Month: October 2026
PGA of America Golf Professional Jim Smith Jr. Inducted Into Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 14, 2026) — The Philadelphia PGA Section and its Hall of Fame Committee have inducted PGA of America Golf Professional Jim Smith Jr. into its Hall of Fame as the class of 2026. He is the 49th Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame member.
Smith, the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s chief operating officer and PGA director of golf, is being recognized for over three decades of exceptional leadership, mentorship, and service to the golf profession. Elected to PGA Membership in 1994, Smith’s dedication to advancing the game has left an indelible mark on both the local and national levels. Smith has served in every capacity of the Section’s governance, culminating in his tenure as Philadelphia PGA Section President from 2007 to 2009. During his time on the Section Board of Directors and Executive Committee, he was instrumental in establishing sound financial practices and pioneering innovative tournament concepts, including the Tournament Players Division framework.
A hallmark of Smith’s distinguished career is his commitment to education and mentorship. He has mentored nearly 50 former PGA assistant golf professionals into key leadership roles across the country—including PGA directors of golf, head golf professionals, and directors of instruction. Recognized nationally by the PGA of America, Smith was awarded the Association’s prestigious Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2024, having previously earned the Section’s Bill Strausbaugh Award three times previously. He was also recognized as the Section’s PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2006 and Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category in 2002.
“Being elected to the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame is not something I ever dreamed of or aspired to; rather, my only goal as a PGA Professional has been to give members, guests, and teammates the best of me every day,” said Smith. “I’ve failed as much as I’ve succeeded, and know this honor is mostly an acknowledgement of the great mentors and teammates I’ve been supported by in my career, the love and support of my family (Kathy, Courtney, Justin, Haley), and the incredible membership that is the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Recognition of me is recognition of them, and I am thankful beyond words.”
Smith will be recognized at the Section’s Fall Membership Meeting on Monday, October 19 at Jericho National Golf Club, and will be formally honored at the Section’s Awards Banquet in early 2027.
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, Director of Operations, mfrey@pgahq.com
Joe Kogelman and Dave Quinn Tie for First with Logan Hay and Alex Willey to Share the 2026 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship Title
Cape May Court House, New Jersey (October 12, 2026) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Joe Kogelman of GOLFTEC-Moorestown and Dave Quinn of Laurel Creek Country Club share first place with Logan Hay of Burlington Country Club and Alex Willey of the Metropolitan PGA Section in the 2026 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship at Union League National at 15-under-par.
In third place at 14-under-par were Lamar Saxon of Kennett Square Golf and Country Club and Austin Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club. A three-way tie for fourth place at 13-under-par included Jeff Fick of Moselem Springs Golf Club and PGA Life Member Rob Rohrbach; Michael Little of Clubhouse 54 and Mark Sheftic of Sunnybrook Golf Club; and Trevor Bensel of LuLu Country Club and Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort.
To view the 2026 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship leaderboard, click here.
The 2026 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship is presented by Sterling Cut Glass and supported by Sun Cruiser, Homestretch Golf, Maui Jim, and Red Arrow Markers. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, the Union League of Philadelphia / Union League National, their 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, Director of Operations, mfrey@pgahq.com
Philadelphia PGA Announces 2026 Slate of Nominees
Philadelphia PGA Secretary Dustin McCormick has announced the 2026 slate of nominees for open District director positions in Districts 2, 4, and 6. The election is scheduled to take place at our Fall Membership Meeting at Jericho National Golf Club on Monday, October 19. The committee has put forth a slate of endorsed candidates, as listed below.
2026 Slate of Endorsed Candidates
District 2
Michael Rushin, PGA
Bear Trap Dunes
(Endorsed Candidate)
Rushin, the current District 2 Director, was appointed in 2025 when then-director Michael Caldwell was elected as director of tournaments. He was elected to PGA of America Membership in 2020 and currently serves as the PGA head golf professional at Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View, Delaware. His previous facility experience includes assistant golf professional roles at Baywood Greens (2012-14), the Peninsula Golf and Country Club (2010-11), and Wild Quail Golf and Country Club (2009-10). Rushin resides in Ocean View with his wife, Ashlynn, and stepdaughter, Declan. He is committed to actively listening to the needs, concerns, and perspectives of the members and associates he represents and bringing those matters before the Board. Rushin emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all facility interests across the Section are thoughtfully represented, particularly those located at a distance from many of their peers.
District 4
Justin Alunni, PGA
Skytop Lodge
(Endorsed Candidate)
Alunni was elected to PGA of America Membership in 2013 and currently serves as the PGA head golf professional at Skytop (Pennsylvania) Lodge, a position he has held since 2019. In the past, he worked as the first PGA assistant golf professional at Glen Oak Country Club in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, from 2008 to 2018, and began his career as an assistant at Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter, Pennsylvania in 2007. Active within industry associations, he is also a member of the Association of Golf Merchandisers. Alunni is engaged in Section initiatives, serving as an instructor for PGA HOPE Poconos and U.S. Kids Golf, participating in educational seminars from the PGA of America, the Philadelphia PGA Section, and the Association of Golf Shop Merchandisers. Born and raised in Northeast Pennsylvania, he has been playing golf since the age of six. Alunni expressed that serving the Philadelphia PGA Section as the District 4 Director would be a wonderful honor and privilege.
District 6
Sam Ambrose, PGA
Chester Valley Golf Club
(Endorsed Candidate)
Ambrose was elected to PGA of America Membership in 2011 and currently serves as PGA head golf professional at Chester Valley Golf Club, where he has been for the past eight years, following positions at Aronimink Golf Club, McArthur Golf Club, Elk River Club, and Old Chatham Golf Club. Active within the Philadelphia PGA Section, he serves on multiple section committees, including the PGA Championship, Foundation, Junior Golf, and Nominating committees. Ambrose has helped spearhead key Section initiatives, including hosting the 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at Chester Valley. His industry recognition includes being named the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category. He looks forward to expanding his leadership role and serving as the District 6 director to strengthen communication, represent member voices, and support the growth of Section PGA Professionals.
District 6
Sean Palmer, PGA
The Union League of Philadelphia
(Endorsed Candidate)
Palmer was elected to PGA of America Membership in 2011 and currently serves as the chief operating officer at the Union League of Philadelphia, where he has been for the past 12 years, following a nine-year stint at Merion Golf Club. A member of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and active within the Philadelphia Vicinity Club Managers Association (PVCMA), he frequently speaks on hospitality leadership and attends various educational sessions. Palmer serves on four Philadelphia PGA Section committees, participates in the PGA REACH Philadelphia mentorship program, and has helped spearhead major initiatives including supporting PGA HOPE, hosting the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, and the Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. Additionally, he has driven significant partnership efforts with the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, establishing an endowed caddie scholarship program, donating facility use for major fundraisers, and facilitating maintenance support for the municipal John F. Byrne Golf Course. Palmer’s industry recognition includes being named the PGA of America’s PGA Golf Executive of the Year, and receiving the Section’s Golf Professional of the Year, Justin Riegel PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, and Professional Development awards. He looks forward to expanding his leadership role and assisting the Section in any capacity.
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, Director of Operations, mfrey@pgahq.com
Philadelphia PGA Section Office to Close May 11-18 for PGA Championship
Please be advised that the Philadelphia PGA Section office will be closed from Monday, May 11, through Monday, May 18, as our staff will be onsite supporting the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
While we are in the field, we remain committed to assisting you. If you need to reach a specific department or staff member during this time, please visit our staff directory for individual contact information: Philadelphia PGA Staff Directory
We look forward to an incredible week of championship golf in our Section and hope to see many of you at Aronimink!
Best regards,
Philadelphia PGA Section Staff
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, Director of Operations, mfrey@pgahq.com
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