Hawley, Pa. (November 14, 2024) — On October 23, the Philadelphia PGA Section and its 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, hosted teams of U.S. military veterans representing the Metropolitan, New Jersey, and Philadelphia PGA Sections at the Country Club at Woodloch Springs for the inaugural District 2 Patriots Club, as an extension of the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program. With a cumulative team score of 476, the 12 veterans from New Jersey took home the trophy, bettering the veterans from Philadelphia Section (492) and the Metropolitan Section (527).

PGA HOPE  is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to veterans and active duty military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum, led by PGA of America Golf 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. PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.

The District 2 Patriots Cup was created by the three PGA Sections that make up the PGA of America’s second geographical district to honor our military veterans and grow the reach of their PGA HOPE programs. The Country Club at Woodloch Springs, its owners, and PGA Director of Golf John Pillar, have a long history of supporting veterans and charities for veterans. Pillar was awarded the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Patriot Award in 2020. The award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates an unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected our country.

The winning team from New Jersey included Scott Burgin, Craig Casucci, Jim Csogi, Eric Kaiser, Charles Daniel Kennelly, Justin Key, Paul Pasquarella, Dave Ryden, Chris Solivan, Rodjean Thorman, Ernie Trent, and Charlie Wilcox.

Philadelphia’s team featured Craig Adams, Colt Bowen, Joe Dooley, Joel Kent, Tom Koslowski, Mike Malpedo, Robert Marcolina, Michael Rudart, John Strollo, and Vince Zuranski. The Metropolitan included Harry Conklin, Rick Ell, James Eugene, James Girardi, Danny Guaglione, John Lewis, George Lonergan, Artie McAuley, Jae Pea Persaud, Dave Raymond, Nick Tsismenakis, and Con Verrine.

The inaugural District 2 Patriots Cup was supported by the Metropolitan, New Jersey, and Philadelphia PGA Sections and their foundations, PGA of America REACH Foundation Metropolitan Section, New Jersey Golf Foundation, and PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, the Country Club at Woodloch Springs, the Greg Norman Collection, and Northwell Health.

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

During the PGA of America’s Annual Meeting Week in Grand Rapids, Mich., St. Davids PGA General Manager Dean Kandle, and the Philadelphia Cricket Club PGA Director of Golf Jim Smith Jr. received their national honors, the PGA of America Professional Development Award, and Bill Strausbaugh Award, respectively.

Prior to being interviewed by David Marr III in front of the Annual Meeting delegates, PGA Membership, industry leaders, friends, and family, the PGA of America debuted short videos highlighting each award recipient and the hard work they have put into their careers, facilities, Section and Association. Their Q&A session with Dave Marr is also linked below. To watch the videos, click on the below video screens.

Congratulations to both Dean and Jim! Both PGA Members have made our Section proud, and will no doubt continue to improve the game, Association, initiatives, and facilities going forward!

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

Bethlehem, Pa. (November 1, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Steve Sanderson and his superintendent partner, Gavin Johnson won the 2024 Pro-Superintendent Championship. The duo, local to the host course, Saucon Valley Country Club, shot an impressive net score of 8-under-par on the Old Course.

This is the event’s third year; it was created to show support not just for our PGA Members and Associates, but also to continue our great relationship with the PAGCS and all of the grounds professionals who take care of our facilities day in and day out. Special call out to their President Greg D’Antonio from Concord CC and the entire leadership of the PAGCS.

Second place in the net division was a tie between PGA Member Brian Bergstol and Riley Hogan from Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, and John Roche, PGA, and Jim Lanza from Elmhurst Country Club who finished at 4-under-par. Both teams also took home first prize in the gross division. Three teams tied for fourth place at 3-under-par: Kevin Edwards and Brett Hauck from Olde Homestead Golf Club; Rick Gibson and Josh Saunders from Lancaster Country Club; and Eric Figueroa and Dave Visocan from McCall Golf Club.

Figueroa and his partner also placed third in the Gross Division with a score of 3-under-par. Three teams tied for fourth in the Gross Division at one-under-par: Patrick Butkus and Eric Junkins, Whitford Country Club; Steve Sanderson and Gavin Johnson, Saucon Valley Country Club; and Rick Gibson and Josh Saunders, Lancaster Country Club.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Superintendent Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Superintendent Championship is sponsored by Golf Cart Services / E-Z-GO, and supported by Fore Golf Brands. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Saucon Valley Country 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 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