Author: Matt Frey

Playing Through: Ricky Kline, PGA (S2E10)

September 24, 2025Comments Off on Playing Through: Ricky Kline, PGA (S2E10)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 Ricky Kline, the PGA head golf professional at Sittler Golf in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.

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.

PGA of America Golf Professional Zach Barbin Wins 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship in Sudden-Death Playoff

September 22, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Zach Barbin Wins 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship in Sudden-Death PlayoffPPGA

Buckingham, Pa. (September 22, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club in Rising Sun, Maryland, made a par in a sudden-death playoff to better Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club, and win the 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club.

Both Barbin and McNabb each finished their rounds in regulation with scores of 7-under-par 65, setting up the playoff. Barbin’s round featured an eagle, nine birdies, and two bogeys.

“I played great golf today,” Barbin said after the conclusion of the playoff. “I’ve been playing very nicely the past few weeks, and 7-under on any golf courses is really good, so I’m very pleased with that.

“I always want to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, my wife, my family, Scott and Karen Hutchinson for all they have done for the Section, our partners, Lookaway Golf Club, and the Section staff.”

The championship’s presenting partners, Scott and Karen Hutchinson have helped to make the event’s purse one of the Section’s largest, at over $28,000, with $6,000 going to the champion.

Wilmington Country Club’s Ryan Rucinski tied for third place with    LuLu Country Club’s Trevor Bensel at 5-under-par. Michael Little, Clubhouse 54, and Andrew Cornish, Green Valley Country Club, tied for fifth place, three strokes behind the winner.

McNabb took home the top prize in the Senior Division, bettering Sunnybrook Golf Club’s Mark Sheftic and John Cooper by five strokes. Brian Kelly, Titleist Fitcrew, and Frank Bensel, Galloway National Golf Club, tied for fourth place at 1-over.

After the trophy presentation, event partner Scott and Karen Hutchinson presented the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, a $20,000 donation, to support PGA HOPE Philadelphia clinics.

To view the 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship’s present partners are Scott and Karen Hutchinson, and is supported by Anderson Ord, Callaway Golf, and Destination Kohler. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Lookaway Golf 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.

The next Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event is the Delaware Valley Open at Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia on Monday, September 29.

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

PGA of America Golf Professional Michael Little Wins 2025 Jack Jolly & Son Championship

September 8, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Michael Little Wins 2025 Jack Jolly & Son ChampionshipPPGA
Mount Laurel Township, N.J. (September 8, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Michael Little of Clubhouse 54 in North Wales, Pennsylvania, finished with a 5-under-par 66 to win the 2025 Jack Jolly & Son Championship at Laurel Creek Country Club by one stroke over Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club. Today’s win is Little’s first Section win of the season.

Little had previously won this championship in 2016 at Concord Country Club. The field had its hands full with the course and its setup today, with the scoring average nearing 78; Little, however, had a hot start, going 5-under on the front nine, and finished even on the back nine.

“It was nice to have everything come together today,” Little said after signing his scorecard. “I only missed one green, and the putter was hot today, which helped.”

Little went on to thank his wife, kids, Jack Jolly & Son Inc., Kevin McClellan, everyone at Clubhouse 54, Laurel Creek Country Club, the Section staff, and to fellow PGA Members Mark Sheftic and John Bierkan for the recent help on his game.

Riley Wheeldon, Aronimink Golf Club, finished in third place, three behind Little. Five PGA Professionals tied for fourth place at 2-under-par: Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green Golf Club; Austin Barbin, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club; Trevor Bensel, LuLu Country Club; Rocco Sgrillo, John F. Byrne Golf Course; and Scott Chisholm, Rolling Green Golf Club.

Spring Ford Country Club’s Rich Steinmetz earned top honors in the Senior Division, bettering two PGA Professionals by two strokes: Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club; and John Pillar, Country Club at Woodloch Springs. Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek Country Club, finished in fourth place at 2-over.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter finished with a 2-under-par 69 to top the Super Senior Division by two strokes over Deerwood Country Club’s Greg Farrow and finished five ahead of PGA Life Member Wayne Phillips.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the Jack Jolly & Son Championship, and Zach Barbin walked away with the top prize at 4-under-par. Barbin’s brother Austin tied for second place with Trevor Bensel and Rocco Sgrillo, John F. Byrne Golf Course, at 2-under-par. Pine Valley Golf Club’s Matt Zehner finished in fifth place with an even-par round of 71.

To view the 2025 Jack Jolly & Son Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Jack Jolly & Son Championship’s title partner is Jack Jolly & Son Inc., and is supported by KM Golf Sales / Kevin McClellan. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Laurel Creek 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.

The next Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event is the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club on Monday, September 22.

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: Nick Biondi, PGA (S2E9)

September 8, 2025Comments Off on Playing Through: Nick Biondi, PGA (S2E9)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 Nick Biondi, the PGA director of instruction at Radley Run Country Club in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

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.

PGA of America Golf Professionals Oakley, Early, Barbin, and Bensel Advance in 2025 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship

September 3, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professionals Oakley, Early, Barbin, and Bensel Advance in 2025 Philadelphia PGA Match Play ChampionshipPPGA

Horsham, Pa. (September 3, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club, Kyle Early of Waynesborough Country Club, Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club, and Trevor Bensel of LuLu Country Club, have each advanced to the semi-final matches of the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship, and are all that remain of the 114 PGA Professionals who have been competing in the event since May. The semi-final and final matches are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 30 at the famed Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

Sixteen PGA Professionals began their day at Commonwealth National Golf Club to vie for the four semi-final slots. In the Jack Connelly Bracket, Zac Oakley, Bidermann Golf Club, defeated Andrew Turner, C.C. of York, 3 and 2, while Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club, bettered John Pillar, Country Club at Woodloch Springs, 1-up. Waynesborough’s Kyle Early topped Clubhouse 54’s Michael Little 1-up in the Skee Riegel Bracket, setting up the match against Merion Golf Club’s Joanna Coe, who earlier defeated Aronimink Golf Club’s Riley Wheeldon, 3 and 1.

Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club, won his match against Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green Golf Club, 1-up, in the Charlie Hoffner Bracket, while Mike Meisenzahl, Tavistock Country Club, bettered Parks Price, Hanover Country Club, 2 and 1. LuLu Country Club’s Trevor Bensel defeated Applebrook Golf Club’s Dave McNabb 5 and 3 in the Dick Smith Bracket, while Chester Valley Golf Club’s Brett Walker advanced by beating Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort’s Brian Bergstol 1-up.

In the afternoon Round of Eight, Oakley defeated Sheftic 2-up to claim the Connelly Division; Early topped Coe 2 and 1 to take the Riegel Division; Barbin bettered Meisenzahl 5 and 4 for the Hoffner Division, and Bensel took the Smith Division by beating Walker 1-up.

View the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship leaderboard by clicking here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship is supported by Rolex and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, host Commonwealth National Golf 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

PGA of America Golf Professional Tessa Teachman Captures 2025 Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship

August 27, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Tessa Teachman Captures 2025 Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional ChampionshipPPGA

King of Prussia, Pa. (August 27, 2025) — On an unseasonably cool morning, PGA of America Golf Professional Tessa Teachman of Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., captured the 2025 Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Gulph Mills Golf Club with an even-par round of 72. She previously won the championship in 2023 at Chester Valley Golf Club.

Teachman bettered Gulph Mills’ own Beatrice Smith and Green Valley Country Club’s Brittany Weddell, PGA, by eight strokes. She turned at 2-over-par, but made four birdies on her final nine holes, including on No. 18, to get back to even.

“It was an interesting day,” Teachman said following the conclusion of play. “I was hitting it well, but just couldn’t get it going, but when we turned the back nine, my boyfriend and caddie (Andrew Cornish, PGA) lit a fire under me, and said ‘Let’s get moving. From there, the ball started going in the hole.”

Teachman was in the championship’s first pairing, and played in three hours. She said that having Cornish on her bag was crucial to keeping her round together.

“I love to play quickly,” Teachman continued. “Beatrice and I bpth walked, and got into a real good pace. It was nice to just play golf, and not worry about our pace.”

Teachman went on to thank Cornish, Aronimink Golf Club, Gulph Mills Golf Club for hosting, the Section, championship partners Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, Kevin McClellan, and the PGA Tour.

Wilmington Country Club’s Meghan Spero, PGA, made her first-ever hole-in-one on No. 17. She used a 5-iron from 153 yards. Well played, Meghan!

View the full 2025 Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship leaderboard by clicking here.

The 2025 Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, and is supported by KM Golf Sales / Kevin McClellan, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, host Gulph Mills Golf 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

Old York Road, Hanover Teams Tie in 2025 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino© and Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board

August 26, 2025Comments Off on Old York Road, Hanover Teams Tie in 2025 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino© and Valley Forge Tourism & Convention BoardPPGA

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (August 26, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Jared Murosky of Old York Road Country Club in Ambler, Pa., and his team of amateurs, Sue Purvis, Rachel Chiaverelli, and Christy Traenkle, tied fellow PGA Professional Parks Price of Hanover Country Club in Abbottstown, Pa., and his team, Tiffany Henry, Dawn Cox, and Audrie Sasse, to a tie in the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino© and Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board Net Division at Sunnybrook Golf Club.

The winning teams finished their rounds with net team scores of 15-under-par 57 in the Four-Ball / one best ball of four format. They bettered four teams by one stroke: Northampton Country Club’s Brent Wallace, Kat Wolfe, Noreen Mohler, and Grace Sanborn; Whitford Country Club’s Patrick Butkus, Lois Burkey, Molly Berghuis, and Alicia Snyder; Green Valley Country Club’s John Cooper, Lucy Clausen, Sue Kane, and Judy Rosenbaum; and Chester Valley Golf Club’s Sam Ambrose, Joni Praplaski, Mimi Coppola, and Jenn Anderson.

Wallace’s Northampton team took the top prize in the Gross Division, as their 10-under-par 62 gave them a one-stroke victory over Old York Road Country Club’s Nick Parga, Lynne Norton, Casey Kane, and Ruth Averback. Lookaway Golf Club’s Chad Halvonik, Laura Manchester, Julia Kenned, and Melissa Muntz; and Murosky’s Old York Road team tied for third place. Butkus’ Whitford team finished in fifth place at 4-under.

View the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship leaderboard by clicking here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship is presented by Parx Casino© and Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, host Sunnybrook Golf 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