FRISCO, Texas, and ORLANDO (January 21, 2026) – The PGA of America today announced its 2026 National Award Recipients at the 73rd PGA Show in Orlando, Florida. The awards class is headlined by PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Brian Crowell; PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year Bernie Najar; and PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year Sean Palmer.

The Association annually recognizes 13 award recipients for their extraordinary accomplishments and efforts within the golf industry, standing out among more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals.

“Our 2026 PGA of America Award recipients are shining examples of the passion, leadership and service that define our Association,” said PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea. “To be recognized among more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals is truly impressive. These 13 honorees have dedicated themselves to elevating the game of golf and enriching the lives of those in their communities. Their commitment to the game inspires all of us and it is a privilege to celebrate their remarkable achievements this year.”

The award recipients will be recognized today at the 73rd PGA Show at the Orange County Convention Center. The presentation begins at 4:30 p.m. EST on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech.

Also honored on stage will be the recently announced 2025 PGA of America Professional Players of the Year presented by Rolex: Men’s PGA Professional Player of the Year Ben Polland of Jackson, Wyoming; Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year Sandra Changkija of Daytona Beach, Florida; and Senior PGA Professional Player of the year Justin Hicks of Oyster Bay, New York.

2026 PGA of America National Award Recipients

 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year

• Brian Crowell, PGA – Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point – Bronx, N.Y.

PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year

• Bernie Najar, PGA – Caves Valley Golf Club – Owings Mills, Md.

PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year

• Sean Palmer, PGA – The Union League of Philadelphia – Philadelphia, Penn.

PGA of America Professional Development award

• Robin Shelton, PGA – Newport Beach Country Club – Newport Beach, Calif.

Bill Strausbaugh Award

• Carl Alexander, PGA – The Golf Club of Purchase – Purchase, N.Y.

Herb Graffis Award

• New England PGA Section

Deacon Palmer Award

• Mike D’Agostino, PGA – Penfield Country Club – Penfield, N.Y.

Patriot Award

• Bo Preston, PGA – The Links at Boynton Beach – Boynton Beach, Fla.

PGA of America Player Development Award

• Ryan Young, PGA – Chambers Bay – Tacoma, Wash.

PGA of America Youth Player Development Award

• Henry Stetina, PGA – New Mexico State University PGA Golf Management – N.M.

PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category

• Jared Henzlik, PGA – Big Cedar Lodge – Ridgedale, Mo.

PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category

• Alex Abbruzza, PGA – TPC of Louisiana – Avondale, La.

PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category

• Chris Rowe, PGA – Whispering Pines Golf Club – Trinity, Texas

Sean Palmer, PGA, Chief Operating Officer of The Union League of Philadelphia, is the recipient of the 2026 PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year Award. The honor recognizes outstanding services in an executive management position, as well as leadership, vision, courage, moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game.

Palmer’s career began at age 13 as a caddie and now oversees more than 1,400 employees and seven properties at one of the nation’s largest and most respected private clubs. After graduating from Penn State’s PGM program and learning from industry leaders at top clubs, Palmer joined The Union League in 2014 as Head Golf Professional, tasked with launching its first golf property, Torresdale. Starting with no golf members or staff, he led the creation of three successful golf operations, growing golf membership from zero to more than 1,200 and annual golf revenue to more than $22 million.

In the past decade, Palmer has overseen more than $64 million in capital projects and played a lead role in the acquisition and development of additional golf properties. Under his leadership, The Union League’s membership has grown from 3,200 to 4,700, and annual revenue has increased from $34 million to $117 million. As COO, Palmer manages all Union League operations, including golf, hospitality and business functions, with a focus on innovation, culture and team development.

Palmer leads the Union League University, a staff training and mentorship program that has become a model for peer organizations. The program provides golf interns and employees across all departments with a structured curriculum, mentorship and career development opportunities. More than 25 assistant professionals, caddie masters and retail associates have advanced to leadership roles under his guidance.

A champion for community engagement, Palmer has led The Union League in supporting PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), hosting the 2022 PGA Works Collegiate Championship and raising more than $1.4 million for HBCU golf programs. The club is a proud partner of The First Tee of Philadelphia, providing facilities, fundraising support and enrichment programs for youth. Palmer also created the UL Caddie Scholarship Program and has expanded access to golf for juniors, women and families by removing traditional barriers and offering innovative membership and instruction models.

Palmer serves on four Philadelphia PGA Section committees and is active in the PGA Reach mentorship program. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has served on the Penn State PGM Alumni Board for nine years, including as president. His leadership has been recognized with the Philadelphia Section’s Professional Development Award (2024), Golf Professional of the Year Award (2021) and Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award (2014), as well as Penn State’s Frank B. Guadagnolo Award for Mentoring Excellence (2021) and Pride of the Lions Alumnus of the Year Award (2019).

PGA Master Professional Brian A. Crowell, President of Bally’s Golf and General Manager of Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point in Bronx, New York, is the recipient of the 2026 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Award. This is the highest honor given annually to a PGA of America Golf Professional. The award represents leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf.

A Member of the PGA of America since 1994, Crowell exemplifies the qualities of a PGA Professional through his dedication to mentorship, education and growing the game. At Bally’s, he oversees a team of up to 150 employees, manages an $11 million budget and is a tireless advocate for the positive power of golf.

Crowell’s dedication to the PGA of America is extensive, including serving as a member or chair of 55 Section and 11 national committees. He is a current member of the National PGA Education Committee (2025-2026) and has served on numerous national committees, including as Chairman of the National PGA PR/Communications Committee (2013-2014), Co-Chair of the National PGA Member Engagement Committee (2015-2016) and as a member of the National PGA Membership Committee (2021-2024). Crowell served as the 26th President of the Metropolitan PGA Section (2016-2018), has been a Met PGA Board member for over 20 years and a Section Officer for more than a decade. He was instrumental in modernizing the Section Board structure and constitution, and in 2020 Crowell became the first PGA Professional to serve as President of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association.

A champion for access and inclusion, Crowell was instrumental in bringing the APGA Tour to the Bronx for the first time in 2024, and again in 2025 for their MasterCard Tour Championship. Deeply committed to community engagement, Crowell provides free access for local scholastic teams and weekly golf clinics for the Bronx Boys & Girls Clubs and for the Metropolitan Golf Association. He is a coach and host for the Met PGA HOPE League, and he coaches PGA Jr. League teams along with a talented staff at the NYC Parks Foundation.

Crowell is also widely recognized for his contributions to golf media as a television broadcaster for CBS, a longtime host on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio and an accomplished author of four golf books including: Teach Yourself Visually: Golf; Slice-Free Golf; Idiot’s Guide: Golf; and Visual Quick Tips. In addition to CBS, Crowell has appeared as a host or analyst for NBC, Golf Channel and USA Network. Over his career, he has covered 14 PGA Championships, 15 Masters Tournaments and has co-hosted “On Course” on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio with Frank Darby, PGA, for 10 years, sharing passion and expertise with a national audience.

Dedicated to giving back to his community, Crowell and his family founded the Stewart Crowell Foundation, awarding nearly $40,000 in scholarships to high school seniors. He also created the “Crowell Bowl,” a Super Bowl Pool now in its 8^th year, raising over $35,000 for the Met PGA Foundation.

Crowell’s achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2024 Met Section Patriot Award, 2020 Met Section Golf Professional of the Year, 2003 Met Section Professional Development Award and 2024 Northeast Callaway Professional of the Year. He has been recognized as a “Top Golf Instructor in the US,” a “Top 50 USKids Instructor” and is a PGA Master Professional in Teaching & Coaching (2022).

PGA Master Professional Bernie Najar, Director of Instruction at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, is the recipient of the 2026 PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year Award. This honor is presented annually to a PGA of America Golf Professional who has made outstanding contributions to teaching and coaching, player development and the advancement of golf instruction.

A PGA Master Professional in Teaching and Coaching since 2023, Najar is recognized as one of the nation’s top instructors. He is ranked among Golf Digest’s 50 Best Teachers and has been Maryland’s No. 1 instructor since 2011. He is also a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and a Golf Range Association of America Top 50 Elite Growth of the Game Teaching Professional. Najar is a four-time recipient of the Middle Atlantic PGA Section Teacher of the Year Award (2004, 2014, 2022, 2023) and a two-time winner of the Section’s Professional Development Award (2011, 2012).

Elected to PGA membership in 1998, Najar has served as Director of Instruction at Caves Valley since 2012, building one of the Mid-Atlantic’s top player-development centers. His students have won eight of the last 12 Maryland State Junior Boys Championships as well as major club and college tournaments and national events including the U.S. Junior Amateur and Under Armour National Championship. Notable students include Bryan Kim, Kyle Berkshire and Ryan McCormick. Najar’s players have earned Division I scholarships, won state and national titles and competed on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and European Challenge Tour.

A dedicated mentor and educator, Najar has chaired and presented at Section teaching summits for 16 consecutive years and launched the Instructor Resource and Networking Program, providing virtual learning for PGA Professionals and PGA Professional Golf Management students nationwide. His educational events have raised more than $10,000 for the PGA of America REACH Foundation. He serves on the MAPGA Education and Employment Committees and has been a faculty instructor for the PGM Program.

Najar is a frequent presenter at national and Section teaching summits, including the PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit, Golf Magazine Top 100 Summit and TPI World Golf Fitness Summit. He has authored two books: Speed/Power/Finesse: How to Play the Three Games of Golf and The Game: Enjoying Golf On and Off the Course.

Committed to growing the game, Najar works with juniors in the First Tee Program, supports the Caves Valley Foundation and conducts charity clinics for hospitals and other community organizations across the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metroplex. He has developed innovative programs for seniors, women and players with disabilities, ensuring golf is accessible and enjoyable for all.

For full bios of Crowell, Najar, Palmer and all 13 PGA of America National Award recipients for 2025, please click here.

The formal National Awards ceremony is scheduled for November during the 110th PGA of America Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contacts:

Jesse Dodson, PGA, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

Jared Minksi, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com

FRISCO, Texas and ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2026) – PGA Jr. League Coaches from around the country were honored during the 2026 PGA Show at the #GameChanger Awards Ceremony Thursday (Jan. 22) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

Led by PGA Master Professional and fellow PGA Jr. League Coach Suzy Whaley, PGA, the ceremony recognized 105 PGA of America Golf Professionals and LPGA Professionals whose PGA Jr. League programs demonstrated exceptional growth, engagement and commitment to youth development in 2025. Award recipients were honored across three categories based on program size and Player Engagement benchmarks.

The full list of 2025 #GameChanger Award recipients, organized by categories, can be found here.

Since its inception in 2019, the #GameChanger Awards honor the 25 largest PGA Jr. League programs nationwide, as well as the largest programs within each of the 41 PGA of America Sections. Added in 2022, the Player Engagement #GameChanger Award recognizes Coaches who embrace a range of programming for kids of all ages and families as well as continued education.

“The #GameChanger Awards are a meaningful way to recognize the PGA Jr. League Coaches who consistently go above and beyond to enrich the lives of families in their communities,” said Steve Tanner, Senior Director of Player Engagement for the PGA of America. “Their passion, leadership and dedication play a vital role in creating positive experiences that extend beyond the course.”

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.

About PGA Jr. League

PGA Jr. League brings families and friends together around fun, team golf experiences for kids, with expert coaching from PGA Professionals. Visit PGAJrLeague.com for more information, and follow @PGAJrLeague on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

Media Contacts

Hayley Wilson, Alday PR, hayley@aldaypr.com

Jesse Dodson, PGA – PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

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

Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (November 7, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., and Joanna Coe of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., have recaptured their titles of Philadelphia PGA Rolex / Haverford Trust Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively. This year marks Shattuck’s and Coe’s fourth consecutive year of receiving these honors.

Shattuck also earned the Section’s F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy for Scoring Average, for a fourth time, breaking his own low set last year, with a 67.93. Alongside his other victories in the Delaware Open, Delaware Valley Open, and Doylestown Open, Shattuck won his first Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Concord Country Club in August. To further add to his impressive feats from the year, Shattuck recently won the first stage of Q-School in an attempt to earn membership status on the PGA Tour.

Coe, a major competitor in the Philadelphia PGA Section events, also got to showcase her talents on a national level this season, competing in the 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic on Seaview’s Bay Course and the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at PGA Frisco in Texas.

Three other Philadelphia PGA Members earned repeat Player of the Year honors: John Pillar of the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., secured this year’s Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year title; Bill Sautter of the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa., earned Super Senior Player of the Year; and Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, was crowned this season’s Central Counties Chapter Player of the Year.

Newly elected PGA of America Member Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club in Rising Sun, Md., won the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization Player of the Year race having finished second in the PAO season-long match play and winning three PAO events.

Tom Michaels also earned high honors, receiving this year’s Ike Turner Most Improved Player award after an impressive season that included a top-20 finish at the 104th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, and scoring average of 71.86.

The Section is also pleased to announce a special group of honorees, this year’s Playing Legends. They include John D. “Jack” Campbell, Bruce P. Coltart, Ronald “Rod” Munday, Theodore R. “Ted” Turner, and Joe Zarhardt.

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, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com

Bethlehem, Pa. (November 6, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Bob Lennon and his superintendent partner, John Urbanski were crowned champions of the 2025 Pro-Superintendent Championship. The duo finished atop the leaderboard with an impressive team score of 6-under-par despite bone chilling conditions.

This is the event’s fourth year; it was created to show support not just for our PGA Members and Associates, but also for all of the golf course Superintendents and grounds professionals who take care of our facilities day in and day out.

Second place in the net division saw a tie at four-under-par between the teams of Tom Michaels, PGA, and Justin Miller from Berkshire Country Club and Mike Furey, PGA, and Alex Hague from Saucon Valley Country Club. Four teams tied for fourth place on the leaderboard with a score of 3-under-par: Kennett Square Golf and Country Club’s professional Lamar Saxon and Scott Musser; Philadelphia Country Club’s Scott Reilly, PGA, and Ethan Cairns; Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club’s Rob Wolfers, PGA, and Brian Maienshein; and Chester Valley Golf Club’s Brett Walker, PGA, and James Bromwell.

Walker and Bromwell also led the Gross Division with a score of 3-under-par. Tied for second, finishing only one stroke back were the teams of  Bob Lennon and John Urbanski out of Wilmington C.C., and PGA Professionals, Bill Hoerr and John Baio from Atlantic City Country Club. Three teams tied for fourth at one-under-par.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Superintendent Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Superintendent Championship is sponsored by Golf Cart Services / E-Z-GO, and supported by Moyer. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Saucon Valley Country 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.

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

Lancaster, Pa. (November 4, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Matt Goudie of Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club and his amateur partner Marc Oliveri tied fellow PGA Member Nick Parga and Benjamin Foster of Old York Road Country Club in Spring House, Pa., at 3-under-par for the 57th A.B. Thorn Memorial Classic title, despite strong winds and chilly temperatures at Lancaster Country Club.

Five teams tied for third place, one stroke behind the winners: Lancaster Country Club’s PGA Professional Rick Gibson and Craig Hornberger; Bent Creek Country Club’s Terry Hertzog and Zak Drescher; the Legacy Club’s Stephen Sieracki and Sal Galati; Sunnybrook Golf Club’s Brad Sanders and Mitch Steelman; and Hanover Country Club’s Parks Price and Shane Henry.

To view the full 2025 A.B. Thorn Memorial Pro-Am leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 A.B. Thorn Memorial Pro-Am supported by The Noble Group, and Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Lancaster 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.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com

Philadelphia, Pa. (October 16, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Jeff Kiddie and Riley Wheeldon of Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., triumphed at the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship on a chilly and very windy day at Bala Golf Club. They turned in an impressive team score of 6-under-par, despite the difficult conditions. The format for the event was Four-Ball.

In second place, only one stroke behind, was the team of Mike Caldwell, Dupont Country Club, and Steve Swartz, Carlisle Country Club. Third place went to Huntingdon Valley Country Club’s Tony Perla and PGA Life Member George Forster at 4-under-par. Rounding out the top five in a tie for fourth with a score of 3-under-par were the teams of Chris Miller, Scranton Golf Center, and John Pillar, Country Club at Woodloch Springs; and Trevor Bensel, Lulu Country Club, and Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek Country Club.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship is sponsored by Bala Golf Club and supported by Levelwear and Tom Gleason. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Bala Golf Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

About Henry J. McQuiston Jr., PGA
Henry J. McQuiston Jr. was born in Philadelphia in 1932 and grew up next to the Chester Valley Golf Club where his family lived. He and his two brothers played golf at Chester Valley and worked for  superintendent Dick Murphy. McQuiston graduated from West Chester State Teachers College in 1954 and then served two years in the United States Army. After being discharged from the Army, he went to work as a schoolteacher. In 1958 he turned professional and worked at Chester Valley while playing some tournaments on the PGA Tour during the summer months and still teaching school the rest of the year. In 1960 he took the job as the assistant at the Bala Golf Club and two years later he became the head professional. In 1968 McQuiston finished in a tie for second in the Section Championship losing in a three-way playoff and in 1971 he was second in the Philadelphia Open losing a playoff. He qualified for the 1962 PGA Championship, the 1963 U.S. Open and the 1984 PGA Senior Championship. McQuiston qualified for the PGA Tour tournament at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club ten times and made the cut three times. McQuiston was a member of eleven Challenge Cup teams that competed against the Middle Atlantic Section. He qualified for the Club Professional Championship four times and the Senior Club Pro Championship once. In 1970 McQuiston and several other Section members built the Avalon Golf Club and operated it until they sold out in 1986. He was elected as the 20th president of the Section in 1973 and 1974 after having served as the second vice president for two years. McQuiston was the head pro at Bala for thirty-seven years after which he continued on as the pro emeritus at the club. In 2004 McQuiston’s name was added to the Section’s Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship, which had been held at the Bala Golf Club for over 20 years. He was the Section’s “Golf Professional of the Year” in 1997. In 2005 he was inducted into the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame.

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

Allentown, Pa. (October 8, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section’s team of 12 PGA of America Golf Professionals defeated the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s amateur team 12 points to 6 points to capture the 33rd Challenge Matches at Lehigh Country Club.

It was a close battle all day with many of the matches coming down to the final few holes. While the Golf Association of Philadelphia has seen improved results in recent years, the Philadelphia PGA Section retains the better overall record, now, at 24-5-4.

The team of Philadelphia PGA Professionals was led by Captain Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay G.C.; Austin Barbin, Chesapeake Bay G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Lulu C.C.; Ross Brown, Fox Hill C.C.; Andrew Cornish, Green Valley C.C.; Kyle Early, Waynesborough C.C.; Michael Little, Clubhouse 54; Joe Kogelman, GOLFTEC- Moorestown; Hugo Mazzalupi, Radnor Golf Foundation; Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; Stephen Swartz, Carlisle C.C.; Riley Wheeldon, Aronimink G.C.

The GAP team included Charlie Barrickman, Radley Run C.C.; Stephen Cerbara, Huntingdon Valley C.C.; Zak Drescher, Bent Creek C.C.; Chris Fieger, Sr., Heidelberg C.C.; Jeff Frazier, C.C.; Jack Irons, Medford Lakes C.C.; Patrick Isztwan, Huntingdon Valley C.C.; Scott Kalamar, Green Pond C.C.; Mark Miller, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Drue Nicholas, Galloway National G.C.; Joseph Tigani, Fieldstone G.C.; Troy Vannucci, Little Mill C.C.

In the single matches, Captain Zach Barbin defeated his opponent Scott Kalamar; Swartz topped Fraizer; Mazzalupi beat Fieger 5&3; Bensel, Wheeldon, Cornish, Little and Kogelman all defeated their opponents 3&2; and Oakley won big over Isztwan with a score of 6&5. The amateurs fought hard in their matches as well with Troy Vannucci, Jack Irons and Joseph Tigani all defeating their opponents Austin Barbin, Kyle Early and Ross Brown, respectfully, 3&2.

In the Four-Ball matches, the PGA Professionals split the matches with the amateurs with both sides winning three matches. PGA Members Swartz and Mazzalupi defeated Frazier and Fieger; Bensel and Wheeldon won 3&2 over Nicholas and Cerbara; and Oakley and Kogelman won 2&1 over Isztwan and Barrickman. For the amateurs Vannucci and Kalamar won 3&2 over the Barbin brothers; Drescher and Miller defeated Cornish and Little 2&1; and Tigani and Irons claimed victory over Brown and Early.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches would not be possible without the support and energy of Robin McCool. McCool was instrumental in getting the matches started 33 years ago and revitalizing them by bringing in support from Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and our host facility, Lehigh C.C. McCool serves as the honorary captain for the GAP team and serves as honorary chair of the event. Everyone owes Robin a debt of gratitude for all of his efforts.

To view the full 33rd Philadelphia Challenge Matches leaderboard, click here.

The 33rd Philadelphia Challenge Matches is supported by Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and Kevin McClellan of KM Golf Sales. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Lehigh Country Club, 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, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com