Macungie, Pa. (July 9, 2024) — Unperturbed by a 95-minute severe weather delay and a crowded leaderboard, PGA of America Golf Professional Anthony Sebastianelli of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., turned in a 3-under-par 68 in the final round to reach 6-under for the tournament and win the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley’s 2024 Lehigh Valley Open at Brookside Country Club. It is his first Philadelphia PGA Section win.

Sebastianelli, finished one stroke ahead of Brendon Post of the University of Delaware, and Michael Little of Clubhouse 54.

“Sitting in the clubhouse during the weather delay with a share of the lead was a little stressful,” said Sebastianelli following his round. “But it was so much fun. I really like to compete in everything that I do, and having such a good leaderboard today was special.”

Sebastianelli went on to thank the membership and staff at Rolling Green G.C., his new bride Emily, his family and friends, the Brookside C.C. membership and staff, and the Section staff.

Two-time GALV Lehigh Valley Open Champion Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C., tied for fourth place at 4-under-par with Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.

Whitemarsh Valley C.C.’s Dave Pagett, PGA, set a new course record at Brookside, finishing his final round with a 6-under-par 65, ten strokes better than his opening round 75. He made seven birdies and one bogey to tie for 10th place. The previous course record, 66, was set by then Atlantic City C.C. PGA Professional Stan Dudas in an 18-hole playoff for the 1968 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, which he won, and was tied by former PGA Tour player Mike Hubert in a 1988 charity pro-am.

Pagett was playing alongside Brookside C.C. PGA Head Golf Professional Dave Fields, who considered it an honor to witness the record-breaking round. This is the third time this season that a PGA Professional tied or set a new course record during a Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event; Brian Bergstol, tied the course record (64) at Tavistock C.C. on May 6 en route to winning the TaylorMade Classic, and Braden Shattuck set a new course record (63) at Bellewood C.C. on May 20 at the Delaware Valley Open, which he won.

Post finished at at 4-under-par for the top honors in the Senior Division, one stroke ahead of Steinmetz and Cooper. PGA Life Member George Forster finished two strokes behind in fourth place, followed by PGA Life Member Rob Shuey at 2-under-par.d

With rounds of 68-65–133, Deerwood C.C.’s Greg Farrow ran away with the Super Senior Division title. Finishing at 9-under-par, he bettered PGA Life Member Wayne Phillips by seven strokes. Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, finished in third place at 1-under-par. While Farrow finished his final round with 65 strokes, he played the Super Senior tees, a shorter yardage than the set of tees Pagett played from earlier in the day.

The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Central Counties Chapter hosted an event concurrently with the 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open, with Titleist Fitcrew’s Brian Kelly taking home the first-place prize. Kelly made a birdie on the first sudden-death playoff hole against Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C. Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort’s Brian Bergstol shot even-par to tie Kelly and Knoll, but did not compete in the playoff. Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C., finished in fourth place at 3-over-par. Stephen Swartz, Carlisle C.C., and Mike Molino, Elmhurst C.C., tied for fifth place, four strokes back.

Twenty-three amateurs competed in the Open this week, and with rounds of 71-69–140, both Samantha Fritzinger, Lower Macungie Twp., Pa.; John Keba, Emmaus, Pa.; tied to share Low Amateur honors. Dave Olexson, also of Emmaus, Pa., finished in third place, six strokes behind Fritzinger and Keba. Brad Gordon, Tallahassee, Fla.; and Michael Ashcraft, Freemansburg, Pa.; tied for fourth place at 5-over-par.

To view the full 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open is supported by the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley, Payntr Golf, Jani-King, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Brookside 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. Visit phillypga.com to learn more.

About the Golf Association of Lehigh Valley
The Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to promoting and growing the game of golf in the greater Lehigh Valley region for youth and adult golfers, and to preserving the unique history of the game in the region. Learn more at golfgalv.com.

Contacts: 

Macungie, Pa. (July 8, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professionals John Allen of Squires Golf Club in Ambler, Pa., Michael Little of Clubhouse 54 in North Wales, Pa., and George Forster of Radnor Valley Country Club in Villanova, Pa., are currently tied atop the leaderboard in the 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open at Brookside Country Club. The two-day tournament is a Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event and is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, Tuesday, July 9.

Allen, Little, and Forster each finished at 4-under-par and sit one stroke ahead of Rolling Green G.C.’s Anthony Sebastianelli. Six golf professionals are tied for fifth place at two-under par.

Allen made five birdies during his round and a enjoyed a bogey-free front nine. Little’s round was more up-and-down, with eight birdies and four bogeys, while Forester had a bogey free-round and made back-to-back birdies to finish out his round.

Allen and Forster are also tied for the lead in the Senior Division. Mike Molino, Elmhurst C.C,. and Brian Kelly, Titleist Fitcrew, are tied for third place at 2-under-par.

PGA Life Member Wayne Phillips is tied for the lead with Deerwood C.C.’s Greg Farrow in the Super Senior Division at 3-under-par. Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, and Jack Brennan, Mountain View C.C., are in third place two strokes behind the leaders. PGA Life Member J.R. Delich is in fifth place at 5-over-par.

The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Central Counties Chapter is hosting an event concurrently with the Lehigh Valley Open, where four golf professionals are tied for first with a two-under par round of 69: Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C.; Brian Kelly, Titleist Fitcrew; Mike Molino, Elmhurst C.C.; Jeff Fick Moselem Springs G.C. Brian Bergstol from Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort is currently solo in fifth place with even par round of 71.

Twenty-three amateurs are competing alongside the PGA Professional field with John Keba of Emmaus, Pa., and Samantha Fritzinger of Lower Macungie Twp., Pa., leading at even-par. Matt Zerfass, Lower Macungie Twp., Pa.; and Dave Olexson, Emmaus, Pa.; are one stroke back, followed by Michael Ashcraft at 2-over-par.

Tee times for tomorrow’s final two will commence at 8 a.m.

To view the full 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open is supported by the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley, Payntr Golf, Jani-King, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Brookside 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

Welcome to the latest episode of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 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.

This episode features PGA of America Member Andy Watters, the PGA head golf professional at Talamore Country Club in Ambler, Pa. Watters grew up competing on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, and has played in Section events every year since. To watch the episode, click here or on the embedded video below.

If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, 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 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 membership of Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn., recently invited PGA of America Life Member David Nevatt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his victory in the 1974 United States Junior Amateur Championship. Before he makes the trip later this month, we invited David to our Section office to sit down and reflect on his big win and his career in the golf industry. To watch the interview, click here or on the video embedded below.

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

Huntingdon Valley, Pa. (July 1, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Brett Walker of Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pa., turned in a 4-under-par 66 to win the 2024 William Hyndman III Memorial Classic at Huntingdon Valley Country Club by two strokes over Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C. The tournament is a Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event.

After shooting an even-par 35 on the first nine holes of this round, Walker hit his stride going into the back nine, making birdie on four holes in a row on Nos. 10-13. Today’s win is Walker’s first Philadelphia PGA Section victory since his win at the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Aronimink G.C.

“My round started pretty well,” Walker said following play. “I birdied No. 1 to get off to a nice start. I turned at even-par, and then my putter got hot and made four birdies in a row, and then cruised in. The course played fair, but tough.

“I’m pumped to be back in the Philadelphia Section, and honored to have won this event.”

Walker went on to thank his family and friends, the Chester Valley G.C. membership and staff for the opportunity to represent the club, the Huntingdon Valley C.C. staff, and the Section staff.

Danny Lewis, Philadelphia Cricket Club; and Louis Kelly, Gulph Mills G.C.; tied for third place at 1-under-par 69. Five players tied for fifth place at even-par.

In the Senior Division, Mike Molino, Elmhurst C.C., tied with Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek C.C., for first place at even-par. Four players tied for third place, three behind the winners.

PGA Life Member Michael Versuk won the Super Senior Division with a 4-over-par 74. He was followed by Wayne Phillips, Lehigh C.C., and Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, who both finished at 5-over-par 75 to tie for second.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic with Trevor Bensel taking home the top prize. Louis Kelly finished in solo second place one stroke behind Bensel, followed by Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C., and Patrick Allgeier, Aronimink G.C., at even-par, and Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C., and Robert Fenton, Sunnybrook G.C., at 3-over-par in fifth place.

To view the full 2024 William Hyndman III Memorial Classic leaderboard, click here.

Author John Riley was onsite alongside Bill Hyndman V, grandson of William Hyndman III, to greet players following their rounds and gift them Riley’s newest book, “A Will To Win”, a story about tournament namesake and legendary amateur William Hyndman III’s perseverance and triumph. Copies may be purchased via awilltowin.com.

The 2024 William Hyndman III Memorial Classic is supported by the Hyndman Family, Callaway Golf, Jack Jolly & Son Inc., Jani-King, KM Golf Sales / Kevin McClellan, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Huntingdon Valley Country Club, its membership, management, staff, and host PGA of America Golf Professionals, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

The next Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event is the GALV Lehigh Valley Open at Brookside Country Club in Macungie, Pa., on July 8-9.

About William Hyndman III 
William Hyndman III was one of the most accomplished Philadelphia amateur golfers in history. Hyndman’s resume developed early by winning the 1935 Philadelphia Amateur at the age of 19; he ultimately accumulated three Philadelphia Amateur titles, 10 Patterson Cup crowns, and six Silver Crosses. Hyndman also made nine Masters Tournament appearances and made a hole-in-one on Augusta National G.C.’s 12th hole. By the time Hyndman ended his golfing career, he had competed in 50 USGA championships, including playing on five Walker Cup teams and winning two U.S. Senior Amateur titles.

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 Twp., Pa. (June 26, 2024) — The PGA of America recently announced that Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., is on the roster of 10 PGA of America Golf Professionals who will compete on the United States Team against Great Britain & Ireland in the 31st PGA Cup. The biennial competition will take place Sept. 10-15, 2024, at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon.

The PGA Cup is an event similar to the Ryder Cup, started in 1973, where the top PGA of America Golf Professionals from the United States compete against the PGA Professionals from Great Britain and Ireland. Each team consists of ten golfers. In 2022 the team from the United States won the cup and they hope to retain it this year.

The Philadelphia extends its congratulations and best wishes of luck to the Braden and the rest of the 2024 Team! To read more about the team, click here.

2024 U.S. PGA Cup Team

• Braden Shattuck (Aston, Pa.) – Rolling Green Golf Club, Philadelphia Section
• Michael Block (Mission Viejo, Calif.) – Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Southern California Section
• John Somers (Trinity, Fla.) – Southern Hills Plantation Club, North Florida Section

• Ben Polland (Jackson Hole, Wyo.) – Shooting Star of Jackson Hole, Rocky Mountain Section
• Jared Jones (Houston, Texas) – River Oaks Country Club, Southern Texas Section
• Andy Svoboda (Oak Brook, Ill.) – Butler National Golf Club, Illinois Section
• Jeremy Wells (Estero, Fla.) – Cypress Lake Golf Club, South Florida Section
• Matt Cahill (West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Seminole Golf Club, South Florida Section
• Jesse Mueller (Phoenix, Ariz.) – Grand Canyon University Golf Course, Southwest Section
• Tyler Collet (Vero Beach, Fla.) – John’s Island Club, South Florida Section

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

Cape May Courthouse, Nj. (June 24, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Jeff Kiddie and Patrick Allgeier from Aronimink G.C. won first place in the PGA Pro-Pro division of the 2024 Professional-Assistant-Professional Championship at the Shore Club. They shot a round of five-under par, 67. Mike Meisenzahl and Matt Cocco from Tavistock Country Club claimed victory in the Non-PGA Pro-Pro division with a score of 66, six-under par.

Each team consisted of PGA Professionals and assistant professionals from their facilities. The teams participated in a Better Ball of partners format between the lead PGA Professionals and their assistants.

One stroke behind in second place for the PGA Pro division was the team of Jeff Kiddie and Christian Hoecker from Aronimink G.C. at four-under par. In a tie for third were  Peter Clarke and Rob Wolfers from Manufacturers’ G & C.C. and Scott Reilly and Harrison Graham from Philadelphia C.C. with a three-under par score of 69. Ten teams tied for fifth at two-under.

In the Non PGA Pro Division, the second place team went to Joey Pohle and Albert Aldana from Blue Bell C.C. with a score of four-under par, 68. A tie for third at even par, 72 were the teams of Will Scarborough and Josh Mohun from Penninsula G. and C.C., Liam McAnally and Patrick Butkus from Whitford C.C. and Executive Director, Geoff Surrette and Brian Schulte, Tournament Director.

To view the full leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Professional-Assistant Professional Championship is  supported by Kevin Depaulis, Wilson, Earth Networks, StickX Golf and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, The Shore Club, its membership, management, staff, and host PGA of America Golf Professionals, 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

Reading, Pa. (June 19, 2024) — On a sweltering day, PGA of America Golf Professional Andrew Cornish of Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell, Pa. turned in a 3-under-par 68 to win the second annual Hutch Invitational at Berkshire Country Club. Cornish successfully defends his win from last year’s Hutch Invitational, where he secured his first individual Philadelphia PGA Section victory.

Scott and Karen Hutchinson have been longtime supporters of the Philadelphia PGA Section and PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, and also support the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club. The Hutchinsons established the Hutch to provide an additional playing opportunity to PGA Professionals who prioritize competitive golf while also successfully balancing their careers and partner relationships. The Hutch is a limited field event with the Hutchinsons extending invitations to 28 PGA Professionals. We at the Philadelphia PGA Section thank Scott and Karen Hutchinson for their amazing generosity and continued support. Today’s event was also supported by Holderness & Bourne.

Cornish put up an impressive round despite the brutal heat, making birdie on all three par fives on the course. He is followed by runner-up Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., who finished 2-under-par 69. There was a three-way tie for third place at even-par 71: Ben Bewley, Berkshire C.C.; Mike Meisenzahl, Tavistock C.C.; and Tom Michaels, Berkshire C.C.

“It’s nice to defend,” Cornish said following his victory. “I hit a lot of good golf shots out there. Thanks to my partner Al DeColli; he kept my head on straight. I had a bag of Starburst on me all day…that’s what kept me going.”

Cornish went on to thank Scott and Karen Hutchinson for all the support they show the Section, Holderness & Bourne, Cedarbrook Country Club’s membership and staff, Berkshire Country Club’s membership and staff, his mother for coming out to spectate, and the Section staff.

Participating PGA Professionals teamed with one amateur golfer of their choice in a Better Ball format for the team competition.

Host PGA of America Golf Professional Tom Michaels and his amateur partner Brandon Lynch topped the Team Division with 10-under-par 61. The pair finished above Ben Bewley, Berkshire C.C., and his partner Jacques Jacobson, who came in at 9-under-par 62. Cornish and his partner Al DeColli finished in third at 7-under-par 64.

To view the full 2024 Hutch leaderboard, click here.

The Hutch is presented by Scott and Karen Hutchinson, and supported by Holderness & Bourne. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Berkshire Country Club, its membership, management, staff, and host PGA of America Golf Professionals, 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

APEX, N.C. and FRISCO, Texas (June 17, 2024) – Golf Business Network (GBN) and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) announce a new partnership to provide a philanthropic component at the annual GBN Bob Ford Pro-Pro Championship. The event welcomes GBN Members who are PGA of America Golf Professionals for 36 holes of competition on September 23-24, 2024, at Hidden Creek Golf Club in New Jersey.

This landmark event, which honors Bob Ford, Golf Business Network Founding Partner & Advisor, and PGA of America REACH Foundation Trustee, showcases the synergistic power of networking and competitive golf.

Ford, the longtime PGA Head Golf Professional at Oakmont Country Club and Seminole Golf Club, exemplifies how professionals in the golf industry can extend their reach by giving back to both peers and philanthropic organizations that perpetuate the game.

“PGA HOPE is all about getting military personnel to play golf to save their lives and have them experience what great fun golf is. It’s spectacular,” said Ford, “We can’t do enough for those that have given everything so that we have the freedom that we have in this country, and it means the world.”

PGA HOPE and GBN aim to amplify their collective impact on Veterans and active duty military through the transformative power of golf. PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable organization of the Association. Led by more than 3,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals across all fifty states, PGA HOPE introduces and teaches golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

Matt Marciniak, Chief Operating Officer of Golf Business Network and a Veteran, communicated his enthusiasm for the inception of this partnership, saying, “GBN is privileged to contribute to PGA HOPE, which exhibits core values that closely align with our Network’s dedication to supporting causes that benefit Veterans. The Bob Ford Pro-Pro Championship has become a marquee event for our membership and we look forward to weaving another layer of impact into this meaningful time together.”

“It’s an honor for PGA HOPE to partner with the Golf Business Network Bob Ford Pro-Pro Championship,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan). “Bob is a shining example of the impact a PGA of America Golf Professional can make through this game. This event underscores our commitment to providing Veterans with access to the healing, rehabilitative and even life-saving aspects that golf provides through PGA HOPE.”

This annual championship brings together professionals from across the country to showcase their talent and compete at the highest level. But beyond the competition lies a deeper purpose: to honor and support those who have served our country as they adjust back to civilian life.

Through sponsorships, donations and participation, individuals and organizations involved in the Championship can contribute to PGA HOPE’s mission of helping Veterans thrive through the game of golf.

For more information on how to get involved and to register for the Bob Ford Pro-Pro Championship, please visit [Link]

Click here to learn more about becoming a Vendor Partner for the Bob Ford Pro-Pro Championship.

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About Golf Business Network Vendor Offerings
Golf Business Network (GBN) is a premier platform connecting golf industry professionals, businesses, and suppliers. Through its Vendor Partner Program, GBN aims to provide its members access to high-quality products and services, fostering collaboration and excellence within the golf community.

About PGA HOPE

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) 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. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAHOPE on Instagram, X, formerly known as Twitter, and find us on Facebook.
Media Contacts:

Joe Negri, Golf Business Network, jnegri@golfbusinessnetwork.com

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com