Author: Matt Frey

From HOPE to Wellness: George Vasiloff Joins PGA HOPE Ambassadors at National Golf & Wellness Week

October 15, 2025Comments Off on From HOPE to Wellness: George Vasiloff Joins PGA HOPE Ambassadors at National Golf & Wellness WeekFeatured, PPGA

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 15, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is proud to announce that George Vasiloff, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served from 1983 to 2014, has been selected as the Section’s newest PGA HOPE Ambassador, becoming the fourth ambassador to represent PGA HOPE Philadelphia.

This past week, George joined 19 other PGA HOPE Veterans from across the country at National Golf & Wellness week held at Congressional Country Club. Throughout the week, the ambassadors participated in sessions focused on mental health, stress management, and public speaking, while also receiving personalized golf instruction and the opportunity to play the historic course.

George first became involved with PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) in 2018 at the Country Club of Harrisburg, under the guidance of his lead professional, Jeffrey Breiner, PGA. He was nominated for the ambassadorship and selected from among veterans across all 41 Sections to serve as a spokesperson for the program. George has proudly represented his program location at the Secretary’s Cup in both 2019 and 2023, and this year joined the PGA HOPE Philadelphia Tour, a new opportunity designed for program graduates to stay engaged through competitive and social play.

Fellow veterans describe George as resilient, compassionate, and inspiring—qualities that reflect the true spirit of the PGA HOPE community.

National Golf and Wellness Week marks just the beginning of George’s ambassadorship. He plans to bring his new ideas and strategies back to the Philadelphia Section, helping to expand PGA HOPE’s reach and impact throughout the region. With his dedication and work ethic, there is no doubt George will make a lasting difference in the lives of his fellow veterans.

The Philadelphia PGA Section congratulates George Vaslioff on this well-deserved honor and is proud to have him represent PGA HOPE Philadelphia as an ambassador.

About PGA HOPE

PGA HOPE Philadelphia introduces golf to military veterans as a way to enhance their mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. Through Aaron’s support, PGA REACH Philadelphia aims to grow the program, increase awareness, and provide additional resources to the veteran community.
If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran interested in joining a PGA HOPE program visit pgareachphiladelphia.com. To support PGA HOPE and it’s mission visit pgahope.com
About PGA REACH Philadelphia 
PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 as the charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the 41 Sections within the PGA of America. PGA REACH Philadelphia is committed to serving our communities and growing the game of golf through our three pillars: Youth, Military, and Diversity.

For more information on PGA REACH Philadelphia and its mission to positively impact lives through golf, visit pgareachphiladelphia.com To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.

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: Courtney Curcio, Director, ccurcio@pgahq.com

Playing Through: Tom Carpus, PGA (S2E11)

October 7, 2025Comments Off on Playing Through: Tom Carpus, PGA (S2E11)Featured, PPGA

Welcome to the latest episode of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s web series, “Playing Through,” where PGA of America Golf Professionals, Section staff, Section partners, and other industry professionals are asked 18 questions about their lives and careers.

This episode features PGA of America Master Professional Tom Carpus, a tournament official for PGA Tour Champions.

To watch the episode, click on embedded video below.

If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, click here.

Philadelphia PGA Nominating Committee Announces 2025 Slate of Nominees

October 3, 2025Comments Off on Philadelphia PGA Nominating Committee Announces 2025 Slate of NomineesPPGA

The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Nominating Committee has announced its 2025 Slate of Nominees for open District director positions in Districts 1, 3, and 5, and the roles of director of Section affairs, director of tournaments, secretary, vice president, and president. The election is scheduled to take place at our Fall Membership Meeting at Indian Valley Country Club on Monday, October 20. The committee has put forth a slate of endorsed and at-large candidates, as listed below.

2025 Slate of Endorsed Candidates

District 1
Curtis Kirkpatrick, PGA
Medford Lakes Country Club
(Endorsed Candidate)
Kirkpatrick was elected to PGA of America Membership in 2013, and currently serves as the PGA head golf professional at Medford Lakes Country Club in Medford, New Jersey. In the past, he worked as a PGA head golf professional at Indian Spring Country Club in Marlton, New Jersey, and as a PGA assistant golf professional at Deerwood Country Club in Mount Holly, New Jersey. In addition to serving as the District 1 Director on the Section’s Board of Directors, he also has been helping run the PGA HOPE Philadelphia chapter at Indian Springs for the past six years, and has been a member of the Section’s Awards Committee. He has also hosted numerous Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour events and Playing Ability Tests at his facilities. Kirkpatrick says that serving on the Section’s board has been a rewarding experience, and that he is excited to continue contributing to its success. His time on the board has given him a deeper understanding of the organization, and has enabled him to help grow the brand and interact with new PGA Members.
District 3
Jeff Breiner, PGA
Country Club of Harrisburg
(Endorsed Candidate)
Breiner, a PGA Member since 2008, has been the PGA head golf professional at the Country Club of Harrisburg in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, since 2015, and worked as PGA head golf professional at Blue Ridge Country Club in Harrisburg. Prior to those positions, he was a PGA assistant golf professional at Carlisle (Pennsylvania) Country Club and Armitage Golf Course in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Breiner has been a longtime supporter of PGA HOPE Philadelphia, operates a chapter at his facility, and represented the Philadelphia PGA Section and the PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia in this year’s PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup. In addition to his role as District 3 Director on the Section’s board, he is also the current Central Counties Chapter president, and serves on the Section’s PGA REACH Philadelphia and Awards committees. He also earned the Section’s Patriot Award in 2021 and PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year in 2011.
District 5
Tom Michaels, PGA
Berkshire Country Club
(Endorsed Candidate)
Michaels, a PGA Member since 2011, is the PGA head golf professional at Berkshire Country Club in Reading, Pennsylvania, and serves on the Section’s Awards Committee, in addition to his role as District 5 Director. Prior to taking the job at Berkshire, Michaels work as a PGA assistant golf professional at Waynesborough Country Club in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and at the Suburban Club in the Middle Atlantic PGA Section.
Director of Section Affairs
Anthony Malizia, PGA
Bidermann Golf Club
(Endorsed Candidate)
Malizia earned his PGA Membership in 2009, is the current PGA head golf professional at Vicmead Hunt Club’s Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Section’s director of Section affairs. He also serves on the Section’s Awards and Teaching & Coaching committees, and is chair of the Section’s PGA REACH Philadelphia Committee. Prior to Bidermann, Malizia worked as a PGA assistant golf professional at Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, the Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton, Florida, and Hunters Run Country Club in Boynton Beach, Florida. Malizia served as a District Director on the Section’s board from 2019-2022. Since 2016, he has served as a member of the support staff at Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters Tournament, 2016-2018; Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals, 2016-present; and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Tournament, 2019-present.
Director of Tournaments
Michael Caldwell, PGA
DuPont Country Club
(Endorsed Candidate)
A PGA Member since 2013, Caldwell currently works as the PGA head golf professional at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, and has been a District Director of the past three years. He also serves on the Section’s Awards and Tournament committees. Prior to his work at DuPont, Caldwell worked as a PGA assistant golf professional at Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Delaware, Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Brandywine Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, and Hillendale Country Club in the Middle Atlantic PGA Section. Caldwell participates in many Section events throughout the year, averaging about 20 per season.
Director of Tournaments
Joanna Coe, PGA
Merion Golf Club
(At-Large Candidate)
Coe was elected to PGA Membership in 2017, is a LPGA Professional, and earned the PGA of America’s inaugural Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year in 2019. Currently the PGA director of instruction at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, she has also worked as the PGA director of instruction and PGA assistant golf professional at Baltimore Country Club in the Middle Atlantic PGA Section. Coe has competed in six KPMG Women’s PGA Championships, and as played on Women’s PGA Cup United States Teams. Additionally, she currently serves on the Section’s tournament committee, and has served on the Middle Atlantic PGA Section’s Tournament Committee, the PGA of America’s Championships and PGA Coach Amplification committees. She appeared in the PGA of America’s rebrand / “We Love this Game” and PGA Coach+ campaigns, and has worked as an on-course television broadcast reporter in four PGA of America championships. Coe also earned the Section’s Women’s Player of the Year award three times. She says that serving on the Section board is an opportunity to give back to a Section that has supported her professional and competitive journey. With a background that includes over 100 starts on the LPGA Symetra Tour, seven major championship appearances, and multiple Section and national awards, she brings a competitive perspective that aligns with the mission of advancing tournament golf and professional development. Her experience as the PGA director of instruction at Merion Golf Club, combined with her involvement on the Tournament Committee and 2026 PGA Championship Committee, has given her a strong understanding of the Section’s goals and how to contribute meaningfully. She is passionate about supporting both the growth of our tournament programs and the continued education of our PGA Professionals. From leading high-level instructional teams and hosting national speakers, to contributing content for PGA Magazine and ESPN+, she has remained committed to advancing the profession and raising the profile of our Section. She says she looks forward to the opportunity to help shape the future of the Philadelphia PGA through strategic service, collaborative leadership, and a deep respect for the competitive spirit of the game.
Secretary
Dustin McCormick PGA
Glen Brook Golf Club
(Endorsed Candidate)
McCormick became a PGA Member in 2013, is currently the PGA head golf professional at Glen Brook Golf Club in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and the Section’s current director of tournaments. Prior to joining Glen Brook, he worked as the PGA head golf professional at Wolf Hollow at Water Gap Country Club in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. He also served as a District Director on the Section’s board for four years. McCormick was named the Section’s PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2023 and Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category in 2018.
Vice President
Eric Kennedy, PGA
Overbrook Golf Club
(Endorsed Candidate)
Kennedy was elected to PGA Membership in 2005, and works as the PGA head golf professional at Overbrook Golf Club in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Prior to being elected the Section secretary, he served as the Section’s director of tournaments, and as a District Director, and currently is a member of the Section’s Youth, Education, Membership, and Tournament committees. Kennedy was named the Section’s PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2015, and the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2014 and 2023. Prior to Overbrook, Kennedy served as PGA head golf professional at the Callawassie Island Club in the Carolinas PGA Section, and PGA assistant golf professional at Secession Golf Club in the Carolinas, and Sea Pines, also in the Carolinas Section. Kennedy says that it is everyone’s duty and responsibility to give back to the PGA of America, our Philadelphia Section and our fellow PGA Members. He says he is humbled and honored that his fellow PGA Professionals would want him to serve on their behalf; he loves being a PGA Professional and helping others achieve their lifelong goals.
President
Bob Hennefer, PGA
Laurel Creek Country Club
(Endorsed Candidate)
Hennefer became a PGA Member in 2008, and currently serves as the PGA director of golf at Laurel Creek Country Club in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Before Laurel Creek, he worked as the PGA head golf professional at Indian Spring Country Club in Marlton, New Jersey, and at Links Golf Club in Marlton, New Jersey, PGA general manager at White Oaks Country Club in Newfield, New Jersey, and PGA assistant golf professional at the Legacy Club in Cherry Hillm New Jersey, and Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point, New Jersey. Hennefer was awarded the Section’s PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award in 2017, and Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category in 2015, and currently serves on on the Section’s Employment, Hall of Fame, and PGA REACH Philadelphia committees.

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

Resolution No. 1 for 2025 Philadelphia PGA Fall Membership Meeting

October 2, 2025Comments Off on Resolution No. 1 for 2025 Philadelphia PGA Fall Membership MeetingPPGA

As we prepare for the Philadelphia PGA Section’s annual Fall Membership Meeting at Indian Valley Country Club in Telford, Pa., on Monday, October 20, please take some time to review Resolution No. 1, listed below. This is a crucial step to ensure you’re informed and prepared for the discussions at the meeting.

2025 Resolution 1
September 23, 2025

Proposed by: Staff
Subject: Independent Directors

Relevant Sections:  
Article VI – Board of Directors: Section 6.03. (g) Number of Directors and Term of Office – Independent Directors ARTICLE IX – OFFICERS

We would like to alter the language to make it possible to place a current eligible Section member to an independent director position. As the current language is written, it only allows for non-Section members to be elected to an independent position. This change will give the board more latitude to add a deserving Section member that otherwise would have to wait for an open District director position.

Current Reading:
Article VI – Board of Directors:
Section 6.03.
g. Two (2) independent directors, who are not members of the Section, shall be elected by the Executive Committee from a list of one (1) or more names submitted by the president.

Proposed Amendment:
Article VI – Board of Directors:
Section 6.03.
g. Two (2) independent directors shall be elected by the Executive Committee from a list of one (1) or more names submitted by the president. At least one (1) independent director will be a non-Section member.

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

The Fairway Feed (S1E4)

October 1, 2025Comments Off on The Fairway Feed (S1E4)Featured, PPGA

Welcome to the Fairway Feed, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s video bulletin designed to keep you connected, informed, and engaged with everything happening within our PGA of America Golf Professional community.

Think of the Fairway Feed as your regular dose of essential Section news, delivered directly to your inbox monthly. We’ll be sharing timely updates on tournaments, events, educational opportunities, member news, and important announcements you won’t want to miss.

To watch the newest episode, click on the embedded video below.

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