Amateur Andrew Keeling Wins Inaugural Silvercrest Cup in Sudden-Death Playoff
The Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the PGA of America’s 41 geographical managing entities, and Silvercrest Asset Management Group, an investment advisor providing asset management and family office services to high net worth individuals and select institutional investors, partnered to create the Silvercrest Cup, a new tournament series for Philadelphia PGA Professionals in 2022. Fifty-four PGA Professionals earned their place in the $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final via a points system drawn from their performance in four qualifying events; the top eight amateurs on the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s (GAP) William Hyndman III Player of the Year list were also invited to compete. Bergstol’s $15,000 in earnings is one of the most lucrative winner’s checks on the Section’s tournament calendar. In addition to the final purse, each of the four qualifying events included a bonus pool of $5,000, shared between each qualifier’s champion and runner-up.
Keeling’s march to victory at times seemed to be a roller coaster ride, as his round included an impressive seven birdies, one eagle, two bogies, and two double bogies, to finish with a 3-under-par 68 to tie Bergstol, who was the leader in the clubhouse.
“It was an up-and-down round today,” Keeling said following the playoff. “It was my first time playing Gulph Mills, but I was fortunate to make several birdies to stay in contention.”
In the playoff, Keeling two-putted from approximately 25 feet behind the hole on the par-5, 18th hole, to make birdie and clinch victory, after Bergstol tapped in for a par. In addition to his home facility, Kennett Square G. & C.C., keeping the perpetual Silvercrest Cup for the year, Keeling also received the winner’s and low amateur medals.
Bergstol, the reigning Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion, had a more conventional round, carding four birdies and one bogey. While he said he was disappointed to not walk away with the trophy, he really appreciated the winner’s check and Silvercrest’s support.
While the Silvercrest Cup rewards playing excellence of Philadelphia PGA Professionals and top amateurs, the series also provided significant donations of $10,000 to the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PGA REACH Philadelphia, and the GAP’s J.Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust.
Three PGA Members rounded out the top five at 2-under-par: Eric Kennedy, Overbrook G.C.; Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C.; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.
Kennedy and Steinmetz tied for top honors in the Senior Division at 2-under-par, followed by John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs; Terry Hertzog; and John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.; at 2-over-par.
Good golf scores were not restricted to the top of the leaderboard, as Lookaway G.C.’s Mark Sheftic, PGA, made a hole-in-one on Gulph Mills’ fourth hole; he used a 54-degree wedge from 120 yards. Well done, Mark!
The 2022 Silvercrest Cup is presented by Silvercrest Asset Management. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Gulph Mills 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.
To view the full 2022 Silvercrest Cup leaderboard, click here.
About Silvercrest Asset Management Group
Silvercrest Asset Management Group was founded in April 2002 by a group of highly experienced investment professionals with the goal to create a firm dedicated to serving individuals, families and select institutions with significant financial assets. Since inception, Silvercrest has nurtured an entrepreneurial, collegial, and action-oriented business culture with a client first ethos that has led to a 98% client retention rate. Our dedication to serving our clients’ needs first and to providing institutional quality asset management capabilities to the marketplace, has allowed Silvercrest to prosper and grow. Over the past twenty years, we’ve grown to a diverse organization with 149 employees from various backgrounds in offices around the country and today, we manage over $20 billion dollars in assets on behalf of our clients.
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.