The Philadelphia PGA Section is excited to announce a new web series, “Playing Through,” where PGA of America Golf Professionals, Section staff, Section partners, and other industry professionals are asked 18 questions about their lives and careers.

Our debut episode features RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve PGA of America Head Golf Professional Jamie Komancheck. To watch the episode, enjoy the video embedded below or click here.

If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking 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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

Phoenixville, Pa. (March 25, 2024) — The Philadelphia PGA Section officially kicked off its PGA Professional tournament season following the conclusion of its 2024 Spring Membership Meeting at RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve.

Over 200 PGA of America Golf Professionals gathered at RiverCrest to conduct the Section’s official business. PGA of America Member Chip Richter of the Country Club of Harrisburg presided over his first membership meeting since being elected Section president in October. Section Vice President and Laurel Creek Country Club PGA Director of Golf Bob Hennefer honored the Section’s 2023 awards class, headlined by Golf Professional of the Year, Dustin McCormick of Glen Brook Golf Club in Stroudsburg, Pa. To learn more about the Section’s award recipients, click here.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, a field of 152 PGA of America Golf Professionals teed it up in a two-person scramble at RiverCrest and neighboring Bellewood Golf Club, with PGA of America Members Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., and Joe Kogelman, GOLFTEC Moorestown; teaming to win at RiverCrest; and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; took the top spot at Bellewood. Quinn and Kogelman finished with a team score of 12-under-par 59 to top John F. Byrne G.C.’s Anthony Hoffman and Rocco Sgrillo by one stroke. Four teams tied for third place at 9-under-par. At Bellewood, Bergstol and Oakley prevailed by two strokes over a trio of teams, thanks to their team score of 60, 11-under-par.

One the the highlights of the tournament was PGA of America Member Joanna Coe, Merion G.C., making a hole-in-one on No. 17. Coe used a 9-iron from 136 yards. It was her first ace in 12 years. Well played, Joanna!

To view the full 2024 Spring Meeting Golf Event leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Spring Membership Meeting is supported by GolfStatus, Precision Pro Golf, SCNS Sports Foods, Signature Golf, StickX, and Stitch. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve, Bellewood Golf Club, its membership, management, and host PGA of America Golf Professionals, and staff, as the event would not be 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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

Pinehurst, N.C. (March 14, 2024) — PGA of America Member and Applebrook Golf Club head golf professional Dave McNabb led his team of amateurs, Chuck Lawson, Jeff Shapiro, and John Diederich, to victory in the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

The group finished with a team score of 23-under-par, 409, in the 54-hole one gross and one net competition, making it an impressive 13-stroke victory over the team from Chambersburg C.C.: Lee Gardenhour, PGA, AJ Edmonston, Scott Orndorf, and Jeff Mooney. PGA of America Member Bryce Young’s Fieldstone G.C. team, Keith Kimmel, Steven Kimmel, and George Morris, finished in third place at 8-under-par, followed by the team from Newark C.C. at 6-under: Matt Bonanno, PGA, Lorne Shannon, Mike Barrow, and Ryan Moore. Three teams tied for fifth place at 4-under-par: Talamore C.C.’s Andy Watters, PGA, John Holsinger, Daren Parkes, and Patrick Riley; Bayside Resort G.C.’s Bob Crowther, PGA, Steve Dennis, Sid Burkot, and Joe Fields; and Ed Oliver G.C.’s PGA of America Associate Tommy Eillison, Lou Peticca, Dante Cautillo, and Joe Spitaleri.

As a bonus, players were able to compete in a fun par-3 contest on the resort’s short course, the Cradle, designed by Gil Hanse. During the event, two amateurs made holes-in-one: John Holsinger holed out from 67 yards on the third hole using a sand wedge, while Lou Peticca aced the first hole from 124 yards, using a pitching wedge. Well played, gentlemen!

The annual pro-am has become a staple on the Section’s tournament schedule each spring, and quickly sells out each season. This year, the field played Pinehurst’s Nos., 2, 4, and 6 courses, in addition to a practice round on Pinehurst’s No. 8 course, and a separate event on the resort’s Cradle short course. The highlight of the event each year is the round on No. 2; built in 1907 by renowned golf course architect Donald Ross, and restored in 2010 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the course has hosted several major golf competitions, including a PGA Championship, a Ryder Cup, three men’s U.S. Opens, and a U.S. Women’s Open, with several more tournaments scheduled in the future.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.

The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our host, Pinehurst Resort, its management, host PGA of America Golf Professionals, 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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

The Philadelphia PGA Section, in coordination with our Education Committee Dean Kandle, PGA, and St. Davids Golf Club, has organized a leadership seminar to take place on Wednesday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm.m, at St. Davids Golf Club. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The cost for PGA of America Golf Professionals to attend is $65. To register, click here.

Drive to Lead: Mastering Leadership Skills for Golf Professionals

The Drive to Lead workshop is an exclusive workshop designed to transform PGA of America Golf Professionals into exceptional leaders on and off the course. In this dynamic workshop, participants will embark on a journey of self-discovery and skill enhancement, delving into five essential modules for professional excellence: Leadership, Mindset, Communication, Focus, and Coaching.

• Leadership: Uncover the secrets to effective leadership from the best leaders from inside and outside the golf world.
• Mindset: Elevate your mindset to go on a personal development and growth journey.
• Communication: Sharpen your communication skills to convey your vision and inspire others to act.
• Focus: Master the art of concentration amid distractions.
• Coaching: Unleash your potential as a coach, empowering others to reach new heights.

Join us for an immersive and interactive experience where you’ll gain actionable insights, practical strategies, and personalized coaching to elevate your leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a rising star, “Drive to Lead” is your gateway to becoming a true leader in the PGA of America world.

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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 1, 2024) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is excited to officially launch the application process for the 2024 Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarships. The scholarship were developed by the Jennings family to honor Bud Jennings, a lifelong golfer and longtime Chester Valley Golf Club member. Given Bud’s love for the game of golf, and his willingness to give back and help others, the Jennings family says that this award is the perfect way to remember his legacy.

The scholarship (up to $3,000 per recipient) will be awarded annually to both one male and one female Philadelphia PGA Associate aspiring to be elected to PGA of America Membership. Scholarship recipients will possess the skills, drive, and character it takes to become a first-class PGA of America Member.

Philadelphia PGA Associates who have already completed PGA PGM Level 1 may apply for the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship. The application deadline is July 1, 2024.

Application guidelines: applicant must show demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership; demonstration of strong moral character; ability to maintain a substantial record of service to the Philadelphia PGA Section, PGA of America, and the game of golf; well-regarded as a model PGA Associate.

Ineligible classifications: Class F, Inactive, Philadelphia PGA Section staff.

To apply, 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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com