Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (July 7, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is excited to officially launch the application process for the 2025 Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarships. The scholarships 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 September 1, 2025.

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

Welcome to the latest episode of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 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 Jim “Cheech” Shukdinas, a PGA assistant golf professional at Tavistock (N.J.) Country Club.

If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, click here.

The Philadelphia PGA Section is seeking nominations for our Board of Directors, including officers, director of Section affairs, director of tournaments and district directors in districts 1, 3, and 5. As provided in Section 6.03 of the Section By-Laws, our current district directors, Curtis Kirkpatrick, Jeff Breiner, and Tom Michaels, and our director of Section affairs, Anthony Malizia, are eligible to run for a second two-year term if duly nominated. Nominees must be a PGA Member in good standing and be from the District they are nominated to serve. Members may only nominate one candidate for each position.

The election is scheduled to take place at our Fall Membership Meeting on October 20 at Indian Valley Country Club in Telford, Pa. The nomination deadline is Friday, August 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. To submit nominations, click here.

Orwigsburg, Pa. (June 26, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Eric McNamee of Golf Galaxy Montgomeryville in North Wales, Pa., and Ken Dixon of Golf Genius Software in Wayne, Pa., led their respective teams of amateurs, Joe Boyle, Walt Hoffner, and Jesse Brookreson; Josh Lewis, Jason Barkley, and Cory Reighard; to a tie atop the Net Division in the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Schuylkill Team Stableford Pro-Am presented by Parx Casino® and Moyer. McNamee’s team won the tie-breaker in the weather-shortened event.

The winnings team each finished with 44 Stableford points in the two best balls of team format. The modified Stableford format awarded points as follows: Bogey or higher, one point; Par, two points; Birdie, three points; Eagle, four points; and Double Eagle, five points. Bent Creek Country Club’s Terry Hertzog, PGA, Ron kreider, Chris Simon, and Jonas Vossler finished in third place, one stroke behind the leaders.

Dixon’s team also finished atop the Gross Division with 42 points. Skippack Golf Club’s Darryl Lock, PGA, Bill Lydick, Bill Pabst, and Jim Fronzoni finished in a tie for second place with 39 points with Green Pond Golf Course’s John Kulhamer, PGA, John Mace, Phil Ries, and Ryan Orcutt.

A special congratulations to Schuylkill Country Club PGA Director of Golf Andy Signor, who made the shot of tournament, a hole-in-one, on No. 11; he used a seven-iron from 179 yards. Well played, Andy!

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Schuylkill Team Stableford Pro-Am is presented by Parx Casino® and Moyer. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Schuylkill 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

Royersford, Pa. (June 25, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional John Pillar of the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., battled the record-breaking heat to successfully defended his title and capture the 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship at Spring Ford Country Club. Pillar previously won this championship in 2019, 2020, and 2024.

The championship is supported by Golf Channel, Ohana Farm, and the PGA Tour.

Pillar entered the final round with a two-stroke lead, and completed his title defense with rounds of 68-70–138 to finish at 6-under-par, four strokes ahead of Brian Kelly of Titleist Fit Crew.

Heat index of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Pillar battled back on his final nine with five birdies, including three straight to finish, and a lone bogey, after starting his final round 2-over through seven holes.

“I’m proud of the fact that I finished strong,” Pillar said after being presented the trophy. “It’s very emotional to win this championship again; it’s my fourth victory in six years. I don’t take it lightly, because the [Philadelphia PGA] Section has a lot of great players.”

When asked about how he stayed focused in the extreme heat, Pillar said that players have to find shade.

“I learned that a long time ago from a caddie at Aronimink Golf Club…he said to get in the shade whenever you can, because it’s 15 degrees cooler than in the sun. I drank a ton of water, Gatorade, and a Pedialyte, but in the end, you have to take your time and not rush. The heat will identify your mental mistakes more so than the physical mistakes.”

Pillar went on to thank Spring Ford Country Club for hosting, the Country Club at Woodloch Springs for giving him the opportunity to compete, his wife Eileen, his kids, TaylorMade, Nike, and the Philadelphia PGA Section staff.

Pillar will lead six other Philadelphia PGA Members to compete in the 2025 Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on October 23-26, including: Brian Kelly; Stephan Swartz, Carlisle Country Club; Dave McNabb, Applebrook Golf Club; Frank Bensel, Galloway National Golf Club; Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford Country Club; and Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek Country Club. The top 35 finishers in the 2025 Senior PGA Professional Championship will earn a spot in the 2026 Senior PGA Professional Championship, scheduled to be played on April 16-19, at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. Alternates include: Mark Sehtic, Sunnybrook Golf Club; John Cooper, Green Valley Country Club; Hugo Mazzalupi, Radnor Golf Foundation; Brendon Post, University of Delaware; and Kevin Edwards, Olde Homestead Golf Club.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter, PGA, took the top prize in the Super Senior Division, finishing at 4-over-par and one stroke ahead of Harvey Williams, Glen Oak Country Club.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship is supported by Golf Channel, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Spring Ford 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

Royersford, Pa. (June 24, 2025) — Reigning champion John Pillar, PGA, of the Country Club at Woodloch Springs, Pa., leads the 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship entering the final round at Spring Ford Country Club. The championship is supported by Golf Channel, Ohana Farm, and the PGA Tour.

The top seven finishers following tomorrow’s final round will advance to the 2025 Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on October 23-26. The top finishers in the 2026 Senior PGA Professional Championship will earn a spot in the 2026 Senior PGA Professional Championship, scheduled to be played April 2026, at The Concession Golf Club.

Pillar’s four-under-par round of 68 had five birdies, including one on hole 18 to close out his round. Terry Hertzog of Bent Creek Country Club is in second place after shooting a 2-under-par round of 70. Four PGA Professionals tied for third at one-under-par: Dave McNabb, Applebrook Golf Club; Bill Kindoll, LedgeRock Golf Club, Chris Krueger, Kings Creek Country Club; and Mike Molino, Elmhurst Country Club.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter and Glen Oak Country Club’s Harvey Williams lead the Super Senior Division at 2-over-par. Currently in third place is Dan Baker at four-over-par. Wayne Phillips of Lehigh C.C. shot a five-over-par round of 77 and sits in fourth place. Rounding out the top five is Kevin Shaw from Frog Hollow G.C. who shot a 78.

The final round is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, June 25 at Spring Ford C.C. To view the full 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here. 

The 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship is supported by Golf Channel, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Spring Ford 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

Reading, Pa. (June 18, 2025) — Despite a shortened round due to thunderstorms, PGA of America Golf Professional Riley Wheeldon of Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., took first place with a score of five-under par at the Hutch Invitational at Berkshire Country Club. This is Wheeldon’s first victory in the Philadelphia PGA Section.

Scott and Karen Hutchinson have been longtime supporters of the Philadelphia PGA Section and the 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 33 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.

“I feel like I played really well today,” said Wheeldon. “Believe it or not I still think I left a couple of shots out there.” He then went on to thank Scott for inviting him to play in this event and extended gratitude to Berkshire Country Club, his wife and new baby girl.

Wheeldon put up an impressive round despite the heat and humidity, making five birdies to better Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek Country Club, by two strokes. Dupont Country Club’s Michael Caldwell, PGA, was close behind finishing at 2-under-par. Tied for fourth at one-under-par was John Cooper, Green Valley Country Club; Michael Strain, Concord Country Club; and Scott Chisholm, Rolling Green Golf Club.

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

Riley Wheeldon and his amateur partner, Jack Crowley, placed first with a combined score of six-under par. Three teams tied for second place, one stroke back: Mike Caldwell, PGA, and Ron Fields; Michael Strain, PGA, and Jason Patton, and Scott Chisholm, PGA, and Blake Walinsky. Finishing in a tie for fifth place at four-under par were PGA Professional, Andrew Cornish, Green Valley Country Club, and his amateur, Al DeColli and Professional, Dave Quinn and his teammate, Bobby Dominy.

To view the full 2025 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