Month: March 2025

Philadelphia PGA Section Kicks Off 2025 Season With Spring Membership Meeting

Wilmington, Del. (March 31, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section officially kicked off its PGA Professional tournament season following the conclusion of its 2025 Spring Membership Meeting at DuPont Country Club.

Over 200 PGA of America Golf Professionals gathered in Delaware to conduct the Section’s official business. Section President Chip Richter of the Country Club of Harrisburg, led the meeting with the help of Section Vice President Bob Hennefer of Laurel Creek Country Club, who honored the Section’s 2024 awards class, headlined by PGA Golf Professional of the Year Scott Chisholm. To learn more about the Section’s award recipients, click here. Later, Section Past President Tom Carpus, PGA Tour Champions, honored longtime PGA Member Clark Luis for his 20 years of service on the PGA of America’s Rules of Golf Committee, while Richter presented Luis with an honorary plaque.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, a field of 166 PGA of America Golf Professionals teed it up in a two-person scramble on DuPont’s Championship and Nemours Courses, with Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C., and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, taking the top prize on the club’s Championship Course, and DuPont C.C. PGA Head Golf Professional Mike Caldwell and Rolling Green G.C.’s Braden Shattuck winning on the Nemours Course. Sebastianelli and Bergstol finished 11-under-par to win by one stroke over Merion G.C.’s Joanna Coe and Nick Iacono and Chambersburg C.C.’s Lee Gardenhour and Olivia Gardenhour. Caldwell and Shattuck had a seven-stroke margin of victory over four teams tied for second place.

To view the full 2025 Spring Meeting Golf Event leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Spring Membership Meeting is supported by MotocaddyPrecision Pro GolfSCNS Sports Foods, Signature GolfStickX, and Stitch. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, DuPont Country 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 300 golf facilities in our region.

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

Introducing PGA Coach+

Inspired and aligned with Golf’s American Development Model, PGA Coach was designed to create positive experiences for all participants by developing exceptional coaches. This includes extensive training and business tools, a marketplace to connect consumers with coaches, and support for programs like PGA Jr. League, PGA Family Golf and PGA HOPE.

PGA Coach is expanding, and we’re excited to introduce new developments underway that PGA of America Members can take advantage of beginning next month.

Launch of PGA Coach+

In mid-to-late April, PGA Coach will introduce a tiered subscription model—the free PGA Coach option and the new paid PGA Coach+ subscription. PGA Coach remains free for users, and it should work for many coaches. The PGA Coach+ tier allows coaches to scale up their business to the next level, and the paid tier is competitively priced to reflect additional value and competitive pricing in the industry. The introduction of a tiered model allows for elevated premier features, production of exclusive content and concierge-level support to users who upgrade to paid features.

Build Up Your Network of Coaches

To provide PGA Members with more opportunities to support their local golf community and create a stronger network, PGA Coaches will have the ability to sponsor other coaches from their facility to join the platform. Additionally, LPGA members and a select number of carefully curated and approved groups will have access to the same PGA Coach resources you have come to enjoy, strengthening the network and expanding the reach of PGA Coach.

Advanced Video Technology

PGA Coach has partnered with Onform to offer a powerful coaching solution that will be integrated with the PGA Coach app once launched. Coaches can easily record, analyze, and share HD videos to provide detailed feedback for skill development. Download the Onform appto begin your free trial, and fill out this form to receive 10% off of the Onform annual subscription.

To learn more about PGA Coach developments and find a plan that works best for you, please connect with your Player Engagement Consultant.

Leading the Way Forward

The PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia is leveraging golf recent success to positively impact the lives of youth, veteran, and diverse golfers. As the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) foundation, we know that the game of golf is more important than ever, particularly for the communities we serve, including youth golfers, military veterans, and diverse communities.

To learn more about PGA REACH Philadelphia’s work in 2024, and our plans for the future, click the below button or the on various stories below. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, click here.

Read the Report.

From the Director’s Desk
A message from Foundation Director Courtney Curcio…Read

Youth: Golf in SchoolsRead

Youth: PGA Jr. LeagueRead

Military: PGA HOPE
(Helping Our Patriots Everywhere)…Read

Military: Meet Aaron Ojard
PGA HOPE Philadelphia Ambassador…Read

Diversity: Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity ScholarshipsRead

Diversity: PGA of America Golf Professional MentorsRead

Diversity: PGA WORKS FellowshipRead

Drive, Chip & Putt: Aronimink Hosts Regional QualifierRead

Community ImpactRead

Foundation PartnersRead

Foundation SupportersRead

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.

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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.Contact: Courtney Curcio, Director, ccurcio@pgahq.com

ShopRite LPGA Classic Seeking PGA of America Golf Professional Volunteers for Official Scoring

The 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer is seeking PGA of America Golf Professional volunteers to work the scoring areas at Seaview on Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8.

Philadelphia PGA Members and Associates will be stationed in the scoring tents on hole Nos. 9 and 18 to review, verify, and record each LPGA Tour member’s official scorecards. This is a great opportunity to build your resume and interact with some of the world’s most elite players. PDR credits will also be provided to those who volunteer.

If you are interested in becoming a scoring volunteer for this year’s ShopRite LPGA Classic, please click on the button below and complete the form. A tournament representative or Section staffer will contact selected volunteers as the event nears.

Volunteer

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 300 golf facilities in our region.

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

Chris Brosius, PGA, Leads Maple Dale Country Club Team to Victory in 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am

Pinehurst, N.C. (March 14, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Chris Brosius of Maple Dale Country Club in Dover, Del., led his team of amateurs, Rich Karolczak, Art Giangrant, and Scott Ogden, to victory in the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

The group finished with a team score of 37-under-par, 391, in the 54-hole one gross and one net competition, making it an impressive four-stroke victory over the team from Applebrook Golf Club: Dave McNabb, PGA, Chuck Lawson, Bob Dougherty, and Jeff Shapiro. Two teams from the Peninsula Golf & Country Club finished in a tie for third place, alongside PGA Professional Rick McCall’s team from Rehoboth Beach Country Club: PGA Associate Greyson Rossi, Richard Hogarth, Mike Polise, and Dan Bittle; PGA Associate Michael Chanaud, Rich Gilman, Wayne Creeden, and Bobby Gross; and Rick McCall, PGA, Blake Micholas, Gary Cecchett, and Sean Mercer.

A special congratulations to PGA Member Lee Gardenhour, Chambersburg C.C., on making a hole-in-one on the Cradle, Pinehurst’s short course!

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 10 courses, in addition to a practice round on Pinehurst’s No. 5 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, four men’s U.S. Opens, and a U.S. Women’s Open, with several more tournaments scheduled in the future.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am is supported by Ship Sticks and Stroke & Distance. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Pinehurst Resort, their 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 300 golf facilities in our region.

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

Introducing Team Pennsylvania

In alignment with the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) initiative created by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the state of Pennsylvania is creating a state junior team expanding the channels for elite junior golfers in the state. Team Pennsylvania will be administrated by GAP, the Pennsylvania Golf Association, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association, the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America as well as the Tri-State PGA Section, following USGA guidelines.

Team Pennsylvania will be represented by 12 junior boys and 12 junior girls. Eight of the team boys and girls members will be selected by a points-based system with the remaining four members selected by the Team Pennsylvania Committee at-large using the points as a reference. Team members will earn benefits for the calendar year in which they are selected. Players will need to earn a spot on the team each year.

To be eligible to compete on the team in 2026, a player must be a U.S. Citizen and the athlete’s parents/guardians must be a resident of Pennsylvania and file personal taxes in the state. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-26 school year.

A Handicap Index® is also required. Players must be a member of one of the listed organizations with an established Handicap Index®, having entered all eligible scores to be considered for Team Pennsylvania.

In order to be eligible to receive points, players must compete in at least two (2) events from the points system as outlined in the Selection Criteria.

The Pennsylvania Committee will evaluate eligible athletes who it may consider for the four selection spots on Team Pennsylvania for each gender based on the following factors:

  • Points Distribution List – The Committee will use the Team Pennsylvania Points Distribution List as a guide in the decision making of the final four spots.
  • Rankings – The Committee will consider the current and previous rankings (within the last 12-24 months) of athletes from various publicly available rankings, which may include, but is not limited to, Junior Golf Scoreboard, Rolex American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Rankings, World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), and applicable state rankings and/or head-to-head rankings.
  • Scoring – The Committee will consider factors related to the athlete’s scoring ability and scoring history, which may include, but is not limited to, scoring average, scoring consistency, ability to post low scores and hole-by-hole patterns.
  • Results – The Committee will review the athlete’s competitive play results, including, but not limited to, finish positions, difficulty of schedule, golf course length, and head-to-head results in any high-level competitions or events.

Team Pennsylvania will be named in fall 2025 with team members receiving benefits as a member of the USNDP through 2026. The USNDP will provide benefits and recognition to Team Pennsylvania participants. These benefits may include recognition on the USGA/USNDP website and social media, streamlined USNDP grant applications, exemptions into local AJGA events, and access to the official USNDP statistical platform and athlete development resources. Pennsylvania will provide at least two days of athletic development and coaching at a Pennsylvania facility.

Scott Nye, who retired in 2023 as Merion Golf Club’s Director of Championships for close to 25 years, will serve as Team Pennsylvania’s captain.

QUESTIONS

For questions related to Team Pennsylvania, please contact:

Grant Morse – GAP Tournament Director (gmorse@gapgolf.org)

Introducing Team Delaware

In alignment with the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) initiative created by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the state of Delaware is creating a state junior team expanding the channels for elite golfers in the state. Team Delaware will be administered by GAP  and the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America following USGA guidelines.

Team Delaware will be represented by two junior boys and two junior girls. The team members will be selected by a points-based system with the other one member of each gender selected by the Team Delaware Committee at-large using the points as a reference. Team members will earn benefits for the calendar year in which they are on the team. Players will need to earn a spot on the team each year.

To be eligible to compete on the team in 2026, a player must be a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Delaware and the athlete’s parents/guardians must file personal taxes in the state. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-26 school year.

A Handicap Index® is also required. Players must be a member of one of the listed organizations with an established Handicap Index®, having entered all eligible scores to be considered for Team Delaware.

In order to be eligible to receive points, players must compete in at least one (1) event from the points system as outlined in the Selection Criteria.

Team Delaware will be named in the fall 2025 with team members receiving benefits as a member of the USNDP through 2026. The USNDP will provide benefits and recognition to Team Delaware participants. These benefits may include recognition on the USGA/USNDP website and social media, streamlined USNDP grant applications, exemptions into local AJGA events, and access to the official USNDP statistical platform and athlete development resources. Delaware will provide at least two days of athletic development and coaching at a Delaware facility.

Team Delaware’s captain is to be determined.

QUESTIONS

For questions related to Team Delaware, please contact:

Grant Morse – GAP Tournament Director (gmorse@gapgolf.org)