Month: August 2023

PGA Member Tessa Teachman Wins Third Annual Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship

Malvern, Pa. (August 29, 2023) — PGA Member Tessa Teachman of Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., won the third annual Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Chester Valley Golf Club by three strokes over HoneyBrook G.C.’s Jennifer Cully, PGA.

Tuesday’s appearance was Teachman’s first in the championship, having moved to the Philadelphia PGA Section earlier this year. She finished with a 4-over-par 74, making a clutch birdie on her final hole, the 379-yard par-4 18th.

Teachman said that she putted well during her round, making only 20 strokes on the greens. She went on to say that she was not monitoring the leaderboard, and was not aware of her position until after she signed her scorecard.

“I sat down to have some lunch with the mindset of a playoff possibly,” Teachman said.

While she has a lot of professional competitive history, she had not been playing in a lot of tournaments as of late due to an injury. She went on to thank Chester Valley Golf Club for hosting, Aronimink Golf Club, and the Section.

“I look forward to playing in many more events!,” she said.

The defending champion, Joanna Coe, Merion G.C., finished in third place at 8-over-par. Three PGA Professionals tied for fourth place: Brit Weddell, Green Valley C.C.; Patty Post, University of Delaware; and Kelly Sanderson, Huntingdon Valley C.C.

To view the full 2023 Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is supported by Valley Forge Tourism & Convention BoardKM Golf Sales, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Chester Valley Golf 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

Brian Bergstol, PGA, Wins 2023 Jack Jolly & Son Championship

Malvern, Pa. (August 28, 2023) — Reigning Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Shawnee on Delaware, Pa., teed off in the second pairing of the tournament and finished with a 5-under-par 66 to win the 2023 Jack Jolly & Son Championship at White Manor Country Club by one stroke over Merion G.C.’s Joanna Coe, PGA. The tournament is a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year event.

Bergstol had a steady round, making six birdies, and only one bogey, but had to wait for the rest of the 126-person field to finish before declaring victory. In addition to the Jack Jolly & Son title, he will be defending his Low PGA Professional title in next week’s Silvercrest Cup finals and the Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, September 11-13.

While Bergstol’s score held the entire day, several PGA Professionals made a good run to tie him. Behind Coe, 2023 PGA Professional Champion Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green G.C., finished in third place at 3-under-par, followed by five PGA Professionals in a tie for fifth place at 2-under-par: Steve Sanderson, Saucon Valley C.C.; Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C.; Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C.; Ryan Rucinski, Wilmington C.C.; and Ross Brown, Fox Hill C.C.

There was a logjam atop the Senior Division, with four PGA Members tying for first place at even par: Eric Kennedy, Overbrook G.C.; Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C.; Mike Moses, Concord C.C.; and Barry Dear, Golf Academy at Blue Heron Pines. Five others tied for fifth place, one stroke back: John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club; John DiMarco, Legacy at Woodcrest; Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C.; Jeff Kiddie, Aronimink G.C.; and Pete Lovenguth, Sandy Run C.C.

Mike Moses topped the Super Senior Division with his even-par round of 71, bettering John DiMarco by one stroke. PGA Life Member George Forster tied for third place at 2-over-par with Greg Farrow, Deerwood C.C. Wilmington C.C.’s Bob Lennon, PGA, rounded out the top five at 3-over-par.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) also hosted a concurrent event, with Bergstol taking the top prize. Andrew Cornish and Anthony Sebastianelli tied for second place three strokes behind Bergstol, followed by Zach Barbin, Chesapeake G.C., at 1-under-par, and Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., at even par.

To view the full 2023 Jack Jolly & Son Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Jack Jolly & Son Championship’s title partner is Jack Jolly & Son Inc., and is supported by Jani-King, KM Golf Sales, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, White Manor 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

Chester Valley, Merion Claim Victory in 2023 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino®

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (August 23, 2023) — PGA Member Sam Ambrose of Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pa., led his amateur team to a Net victory in the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino®, topping Sunnybrook Golf Club, a host team, and Berkshire C.C. in a scorecard playoff.

All three teams finished with scores of 57, 15-under-par, in the one best ball of four format. Ambrose teamed with Saige Pacholok, Emily Centofante, and Leah Ricci. Berkshire’s team included Andrew Turner, PGA, Sarah Phillips, Penny Golden, and Barb Najarian; Sunnybrook’s team consisted of Brad Sanders, PGA, Meg Piotrowicz, Alexandra Natale, and Patricia Graver.

Three teams tied for third place at 14-under-par: Ben Bewley, PGA, Michele Albright, Lori Derr, and Sharon Heck of Berkshire C.C.; Gary Mackay, PGA, Kim Butscher, Wendy Kennedy, and Patrice Greene, representing the Springhaven Club; and Ben Debski, PGA, Leighann Forbes, Melissa Denon, and Rachel Morrison, also of the Springhaven Club.

In the Gross Division, PGA Member Joanna Coe of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., and her team of amateurs, Lindsay Forgash, Loraine Jones, and Marie Kneizys, took home the top prize, finishing with a 7-under-par round of 65. Coe made an eagle and four birdies on her own golf ball. Coe’s 66 is one stroke lower than the official course record, set by Jennifer Cleary in 2022 on a course that measured 6,145 yards; today’s course measured 5,375 yards.

The Merion team topped Ambrose’s Chester Valley team by one stroke. Three teams finished tied for third place at 5-under-par: Brad Sanders’ Sunnybrook G.C. team; Penn Oaks G.C.’s Jesse Hallett, PGA, Tina Landis, Donna Dalusio, and Rosemary McGeehin; Medford Village G.C.’s Leo DeGisi, PGA, Debra Ammons, Missy Bullard, and Mary Dooney.

To view the full 2023 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino® leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino® is presented by Parx Casino®, and supported by Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, and PXG. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Sunnybrook Golf 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.

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

Jeff Breiner, PGA, Leads C.C. of Harrisburg Team to Victory in 2023 DeAngelis Pro-Am

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (August 22, 2023) — Over the course of a beautiful afternoon at the 1912 Club, PGA Member Jeff Breiner of the C.C. of Harrisburg in Harrisburg, Pa., led his team of amateurs, Matthew Monaghan, Paul Fisher, and Kameron Page, to victory in the 2023 DeAngelis Pro-Am. The event was created by the DeAngelis family and the Philadelphia PGA Section to pay tribute to Don DeAngelis, an accomplished PGA Member and player, who passed in January 2022.

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. See below to view DeAngelis’ playing career highlights. To read a tribute to DeAngelis, click here.

The winning team from Harrisburg finished their round at an impressive 16-under-par, having made an eagle, 15 birdies, and one lone bogey in the two best ball of format. The team bettered the team from John F. Byrne G.C. by one stroke: PGA Associate Anthony Hoffman, Jim Babst, Rich Mariner, and Liam O’Connor.

Finishing in third place, four behind: Rolling Green G.C.’s Frank Palumbo, PGA, Bob Wallace, Mike Hewes, and Mike Dafnus; followed by Golf Galaxy – Montgomeryville’s Eric McNamee, PGA, Joe Boyle, Jesse Brookreson, and Walt Hoffner at 11-under-par; and Peter Clarke, PGA, of Manufacturers’ G. & C.C., Jim Burns, Steve Frost, and Tom Hankel at 8-under-par.

Dustin McCormick, PGA, of Glen Brook G.C. took home top honors in the PGA Professional contest, finishing his round with a score of 71, 1-over-par. He topped George Forster, PGA, by one stroke, and Evan Mitchell, Whitford C.C., and Brian Buskirk, HoneyBrook G.C., by two strokes. Eric McNamee and Peter Clarke tied for fifth place at 4-over-par.

To view the full 2023 DeAngelis Pro-Am leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 DeAngelis Pro-Am is supported by TaylorMade and KM Golf Sales. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, the 1912 Club, its membership, management, and staff, 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

Saucon Valley Country Club Wins Inaugural PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup

Cinnaminson, N.J. (August 21, 2023) — Saucon Valley Country Club won the inaugural PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup in dominating fashion at Riverton Country Club on Monday. As a result of their six-stroke victory, the team, led by PGA Member Mike Wood, included four U.S. military veterans, Bill Lippincott, Cal Bostick, Leo Kollar, and Shaun Osting, will represent PGA REACH Philadelphia’s 10 PGA HOPE chapters in the 2024 PGA Secretary’s Cup during PGA Championship week in Kentucky.

The PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup celebrates the PGA HOPE program by providing a unique and memorable experience for our military Veterans and the PGA Professionals who work tirelessly to positively impact Veterans’ lives. This annual event in conjunction with the week of PGA Championship, began in 2016 and is named after the Secretary of Veteran Affairs in recognition of the Memorandum of Understanding between PGA REACH and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Each team is made up of four veterans from a PGA HOPE program and one PGA or LPGA Professional.

The team from Saucon Valley turned in a net team score of 55, 16-under-par, topping Regents’ Glen C.C.’s Andrew Geesey, PGA, Jonathan Charles, Don Brown Jr., Kenney Souders, and Garrett Tordeur, by six strokes.

To view the full 2023 PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.

The field also provided a warm tribute to John Carpineta, PGA, also known as “Johnny C,” who will be honored with the PGA of America’s PGA Patriot Award in Frisco, Texas, in November. The award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America.

The 2023 PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup’s presenting partner is MedEast Post-Op & Surgical Inc. and was supported by Greyson Clothiers, PXG, and Univest. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Riverton 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.

Delaware Beach 13u, DuPont 17u All-Stars Win 2023 National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Philadelphia Section Championship

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa.  (August 18, 2023) — On August 11 at Philmont Country Club and 17 at Rolling Green Golf Club, the Delaware Beach All-Stars and DuPont All-Stars won the 2023 National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Philadelphia Section Championship’s 13u and 17u Divisions, respectively.

The Delaware Beach All-Stars, led by PGA Professional Coach Chris Brosius, topped the All-Stars from West Chester eight points to four points. The winning team from Delaware Beach consisted of Patrick Thomas, Ben Fifer, Sahil Shajwani, Rory Spindler, Brody Rollins, Chase Thompson, Sam Metz, and Luke Peyton.

In the 17u division, PGA Associate Matt Finger led his team, Nick Belgrade, Landon Fox, Hannah Webb, Matthew Hoopes, Meredith Finger, and Joseph Kelly, to a a four-point victory over 4 other 17U All-Stars from across the Section.

Section Championships (and their Qualifiers) are the first of three phases in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season, which highlights the aspirational nature of competition celebrated in a way unique to PGA Jr. League. The Delaware Beach 13u and DuPont 17u All-Star teams will go on to compete in the 2023 National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Regional Championship on September 1-3 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va.

Ultimately, Regional champions will vie for the title at the 13U National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship at Fields Ranch West at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas. on October 4-8. The inaugural 17u Championship will take place Nov. 16-19 at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America’s 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA REACH, with the goal of making the program accessible to all youth regardless of background, circumstance or ability. Boys and girls ages 17 and under learn and play golf on teams, wear numbered jerseys and receive expert coaching from PGA Professionals.

National Car Rental was named the inaugural title partner of the Championship Season in February. PGA Jr. League’s biggest corporate partner since 2018, as well as an Official Partner and the Official Rental Car of the PGA of America since 2012, National’s new title partnership aims to continue fueling meaningful growth of PGA Jr. League and supporting the program’s endeavors to welcome more kids to the game.

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 PGAREACHPhiladelphia.com. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please 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.

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

PGA REACH Philadelphia Set to Host Inaugural PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup at Riverton Country Club on August 21

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (August 17, 2023) — On Monday, August 21, PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, will host nine teams representing the Section’s PGA HOPE chapters will compete in its inaugural PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup at Riverton Country Club in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. The event is presented by MedEast Post-Op & Surgical Inc., and is supported by Univest and Greyson. 

Each team will be comprised of four U.S. military veterans and a PGA Professional. The winning team at Monday’s 18-hole event will receive an invitation to play in the 2024 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup during PGA Championship week in Kentucky. 

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.

The PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup will be held annually and will bring together PGA HOPE Philadelphia alumni from across three states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware) to compete against each other in a friendly tournament. 

In addition to the golf event, the PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup will feature a veterans’ color guard and a rendition of our national anthem from John Carpineta, the recipient of the PGA of America’s 2023 Patriot Award. The award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America.

To learn more about PGA HOPE Philadelphia, visit pgareachphiladelphia.com/military.

WHAT: Inaugural PGA HOPE Philadelphia Cup

WHEN: Monday, August 21, 2023; 11:00 a.m. lunch; 12:00 p.m. program start; 12:30 p.m. shotgun start

WHERE: Riverton Country Club, 1416 Highland Ave, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

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

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, mfrey@pgahq.com, (513) 205-3081

Courtney Curcio, Director, ccurcio@pgahq.com, (856) 685-3167

Aloha Fore Maui

As you are likely aware, parts of Maui have recently been destroyed by wildfires with many residents losing their homes, possessions, and in some cases, loved ones. Many PGA Professionals, golf industry workers, and their families, have also been impacted.

To aid in their rehabilitation, the Aloha PGA Section has organized a task force to locate available housing, and gather and distribute essential items to their friends and colleagues in need. Additionally, the Section launched an Aloha Fore Maui GoFundMe campaign with hopes to raise $100,000 to support their efforts and to help PGA Professionals, golf industry workers, and their families get back on their feet.

The Aloha Section has asked that the entire golf industry, from our PGA community to our allied associations and those that love the game of golf, to join them in this endeavor by making a donation to help these individuals who have been impacted by the wildfires. It’s been devastating and heartbreaking to witness, but together we can provide encouragement and help them rebuild their lives. To donate, click on the below button.

Support Maui

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 Professional Field Set for Second Annual Silvercrest Cup

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (August 8, 2023) — The Philadelphia PGA Section and Silvercrest Asset Management Group have finalized the PGA Professional field for the second annual Silvercrest Cup, scheduled for Tuesday, September 5 at the Gil Hanse-designed Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa.

Fifty-four PGA Professionals earned their place in the Silvercrest Cup final, which will boast a purse of over $35,000, via a points system drawn from their performance in four qualifying events; 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. 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 included a bonus pool of $4,000, to be shared between each qualifier’s champion and runner-up.

Alex Knoll, PGA, of Glen Brook Golf Club in Stroudsburg, Pa., finished atop the 2023 Silvercrest Cup points standings with 696 points. Laurel Creek C.C.’s Dave Quinn, PGA, finished 103.98 points behind Knoll, while 2023 Delaware Valley Open and second qualifying event champion Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay G.C., finished in third.

Michael Little, PGA, Clubhouse 54, placed in fourth. Anthony Sebastianelli rounded out the top five, 143.16 points behind the leader. The University of Delaware’s Brendon Post, PGA, winner of the season’s first qualifier, the TaylorMade Classic, finished in 34th place with 360.5 points. Conestoga Classic and third qualifying event champion Bob Lennon, Wilmington C.C. ended in 16th place, while Doylestown Open and final qualifying event champion Kyle Early, Waynesborough C.C., finished in 14th place. Rounding out the PGA Professional field, in 54th, is Rolling Green G.C.’s Scott Chisholm, PGA.

2023 Silvercrest Cup – Top 10 Points Earners

1. Alex Knoll, PGA, 696.00 points
2. Dave Quinn, PGA, 592.02 points
3. Zach Barbin, PGA, 584.11 points
4. Michael Little, PGA, 571.54 points
5. Anthony Sebastianelli, PGA, 552.84 points
6. Andrew Cornish, PGA, 541.94 points
7. Brian Bergstol, PGA, 540.56 points
8. David Hicks, PGA, 540.52 points
9. Trevor Bensel, PGA, 540.50 points
10. Zac Oakley, PGA, 540.48 points

To view the full 2023 Silvercrest Cup standings, click here and select “Silvercrest Cup” under “Category.”

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.

About Silvercrest Asset Management Group
Silvercrest Asset Management Group was founded in April 2002 by a group of highly experienced investment professionals with the goal to create a firm dedicated to serving individuals, families and select institutions with significant financial assets. Since inception, Silvercrest has nurtured an entrepreneurial, collegial, and action-oriented business culture with a client first ethos that has led to a 98% client retention rate. Our dedication to serving our clients’ needs first and to providing institutional quality asset management capabilities to the marketplace, has allowed Silvercrest to prosper and grow.  Over the past twenty years, we’ve grown to a diverse organization with 150 employees from various backgrounds in offices around the country and today, we manage over $21 billion dollars in assets on behalf of our clients.

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

Jack Marriott, Marketing Associate, Silvercrest Asset Management Group, jmarriott@silvercrestgroup.com

PGA Member Trevor Bensel Goes Low to Win 47th Pro-Am for Wishes

West Chester, Pa. (August 7, 2023) — PGA Member Trevor Bensel of Sandy Run Country Club in Oreland, Pa., turned in an impressive final round 6-under-par 65 to win the 47th Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club, bettering Clubhouse 54’s Michael Little, PGA, and Bidermann G.C.’s Zac Oakley, PGA, by four strokes. Today’s victory marks his first Section win of the year.

The Pro-Am for Wishes first started in 1976 at Whitford Country Club, and has been held annually at Penn Oaks Golf Club since 2008 (the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) to benefit Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley. Since the event moved to Penn Oaks, it has raised over $700,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Bensel started his day one stroke behind the first round leader Zac Oakley but his six birdies and bogey-free round propelled him to victory, finishing with scores of 69-65–134, 8-under-par.

“I made a few good putts yesterday, and that carried over to today,” Bensel said following his round. “I tried to keep it in the fairway today too; you need to keep it straight off the tee [at Penn Oaks].”

He went on to thank the Penn Oaks Golf Club membership and staff, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Jimmy O’Connor, Sandy Run Golf Club, Titleist, FootJoy, Holderness & Bourne, and the Philadelphia PGA Section.

Little made a run for the lead, getting to 5-under-par for his round, ultimately finishing with a 3-under-par 68. In the opening round, Little led his team of amateurs, Gene Marinelli and Pat Rugg, to victory in the pro-am portion of the event. To read more about the pro-am, click here. Oakley, who played in the same pairing as Bensel, had an up-and-down round, making five birdies and four bogies.

PGA Associate Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C., finished in fourth place at 1-under-par, followed by a four-way tie for fifth place at 1-over: Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C.; Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green G.C.; Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook G.C.; and Andrew Turner, Berkshire C.C.

Royal Oak G.C.’s Terry Hatch, PGA, tied for first place in the Senior Division with Wilmington C.C.’s Bob Lennon, PGA, at 2-over-par, bettering fellow PGA Members Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C., and Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C., by one stroke. Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek C.C., and Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., tied for fifth place at 5-over-par.

With rounds of 73-77–150, 8-over-par, Jimmy O’Connor successfully defended his low amateur honors, topping fellow amateur Patt Rugg by six strokes. Zach Paris and Kevin O’Hara finished in third and fourth place, respectively. The four amateurs qualified to compete in the final round at Penn Oaks via their sub-80 rounds on Sunday.

To view the full 47th Pro-Am for Wishes leaderboard, click here.

The 47th Pro-Am for Wishes title partner is Tamora Building Systems, and is supported by the Piazza Auto GroupWoodward Properties, Smart From the Start, and the Horn Family. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Penn Oaks 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.

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