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

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 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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 18, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is proud to announce that it has appointed Eleanor Good to its Board as an Independent Director for a two-year term. She fills the vacancy left by Binney Wietlisbach, following the conclusion of her second consecutive term.

Good is a trial attorney practicing insurance defense, representing policyholders in automobile and home or business-owner bodily injury matters, the insurer in coverage and property damage matters, and heads a litigation and enforcement program against Philadelphia towing companies. She is admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

She is a graduate of the College of William & Mary in 2009, where she played NCAA Division I golf, and University of Dayton School of Law in 2012. Eleanor serves on the Board of Directors and Finance and Greens Committees of Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pa., and formerly served on the club’s Golf Committee. She is also a co-chair of fundraising committees for both the Saturday Club and the Junior League of Philadelphia.

“As someone with a deep passion for the game, I’m looking forward to developing engagement and supporting members in the Section,” said Good.

Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA, said of Good’s appointment: “We are very fortunate to have Ellie serve on the Board and look forward to what she can bring to our leadership. Her professional experience and personal golf resume will surely serve us very well.

“We also thank Binney for her hard work and dedication to our membership. We will continue to keep her close and benefit from her experience and insight.” continued Surrette. “The Section is in a better place because of her service.”

The Section’s Board of Directors consists of the Section’s President, Vice President, Secretary, seven District Directors, two At Large Directors (Director of Section Affairs and Director of Tournaments), the Central Counties Chapter President, Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) Chair, Honorary President, and two Independent Directors.

Philadelphia PGA Section Board of Directors

Patrick Shine, PGA
President

Chip Richter, PGA
Vice President

Bob Hennefer, PGA
Secretary

Jeff Kiddie, PGA
Honorary President

Dustin McCormick, PGA
At Large Director / Director of Section Affairs

Eric Kennedy, PGA
At Large Director / Director of Section Affairs

Kevin Duffy, PGA
District 1 Director

Anthony Malizia, PGA
District 2 Director
Jason Gebhart, PGA
District 3 Director

Mike Molino, PGA
District 4 Director

Brett Nelson, PGA
District 5 Director

Gerry Davis, PGA
District 6 Director

Dean Kandle, PGA
District 6 Director

Judd Caruso, PGA
Central Counties Chapter President

Keith Clawson, PGA
PAO Chair

Eleanor Good
Independent Director

To Be Announced
Independent Director

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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 15, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the PGA of America’s 41 geographical managing entities, and Silvercrest Asset Management Group, an investment advisor providing asset management and family office services to high net worth individuals and select institutional investors, have partnered to create the Silvercrest Cup, a new tournament series for Philadelphia PGA Professionals.

Beginning this season, the series will include four qualifying events for Philadelphia PGA Professionals, and will culminate in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final, hosted at the historic Donald Ross-designed Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pa. The Silvercrest Cup champion is set to receive $15,000, one of the most lucrative winner’s checks on the Section’s tournament calendar. In addition to the final purse, each qualifying event will include a bonus pool of $3,000, to be shared between each qualifier’s champion and runner-up.

While the Silvercrest Cup rewards playing excellence of Philadelphia PGA Professionals and top amateurs, the series will also provide significant donations to local foundations, including the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PGA REACH Philadelphia, and the GAP’s J.Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust.

“We’re very excited about the new Silvercrest Cup tournament series and are grateful to our newest partner, Silvercrest Asset Management Group, for the opportunities they are providing to our PGA Professionals, and our foundation,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “Silvercrest values the hard work and dedication of our PGA Members, and are invested in them and the industry’s future, beginning at the local level.”

Silvercrest Chairman and CEO, Richard R. Hough III, said “Silvercrest Asset Management Group believes in giving back to the communities we live and work in. It is extremely rewarding to recognize and assist those who share our passion for learning, teaching, and striving for excellence.

“PGA Professionals share the same attributes for success and giving back that Silvercrest believes in,” he continued. “Their dedication to the game of golf and the members of the clubs that they unselfishly serve is unmatched in any other sport.”

Fifty-four PGA Professionals will earn their place in the 2022 Silvercrest Cup final via a points system drawn from their performance in each qualifying event; the top eight amateurs on the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s (GAP) William Hyndman III Player of the Year list will also be invited to compete. To follow the action throughout the season, visit phillypga.com.
2022 Silvercrest Cup Tournament Series Schedule

May 9, 2022
Delaware Valley Open
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 1
Rolling Green Golf Club
Springfield, Pa.

May 16, 2022
TaylorMade Classic
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 2
Cedarbrook Country Club
Blue Bell, Pa.

June 20, 2022
Conestoga Classic
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 3
Conestoga Country Club
Lancaster, Pa.

July 29, 2022
Doylestown Open
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 4
Doylestown Country Club
Doylestown, Pa.

September 26, 2022
Silvercrest Cup
Gulph Mills Golf Club
King of Prussia, 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.

Contacts: 

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

Kate Morin, Vice President, Silvercrest Asset Management Group, kmorin@silvercrestgroup.com

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 14, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is pleased to announce that Leilyn Nowaczynski has been named Director of the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, the Delaware Valley’s premier youth golf tour.

Nowaczynski is entering her second season with the Section, having worked as a tournament coordinator for the junior tour in 2021. Leilyn came to the Delaware Valley from the Wisconsin PGA Section where she worked as a PGA WORKS Fellow. A Waterford, Wis., native, she attended University of Wisconsin for her undergraduate studies and earned her master’s degree at University of Wisconsin – Parkside.

“We are excited to have Leilyn take on her new role with the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “We’re confident in Leilyn’s skills and abilities to lead our tour and take it to the next level.”

Nowaczynski filled the position left when our previous director, Lewis Harry, PGA, accepted the Director of Rules and Competitions position with the Colorado Golf Association.

“We also wish Lewis nothing but the best in his new role,” continued Surrette. “Starting with us as an intern in 2015, and working full-time for the Section since 2018, we are very appreciative for the countless hours he dedicated to our events and the great work he did.”

To send a congratulatory note to Leilyn, click here.

The Section has also hired a tournament coordinator: Josh Monkres.

Monkres will be joining the Section team by way of Bowie, Texas, where he worked as an operations associate for the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. Josh received his degree in Recreation, Event & Sport Management from the University of North Texas.

PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, has hired a new coordinator: Gervon Williams. Williams, a Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduate with a degree in sports management, comes to the foundation from Springboard Collaborative in Philadelphia, and previously worked for the Borough of Chambersburg, Pa.’s Recreation Department.

Additionally, the foundation is currently in the process of hiring a PGA WORKS Fellow for 2022. 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 PGA WORKS Fellowship is a program that offers access to individuals from diverse backgrounds—whether by gender, age, race or color, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, religion or veteran status—into the golf industry to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry.
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 the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour
The Philadelphia PGA Section Junior Tour leads the region in competitive junior golf, conducting over 85 events seasonally at top facilities. With more than 800 members, the Junior Tour is represented by players from every geographic location in the section. Select tournaments earn players AJGA performance-based entries and Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings. With ample opportunities to learn, grow, and compete, many Junior Tour members graduate to play at the collegiate level and beyond. The Philadelphia Section PGA Junior Tour Program is proud to help develop social skills, self-esteem, and inspire youth in our community.

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.

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

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Feb. 9, 2022) – The historic Union League of Philadelphia will host the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC), May 2-4, donating two of its courses for the event – Union League Liberty Hill and The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale.

The PWCC, known as the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, features Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) from all over the country. There will be Men’s Division I and Division II team divisions, a Women’s Team division, as well as individuals representing their schools and playing for Men’s and Women’s titles.

The PWCC was founded in 1986 by the National Negro Golf Association, when HBCUs did not have the same postseason championship opportunities that existed for other institutions. Today, the Championship retains its founding vision to open doors for student-athletes from HBCUs and other athletes from diverse backgrounds.

In conjunction with the PWCC, PGA WORKS will host Beyond the Green, a career exploration event designed to educate and inspire talent from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the business of golf and beyond. The event will be held May 1 at the Comcast Technology Center.

Beyond the Green will partner with Philadelphia community organizations to provide students access to industry leaders, executives and influencers to help inspire and welcome them into our industry workforce.

“This is a fitting collaboration between PGA WORKS, the Union League of Philadelphia and Philadelphia-based Comcast,” PGA of America President Jim Richerson said. “We are excited to bring this Championship to Philadelphia, where the Union League will donate two beautiful, championship-level golf courses. With the help of these partners and our dedicated PGA REACH and PGA WORKS staff, this will be an unforgettable event for our student-athletes and everyone involved.”

The Union League of Philadelphia has more than 4,000 members – men and women of all races, ethnicities and religions are welcome to join – who represent the region’s leaders in business, education, technology, healthcare, law, government, religion, art and culture. It was founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln.

The Union League is also leading fundraising efforts to benefit PGA REACH.

“For more than a century, the Union League of Philadelphia has prided itself on being a welcoming and inclusive organization. That includes supporting others’ efforts, such as those of PGA REACH and PGA WORKS,” Union League CEO Jeff McFadden said. “We’re proud to support this Championship, the schools and student-athletes competing in it, and the push to make the game and golf industry more welcoming and inclusive spaces.”

This is the second of a multiyear collaboration between PGA REACH and Comcast NBCUniversal to promote diversity and foster inclusion within golf through PGA WORKS. With financial and programmatic support from Comcast NBCUniversal, PGA WORKS will enhance key initiatives like the PWCC and Beyond the Green to expand access and create opportunities for diverse student-athletes across the country.

Comcast will also include enhanced coverage and storytelling leading up to and during the PWCC on GOLF Channel, and provide specific support for Beyond the Green, including the host venue. Additional programming details on GOLF Channel will be announced at a later date.

“Comcast NBCUniversal is proud of our continued partnership and we’re excited to bring this year’s event to Philadelphia, a culturally rich destination,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast NBCUniversal. “Using our resources and platforms to promote the PWCC and expand access to career opportunities in the golf industry and beyond for student-athletes from underrepresented backgrounds will not only have a lasting impact on the game, but also on the lives of the young people enrolled in PGA REACH programs.”

The Philadelphia PGA Section was instrumental in connecting PGA WORKS and the Union League as the two organizations have a long-standing relationship. In part because of the Section’s tireless work in helping get the PWCC to Philadelphia, it will have its own PGA WORKS Fellow in 2022.

“We are very excited that the Philadelphia PGA Section and Union League of Philadelphia will play host to the PWCC, an important event to promote diversity and inclusion for both the golf industry and PGA REACH Philadelphia,” Philadelphia PGA Section Executive Director Geoffrey Surrette said. “As Diversity is one of our foundation’s three core pillars, this Championship will have a substantial impact on our reach and programming.”

About PGA WORKS 
PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. Funded as one of the pillars of PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, career exploration events, and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from all backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org.

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 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, visit PGAREACH.org and follow @PGAREACH on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About Union League of Philadelphia
The Union League of Philadelphia, ranked the #1 City Club in the Country since 2012, is a shining jewel of history in a city defined by such treasure. Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, The Union League of Philadelphia laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by civil war. The League has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state, industrialists, entertainers and dignitaries from around the globe and has proudly supported the American military in each conflict since the Civil War. The Union League continues to be driven by its founding motto, Amor Patriae Ducit or Love of Country Leads. Today, the Union League is home to over 4,000 men and women who contribute to League Life and keep alive the League’s traditions.

Media Contacts
Anthony Witrado, PGA of America
awitrado@pgahq.com
(561) 446-4763

Kerwin Lonzo, PGA of America
klonzo@pgahq.com
(561) 568-3504

It is with great sadness to inform you that PGA Life Member Donald DeAngelis passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at the age of 70. He was survived by his sister, Michele DeAngelis, his loving wife, Michele DeAngelis, and his two sons Jason and Tom Rowinski.

DeAngelis was elected to PGA Membership in 1978, and played the game with immense talent, winning the 1985 Pennsylvania Open and playing in the 1978 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colo., and winning a Section tournament in six straight decades. His most recent win was in September 2021, when he won the 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship’s Super Senior Division, and also shot his age, a 69. To read a tribute to DeAngelis the Section published last year, click here.

The DeAngelis family has stated in his obituary that they will “pay homage to [their] hero in the spring at a golf memorial celebration.”

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in Don’s name, or better yet, go play a round of golf and enjoy the game that Don made better.

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.