Philadelphia PGA Member and Rolling Green Golf Club PGA Director of Instruction Braden Shattuck is currently tied for the lead entering the final round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico. In addition to the Walter Hagen Cup, the winner will also receive $60,000, and entry into this month’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

Merion Golf Club PGA Director of Instruction Joanna Coe and Union League Liberty Hill PGA Golf Instructor Billy Stewart will also compete in the final round, and are tied for 29th and 43rd place, respectively.

The final round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship will be broadcast live on Golf Channel on Wednesday, May 3 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. EDT. Join us in rooting on Braden, Joanna, and Billy! To learn more, the PGA of America’s press release is included below.

Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico (May 2, 2023) ー It was a clash of two red-hot players—John Somers and Braden Shattuck—during Tuesday’s third round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors Golf Club.

Somers and Shattuck, playing in the same group, waged a back-and-forth battle that ended in a tie atop the leaderboard. Both shot 4-under-par 68 and are 7-under-par 209 through 54 holes.

Chris Sanger (3-under-par 69) is in third at 6-under-par 210, followed by Gabe Reynolds (7-under-par 65), Ben Kern (1-over-par 73) and Michael Block (3-under-par 69) tied for fourth at 5-under-par 211.

Somers, PGA Head Professional at Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville, Fla., tallied five birdies including at the par-5 573-yard 1st; par-4, 463-yard 5th; par-4, 488-yard 10th; par-3, 185-yard 13th; and par-5, 651-yard 16th hole.

He also had an eagle on the par-5, 554-yard 12th after a “smoked” tee shot pushed slightly left followed by a 150-yard pitching wedge left him a short putt.

“It’s pretty generous off the tee out here,” said Somers. “As long as you can keep it in the fairways it’s a pretty easy game. I’m rolling it great. I think it’s going to be a good time tomorrow.”

It’s been a whirlwind week for the 31-year-old from New Port Richey, Florida. Somers and his wife, Catherine, welcomed their first baby girl—Colbie Jean Somers—last Wednesday, April 26. He spent two days with his family before departing for New Mexico and the PGA Professional Championship, where he finds himself tied for the lead heading into the final day.

“Baby and mom are healthy so I don’t have to worry about missing the birth or anything like that,” said Somers. “Knowing that they’re in good hands takes a huge weight off my shoulders. I’m just out here playing golf.”

Shattuck, PGA Director of Instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., called his third round “steady” while he tried to stay patient after some early putts wouldn’t fall. A pair of clutch putts on the 16th and 17th holes helped him end the round on a high note.

“I made a long putt on 16 up the tier, probably about 50 feet,” said Shattuck. “Then I made probably a 20-footer on 17. So it felt like justice after missing all the shorter putts throughout the day.”

Shattuck enjoyed the friendly competition in his group with Somers and Cory Schneider (2-over-par 74).

“I think we all fed off each other,” said Shattuck. “Those guys took off early. I was kind of late to the party. I kind of backdoored it a little bit.”

Currently in 3rd by himself, Sanger, PGA Head Professional at Woodstock Golf Club in Woodstock, N.Y., caught fire midway through his third round by birdieing five of six holes: the par-5, 588-yard 8th; par-4, 488-yard 10th; par-4, 332-yard 11th; par-5, 554-yard 12th; and par-3, 185-yard 13th.

“I couldn’t have struck it any better,” said Sanger. “I made a lot of clutch four- or five-footers for par to kind of keep my round together in the beginning. I hit it right where I was looking most times. Hopefully it continues tomorrow.”

Reynolds, PGA Director of Instruction at TopGolf Dallas, approached the first tee on Tuesday at T-58 and eight strokes off the lead. Things changed quickly as the 43-year-old from Dallas, Texas, skyrocketed 54 spots up the leaderboard with his 65, which ties for the second-lowest third-round score and matches the third-best 18-hole score in the Championship’s history.

After being disappointed with his putting through the first two rounds, Reynolds ditched the putter he had used the past several years.

“I literally took the plastic off this putter and today’s the first time it’s ever seen the golf course,” said Reynolds. “I made a couple bonus putts, which obviously helps take the good to a little better.”

Reynolds recorded eagles on the par-5, 588-yard 8th and par-5, 554-yard 12th holes. On No. 8, he hit 5-iron into the green and sunk his longest putt of the day, 40 feet.

Alex Beach, a PGA Assistant Professional at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y., registered a 6-under-par 66 and is T-10 at 3-under-par 213.

The Championship conducted a 54-hole cut Tuesday to the low 70 scorers and ties. The final round will be contested at Twin Warriors beginning at 6:55 am MDT.

The final round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship will be broadcast live on Golf Channel on Wednesday, May 3 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. EDT

About PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contacts
Greg Dillard, PGA of America, 561-308-8013, gdillard@pgahq.com
Alan Cox, PGA of America, 972-214-8274, acox@pgahq.com

May is designated as both Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Philadelphia PGA Section encourages our PGA Professionals to review the information listed and hyperlinked below to help ensure a healthy lifestyle.

Skin Cancer Awareness Month: With over five million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers. By sharing facts about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure and encouraging people to check their skin for warning signs, we can and will save lives.

Quick facts:

• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70
• More than two people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour
• Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma
• When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent

Ways to Protect Yourself Skin Cancer:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Don’t get sunburned
• Avoid tanning, and never use UV tanning beds
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hatand UV-blocking sunglasses
• Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day
• For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• Apply one ounce of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating
• Examine your won skin head-to-toe every month
• See a dermatologist at least once a year for a professional skin exam

Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care:

• Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
• Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
• Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
• Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy such as journaling.
• Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
• Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night, or replay them in your mind.
• Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
• Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.

For other ideas for healthy practices for your mind, body, surroundings, and relationships, see the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Wellness Toolkits.

When to Seek Professional Help: Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or more, such as:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Appetite changes that result in unwanted weight changes
• Struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
• Inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities

Don’t wait until your symptoms are overwhelming. Talk about your concerns with your primary care provider, who can refer you to a mental health professional if needed. If you don’t know where to start, read the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Tips for Talking With a Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health. Learn more about how to get help or find a provider on the NIMH’s Help for Mental Illnesses webpage.

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.

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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (April 26, 2023) — The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour is excited to announce a new partnership with Operation 36, a developmental program and technology to introduce and guide anyone in playing the game of golf.

Operation 36, a division of Golf Genius Software, also known as Op36, will be a Presenting Partner for the tour’s FUNdamental Tour, a division targeted towards youth golfers, ages 7-18, who are just beginning their journey into tournament golf. As part of the agreement, the tour will be rebranded as the FUNdamental Tour Powered by Op36.

Established as a precursor to the full Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, the FUNdamental Tour aims to provide tournaments to players who’s ability is in the growth stages. Each FUNdamental Tour each event will feature reduced yardages, a maximum score of double par, and the ability to use a parent caddie. The events are meant to be less competitive than the standard Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour events, so the emphasis is on fun and game improvement.

“We are delighted to have Op36 power our FUNdamental Tour,” said Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Director Leilyn Nowaczynski. “Our goal in creating the FUNdamental Tour was to help beginners grow and become more competitive, without losing the fun aspects of the game, and Op36 helps us do just that.”

In addition to their partnership with the tour, the Philadelphia PGA Section will highlight Op36 facilities to engage youth golfers at the local level, as well as work to grow the number of Op36 facilties across the Section’s territory.

“The Philly Section is at the forefront of an initiative nationwide to give players a better first experience in competitive golf,” said Op36 Co-Founder and General Manager Ryan Dailey, PGA. “After they experience some success and gain confidence from the beginning levels in Operation 36, they can graduate to the FUNdamental Tour and eventually to the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour. For those players that are looking for coaching, we have partnered with a handful of local facilities that have agreed to accept players from the FUNdamental Tour into their local Operation 36 Academies. This is a win-win-win for PGA Members, the Section and more importantly, the families.”
About Operation 36 Golf

The Operation 36 Golf Program is best known for teaching golf backwards. By starting on the green, rather than the tee box, they have flipped the model of traditional golf instruction. In doing so, beginners become golfers as they progress through the motivating 10-level curriculum. Unlike most golf programs, Juniors start on the golf course on the first day, and they attend weekly group classes to learn a new skill.

The Operation36 curriculum is based on principles of gamification (it’s fun) and involves a long-term player development model. Once the golfer graduates from Level 10 they can shoot 36 on a 3,000 yard golf course. Communications technology, including a proprietary app, is used to keep parents, coaches, and the golfer connected. Coaches typically offer four semesters per year, and tuition varies depending on course fees and lesson pricing.This popular, on-course model has been used by over 100,000 golfers at over 700 locations.
About the Philadelphia Junior Tour
The Philadelphia PGA Section Junior Tour leads the region in competitive junior golf, conducting over 85 events seasonally at top facilities. With more than 800 members, the Junior Tour is represented by players from every geographic location in the section.

Select tournaments earn players AJGA performance-based entries and Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings. With ample opportunities to learn, grow, and compete, many Junior Tour members graduate to play at the collegiate level and beyond. The Philadelphia Section PGA Junior Tour Program is proud to help develop social skills, self-esteem, and inspire youth in our community.

For more information on the tour, please visit www.phillyjuniortour.com. Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Contact: Philadelphia Junior Tour Staff, (267) 622-6170, info@phillyjuniortour.com

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (April 24, 2023) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is happy to announce its new partnership with Mason Dixon Distillery, a locally owned distillery based in Gettysburg, Pa., specializing in a grain to glass process for small batch spirits, including vodka, rum, aged rum, and corn whiskey.

As part of the agreement, Mason Dixon Distillery will be supporting the Central Counties Chapter‘s spring and fall membership meetings at Moselem Springs Golf Club and the Country Club of Harrisburg, respectively. The Chapter is comprised of PGA Professionals located in the western most part of the Section’s territory and allows for additional playing opportunities. The company will also support the Section’s Tournament Players Division Championship, typically referred to as the TPD Championship, on Monday, April 24 at Regents’ Glen Country Club.

“We are delighted to have Mason Dixon Distillery join our Section’s family of partners,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “We are also grateful for their desire to support the PGA Professionals in their local area, through our Central Counties Chapter. Any time we can help boost engagement in our Chapter is a win.”

“The newest addition to our lineup of products are our ready to drink canned cocktails,” said Mason Dixon Distillery President Yianni Barakos. “Same as our bottled spirits we make these entirely from scratch and from day one we knew that these would be perfect for golfers and golf courses. Starting up a partnership with the Central Counties Chapter made all of the sense in the world to us as you are already our neighbors, Austin and I look forward to growing the partnership and friendships.”

About Mason Dixon Distillery
Founded in 2016 and housed in a century old furniture factory, Mason Dixon Distillery is a grain to glass distillery that grows their grain on Gettysburg National Military Park, and distills all of their products in Gettysburg Pa. There is also a restaurant on site that focuses on locally sourced ingredients that features a constantly rotating menu that showcases the freshest local meats and produce. Whether they are cooking liquor or cooking food, Mason Dixon Distillery always focuses on using the best local ingredients they can grow themselves or source from their neighboring farms.

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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

Yianni Barakos, president, Mason Dixon Distillery, masondixondistillery@gmail.com

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (April 21, 2023) — 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, are excited to announce the return of the Silvercrest Cup, a tournament series for Philadelphia PGA Professionals.

The series will include four qualifying events for Philadelphia PGA Professionals, and will culminate in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final, hosted at the Gil Hanse-designed Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa. The Silvercrest Cup champion is set to receive $15,000, one of the most lucrative winner’s checks on the Section’s tournament calendar. In addition to the final purse, each qualifying event will include a bonus pool of $3,000, to be shared between each qualifier’s champion and runner-up.

While the Silvercrest Cup rewards playing excellence of Philadelphia PGA Professionals and top amateurs, the series will also provide significant donations to local foundations, including the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PGA REACH Philadelphia, and the GAP’s J.Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust. In 2022, Silvercrest donated $10,000 to both organizations.

“We thrilled to have the Silvercrest Cup tournament series return this season, and are grateful to our partner, Silvercrest Asset Management Group, for the opportunities they are providing to our PGA Professionals, and our foundation,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “Silvercrest values the hard work and dedication of our PGA Members, and are invested in them and the industry’s future, beginning at the local level.”

Last season, amateur Andrew Keeling birdied the first sudden-death playoff hole to win the inaugural Silvercrest Cup at Gulph Mills Golf Club, while runner-up Brian Bergstol, PGA, of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Shawnee on Delaware, Pa., took home the $15,000 low PGA Professionals’ winners check.

Fifty-four PGA Professionals will earn their place in the 2022 Silvercrest Cup final via a points system drawn from their performance in each qualifying event; the top eight amateurs on the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s (GAP) William Hyndman III Player of the Year list will also be invited to compete. To follow the action throughout the season, visit phillypga.com.

2023 Silvercrest Cup Tournament Series Schedule

May 15, 2023
TaylorMade Classic
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 1
Green Valley Country Club
Lafayette Hill, Pa.

May 22, 2023
Delaware Valley Open
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 2
Radley Run Country Club
West Chester, Pa.

June 19, 2023
Conestoga Classic
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 3
Conestoga Country Club
Lancaster, Pa.

July 28, 2023
Doylestown Open
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 4
Doylestown Country Club
Doylestown, Pa.

September 5, 2023
Silvercrest Cup
Applebrook Golf Club
Malvern, Pa.

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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

Kate Morin, Vice President, Silvercrest Asset Management Group, kmorin@silvercrestgroup.com