Month: May 2023

PGA Member Brian Bergstol Wins 25th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic and $150,000 Prize in Sudden Death Playoff

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (May 30, 2023) — Reigning Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort  in Shawnee on the Delaware, Pennsylvania, won the 25th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic at Sunnybrook Golf Club by tapping in a one-foot par on the first sudden death playoff hole to top Jeff Herb, PGA, of Waynesborough Country Club in Paoli, Pennsylvania. Bergstol’s $150,000 winner’s check is the largest first-place prize available from any event across the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections.

Bergstol made four birdies and three bogies en route to a 1-under-par 71 to tie Herb, who finished his round earlier in the afternoon. Bergstol said the course played “super hard,” and went on to remark it was one of the hardest tournament course setups he has played.

Bergstol went on to thank the event’s title partner, The Haverford Trust Company, their founder and director George Connell, Sunnybrook Golf Club and its membership, and staff, for their dedication to the Philadelphia PGA Section and its nearly 900 PGA Professionals.

“I look forward to this event every year,” said Bergstol.

Bergstol has won two of the Section’s biggest tournaments over the course of the nine months, having claimed the 101st Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at DuPont C.C. in September, and now the 25th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic.

To view the full leaderboard, click here.

In the Senior Division, PGA Member Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C., took top honors with his 1-over-par round of 73. Green Valley C.C.’s John Cooper, PGA, and PGA Life Member George Forster finished in second place, one stroke behind McNabb. Three PGA Members rounded out the top five at 3-over-par: Barry Dear, Blue Heron Pines G.C.; Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.; and John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs.

Steve Wetherill Jr. finished with Low Amateur honors after turning in a 1-over-par 73 to top Frank Natale by five strokes.

The 25th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic’s title partner is The Haverford Trust Company. The event is also a Rolex Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year bonus points event. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank the Haverford Trust Company, Sunnybrook Golf Club, its membership, management, 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.

About The Haverford Trust Company
The Haverford Trust Company was founded in 1979 on Philadelphia’s landmark Rittenhouse Square. Since our founding, one thing has remained unchanged…our commitment to quality. Haverford has prospered for more than 40 years in a finance industry dominated by giants through our passion and adaptability. With 120+ employees and $13.0 billion* in assets, our size is our advantage. We focus on the essentials: the Quality Investing philosophy whose goal is to provide our clients with the right mix of stability and growth across the market cycle. For more information, visit haverfordquality.com.

*Including assets under management or consultation for The Haverford Trust Company and Haverford Financial Services as of 3/31/23.

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

PGA Associate Zach Barbin Wins 2023 Delaware Valley Open Championship

West Chester, Pa. (May 22, 2023) — PGA Associate Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club in Rising Sun, Md., turned in a 4-under-par 68 to win the 2023 Delaware Valley Open Championship at Radley Run Country Club by one stroke over PGA Members Steve Sanderson, Saucon Valley C.C., Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; and Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C.

Barbin made six birdies en route to his victory, and only had one blemish on his scorecard (a double bogey on No. 10). The lead was at 3-under-par for most of the day, but Barbin made back-to-back birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 to tie, and ultimately take the lead.

The event is a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament and the second Silvercrest Cup qualifier of the year. Returning for the second year, 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 Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, 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, Barbin also took home an additional $2,500 from the Silvercrest Cup qualifier bonus pool.

Three PGA Professionals tied four fourth place, two strokes behind the winner: Gregg Meyer, Woodstone C.C.; Joanna Coe, Merion G.C.; and Bryan Saxon, Lehigh C.C.

Laurel Creek C.C.’s Dave Quinn fired a 1-under-par 71 to claim a one-stroke victory in the Senior Division over John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club. Four PGA Professionals tied for third place at 2-over-par: Hugo Mazzalupi, Linfield National G.C.; PGA Life Member Brian Kelly; Rob Rohrbach, Foxchase G.C.; and Terry Hatch, Royal Oaks G.C.

Kelly, who recently retired from Bucknell G.C., took top honors in the Super Senior Division, bettering six of his fellow PGA Professionals by one stroke: Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Mike Moses, Concord C.C.; Bob Lennon, Wilmington C.C.; George Forster, Radnor Valley C.C.; Greg Farrow, Deerwood C.C.; and Dave Roberts, Cedarbrook C.C.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the Delaware Valley Open, with Barbin also walking away with a winner’s check in that event. Oakley and Knoll finished in second place, followed by Saxon in fourth, and Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club, in fifth place at 1-under-par.

Two amateurs competed in the field this year, with Nathan Myers, Moselem Springs G.C., taking Low Amateur honors with a 12-over-par 84.

To view the full 2023 Delaware Valley Open Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Delaware Valley Open Championship is supported by supported by Jack Jolly & Son Inc.Jani-KingMizunoOhana Farm LLCSilvercrest Asset Management Group, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Radley Run Country Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament and Silvercrest Cup qualifier on the schedule is the 25th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic at Sunnybrook Golf Club in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., on Tuesday, May 30.

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

Shattuck’s First Major Sure to be a Memorable One

By Jeff Babineau

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Braden Shattuck knows what it’s like to watch the game of golf be taken away from him. While playing the mini-tours and chasing professional golf aspirations in Florida four years ago, Shattuck, now 28, was involved in a car accident in which he herniated two discs in his back. Walking became a painful challenge, and he had serious doubts that golf would be a part of his future.

For a player who loved to play and practice, and no stranger to 12-hour days spent working on his game, Shattuck could not swing a club for the better part of two years. Once healthy, he returned to the game in a different role, gaining his PGA of America A-14 designation a year ago and taking on duties as the director of instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club, just outside of Philadelphia.

This week, he has a tournament to play in upstate New York. He is in the first group of the day at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill. Shattuck got here by winning in his PGA Professional Championship debut at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico earlier this month, one of 20 club professionals to make it through and earn a berth in the PGA at storied Oak Hill, which is playing host to its fourth PGA Championship.

Asked if could imagine being here as a participant considering where he was four years ago, Shattuck said, “I could definitely imagine it. But I didn’t think it would actually happen.”

It was two years after the accident that Shattuck was able to play nine holes, and even then, he couldn’t practice. He came up with a makeshift, overhauled swing that he said feels almost as if it belongs to somebody else. He utilizes a weaker grip with his top left hand and changed his swing path to be more upright.

Shattuck will play in Thursday’s opening group alongside Shaun Micheel, who won the PGA at Oak Hill in 2003, and New Zealand’s Steven Alker, last year’s Kitchenaid Senior PGA champion. Shattuck, who played one year of college golf at Delaware before chasing the mini-tour circuit, shot 9-under 279 to win by a shot at Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Golf Clubs.

“Yeah, for a while there I thought golf might be out of the question,” Shattuck said, looking back to his 2019 accident in which the car he was traveling in was t-boned by another driver at an intersection. Beyond the herniated discs, he sustained a concussion and experienced nerve issues in his legs. “You kind of rely on uncertainty there for a while, and it kind of sucks. But yeah, definitely the goal was still to get back here.”

Rolling Greel held a watch party for Shattuck’s final round, with about 50-60 members on edge as they watched. Several are expected to make the six-hour drive to upstate New York to see him compete.

Shattuck is one of 12 first-timers among the 20 PGA pros who compose the Corebridge Financial PGA Team. As national champion, he will get six starts on the PGA Tour beginning in 2024. Asked for his goal for this week at a demanding Oak Hill test, Shattuck said it would be to play his way into the weekend. “I don’t think it’s reasonable to think I can win the golf tournament and beat the best players in the world,” he said, “but I think I can definitely make the cut this week.”

Scott Chisholm, director of golf at Rolling Green, where Shattuck teaches, said it’s a busy week at the club, with several events scheduled, but a lot of folks will be taking a keen interest in how Shattuck fares in his first major championship. Chisholm said Shattuck has no weaknesses in his game, and carries enough length to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with top tour pros from around the world.

Best yet, Shattuck’s participation has sparked some nice energy back at his home club.

“The members are excited for Braden,” Chisholm said. “I know his lesson book is certainly filling up right now.”

How to Watch the PGA Championship

Thursday, May 18
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on ESPN

Friday, May 19
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on ESPN

Saturday, May 20
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on ESPN+
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on CBS

Sunday, May 21
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on ESPN+
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on CBS

Philadelphia PGA Members Hold Crucial Roles at PGA Championship 
In addition to Braden Shattuck, PGA, making the first stroke in the 2023 PGA Championship (7:00 a.m. on No. 1), several other Philadelphia PGA Members will hold crucial roles in the championship, including:
  • Jeff Kiddie, PGA: the reigning PGA Golf Professional of the Year, past Section president, and Aronimink G.C. PGA head professional serves on the PGA Rules Committee and will work as a rules official this week at Oak Hill C.C.
  • Tom Carpus, PGA: a past Section president and current PGA Tour Champions rules official also serves on the PGA Rules Committee, and will assist the PGA of America as an official this week, in addition to joining the CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ teams on their broadcasts.
  • Alice Miller, PGA: a major champion, Section Rules Committee chair, and DuPont C.C. PGA golf instructor, Miller serves on the PGA Rules Committee and will join Kiddie and Carpus on the Rules team at the championship.
  • John Pillar, PGA: the current PGA District 2 director, past Section president, and C.C. at Woodloch Springs PGA Director of golf, will serve as an official starter on the tee, and will announce players as they approach their final green.
  • Joanna Coe, PGA: the current Section Women’s Player of the Year, inaugural Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year, and Merion G.C. PGA director of instruction, will work alongside PGA Members to assist the ESPN and ESPN+ crews on their broadcast commentary.
  • Scott Chisholm, PGA: the Rolling Green G.C. PGA head professional is in attendance this week as Braden Shattuck’s PGA coach, helping him prepare to compete in his first major championship.

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

25th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic Returns to Sunnybrook Golf Club on May 30 with Nation’s Largest First Place Prize for Any PGA Section Member Tournament

Radnor, Pa. (May 17, 2023)  With the largest first-place prize available from any event across the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide sections, the 25th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic returns to Sunnybrook Golf Club in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., on May 30. One-hundred-thirty-two PGA Professionals will vie for the $150,000 first-place prize money, a 50 percent increase in first-place prize money since the tournament was last held in 2021.

“Our entire team at Haverford is thrilled to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic, and to sponsor and honor the positive impact PGA Members have on the game of golf throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region,” said Joe McLaughlin, Chairman & CEO of Haverford Trust. “PGA Professionals play such an integral role in growing and managing the game and business of golf, and we appreciate their passion for a sport played by tens of millions of men, women and children of all ages.”

“The Philadelphia PGA Section thanks Mr. George Connell and Haverford Trust for the opportunity to bring together PGA Professionals to compete for a $150,000 first place prize,” said Geoff Surrette, Philadelphia PGA Section Executive Director. “Year after year, our participants get a tour-level experience at this legendary event, and that’s incredible.”

The tournament was last won in 2021 by Parks Price, PGA Professional from the Country Club of York in York, Pa., and first-time Haverford PGA Classic attendee. The tournament resumes after being postponed in 2022 due to inclement weather. Price won a three-man playoff in dramatic fashion by draining a long birdie putt on the first sudden death playoff hole, besting Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club and Brett Walker of Sunnybrook Golf Club. Price’s 25-foot birdie putt on No. 18 topped Oakley’s 20-foot birdie that came up short and Walker’s 12-footer that slid left. Price, Oakley and Bidermann all finished regulation at 4-under-par with an overall score of 68 in a pool made up of 132 players (120 PGA Professionals and 12 Amateurs).

For more information on the 25th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic, click here.

Haverford Trust Company Chairman & CEO Joe McLaughlin (left); President Binney Wietlisbach (second from left); and Founder & Director George Connell (right) present the 24th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic winner’s trophy and $100,000 first-place check to PGA Member Parks Price (second from right) of the Country Club of York in York, Pa.

Tournament Facts
Tournament Name: The Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic
Sponsor: The Haverford Trust Company
Date: Monday, May 30, 2023
Venue: Sunnybrook Golf Club, 398 Stenton Ave., Plymouth Meeting, Pa., 19462
Course Yardage: 6,893
Course Par: 72
Host PGA Professional: Mr. Gregory W. Wingate, PGA
Total Purse: $167,600
First Place Prize: $150,000
Defending Champion: Parks Price, PGA, Country Club of York; 4-under-par 68, won in playoff, No. 18, birdie 3
2021 Runners Up: Zac Oakley, PGA, Bidermann Golf Club; Brett Walker, PGA, Sunnybrook Golf Club; 4-under-par 68, lost in playoff, No. 18, par 4
Field: 148 (132 PGA Professionals, 16 amateurs)

Past Champions Eligible to Play
Dave Quinn, PGA – 2001, 2005
Dave Roberts, PGA – 2002
George Forster, PGA – 2008, 2019
Hugh Reilly, PGA – 2011
Scott Reilly, PGA – 2012
Billy Stewart – 2013
Rusty Harbold, PGA – 2014
Dave McNabb, PGA – 2016
Andrew Turner, PGA – 2017
Mark Parson, PGA – 2018
Parks Price, PGA – 2021

Social Media Hashtag#haverfordclassic

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. For more information about the Philadelphia Section PGA, visit www.philadelphia.pga.com.

About The Haverford Trust Company
The Haverford Trust Company was founded in 1979 on Philadelphia’s landmark Rittenhouse Square. Since our founding, one thing has remained unchanged…our commitment to quality. Haverford has prospered for more than 40 years in a finance industry dominated by giants through our passion and adaptability. With 120+ employees and $13.0 billion* in assets, our size is our advantage. We focus on the essentials: the Quality Investing philosophy whose goal is to provide our clients with the right mix of stability and growth across the market cycle. For more information, visit haverfordquality.com.

*Including assets under management or consultation for The Haverford Trust Company and Haverford Financial Services as of 3/31/2023.

Stonewall, DuPont Claim Victory in 2023 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino®

Allentown, Pa. (May 16, 2023) — PGA Professionals Ryan Lagergren of Stonewall Links in Elverson, Pa., and Mike Caldwell of DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del., led their respective teams to victory in the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino® on a beautiful spring day at Lehigh Country Club. The event, part of the Section’s pro-am series presented by Parx Casino®, was also supported by the AGS Tour and Ohana Farm LLC.

Each team consisted of one PGA Professional and three women amateurs. Stonewall’s team, Deirdre Barnes, Denise Moran, and Kiersten Seufer, claimed a three-stroke victory in the Net Division with their net team score of 15-under-par 55. A team representing the host facility, Lehigh C.C., Bryan Saxon, Debra Benavage, Amy Scalici, and Priscilla Gigler, finished tied for second place with Aronimink G.C.’s Ryan Boitz, PGA, Katie McGeary, Jeanne Waldron, and Rhonda Mordy. Overbrook G.C.’s Sam Harman, PGA, Paige Devine, Kory Tyron, and Becca O’Donnell, tied for fourth with Yardley C.C.’s J.T. Wambold, Karen Klemp, Wendy Kursman, and Barbara Browne at 11-under-par.

Caldwell and his DuPont team, Laura Ford, Jane Sassaman, and Katie Sahm, finished with a gross team score of 7-under-par 63, topping Eric Kennedy, PGA, Tina Aberant, Danielle Dehoratius, and Mary Cagliuso, of Overbrook G.C., by two strokes. Lehigh C.C.’s Wayne Phillips, PGA, Patty Cox, Mo Bryan, and Debbie Hawk, finished in fourth place at 4-under-par. Berkshire C.C.’s Andrew Turner, PGA, Lori Derr, Michele Albright, and Sharon Heck, finished in a tie for fifth at 2-under with Wambold’s Yardley team.

To view the full 2023 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship is presented by Parx Casino®, and supported by the AGS Tour, and Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Lehigh Country Club, their 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.

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

Root for Philadelphia PGA Member Braden Shattuck at This Week’s PGA Championship

Philadelphia PGA Member and Rolling Green Golf Club PGA Director of Instruction Braden Shattuck, who won the 2023 PGA Professional Championship earlier this month, will lead the Corebridge Financial PGA Team at the 2023 PGA Championship, May 15-21, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. The team comprises the 20 low scorers from the PGA Professional Championship. The 28-year old Shattuck, who just became a PGA Professional in 2022 and was playing in his first PGA Professional Championship, will make his PGA Championship debut.

We hope you will help us root Braden on as he competes in his first major championship. If you are unable to attend the championship, we have listed the television broadcast times below. Good luck, Braden!

How To Watch: 2023 PGA Championship

Thursday, May 18
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on ESPN

Friday, May 19
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on ESPN

Saturday, May 20
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on ESPN+
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on CBS

Sunday, May 21
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on ESPN+
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on CBS

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

Brendon Post, PGA, Wins 2023 TaylorMade Classic in Four-Person Playoff

Lafayette Hill, Pa. (May 15, 2023) — PGA Member Brendon Post of the University of Delaware in Newark, Del., won the 2023 TaylorMade Classic at Green Valley Country Club by making a birdie three on the first sudden-death playoff hole.

Post was tied for first place at 2-under-par following the conclusion of the 18-hole round with John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill; and Jeff Herb, Waynesborough Country Club. Post had made a 50-plus-minute drive back to Green Valley to compete in the playoff, and due to time constraints, was not able to warm-up prior to the playoff beginning. It didn’t seem to affect him, however, as he hit his approach to approximately five feet and drained the birdie putt to win.

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. Returning for the second year, 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 Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, 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, Post also took home an additional $2,500 from the Silvercrest Cup qualifier bonus pool.

There was a tie for first place in the Senior Division, with both John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club, and Brendon Post, University of Delaware, finishing with rounds of 2-under-par 69. Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., finished in third place, three behind the champions, followed by Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C., and Bill Walker, Riverton C.C., at 2-over-par.

Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter, PGA, secured a victory in the Super Senior Division, with his even-par 71 topping three PGA Professionals by three strokes: PGA Life Member Brian Kelly; John DiMarco, Legacy Club at Woodcrest; and Rob Shuey, Colonial Golf & Tennis Club. Don Allan, Burlington C.C., finished in fifth place at 5-over-par.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the TaylorMade Classic, with two tying for first place at 1-under-par: Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C. Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C., and Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C., finished one behind the winners, with six PGA Professionals tying for fifth place at 1-over-par.

To view the full 2023 TaylorMade Classic leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 TaylorMade Classic is presented by TaylorMade Golf, and supported by Jani-KingOhana Farm LLCSilvercrest Asset Management GroupSterling Cut Glass and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Green Valley Country Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament and Silvercrest Cup qualifier on the schedule is the Delaware Valley Open at Radley Run Country Club in West Chester, Pa., on Monday, May 22.

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

Veterans Tee it Up in PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup Before the 2023 PGA Championship

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (May 16, 2023) – The 8th PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at Penfield Country Club was a celebration of 48 military Veterans from across America and their shared love of the game of golf.

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of PGA REACH, is a
rehabilitative golf program that introduces golf to Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. PGA HOPE offers golf through a developmental, six- to eight-week curriculum taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans.

For Monday’s main event, 12 teams from across the country, consisting of one PGA Professional and four military Veterans who have participated in the PGA HOPE program, competed in a spirited 9-hole match, as part of 2023 PGA Championship Community Relations activities for PGA REACH.

“The camaraderie and energy out here at Penfield Country Club is amazing, it’s really incredible,” said PGA President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing in Lansing, Michigan. “I love that after every shot, no matter where the ball lands, you’ll hear cheers, and see high fives and fist bumps. That’s what PGA HOPE is all about. To see the real impact this program has on so many Veterans’ lives is emotional, and it’s why we continue to invest in growing PGA HOPE.”

PGA HOPE is currently being offered at more than 341 program locations in the U.S. today, across 47 States and 40 PGA Sections. In 2022, the program positively impacted 7,500 Veterans. This year, the program is on pace to positively impact more than 11,000 Veterans.

“Using golf as a form of therapy is saving lives, and it’s incredible to see the PGA of America continue to lean in to support our Veteran Community,” said PGA HOPE Military & Veteran Liaison Chris Nowak during the Opening Ceremonies.

Led by PGA Lifetime Member and U.S. Army Veteran Joel Williamson, PGA HOPE Northern Texas Captured the 2023 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at 5-under par. Williamson, who has served as an instructor for the PGA HOPE Program in Northern Texas (Killeen chapter) for the past 3 years, led the winning team of U.S. Army Veterans Mark Anderson, Antonio Sanchez, Louis Whidbee and Chris Ryan.

“Making the trip to Rochester and having the opportunity to meet and share stories with fellow Veterans from across the country was the victory,” said Williamson. “This is a brotherhood, and we lean on each other when all is going well, and more importantly, show unconditional support if someone is having a tough day.”

PGA HOPE New England captured the inaugural The Journey Award, recognizing the importance of the overall journey. Jo-Anna Krupa, a PGA Professional at Belmont Country Club in Massachusetts, who serves as an instructor for the PGA HOPE Program in the New England PGA Section, participated alongside the first-ever team consisting of all-women Veterans: Nancy O’Reilly (Navy); Sue Hall (Army); Megan Sullivan (Army); Liseth Velez (Air Force).

As part of the overall experience, all teams arrived in Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday, May 13, participated in practice rounds on Sunday and played in the Secretary’s Cup on Monday. The Veterans will also attend a PGA Championship practice round at Oak Hill.

PGA Sections in the 2023 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup:
  • PGA HOPE Western New York (3 teams)
  • PGA HOPE Kentucky
  • PGA HOPE Carolinas
  • PGA HOPE New England
  • PGA HOPE Gateway
  • PGA HOPE South Central
  • PGA HOPE Middle Atlantic
  • PGA HOPE Northern California
  • PGA HOPE Northern Texas
  • PGA HOPE Philadelphia

Several PGA WORKS Fellows from across the country served as standard bearers for the teams including: Karena Ballard, Tyler Bealke, Kyra Cox, Rachel Goetz, Haleigh Gray, Destany Hall, Cristina Hidalgo, Taylor Hunter, Hannah Randolph, Caroline Riggs, Bryce Walker, Gerrick Walker and Sloane Withers.

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, follow @PGAREACH on Twitter and Instagram, and find us on Facebook.

Media Contact:
Jesse Dodson  PGA of America             801-995-0684 jdodson@pgahq.com
Ari Edelman  Mastro Communications  908-313-7861 aedelman@mastrcomm.com

Register Your Facility to Support Patriot Golf Day

The PGA of America will again support Folds of Honor and Patriot Golf Days, which is held over Memorial Day weekend. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to support families of American military members and first responders who were disabled or killed serving our country and communities.

PGA of America members and the golfers and facilities that we serve can have a life-changing impact on these spouses and children by participating in Patriot Golf Days.

Here’s how you can get involved:

  1. Leverage your tee sheet by asking for a simple donation from your player base

  2. Engage a small committee to organize and host a golf tournament (tournaments do not have to be played over Memorial Day weekend)

  3. Play in a Golf Marathon to support PGA HOPE Philadelphia…click here to learn more

Regardless of how you choose to participate, be sure to register your facility today.

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.

For more information on PGA REACH Philadelphia and its mission to positively impact lives through golf, visit https://www.pgareach.org/philadelphia. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.

Contacts:

Courtney Curcio
Coordinator, PGA REACH Philadelphia
ccurcio@pgahq.com

Hole-in-One Propels Andy Hewitt to Victory in 2023 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship

Blue Bell, Pa. (May 9, 2023) — PGA Member Andy Hewitt of Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club in Dagsboro, Del., won the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship at Bluestone Country Club, thanks in part to a hole-in-one on the club’s 12th hole. Hewitt made his first competitive ace with an 8-iron from 165 yards.

The Connelly Cup is named in honor of Jack Connelly, a Past President of both the PGA of America (2001-02) and Philadelphia PGA Section (1983-84). Connelly was also inducted into the Section’s Hall of Fame in 2000, and PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2005.

Hewitt finished with a 3-under-par round of 68, topping runner-up Michael Little, Clubhouse 54, by two strokes. While his hole-in-one was surely the highlight of his round, Hewitt also made an eagle on the par-4 seventh hole, along with birdies on Nos. 4, 8, and 15.

Michael Caldwell, DuPont C.C., finished in third place at 1-over-par, followed by fourth place finisher Pat Sams, Lake Naomi Timber Trails G.C., at 2-over-par. Three PGA Professionals tied for fifth place at 4-over: Michael Meisenzahl, Little Mill C.C.; Kyle Quagliero, Medford Lakes C.C.; and Michael Rushin, Bear Trap Dunes.

Lehigh C.C.’s Wayne Phillips finished atop the Senior Division with a round of 7-over-par 78, one stroke better than PGA Life Member George Forster’s 79. George Frake, Moorestown Field Club, finished in a tie for third place three behind Phillips, with Dan Mrozinski, Commonwealth National G.C. Mike Mack, Burlington C.C., rounded out the top five at 12-over-par.

To view the full 2023 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship is supported by Earth NetworksJim Ravina Golf SalesStrackaLineWilson Golf, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Bluestone Country Club, their 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.

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