising, and partnerships through March 2023.
“Hosting the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship has allowed our Section to proudly showcase our PGA Professionals and promote our foundation’s mission, vision, and accomplishments,” said Philadelphia PGA Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “The generosity of the PGA, PGA REACH, the Union League of Philadelphia, and the PWCC partners will help achieve our foundation’s mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf.”
A complete PWCC recap focusing on the championship’s local impact is scheduled to appear on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Inside Golf television program in the coming weeks.
To view final results from the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, 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.
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. Visit PGAREACHPhiladelphia.com to learn more. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Medford Lakes C.C. Wins 2022 A.C. Team Stableford Championship Presented by Parx Casino®
Egg Harbor Township, N.J. (May 11, 2022) — PGA Associate Kyle Quagliero of Medford Lakes (N.J.) Country Club, led his team of amateur partners Mike Meyer, Cindi Miles, and Patti Monaghan to a Net victory in the 2022 A.C. Team Stableford Championship, Presented by Parx Casino®, at Ballamor Golf Club on an unseasonably cool and breezy day.
The Medford Lakes team finished with 86 points in the two best ball of four, modified Stableford format to win by one point over Philadelphia PGA Member Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., Chris Kolovos, Raymond Cascarino, and Dean Kramer. The modified Stableford points were awarded as follows: Bogey or higher, 1 point; Par, 2 points; Birdie, 3 points; Eagle, 4 points; and Double Eagle, 5 points.
The teams from Ed Oliver G.C., Tommy Ellison, Brett Garrison, Joseph Spitaleri, and Michael Fujita; Ballamor G.C., Sean Furman, PGA, John Ward, Eric Dekarski, and William Watts; and Merion G.C.: Terry Hertzog, PGA, Jonas Vossler and Chris Simon and Ron Kreider tied for third place with 84 points each.
In the Gross Division, with Furman’s team from Balamor G.C. took top honors with 78 points, to win by three points over the teams from Chestnut Hill College: Mike Paukovits, PGA, David Schmidling, PJ Schulte, and Ryan Woelfling; and Atlantic City C.C.: Joshua Kelley, Andrew Roberts, Anthony Bonasera, and John Baio Jr.
The 2022 A.C. Team Stableford Championship is supported by Parx Casino® and supported by Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), Southern Tide, and Workhorse Brewing Company / Workhorse Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Ballamor Golf 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 2022 A.C. Team Stableford Championship Presented by Parx Casino® leaderboard, click here.
The next event in the Philadelphia PGA Pro-Am Series, Presented by Parx Casino®, on the schedule is the Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship on Tuesday, May 24 at Lehigh C.C.
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
Local Military Veterans Representing PGA HOPE Philadelphia Team to Compete in PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup during 2022 PGA Championship Week
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (May 10, 2022) – PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America, today announced that 12 teams consisting of four military veterans and one PGA Professional will compete in the 2022 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup on Monday, May 16 at the Club at Indian Springs in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The Secretary’s Cup is a spirited nine-hole golf competition that kicks off PGA Championship week and features military veterans who have participated in the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program hosted by their local PGA Section.
PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of PGA REACH, introduces golf to veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
Members of PGA HOPE Philadelphia:
- Gerry Ortiz
United States Army
(Served 22 years)
PGA HOPE Philadelphia Ambassador - George Vasiloff
United States Air Force
(Served 30 years) - Scottie Cuff
United States Army
(Served 3 years) - Roann Leatz
United States Air Force
(Served 22 years) - Jeffrey Breiner, PGA
Lead Professional PGA HOPE Harrisburg
Head Professional Country Club of Harrisburg
The Philadelphia Team will be led by PGA Professional Jeffrey Breiner, the PGA Head Professional at the Country Club of Harrisburg. Breiner has been teaching the PGA HOPE program for the past three years.
“We’re thrilled that four of our PGA HOPE Philadelphia veterans have the opportunity to travel to Oklahoma and participate in such a great event,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Courtney Curcio. “The veterans from our Section will not only be able to tee it up in a fun golf tournament, but they will also be able to network with other veterans from around the country.”
All teams arrive in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 14. They will participate in practice rounds on May 15, and will have an opportunity to attend a PGA Championship practice round at Southern Hills Country Club on May 17.
“PGA HOPE is enhancing, changing and saving lives, and when you hear that message directly from the family members of participating veterans, it’s very powerful,” said Jim Richerson, President, PGA of America. “Veterans have sacrificed so much, and the work that our PGA Professionals are doing is truly making a difference. I’m so proud to be part of this program, and of the PGA’s commitment to grow PGA HOPE.”
Led by PGA Professionals, PGA HOPE has helped thousands of veterans. Programs are currently being offered at more than 210 locations in the U.S. today, across 47 States and 40 PGA Sections, to serve 7,500 Veterans in 2022. It is the only adaptive golf program that has an MOU with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables VA Facilities to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.
About PGA REACH
PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to Impact Lives Through Golf. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org and follow @PGAREACH on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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.
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. Visit PGAREACHPhiladelphia.com to learn more. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Terry Hertzog Wins 2022 Delaware Valley Open on Third Playoff Hole
Springfield, Pa. (May 9, 2022) — Philadelphia PGA Member Terry Hertzog of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., birdied the third sudden-death playoff hole to top Alex Knoll of Glen Brook Golf Club in Stroudsburg, Pa., and win the 2022 Delaware Valley Open at Rolling Green Golf Club.
Hertzog’s scorecard, a 3-under-par 68, featured four birdies and one lone bogey, an impressive feat on a golf course that played very difficult; unseasonably cool temperatures, blustery conditions with wind gusts around 30 mph, and slippery green surfaces drove scores up throughout the day.
“I got the breaks today,” Hertzog said after his overtime win. “I was not putting very well leading into the day, and made a few good, long putts today, including a long one for par on the first playoff hole.”
The event is a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament and the first Silvercrest Cup qualifier of the year. Beginning this season, the Silvercrest Cup series will include four qualifying events for Philadelphia PGA Professionals, and will culminate in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final, hosted at Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pa. For more information on the season-long race to the Silvercrest Cup, click here. In addition to receiving the winner’s share of the purse, Hertzog also took home an additional $3,000 from the Silvercrest Cup qualifier bonus pool.
Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green G.C., finished in third place at 2-under-par, followed by Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., at 1-under, while Joanna Coe, Merion G.C., rounded out the top five at even-par.
Knoll finished atop the leaderboard in the concurrent Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) event, beating Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run G.C., and Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club, by five strokes.
Quinn also topped the Senior Division, with a 1-under-par 70. He finished two strokes ahead of Hugo Mazzalupi, Linfield National G.C., and Bill Walker, Riverton C.C. Frank Palumbo, Rolling Green G.C., took the top spot in the Super Senior Division. His 82 was good enough to finish one stroke ahead of PGA Life Member Michael Versuk.
Daniel Chernosky earned Low Amateur honors with his round of 1-under-par 70. Chernosky finished seven strokes ahead of the next closest amateur, Charlie Kovalcik.
Another highlight of the day came from Manufacturers’ G. & C.C. PGA Head Professional Peter Clarke, who made his second-ever hole-in-one on No. 16. Clarke used a 6-iron from 163 yards into a stiff wind to record his ace on the par-3.
The 2022 Delaware Valley Open is supported by Jack Jolly and Son, Jani-King, Kevin McClellan Golf Sales, Mizuno, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Rolling Green Golf 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 2022 Delaware Valley Open leaderboard, click here.
The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament and Silvercrest Cup qualifier on the schedule is the TaylorMade Classic on Monday, May 16 at Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell, Pa.
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
Golf Industry to Convene May 10-11 for 14th Annual “National Golf Day”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 3, 2022) – Next week, the golf industry will convene to take part in the American Golf Industry Coalition’s 14th annual edition of “National Golf Day”. Taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday (May 10-11), industry professionals will lead advocacy efforts and conduct more than 250 virtual meetings with members of Congress to reinforce golf’s economic, societal, environmental and health benefits.
In addition to its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, the industry will hold a virtual forum in conjunction with National Golf Day centered around workplace inclusivity as part of the sport’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative: Make Golf Your Thing. The 90-minute virtual forum will be held on Tuesday, May 10, and be moderated by Golf Channel & NBC host and reporter, Damon Hack.
Initially launched one year ago at National Golf Day (2021), Make Golf Your Thing is the industry’s movement to make golf accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. Led by six cross-industry work groups, the initiative is specifically focused on: education & skill development, talent acquisition, procurement, human resources, youth & adult player development, and marketing/communications.
Golf as an industry in the United States has experienced a surge since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, led by participation growth among diverse segments of the population (source – National Golf Foundation):
- Overall rounds in 2021 (529 million) is the highest play total on record and is +5.5% vs. 2020 (502 million)
- 2 million people played on a golf course in the U.S. for the first time in 2021 (an all-time high). Beginners also were 45% more likely to be non-Caucasian and 35% more likely to be female compared to the current base of golfers
- In 2021, there were 5.2 million non-Caucasian on-course golfers, +8% over the past two years. African American, Asian and Hispanic golfers accounted for almost 21% of overall on-course participants, the highest total since 2013
- There were 6.2 million women on-course golfers in 2021, an 11% increase over the past two years.
While the potential success of Make Golf Your Thing ultimately will be measured over the span of many years, over the past 12 months, the industry’s collective commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has led to preliminary growth initiatives, including:
- Establishing inclusion guidelines for golf course facilities across the U.S., and creating a Make Golf Your Thing toolkit with resources for facility engagement
- Conducting an employee survey measuring workplace inclusivity within the golf industry, with 35 organizations taking part (more than 2,300 participants)
- Launching a Grassroots Grants program to support groups dedicated to increasing participation among underrepresented populations in golf $300,000 in funding has been awarded to more than 70 organizations thus far, with an additional $750,000 in funding to be awarded this year
- Creation of a golf industry-specific database of diversely owned businesses, which to-date encompasses more than 1,600 diverse-owned suppliers
- Initiation of a “careers in golf development” program to offer opportunities in the sport to underrepresented communities
- A soon-to-be launching Make Golf Your Thing directory for consumers to easily find a golf program, clinic, event or coach best suited for their skill level
- Progress toward establishing an industry-wide job board that will implement a comprehensive recruiting plan to attract more diverse talent to the industry.
Representing a partnership among golf’s leading organizations, the American Golf Industry Coalition is committed to addressing the collective interests of the industry. The coalition also works to amplify tangible examples of key initiatives at both the grassroots and industry workforce level and advocate in support of issues that impact the industry at the state and federal level.
About the American Golf Industry Coalition
The American Golf Industry Coalition advocates on behalf of golf’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; environmental and sustainability initiatives; contributions to the economy (local and national); health and wellness benefits, as well as charitable giving. The organization unites the golf industry in pursuit of goals designed to enhance the vitality and diversity of both the business and recreational levels of the sport. The American Golf Industry Coalition is a division of the World Golf Foundation. To learn more, visit www.golfcoalition.org.
About Make Golf Your Thing
A multi-faceted, multi-year movement, Make Golf Your Thing is a collaborative effort across the industry to invite more people to golf from all backgrounds. Six cross-industry work groups are committed to making the sport more diverse, equitable and inclusive, with a specific focus on: education & skill development, talent acquisition, procurement, human resources, youth & adult player development, and marketing/communications.
Media Contact:
Jeff Szklinski
American Golf Industry Coalition
814-880-6933
CBS Sports Special to Showcase PGA REACH’s Positive Community Impact Ahead of the 2022 PGA Championship
FRISCO, Texas (May 6, 2022) – CBS Sports and the PGA of America have collaborated on a unique documentary-style television special, “PGA REACH: Impacting Lives Through Golf.” The nationwide one-hour program showcases the PGA’s charitable foundation and its positive effects on people across the country.
The show follows several individuals who, under the guidance of PGA Professionals and PGA programs, have found a love for the game through PGA REACH’s four pillars – youth (PGA Jr. League), military (PGA HOPE), inclusion (PGA WORKS) and A Place to Play.
“Our partnership with CBS Sports allows the PGA of America to tell the stories that show a tangible impact that PGA Members are making on the lives of the people PGA REACH supports,” PGA President Jim Richerson said. “We are deeply committed to these programs, and because of the incredible work of so many of our PGA Professionals, the 41 PGA Sections throughout the country and our REACH team, we are able to introduce and inspire new people to the game and industry. PGA REACH is truly changing lives.”
2022 PGA REACH | CBS Special Teaser from PGA of America on Vimeo.
PGA Jr. League Storylines
If not for PGA REACH and the PGA Jr. League program in Tucson, Arizona, most players would never pick up a club. Cesar Balgagnon II, a PGA Jr. League Co-Captain at Sewailo Golf Club, aims to inspire and be a role model for the Pascua Yachi Tribal community, fostering a culture of inclusion.
Huston Nagy and Vinny Mercurcio are both PGA Jr. League participants and part of The Turn, an organization specializing in helping those with disabilities get back into golf. Whether it’s helping line up a putt, teeing up a ball or being the eyes for someone who may be visually impaired, The Turn provides an equal opportunity for everyone to be treated as a team member. At North Olmsted Golf Club, PGA Assistant Golf Professional Erin Craig leads The Turn and offers instruction to those no matter what skill level or disability they may have.
PGA Golf Management Universities are integrating other PGA REACH pillars, like PGA Jr. League, into its curriculum to help students make an impact in the community. The program at New Mexico State is led by Henry Stetina, PGA, who is creating new avenues for his students to help shape the game’s future.
PGA HOPE Storylines
Waco Blakley, PGA HOPE Ambassador for the South Central PGA Section, started with PGA HOPE in the Spring of 2021 and has been a great leader for PGA HOPE Tulsa. Through his passion for helping fellow Veterans, he has helped his local PGA Professional grow the PGA HOPE Tulsa program. He’s seen the impact that golf can have and wants to make sure others get to experience it. Blakley is helping the South Central Section spread program awareness through local public relations efforts as well as being a part of the PGA HOPE activations on-site at the 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship held at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
During PGA HOPE Wellness Week, 20 Veterans met in the nation’s capital for the PGA HOPE National Golf and Wellness Week. The feature showcases passionate HOPE Graduates who excelled in their personal rehabilitation journey and became PGA HOPE Ambassadors in their local communities. In addition, PGA Professionals offered instruction to help Veterans step up their game, no matter what kinds of physical limitations they may have.
PGA WORKS Storylines
JT Moore has played in the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, has interned with the PGA of America and is now a PGA WORKS Fellow, lending his unique skill set to the South Florida PGA Section as he experiences what a career in the golf industry can provide.
Cameron Dinkins, a former PGA Fellow, never had a career in the golf industry on her radar. She is now the PGA WORKS Program Coordinator at the PGA of America’s new headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Through PGA WORKS and its Beyond the Green career-exploration initiative, Cameron is striving to inspire and recruit young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the business of golf.
About PGA REACH
PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on PGA REACH, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Twitter, and find us on Facebook.
Media Contacts
Anthony Witrado, PGA of America
awitrado@pgahq.com
561-446-4763
Jared Minski, Mastro Communications
jared@mastrocomm.com
732-546-4325
Howard University and Greg Odom Jr. Sweep the Division I Men’s Titles at the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship
By George Willis
PHILADELPHIA – A closer than expected finish turned into a coronation for Howard University’s golf program at Union League Liberty Hill on Wednesday. The Bison are a force to be reckoned with in golf.
With its top two players – seniors Greg Odom Jr. and Everett Whiten Jr. – dominating the field and a supporting cast that played well under pressure, Howard captured the prestigious PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship by one stroke over Chicago State University.
Odom successfully defended his medalist title, shooting a 4-under 68 to finish 6 under for the tournament. He was four shots better than Whiten, who also fired a 68 after recording birdies on seven of his first 10 holes in Wednesday’s cloud-covered final round of the 54-hole Championship.
In just its second year of existence, Howard golf closed its season with the MEAC Championship and the PWCC title. Birdies by freshman Justin Green and sophomore Joshua Siplin on the 18th hole helped provide the slim margin of victory.
“The older guys did their jobs,” Howard coach Sam Puryear said of Odom and Whiten. “But the younger guys – Justin and Josh – what they did was invaluable. It was a total team effort. All the dreams came true. We said we wanted to win an HBCU national championship one day, and we got it.”
Sponsored by PGA WORKS, Comcast, the Union League of Philadelphia and Bank of America, the 35th PWCC featured 30 teams representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions and other minority-serving institutions from across the nation.
CSU Dominguez Hills won the Men’s Division II championship by five strokes over defending champion Miles College, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi retained the Women’s title with a 14-stroke margin over Delaware State. Lucie Charbonnier of Corpus Christi was the medalist in the Women’s Division, shooting a 6-over 76 at The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale to complete the tournament at 13 over par. She was one stroke better than Anna Ferreyra-Heit of Delaware State.
Sparky Ariyachatvakin of Delaware (3 under) won the Men’s Individual Division for men not playing on a team, while Haley Vargas of Kansas State had the low total for women at 1 over.
When Green, Howard’s first player to reach the 18th, made a 35-foot putt for birdie, few knew how important it would be. Siplin also added a birdie on the final hole while everyone else was watching Odom and Whiten duel for the individual title.
Whiten, who shared the first-round lead with Odom and trailed him by four strokes after 36 holes, began Wednesday’s final round with four consecutive birdies before a bogey at the fifth. Odom, playing in the group behind Whiten, managed to keep his distance with birdies at the fourth and fifth.
Behind their play, Howard, who trailed Arkansas-Pine Bluff by three strokes heading into the final 18 holes, took the team lead on the front nine and began to separate themselves from the field.
Using its four lowest scores, Howard had a 10-shot lead over Florida A&M with Odom, Howard’s final player, heading to the 10th tee.
But Odom found trouble at the par-4 11th where he hit the ball into the water. A double-bogey dropped him to 4 under with Whiten at 2 under. But Odom recorded birdies at the 13th and 14th to stretch a lead that became more comfortable when Whiten made bogey on two of his last four holes.
“I was just trying to keep hitting golf shots,” said Odom. “Coming into today three shots back, I knew my guys would stay strong. Today we overcame obstacles. This is huge for the Howard golf team.”
Charbonnier said she battled her nerves over the closing holes to finish off her championship at Torresdale.
“I couldn’t breathe, I was so tight,” she said, but a bogey at the 18th was good enough to win by one shot. “I’ve been wanting to win the entire season. I am happy to finally make it, especially here at this tournament.”
Corpus Christi defended its Women’s Division title, but it’s the first for Pat Stephens, who became the head coach in January.
”To win a PGA event with a group of young ladies like this is very exciting,” Stephens said.
There were shining stars with bright futures throughout the tournament like freshman Kendall Jackson, who is part of the inaugural season of Howard’s women’s program, which finished fifth.
“It’s incredible and special,” said Jackson, who finished eighth individually. “Not only are you playing at a high level with other collegiate golfers, but playing with other high-level black collegiate golfers. That’s something as a black female you seldom get to do. So I’m honored and blessed.”
And there are players like Kelli Dugan of Corpus Christi, who played her final round of collegiate golf on Wednesday and finished ninth. The San Antonio native, who owned the lead after shooting a 73 in the first round at Torresdale on Monday, could utilize another year of eligibility due to COVID-19, but has elected to give up golf to focus on her studies to become a mechanical engineer.
Odom, meanwhile, will fulfill his sponsor’s exemption for the Wells Fargo Championship at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, but valued his time at the PWCC. It wasn’t just about the golf either, noting the Beyond the Green workshop held before the tournament introduced the players to various aspects of the golf industry.
“It’s a great event because not only do you get to play competitive golf, you get to learn the business world from the golf side,” Odom said. “If you’re in love with golf, you can learn how to stay in it until the end of time. This tournament is more than just golf.”
Click here for 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship final results
Click here for photos from the final round (To download images, follow these steps.)
Click here for video final round highlights (highlights will be available in the link after 7:30 p.m. ET)
Click here for 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship Media Guide
Click here for 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship Media Hub
Philadelphia PGA Section Renews Partnership with Scott & Karen Hutchinson
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (April 28, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section today is thrilled to announce it has renewed its partnership with Scott & Karen Hutchinson, a couple who has displayed incredible philanthropy towards Philadelphia PGA Professionals and PGA REACH Philadelphia.
As part of the agreement, Scott & Karen Hutchinson will remain the title partners of the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club on Monday, August 1. The championship, now in its third year, is a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year Points Series event, and boasts one of largest one-day payouts in the Section. The couple was the presenting partner of the 2022 Tournament Players Division Championship at Hartefeld National (Click here for results).
Furthermore, the Hutchinsons will remain Trustee-Level Donors for PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, which is dedicated to positively impacting lives through the game of golf. The couple will also again be a presenting partner of the annual PGA REACH Philadelphia Pro-Am Championship on Tuesday, October 11 on Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course.
“The Philadelphia PGA is delighted to renew our great partnership with Scott & Karen Hutchinson,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “Their steadfast commitment to our PGA Members and Associates will continue to benefit our foundation, its mission, and our Section’s tournament program.”
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
Scott Hutchinson, scotthutchinson65@gmail.com