Macungie, Pa. (July 9, 2024) — Unperturbed by a 95-minute severe weather delay and a crowded leaderboard, PGA of America Golf Professional Anthony Sebastianelli of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., turned in a 3-under-par 68 in the final round to reach 6-under for the tournament and win the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley’s 2024 Lehigh Valley Open at Brookside Country Club. It is his first Philadelphia PGA Section win.

Sebastianelli, finished one stroke ahead of Brendon Post of the University of Delaware, and Michael Little of Clubhouse 54.

“Sitting in the clubhouse during the weather delay with a share of the lead was a little stressful,” said Sebastianelli following his round. “But it was so much fun. I really like to compete in everything that I do, and having such a good leaderboard today was special.”

Sebastianelli went on to thank the membership and staff at Rolling Green G.C., his new bride Emily, his family and friends, the Brookside C.C. membership and staff, and the Section staff.

Two-time GALV Lehigh Valley Open Champion Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C., tied for fourth place at 4-under-par with Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.

Whitemarsh Valley C.C.’s Dave Pagett, PGA, set a new course record at Brookside, finishing his final round with a 6-under-par 65, ten strokes better than his opening round 75. He made seven birdies and one bogey to tie for 10th place. The previous course record, 66, was set by then Atlantic City C.C. PGA Professional Stan Dudas in an 18-hole playoff for the 1968 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, which he won, and was tied by former PGA Tour player Mike Hubert in a 1988 charity pro-am.

Pagett was playing alongside Brookside C.C. PGA Head Golf Professional Dave Fields, who considered it an honor to witness the record-breaking round. This is the third time this season that a PGA Professional tied or set a new course record during a Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event; Brian Bergstol, tied the course record (64) at Tavistock C.C. on May 6 en route to winning the TaylorMade Classic, and Braden Shattuck set a new course record (63) at Bellewood C.C. on May 20 at the Delaware Valley Open, which he won.

Post finished at at 4-under-par for the top honors in the Senior Division, one stroke ahead of Steinmetz and Cooper. PGA Life Member George Forster finished two strokes behind in fourth place, followed by PGA Life Member Rob Shuey at 2-under-par.d

With rounds of 68-65–133, Deerwood C.C.’s Greg Farrow ran away with the Super Senior Division title. Finishing at 9-under-par, he bettered PGA Life Member Wayne Phillips by seven strokes. Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, finished in third place at 1-under-par. While Farrow finished his final round with 65 strokes, he played the Super Senior tees, a shorter yardage than the set of tees Pagett played from earlier in the day.

The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Central Counties Chapter hosted an event concurrently with the 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open, with Titleist Fitcrew’s Brian Kelly taking home the first-place prize. Kelly made a birdie on the first sudden-death playoff hole against Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C. Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort’s Brian Bergstol shot even-par to tie Kelly and Knoll, but did not compete in the playoff. Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C., finished in fourth place at 3-over-par. Stephen Swartz, Carlisle C.C., and Mike Molino, Elmhurst C.C., tied for fifth place, four strokes back.

Twenty-three amateurs competed in the Open this week, and with rounds of 71-69–140, both Samantha Fritzinger, Lower Macungie Twp., Pa.; John Keba, Emmaus, Pa.; tied to share Low Amateur honors. Dave Olexson, also of Emmaus, Pa., finished in third place, six strokes behind Fritzinger and Keba. Brad Gordon, Tallahassee, Fla.; and Michael Ashcraft, Freemansburg, Pa.; tied for fourth place at 5-over-par.

To view the full 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open is supported by the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley, Payntr Golf, Jani-King, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Brookside Country Club, its membership, management, and staff, 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. Visit phillypga.com to learn more.

About the Golf Association of Lehigh Valley
The Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to promoting and growing the game of golf in the greater Lehigh Valley region for youth and adult golfers, and to preserving the unique history of the game in the region. Learn more at golfgalv.com.

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