Author: Matt Frey
PGA of America Golf Professional Zach Barbin Wins 40th Burlington Classic Presented by WSFS Bank
Westampton, N.J. (June 8, 2026) — PGA of America Golf Professional Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club in Rising Sun, Maryland, fired rounds 65-68–133, 7-under-par, to win the 40th Burlington Classic Presented by WSFS Bank at Burlington Country Club.
After opening with a 5-under-par 65, Barbin entered the final round one stroke off the lead. He followed with a 2-under-par 68 in the final round to post a two-day total of 133 (-7), edging Michael Chanaud of Bear Trap Dues by one stroke to claim victory.
“I love this golf course. It suits my eye really well,” said Barbin. “This is the first time I’ve won a tournament that I’ve won before, so it is a great feeling.”
He went on to thank Jesus and his mother, who has been battling cancer in recent months. He says she has served as inspiration throughout this season.
Barbin finished atop the field at 7-under-par. Michael Chanaud finished runner up at 6-under-par, while Dave Quinn of Laurel Creek Country Club placed third at 5-under-par. Jason Wilson of Bethlehem Golf Club and Brian Kelly tied for fourth at 3-under-par to round out the top five.
Quinn led the Senior Division at 5-under-par after rounds of 66-69-135. Jason Wilson of Bethlehem Country Club and Brian Kelly of Titleist FitCrew tied for second at 3-under-par, while Mark Sheftic of Sunnybrook Gold Club finished fourth at even-par. Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford Country Club and Terry Hatch of Royal Oaks Golf Club tied for fifth at 1-over-par.
Bill Sautter of Philadelphia Cricket Club claimed the Super Senior Division title with rounds of 74-71 (+5). Sautter finished three strokes clear of Greg Farrow of Deerwood Country Club, and Wayne Phillips of Lehigh Country Club, who tied for second at 148 (+8).
Tom Byrne recorded rounds of 74-76–150 (+10) to finish as low amateur and win the Marotto Cup by two strokes over Bill Murray. Corey Katzen finished in third place at 16-over-par, while Rob Bell rounded out the amateur race at +17. –Sydney Urbach
View the full 40th Burlington Classic leaderboard by clicking here.
The 40th Burlington Classic Pro-Am is presented and hosted by Burlington Country Club and is supported by WSFS Bank. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank its membership, management, staff, host PGA of America Golf Professional Mike Mack, Tournament Chair John M. Hanuscin, and the entire 2026 Burlington Classic Pro-Am Committee, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
About the Burlington Classic Pro-Am
The Burlington Classic Pro-Am was founded in 1986 by Mike Mack, PGA, Joe Fattorini, Leroy Peacock, Rex McWilliams, Chip Miller, George Hilt, and Donald “Butch” Eckman. The event quickly became one of the most popular events on the Philadelphia PGA Section’s tournament calendar, and is now a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year Points Event.
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
Teams From Whitford, Tavistock Country Clubs Tie for 2026 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Assistant Professional Championship Title
Cape May Court House, N.J. (June 1, 2026) — The Philadelphia PGA Section returned to the Jersey Shore on a beautiful day for the 2026 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Assistant Professional Championship. Played at the Shore Club, PGA of America Golf Professional teams from Whitford Country Club and Tavistock Country Club tied for the title. Teams were comprised of one lead PGA Professional and one of their assistants.
Whitford’s Pat Butkus and Anthony Sebastianelli, Tavistock’s Michael Meisenzahl and Matthew Cocco, and Meisenzahl and James Shukdinas each finished with team scores of 7-under-par 65 in the Four-Ball stroke play format. Laurel Creek Country Club’s Bob Hennefer and David Quinn finished in fourth place, one stroke behind the winning trio of teams. Meisenzahl’s good play (68 on his own ball) also helped to notch him and his partner Christopher Hutchinson fifth place at 5-under-par.
The trend for Tavistock continued into the Non-PGA Professional Division with Meisenzahl and partner Chris O’Donnell taking first at 4-under-par. Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club’s Peter Clarke and Clare Gimpel finished in second place with a 69, one stroke behind the winners. Four teams tied for third place at 2-under-par: Coatesville Country Club’s Evan Mitchell and Zac Rambo, the Legacy Club’s John DiMarco and Noah Greenspun, the Steel Club’s Mark Chlebek and Scott Byrd, and Steel Club’s Chlebek and Tyler Gates.
To view the 2026 full PGA Philadelphia Professional-Assistant Professional leaderboard, click here.
The 2026 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Assistant Professional Championship is sponsored by Ashworth, Wilson, Golf Max, and CaddieSnacks. The Philadelphia PGA would like to extend its gratitude to our host, The Shore Club, its owners, membership, 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 300 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Director of Operations, mfrey@pgahq.com
Philadelphia PGA Section’s Central Counties Chapter Tournament Updates
Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania (May 22, 2026) — The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Central Counties Chapter recently hosted pro-am events of their Schuylkill Country Club and Moselem Springs Golf Club each hosting our PGA of America Golf Professionals and their amateur teammates.
On May 11, the Chapter visited Schuylkill Country Club for the Schuylkill Pro-Am, won by PGA Professional Tyler Shank of the Country Club of Harrisburg and his amateur team consisting of Jeremy Buchinsky, Robert Cherry, and Don Eshleman. The team finished at 18-under-par to better second place finishers from LedgeRock Golf Club Bill Kindoll, PGA, Tyler Henry, Steve Savage, and Chad Henne, by six strokes. Moselem Springs’ Jeff Fick, PGA, Walt Freundt, Len Smith, and Dan Kelly, finished in third place at 11-under-par. Sank was the low PGA Professional at 3-under-par, while John Kulhamer, Green Pond Golf Course, was low Senior PGA Professional at 4-over. The event was supported by Chapter partners Dunlop / Srixon / Cleveland / XXIO. To view the full Schuylkill Pro-Am leaderboard, click here.
On May 21, the Chapter visited Moselem Springs Golf Club for the Moselem Springs Pro-Am, won by Carlisle Country Club’s Stephen Swartz, PGA, Daniel Boreman, James Tresco, and Christian Bors, who finished at 15-under-par. Three stokes back were runners-up Jason Wilson of Bethlehem Golf Club, Justin Abraham, Matt Crilley, and Jeff Hudson. Glen Brook Golf Club’s Alexander Knoll, PGA, Dylan Spadt, Mike Guro, and Shane Gunning, finished in third place at 11-under-par. Wilson was low PGA Professional at 2-under-par, while Kulhamer finished as low Senior PGA Professional at 2-over. The event was supported by Chapter partners Dunlop / Srixon / Cleveland / XXIO. To view the full Moselem Springs Pro-Am leaderboard, click here.
The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, host facilities, their memberships, management, and host PGA of America Golf Professionals, and staff, as the event would not be 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 300 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Director of Operations, mfrey@pgahq.com
Remembering Robert Francis Pfister, PGA
It is with great sadness to inform you of the passing of Philadelphia PGA Professional Robert Francis Pfister. “Bob”, age 86, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on May 12, 2026 surrounded by his wife and daughter.
He was born in Orchard Park, Buffalo, NY to Cecelia & Edward Pfister. Bob attended Bishop Timon High School and upon graduation in 1958 he joined the Navy. He served as 2nd class signalman on the USS Wasp Aircraft Carrier. After his honorable discharge in 1962, he entered the golf business. He spent the first 5 years at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, PA in the summer. In the winter, he was at the Cotton Bay Club in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, Bahamas. Most notably, he spent 28 years serving as Head Golf Professional at Llanerch CC in Havertown, PA. Bob spent the final chapter of his work life helping the Golf Course at Glen Mills get established and grow into a top-rated public facility.
Bob’s passion was always golf. He enjoyed coaching the men’s golf team at St. Joseph University from 1982 to 1985. He excelled as a senior golfer, qualifying twice for the US Senior Open in 1990 and 1994. He won the Philadelphia Section Senior Championship in 1993 and 1996.
He also loved reading, gardening, fishing, and hunting. His caring nature and gentle kindness are what people will remember most about Bob.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother Jim. He is survived by his wife, Trudy, his daughters Barbara Ann (Kevin), Beth Ann (Matthew), Sophie and Jessica; four grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is also survived by his siblings Ed, Jake, Sue and Margaret (Dick); and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Beloved Roman Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 on Tuesday, June 30th, 2026, at 11:30am with visitation available prior to Mass from 10:00am until 11:30am.
We are so grateful for having Delaware Hospice’s wonderful team watching over Bob these last few months of his life. In lieu of flowers please donate to Delaware Hospice, 630 Churchman’s Road, Suite 200 Newark, DE 19702 (302-478-5707)
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