Springfield, Pa. (July 31, 2023) — PGA Member Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Delaware, winner of the 2023 National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship, honoring the late Dick Smith Sr., PGA, at Rolling Green Golf Club, will lead five fellow Section PGA Professionals to compete in the 2023 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship, November 16-19, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Oakley fired impressive scores of 68-69–137, 5-under-par, to finish two strokes ahead of defending champion Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C. Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club, finished in fourth place at 2-under-par, followed by Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C., at 1-under-par.

Although 2023 champion Zac Oakley had four bogies over the course of his two rounds, it was his stellar ball-striking skills and nine birdies that propelled him to victory. He finished nicely with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 17 and 18, which secured the win.

“I hit it really well,” Oakley said of his round. “I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. The first round was pretty solid. I hit the ball well in the second round, too, making some really good putts, especially on the last few holes of the day.

“This win really means a lot to me,” he continued. “It’s my first win of the year, which gives me some confidence.”

Oakley went on to thank the Philadelphia PGA Section and Rolling Green G.C. staff, and its members, for hosting the event.

Another highlight from this year’s championship came in the form of a hole-in-one from PGA Member Rob Wolfers, Manufacturer’s G. & C.C., his first in competition. He holed out using a 9-iron from 171 yards on the par-3, third hole. Well done, Rob!

In addition to having his name engraved on the perpetual George Izett Memorial Trophy and the winner’s check, Oakley will be joined at the 2023 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship in Florida by Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Rob Wolfers, Manufacturers’ Golf & C.C.; Parks Price, C.C. of York; Alex Willey, Manufacturers’ Golf & C.C.; and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort. Both Oakley and Bergstol had already qualified for the championship via their top-four finish in the 2022 event. Sebastianelli and Cornish are not eligible to compete in Florida due to PGA Associate classification rules.

Mike Wilson, St. Davids G.C., and Matt Episcopo, Pine Valley G.C., will be the first and second alternates, followed by Andrew Turner, Berkshire C.C., and Sam Harman, Overbrook G.C.

The National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship brings together a field of 132 contestants representing the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections. All rounds will be played on the Wanamaker Course. A cut after 36 holes of play to the low 70 scorers and ties will be made.

Begun in 1977, the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship is modeled after the PGA Professional Championship, with a field of PGA Professionals and PGA Associates who advanced through 41 Section Championships conducted from May through October this year.

If eligibility is met and maintained, the champion earns a berth in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship, April 28 – May 1, at Fields Ranch, East & West Courses at PGA Frisco, in Frisco, Texas.

To access photos from today’s rounds, click here.

The 2023 Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship is honored by Dick Smith Sr., PGA, presented by National Car Rental, and supported by Srixon, Cleveland Golf, XXIO, Asics, Pantyr, the PGA Tour, and Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Rolling Green Golf 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. –Kayla Gutierrez 

To view the full 2023 Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship leaderboard,  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.

Contacts: 
Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Kayla Gutierrez, Communications Intern, kgutierrez@pgahq.com