Month: May 2024

Root for Zac Oakley and Braden Shattuck as They Compete in the PGA Championship

PGA of America Members Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del., and Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., will each be making their second major championship appearances at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

Both, along with 19 other PGA of America Golf Professionals, earned their place on the Corebridge Financial Team at the PGA Professional Championship last month in Frisco, Texas. Oakley played in his first major championship at the 2022 PGA Championship, while Shattuck led the team as the 2023 PGA Professional Champion at the 2023 PGA Championship.

We hope you will help us root Zac and Braden on as they compete in front of the throngs of fans. If you are unable to attend the championship, we have listed the television broadcast times below.

How To Watch: 2024 PGA Championship

Thursday, May 16
ESPN+: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
ESPN: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Oakley: 7:48 a.m. start time
Shattuck: 2:57 p.m. start time

Friday, May 17
ESPN+: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
ESPN: 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Oakley: 1:13 p.m. start time
Shattuck: 9:32 a.m. start time

Saturday, May 18
ESPN+: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
ESPN: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
CBS: 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 19
ESPN+: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
ESPN: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
CBS: 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

2024 PGA Championship Media Guide
Zac Oakley, PGA: Club/Facility: Bidermann Golf Club, Wilmington, Del.; PGA Championship appearance: 2nd; Philadelphia PGA Section. PGA Assistant and Teaching Professional at Bidermann Golf Club…Playing in his second PGA Championship…T-16 finish in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship clinched a spot on the Corebridge Financial Team in the PGA Championship…Finished T-6 in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship despite coming off a partially torn tendon in his left foot that put him in a cast for about seven weeks. Had just a few weeks to rehab before the Championship began…Earned a start in the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills…Winner, 2023 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship; 2023 Philadelphia PGA Assistant Championship; 2021, ’19 Philadelphia PGA Section Match Play Championship…Won twice during both the 2021 and 2017 PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club…Winner, 2021 Philadelphia PGA Section Player of the Year…Won the 2021 DeBaufre low scoring average title and set the all time lowest Philadelphia PGA Section scoring average of 68.9 for the season…Three-time All-America golfer at Wesley College…Son of Pete Oakley, a PGA life member who won the 2004 Senior British Open and played in six PGA Championships and 11 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championships.Braden Shattuck, PGA: Club/Facility: Rolling Green Golf Club, Springfield, Pa.; PGA Championship appearance: 2nd; Philadelphia PGA Section. PGA Director of Instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club…He is set to make his debut in the PGA Championship…Winner, 2023 PGA Professional Championship; 2022 Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year…Winner, 2022 Philadelphia PGA Doylestown Open…Winner, 2022, ‘21 Burlington Classic…Winner, 2022 Philadelphia PGA Jack Jolly & Son Championship…Winner, 2022 Philadelphia PGA F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy for Scoring Average…Winner, 2021 GALV Lehigh Valley Open…Winner, 2019 Philadelphia PGA William Hyndman III Memorial Classic…Winner, 2018 New England Open…Winner, 2018 Delaware Open…He is a former Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour member, where he won the 2011 and 2012 Boys 16-18 Player of the Year…Played college golf at the University of Delaware…Named the 2011-12 Daily Times Player of the Year in high school.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

PGA of America Member Pete Lovenguth Leads Sandy Run C.C. Team to Victory in 2024 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino®

Allentown, Pa. (May 14, 2024) — PGA of America Member Pete Lovenguth of Sandy Run Country Club in Oreland, Pa., led his team of amateurs, Michele Gavaghan, Sue Harrigan, and Judy Morrisey, to a Net Division victory in the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino® at Lehigh Country Club.

The team from Sandy Run finished with a 14-under-par 56, bettering Cedarbrook C.C.’s Ron Pine, Lori DiFerdinando, Terry Davis, and April Brashe; and Wild Quail G. & C.C.’s Tyler Spielberger, June Allen, Judy Larson, and Tammy Croce, by two strokes in the one Better Ball of Four format. Five teams tied for fourth place at 11-under-par: Overbrook G.C.’s Eric Kennedy, Danielle DeHoratius, Suzanne Carlin, and Tina Aberant; Springhaven Club’s Ben Debski, Joan Skivo, Irene Waitzman, and Jenna LaMaina; LedgeRock G.C.’s Bill Kindoll, June Maier, Carol Lehman, and Chiara Renninger; Penn Oaks G.C.’s Tom Koenig, Tina Landis, Donna Dalusio, and Dawn Capriotti; and Laurel Creek C.C.’s Bob Hennefer, Christine Blessing, Eileen Burke, and Linda Toogood.

Sandy Run’s team also finished atop the Gross Division leaderboard at 8-under-par, thanks in part to Lovenguth’s seven birdies. They were followed by the Wild Quail team at 7-under-par. Lehigh C.C. own’s Josh Tremblay, Laura Manchester, Patty Cox, and Michelle Cox, finished at 6-under-par, and tied Hanover C.C.’s Parks Price, Audrie Sasse, Steph Naymick, and Kelly Riggle. Debski’s Springhaven team finished in fifth place with at 5-under-par.

View the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Lady Team Championship leaderboard by clicking here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Lady Team Championship is presented by Parx Casino®, and is supported by Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, and Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners and Lehigh Country 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 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

Dave Pagett Wins 2024 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Golf  Professional Championship

Glenside, Pa. (May 7, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, Pa., defeated Danny Lewis of Philadelphia Cricket Club at Saint Martins, in a sudden death playoff at North Hills Country Club to win the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Golf Professional Championship. Both shot a three-under-par round of 68 to earn their spots in the playoff.

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.

The playoff began on No. 18, a 350-yard par-4 that features a treacherously steep green; both players made par, and headed back to the tee. Padgett made an eight-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to claim victory.”

“I played really solid today, especially with an eagle on No. 15, and several other birdies along the way,” said Pagett. “My goal was to remain patient and positive throughout the day and it paid off.”

Jeff Kiddie, Aronimink G.C., finished in third place at 1-over par. Greg Wingate, Sunnybrook G.C., shot a 2-over-par 73 for fourth place. Four PGA Professionals tied for fifth place.

Kiddie also secured first place in the Senior Division, bettering Eric Kennedy, Overbrook G.C., by two strokes. In a tie for third with a 4-over score of 75 were John Pillar, C.C. of Woodloch Springs and John Cooper, Green Valley C.C. Brian Kelly earned solo fifth in the Senior Division with his score of 76.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Golf Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship is supported by Bushnell GolfEarth NetworksWilson, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners and North Hills Country 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 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

PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia Receives $100,000 Endowment From Martonick Estate

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (May 8, 2024) —The PGA of America REACH Foundation, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is pleased to announce that it has received a $100,000 endowment from the estate of PGA of America Golf Professional Jason Martonick, who passed away in 2023.

Martonick was elected to PGA of America Membership in 2003 and was most recently the coach for Penn State Hazelton’s golf team. The endowment will help fund the foundation’s Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, including programs like PGA Jr. League, Golf in Schools, PGA HOPE Philadelphia (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous endowment from the Martonick estate,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Courtney Curcio. “This gift will help our foundation’s programming thrive for years, and will remain a testament to Jason’s heart and generosity.”

PGA REACH Philadelphia relies on private donations to fund its programs and volunteered time from our PGA of America Golf Professionals to activate them successfully.

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 PGA REACH Philadelphia 
PGA of America REACH Foundation 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.

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: Courtney Curcio, Director, ccurcio@pgahq.com

Labor Dept. Announces Final Rule Change to Employee Exemptions Under FLSA

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) has announced its final rule change to employee exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule, “Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees,” raises the minimum salaries to qualify for certain FLSA overtime exemptions and provides for updates to the earning thresholds every three years based on up-to-date wage data. The final rule calls for an initial threshold increase to take effect by July 1, 2024, and then the full increase to take effect by January 1, 2025. 

PGA Career Services position: The PGA Career Services department highly recommends seeking the advice and counsel of an attorney to support your compliance efforts. It is important for employers to remember that some states have different duties and salary basis tests, and some require a daily overtime premium to be paid.

Regulation snapshot (click here to review the full regulation): The final rule changes the minimum weekly salary to qualify for one of the FLSA’s three white-collar overtime exemptions (executive, administrative, or professional) from $684 to $844 effective 7/1/2024. That minimum weekly salary then increases to $1,128 effective 1/1/2025.

In addition, the final rule changes the salary level to qualify for the highly compensated employee (HCE) exemption from $107,432/yr. to $132,964/yr. effective 7/1/2024. Then, effective 1/1/2025, the minimum annual salary increases to $151,164/yr.

This final rule does not change the existing job duties requirements of the FLSA’s three white-collar exemptions or HCE exemption. Information about the existing job duties requirements can be found by clicking here.

Since the first changes are scheduled to be effective July of this year, employers should move quickly to assess the classification status of their workers. As with previous attempts to modify overtime requirements, the final rule is likely to face legal challenges before it becomes effective.

Leaders in the golf industry should understand the potential sensitivity surrounding this topic. Examples to consider include:

  • If there is a change in pay for any employees, the message for their team of employees, who are the heart of their facility, and the connection to the consumers (members and guests) should be reviewed so they do not feel like they are being demoted or of less value.
  • For some employees, there could be a stigma if they have a new procedure to clock in/out.
  • This may also be the time to provide an education about the budget/finances of the facility. Understanding the revenues and expenses (including payroll) required to meet the financial expectations of the stakeholders. Just because the government increases the minimum salary requirements, does not necessarily equate to decreasing the stakeholders’ financial expectations.
  • Consider evaluating the impact on your budget based on the reality of hourly-based pay versus salary-based pay. Do you have a good idea of the hours worked by current salary-based staff to calculate the budget impact if pay changes to hourly-based?

Are there state laws or regulations that supersede this? The short answer is yes. For example – if the state law minimum salary amount is greater than the federal minimum salary amount. Please review your state or commonwealth’s website for their minimum salary and overtime regulations.

A question about the 10 p limit for commission included in the minimum salary amount. Is this determined on a weekly or annual basis? The 10 percent commission payment may be completed on an annual basis. Click here for the DOL’s website to answer questions on commissions.

Brian Bergstol Ties Tavistock Course Record En Route to 2024 TaylorMade Classic Victory

Tavistock, N.J. (May 6, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Shawnee on Delaware Pa., finished with an 8-under-par 64 at Tavistock Country Club to tie the course record and win the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 2024 TaylorMade Classic by two strokes points over Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay G.C.; and Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C. The tournament is a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event, and the first Silvercrest Cup qualifier of the year.

Bergstol, the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion, made an impressive eight birdies and one eagle at Tavistock en route to his record-tying round of 64; Dan O’Rourke shot a 64 while competing in the 2017 New Jersey Golf Association Amateur Championship.

“I didn’t get off to the greatest start,” Bergstol said of his round. “I had to make a seven-footer to make a bogey on No. 1, but after that I hit it really solid.

“It’s nice to have the course record; for a sight unseen, I enjoyed the course and played pretty well.”

Returning for the third season, the Silvercrest Cup series will include four qualifying events for Philadelphia PGA Professionals, and will culminate in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final, hosted at Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, 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, Bergstol also took home an additional $2,500 from the Silvercrest Cup qualifier bonus pool.

J.T. Wambold, Yardley C.C., finished tied for fifth place at 5-under-par with John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs.

Pillar took home top honors in Senior Division, thanks to his 5-under-par 67. He bettered Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C.; Mike Molino, Elmhurst C.C.; and PGA Life Member Brian Kelly by two strokes. Laurel Creek C.C.’s Dave Quinn finished in fifth place at 2-under-par.

PGA of America Life Member Wayne Phillips took top honors in the Super Senior Division with a 2-under-par 70. Phillips bettered Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, by one stroke. Greg Farrow, Deerwood C.C., finished in third place at even par, followed by Jack Brennan, Mountain View C.C., at 6-over-par, and PGA Life Member Michael Versuk at 7-over-par.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the TaylorMade Classic, with Bergstol bettering Barbin and Sebastianelli by two strokes. Wambold finished in fourth place, three behind the winner, followed by Bidermann G.C.’s Zac Oakley, who qualified for the Corebridge Financial PGA Team at last week’s PGA Professional Championship to compete in the 2024 PGA Championship. Rolling Green G.C.’s Braden Shattuck also made the team and will compete in the major championship.

To view the full 2024 TaylorMade Classic leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA TaylorMade Classic is presented by TaylorMade Golf, and is supported by Silvercrest Asset Management Group, Ohana Farm LLC, and Jani-King. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Tavistock Country Club, its membership, management, and staff, 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 Bellewood Country Club in Pottstown, Pa., on Monday, May 20.

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

Oakley, Shattuck to Compete in 2024 PGA Championship

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (May 2, 2024) — Two PGA of America Golf Professionals hailing from the Philadelphia PGA Section have secured their places on the Corebridge Financial PGA Team to compete in the 2024 PGA Championship on May 13-19.

Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del., and Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., both tied for 16th place in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas. Shattuck was defending champion, having won the championship last year at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico in his first PGA Professional Championship start. Oakley and Shattuck will both make their second major championship appearance, with Oakley having competed in the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Oklahoma, and Shattuck playing in last year’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill Golf Club in New York.

To view the full leaderboard, click here.

Corebridge Financial broadened its partnership with the PGA of America to include the title sponsorship of the Corebridge Financial PGA Team at the PGA Championship, KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. For the PGA Championship, the team consists of talented PGA of America Golf Professionals from across the country.

Both PGA Members were part of a 13-player-strong contingent representing the Philadelphia PGA Section in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship. The group also included (in order of finish): Mike Meisenzahl, Little Mill C.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; Danny Lewis, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Chris Krueger, Kings Creek C.C.; Dave Pagett, Whitemarsh Valley C.C.; Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill; Michael Little, Clubhouse 54; Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C.; Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C.; Robert Fenton, Sunnybrook G.C.; and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort.

On behalf of our nearly 900 Philadelphia PGA of America Golf Professionals, we wish Zac and Braden the best of luck in Kentucky!

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

Remembering Dustin Wallis, PGA

We are saddened to inform you of the passing of PGA of America Member Dustin Wallis, who passed away yesterday, April 30. An Oklahoma native, Dustin had worked as a PGA coach at several facilities within our Section, including Galloway National G.C., the C.C. of York, Honey Run G.C., the C.C. at Woodloch Springs, and most recently Chester Valley G.C. Being so engaged in our tournament program, Dustin was a friend to many of us; he will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Our sincere condolences go out to Dustin’s family. To read his full obituary, click here.

In lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations to be made to PGA HOPE Philadelphia in Dustin’s honor by clicking here.