Author: Matt Frey

PGA of America Golf Professional Riley Wheeldon Wins at the Hutch

June 18, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Riley Wheeldon Wins at the HutchPPGA

Reading, Pa. (June 18, 2025) — Despite a shortened round due to thunderstorms, PGA of America Golf Professional Riley Wheeldon of Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., took first place with a score of five-under par at the Hutch Invitational at Berkshire Country Club. This is Wheeldon’s first victory in the Philadelphia PGA Section.

Scott and Karen Hutchinson have been longtime supporters of the Philadelphia PGA Section and the PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, and also support the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club. The Hutchinsons established the Hutch to provide an additional playing opportunity to PGA Professionals who prioritize competitive golf while also successfully balancing their careers and partner relationships. The Hutch is a limited field event with the Hutchinsons extending invitations to 33 PGA Professionals. We at the Philadelphia PGA Section thank Scott and Karen Hutchinson for their amazing generosity and continued support. Today’s event was also supported by Holderness & Bourne.

“I feel like I played really well today,” said Wheeldon. “Believe it or not I still think I left a couple of shots out there.” He then went on to thank Scott for inviting him to play in this event and extended gratitude to Berkshire Country Club, his wife and new baby girl.

Wheeldon put up an impressive round despite the heat and humidity, making five birdies to better Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek Country Club, by two strokes. Dupont Country Club’s Michael Caldwell, PGA, was close behind finishing at 2-under-par. Tied for fourth at one-under-par was John Cooper, Green Valley Country Club; Michael Strain, Concord Country Club; and Scott Chisholm, Rolling Green Golf Club.

Participating PGA Professionals teamed with one amateur golfer of their choice in a Better Ball format for the team competition.

Riley Wheeldon and his amateur partner, Jack Crowley, placed first with a combined score of six-under par. Three teams tied for second place, one stroke back: Mike Caldwell, PGA, and Ron Fields; Michael Strain, PGA, and Jason Patton, and Scott Chisholm, PGA, and Blake Walinsky. Finishing in a tie for fifth place at four-under par were PGA Professional, Andrew Cornish, Green Valley Country Club, and his amateur, Al DeColli and Professional, Dave Quinn and his teammate, Bobby Dominy.

To view the full 2025 Hutch leaderboard, click here.

The Hutch is presented by Scott and Karen Hutchinson, and supported by Holderness & Bourne. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Berkshire Country Club, its membership, management, staff, and host PGA of America Golf Professionals, 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

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to Fund PGA Jr. League Programs in Championship Markets

June 17, 2025Comments Off on KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to Fund PGA Jr. League Programs in Championship MarketsPPGA

FRISCO, Texas (June 17, 2025) — The PGA of America and KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, announced today that the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will fund 10 new sites for PGA Jr. League programs in each of the past, present and future host markets of the Championship. The new sites will create opportunities for young girls and boys from underserved communities to play the game with expert coaching provided by PGA of America and LPGA Professionals.

Funded through the charitable endeavors of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, youth 17 and under in the 10 selected sites will be provided access to equipment, uniforms and transportation.

“The PGA of America is incredibly fortunate to partner with KPMG in making this great game we all love more accessible to youth through PGA Jr. League,” said PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague, PGA. “These new leagues will help us make a positive impact on youth in each community we host a KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.”

PGA Jr. League, operated by the PGA of America, brings families and friends together around fun, team golf experiences where kids ages 17 and under wear numbered jerseys. In 2024, more than 77,000 youth participated in the program.

The PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, is committed to opening the game by providing wrap-around support to young golfers in underserved communities through its Youth Pillar, utilizing PGA Jr. League scholarships and fully-funded programs. In 2024, nearly 5,000 PGA Jr. League scholarships were awarded to children who qualified for financial assistance or were from a military family.

Market locations for new PGA Jr. League sites:

  • Atlanta, Georgia
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Greater New York
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Newark, New Jersey
  • North Texas
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Seattle, Washington
  • Washington D.C.
  • TBD – Site of 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

The new leagues will aim to enrich communities by providing introductory golf exploration programs, creating pathways for more youth to experience and engage with the sport.

About the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Founded in 1955, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is a major-championship collaboration between the PGA of America, LPGA, and KPMG. Broadcast in partnership with NBC and Golf Channel, the Championship offers a purse among the highest in women’s golf. In 2025, the 71st edition of the event will be contested on Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco, the second Major Championship to be held on the East Course.

About PGA of America REACH Foundation

The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 142 countries and territories and has more than 275,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.

KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to increasing access to education and opportunity, advancing mental health, and supporting community vitality. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us.

Media Contacts

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

Katy Reddin, KPMG, kreddin@kpmg.com

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Continues to Set the Standard for Excellence in Women’s Golf with Highest Purse, New Tech, World-Class Field and Most Comprehensive Broadcast Coverage

June 17, 2025Comments Off on KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Continues to Set the Standard for Excellence in Women’s Golf with Highest Purse, New Tech, World-Class Field and Most Comprehensive Broadcast CoveragePPGA
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025 – The 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, taking place June 19-22 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas, continues to set the standard for excellence in women’s golf. This major championship will feature a purse tied for the highest on the LPGA Tour, new technology enhancements for the world’s best players to elevate their game, one of the best fields in women’s golf and the most comprehensive broadcast coverage of any event on the LPGA Tour.
  • High purse: The 156-player field will compete for a $12 million purse, tied for the highest in women’s golf.
  • Newest and best technology: This Championship is the most tech-forward championship on the LPGA Tour.
    • KPMG is adding new AI-enhanced features to KPMG Performance Insights, which provides LPGA players access to critical shot-level data to diagnose and improve their performance and delivers insights to fans and media to see how the players on the LPGA Tour stack up against one another. New for the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, all players will receive a KPMG Performance Insights Daily Recap that includes:
  • Hole-by-hole AI-powered course analysis: Players will receive a detailed breakdown of how the field performed on each hole that day. For example, if hitting the ball to the right rough on one hole led to a negative strokes gained compared to the left rough, players can alter their strategy on that hole to improve their performance the following day.
  • AI-generated scoring targets: Players will receive a probability range of predicted scores for the cut line during early rounds followed by predicted winning scores over the weekend. For instance, knowing that a score of +2 has a 20% chance of making the cut for the next round will help them decide how aggressive they need to be with their play.
  • KPMG CHAMPCAST presented by T-Mobile leverages the same cutting-edge ShotLink Pro technology from the PGA TOUR and brings fans an immersive experience to follow each player in the field. Features like 3D imagery, radar data, shot trails, green views and individual shot video highlights allow fans get closer to the action than ever.
    • Combining KPMG Performance Insights and Champcast offers real-time, shot-level data and analytics for each player in the field, together with historical performance data.
  • Star-studded field: The Championship annually features one of the strongest fields in women’s golf. This year all top 100 players in the current Race to CME Globe Rankings are competing at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco. 
  • Top courses: The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will take place at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco. Designed by Gil Hanse, this marks the first women’s major championship played on the East Course. Fields Ranch East will also host the PGA Championship in 2027. Over the last five years, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship has been contested at three top 100 courses in the United States (Baltusrol, Congressional, Aronimink), tied for the most for any event on the LPGA Tour.
  • Most comprehensive broadcast coverage: The Championship will have the most comprehensive broadcast coverage of any event on the LPGA Tour, with nearly 100 hours of live, streaming and ancillary coverage across NBC, Golf Channel, and Peacock. For the first time, Featured Groups presented by KPMG and T-Mobile for Business will be available on Peacock, allowing fans to follow their favorite players even more closely.
“KPMG’s commitment to excellence extends to women’s golf, and through our collaboration with the PGA of America and LPGA Tour, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is the best event on the LPGA Tour,” said Paul Knopp, KPMG U.S. Chair and CEO. “The high purse, top courses, comprehensive broadcast coverage, and technology are all ways we are setting the standard. Technology is changing business and sports and, similar to the AI enablement we deliver for our clients, we’re equipping LPGA players with new AI capabilities through KPMG Performance Insights, enabling them to take their game to new heights.”
“The PGA of America is incredibly proud to be hosting the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at our new home in Frisco,” said Derek Sprague, PGA of America CEO. “Bringing the best women players in the world to Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco reinforces our commitment to staging this Championship at world-class golf courses in major markets. With the tremendous support of our partners KPMG and the LPGA, this event continues to evolve — highlighted by a purse tied for the highest in women’s golf and more broadcast coverage than ever before, including the debut of Featured Groups.”
“We are deeply grateful for the long-standing support of our friends at KPMG and the PGA of America. Our shared goal of creating opportunities for our athletes, through a commitment to excellence both on and off the course, has created a truly dynamic, inspiring major championship,” said Liz Moore, LPGA Interim Commissioner. “Announcements like this are proof that the future of the LPGA Tour is bright, and we look forward to an exciting week at PGA Frisco.”
Media Contacts:
Ichiro Kawasaki, KPMG (ikawasaki@kpmg.com / 845-828-3757)
Katy Reddin, KPMG (kreddin@kpmg.com / 434-284-3162)
Greg Dillard, PGA of America (gdillard@pgahq.com / 561-308-8013)
J.D. Sterba, LPGA (jd.sterba@lpga.com / 248-821-1133)
Christina Lance, LPGA (Christina.lance@lpga.com / 908-963-1691)

PGA of America Golf Professional Joanna Coe to Compete in 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

June 17, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Joanna Coe to Compete in 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA ChampionshipPPGA

PGA of America Golf Professional Joanna Coe of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., will compete in this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, June 19-22, at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas, as part of the Corebridge Financial Team; it will be her sixth appearance in this major championship. Coe is scheduled to tee off at 9:17 a.m. Eastern Time on the first tee.

We hope you will help us root Joanna on as she competes in front of the world. If you are unable to attend the championship, we have listed the television broadcast times below.

How To Watch: 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Thursday, June 19
Golf Channel: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Golf Channel: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Coe: 9:17 a.m. Eastern on No. 1

Friday, June 20
Golf Channel: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Golf Channel: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Coe: 2:44 p.m. Eastern on No. 10

Saturday, June 21
Peacock: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
NBC: 1:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 22
Peacock: 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
NBC: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

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

PGA of America Golf Professional Brett Walker Wins 2025 Philadelphia PGA Conestoga Classic

June 16, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Brett Walker Wins 2025 Philadelphia PGA Conestoga ClassicPPGA

Lancaster, Pa. (June 16, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Brett Walker of Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pa., finished his round with an impressive 7-under-par 63 in less than ideal weather conditions to win the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Conestoga Classic at Conestoga Country Club by two strokes over Waynesborough Country Club’s Kyle Early, PGA, Rolling Green Golf Club’s Braden Shattuck, PGA, and Anthony Sebastianelli, also of Rolling Green.

Play in the tournament, a Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event, was suspended for approximately 50 minutes due to heavy rain.

Walker, who started his round before the worst of the rain began to fall, kickstarted his round with an eagle three on the par-five first hole, and continued his hot play with six birdies, making only one bogey in the process.

“I played the whole back nine in the pouring rain,” Walker said after his round. “I played really well. I actually hit better shots in the rain, it was weird.”

Walker said he made several long putts, and that it was good to see the ball go in the hole, after having struggled with his putting in recent weeks. He credited visiting fellow PGA Member Michael Little of Clubhouse 54 as a reason he putted better today.

Walker went on to thank his wife Sarah, Chester Valley Golf Club and its members, Conestoga Country Club for hosting, and the Section staff for running the event.

Five PGA Professionals tied for fifth place at 4-under-par: Alex Knoll, Glen Brook Golf Club; Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club; Michael Rushin, Bear Trap Dunes; and Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek Country Club.

Dave Quinn took the top prize in the Senior Division, finishing one stroke ahead of Sunnybrook Golf Club’s Mark Sheftic, and the Country Club at Woodloch Spring’s John Pillar. Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek Country Club; tied for fourth place at 1-under-par with Stephen Swartz, Carlisle Country Club.

The Philadelphia Cricket Clubs’ Bill Sautter, PGA, finished atop the Super Senior Division, thanks to his even-par round of 70. He finished one stroke ahead of Wayne Phillips, Lehigh Country Club. PGA Life Member Michael Versuk finished in third place at 3-over-par.

The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Central Counties Chapter hosted an event concurrently with the Conestoga Classic, with Alex Knoll and Brian Bergstol tying for first place. The duo finished one stroke ahead of John Pillar. Two PGA Professionals tied for fourth place: Terry Hertzog and Stephen Swartz.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) also held an event at Conestoga, with Kyle Early and Anthony Sebastianell tying for first. Alex Knoll, Brian Bergstol, and Zach Barbin tied for third place, one stroke behind the winners.

View the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Conestoga Classic leaderboard by clicking here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Conestoga Classic is supported by Cobra Puma Golf, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Conestoga Country Club, its membership, management, and staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

The next Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event is the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic at Huntingdon Valley (Pa.) Country Club on Monday, June 30.

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

Playing Through: Peter Clarke, PGA (S2E5)

June 12, 2025Comments Off on Playing Through: Peter Clarke, PGA (S2E5)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 Member Peter Clarke, the PGA head golf professional at Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington, Pa.

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 Section Accepting Award Nominations

June 11, 2025Comments Off on Philadelphia PGA Section Accepting Award NominationsFeatured, PPGA

Nominations for the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 2025 awards class are now being accepted by the Section’s Awards Committee. To nominate a PGA of America Golf Professional for one of the awards listed below, please complete the form by clicking the below button. The nomination deadline is August 24.

  • Golf Professional of the Year
  • Teacher & Coach of the Year
  • Professional Development Award
  • Bill Strausbaugh Award
  • Player Development Award
  • Youth Player Development Award
  • Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category
  • Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category
  • Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category
  • Justin Riegel Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
  • Patriot Award
  • Deacon Palmer Award
  • Golf Salesperson of the Year

Descriptions for each award are listed below. Any questions about the awards nomination process should be directed to Section Membership Director Sue Unger at sunger@pgahq.com or (215) 886-7742.

Submit Nominations
Award Descriptions
Golf Professional of the Year:  The Golf Professional of the Year award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Member who has performed outstanding services as an overall PGA Professional. As one of the highest honors the Philadelphia PGA Section can bestow, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf. Individuals honored with the Golf Professional of the Year award will be held as a model PGA of America Golf Professional.  Minimum criteria:
  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
  • Candidate has developed the image , reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members as a PGA Professional;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the Association and game of golf, as well as  helping to further educate and train their fellow PGA Professionals;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game of golf.
Teacher & Coach of the Year: The Teacher & Coach of the Year award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Member who has performed outstanding services as a golf teacher and coach. Minimum criteria:
  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis on teaching and coaching;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the game of golf, as well as helping to further educate their fellow PGA professionals with an emphasis on teaching and coaching;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game;
  • Candidate must have attended or conducted a minimum combined total of 10 national teaching workshops, teaching / coaching summits or Section teaching workshops or teaching / coaching summits within the last 15 years.
Professional Development Award: The Professional Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional who personally displays a strong desire for lifelong education to include outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education. Minimum criteria:
  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of education and training PGA Professionals;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America and the game of golf to further educate and train fellow PGA Members, Associates, and industry stakeholders;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game;
  • Candidate must be one of the following: Master Professional, Certified Professional, served as an Associate Subject Matter Expert (SME), adjunct PGA faculty member, or have conducted and/or taught at a minimum combined total of 10 national education programs / workshops (to include PGA PGM) or Section education programs / workshops within the last 10 years.
Bill Strausbaugh Award: The Bill Strausbaugh Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character, and leadership through a commitment to mentoring and making significant impacts on the careers of PGA Professionals. In the spirit of the award, “mentoring” shall be defined as: “Mentoring is supporting professionals to manage their own development so they can maximize their PGA career potential. The PGA mentor empowers, enables, advises, challenges, and encourages professionals to enhance their professional skills, strengthen their level of service, improve
their work performance, and become the PGA Member that they aspire to be.” Minimum criteria:
  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America in the effort to further the careers of fellow PGA Professionals as a mentor, counselor, teacher and advisor;
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of leadership and service to the Association, individual PGA Professionals, and the community at-large;
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry within the specific area of employment and club relations.
Player Development Award: The Player Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional, who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of player development. The award considers the PGA Professionals growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and national levels in the player development arena, and the meaningful impact made at the facility. Minimum criteria:
  • Candidate must currently be a Class A PGA Member in good standing and involved in player development as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America, Section, facility, and golf industry in the area of player development;
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of player development;
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry in the effort to grow meaningful participation in the game.
Youth Player Development Award: The Youth Player Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional, who had displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of youth player development. The award considers the PGA Professionals focus on youth through their growth of the game leadership, commitment at the Section and national levels in the youth player development arena, and the meaningful impact made upon youth through the introduction and participation in the game. Minimum criteria:
  • Candidate must currently be a Class A PGA Member in good standing and involved in youth player development efforts as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum of 10 years;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America, Section, facility, and golf industry in the area of youth player development;
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of youth player development; Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service, promotion of the game of golf, as well as a proven interest and ability to provide opportunities and experiences for youth to learn, play and participate in the game.
Merchandiser of the Year (Private, Public and Resort Categories): The Merchandiser of the Year award is designed to recognize those PGA of America Golf Professionals who have excelled as business persons / merchandisers in the promotion of golf. The PGA honors PGA Professionals in three categories: Private, Public, and Resort facilities. Minimum criteria: Demonstration of skills in planning of sales by presenting products to their market on a timely basis, and through the use of specialized merchandising techniques that include display and advertising.

Justin Riegel Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: The Assistant Golf Professional of the Year award recognizes an PGA of America Assistant Golf Professional who displays extraordinary service and commitment at their facility and within the industry. The award considers a professionals focus on facility operations, section and/or community service and growth of the game. Minimum criteria:

  • Candidate must be a PGA of America Member in good standing;
  • Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA Member;
  • Demonstration and acknowledgement as an individual of outstanding leadership and strong moral character.
Patriot Award: The Patriot Award bestows special recognition on a PGA of America Golf Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America. Minimum criteria:
  • Candidate must currently by a Class A Member in good standing and involved in military programming efforts as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of contribution and support to the United States Armed Forces and Active Duty and Reserved personnel and veterans;
  • Candidate must have displayed proven interest, concern, and ability to provide opportunities and experience for active duty, reservists, and veterans to learn and play golf;
  • Candidate must have shown an ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of service to the military;
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service, promotion of the game of golf, and proven interest and ability to provide opportunities and experiences for military personnel to learn, play and participate in the game.
Deacon Palmer Award: The Deacon Palmer Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personally displays outstanding integrity, character and leadership, in the effort to overcome a major obstacle in their life. This individual is an unsung hero / heroine at their facility and in their community, who serves to inspire, empower and assist other, both inside and outside of the game. Minimum criteria:
  • Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing and/or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years combined;
  • Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA Member, demonstrating outstanding leadership traits, and strong moral character;
  • Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire, empower, and encourage success and achievement in individuals regardless of obstacles, disabilities, and personal challenges or otherwise;
  • Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to be PGA of America, fellow PGA Professionals, their facility, and the community in the effort to enhance and improve the quality of life for all individuals;
  • Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry.
Golf Salesperson of the Year: The Golf Salesperson of the Year award recognizes a sales representative who shows a first class level of service to the industry and the PGA Professionals they serve within the Section. Consideration should be given to support in any way of the Section, charity or community.

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: Sue Unger, Membership Director, sunger@pgahq.com