Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 21, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section today announced a the renewal of its partnership with Evolve Golf, a company committed to making golf products that are better for the player, course, and planet.

As part of the agreement, Evolve Golf support the Section’s 2022 Spring and Fall Membership Meetings, and their corresponding pro-pro golf events.

“The Philadelphia PGA is happy to yet again partner with Evolve Golf,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “The company understands the importance of the PGA Professional and caters to them to provide quality and green golf products, such as tees, custom socks, and more.”

Evolve Golf Account Manager Blake Valand said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Philadelphia PGA Section and look forward to seeing everyone at the Spring Pro-Pro next week!”

PGA Professionals looking to learn more about the Section’s partnership with Evolve Golf, please contact Section Communications Director Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.

About Evolve Golf
Evolve Golf is committed to making products that are better for the player, better for the course, and better for the planet.

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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com
Max Lerner, Evolve Golf, max@evolvegolf.com
Blake Valand, Evolve Golf, blake@evolvegolf.com

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 18, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section today announced the renewal of its partnership with Conlin’s Print, a digital print, mail, and marketing solutions company that has served the Philadelphia region since 1980.

As part of the agreement, Conlin’s Print will remain the Preferred Printer of the Philadelphia PGA Section, PGA REACH Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour. Conlin’s Print will also extend an initial 10 percent discount to Philadelphia PGA Members and Associates to use for their print, mail, and/or marketing needs.

“The Philadelphia PGA is excited to yet again partner with Conlin’s Print, a revered firm that produces quality products on time and on budget,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “The benefit that Conlin’s will be providing to our members will certainly help make their jobs easier and boost their professional standing at their facilities and with their members, customers, and students.”

Conlin’s Print President and Owner Bill Conlin said: “We are honored to continue to partner with the Philadelphia PGA Section as the Preferred Printer. We look forward to providing quality products and excellent service to the many Philadelphia PGA Members and Associates.”

In addition to their commitment to Philadelphia PGA Professionals, Conlin’s Print ‘preferred’ status will provide the Section a reliable partner for its own printing needs.

PGA Professionals looking to learn more about the Section’s partnership with Conlin’s Print, please contact Section Communications Director Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.

About Conlin’s Print
Since 1980, Conlin’s has served the Philadelphia region with exceptional digital printing, signs, banners, displays, bindery, and direct mail fulfillment services. Businesses of all sizes trust Conlin’s to deliver quality printing and fast turnarounds. When other printers can’t meet your deadline, Conlin’s can! As part of our exemplary customer service, all jobs are guaranteed. For more information, visit conlinsprint.com.

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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 18, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA today announced the renewal of Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) as a Premier Section Partner. The VFTCB is a non-profit membership sales and marketing organization which actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pa.

As part of the agreement, Valley Forge and Montgomery County becomes a Presenting Partner of the Philadelphia PGA’s Make Golf Your Thing and Women’s initiatives, as well as the 2022 PGA REACH Philadelphia Pro-Am, Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships, Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, and the Summer-Pro Lady Team Championship.

“The Philadelphia PGA is thrilled to yet again partner with Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, an organization that promotes all types of businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania, including our PGA Professionals’ golf facilities,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “Having Valley Forge on board to help tell the story of our golf courses will not just be a win for our PGA Professionals and their businesses, but a win for the entire region.”

“It is such an honor to work with the Philadelphia PGA, an organization that represents the class, respect, and integrity of the sport of golf,” said Mike Bowman, President & CEO of the VFTCB. “Supporting such high-quality caliber events that have a positive economic impact on the region only helps to highlight our 50 historic and top-ranked courses as part of our Montco Golf initiative, and puts the spotlight on the county as a true golf destination.”

This partnership is designed to maximize exposure to area golf courses and their PGA Professionals, while stimulating local businesses. A key portion of the agreement centers around the Philadelphia PGA’s inclusion initiatives, including the Section’s Women’s Networking Series, and Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships. Additionally, VFTCB will support the Section’s Make Golf Your Thing program, which will feature two beginner women golfers’ journeys from the lesson tee to the golf course on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s “Inside Golf” television program.

For those looking to learn more about the Section’s partnership with Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, please contact Section Communications Director Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.

About Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a private, non-profit membership sales and marketing organization which actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by promoting patronage of its member hotels, restaurants, attractions and services. The Board represents more than 600 member businesses throughout Southeast Pennsylvania, and is funded from a combination of Pennsylvania grants, membership dues, and a tax imposed on visitors occupying the county’s more than 9,200 hotel rooms. For more information, visit valleyforge.org.

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

Justine Garbarino, Associate Vice President of Marketing, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, garbarino@valleyforge.org

Rachel Riley, Associate Vice President of Communications, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, riley@valleyforge.org

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (March 17, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the PGA of America’s 41 geographical managing entities, and Parx Casino®, the No. 1 casino in Pennsylvania, have partnered to amplify the Section’s pro-am series, in which the casino has been named the Presenting Partner. The Section will also assist Parx Casino® with the creation of boutique client experiences for its VIP guests.

The Philadelphia PGA Pro-Am Series, Presented by Parx Casino®, includes seven events:

• Plantation Lakes Pro-Am Championship
  Thursday, April 14 at Plantation Lakes G. & C.C.
• Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship
  Tuesday, May 24 at Lehigh C.C.
• A.C. Stableford Team Championship
  Wednesday, May 11 at Ballamor G.C.
• Indian Valley Stableford Team Championship
  Monday, July 18 at Indian Valley C.C.
• Pro-Scratch Championship
  Monday, August 8 at Trump National G.C. – Philadelphia
• Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship
  Wednesday, August 24 at Sunnybrook G.C.
• Fall Finale Pro-Am Championship
  Wednesday, October 26 at Bulle Rock G.C.

In addition to the Section pro-am series, Parx Casino® will also become a Presenting Partner of the PGA REACH Philadelphia Pro-Am Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club on Tuesday, October 11. PGA REACH Philadelphia, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Philadelphia PGA Section, has a mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf, concentrating on three key pillars: Youth, Military, and Diversity.

“We are very excited to have Parx Casino® join the Philadelphia PGA Section’s partnership family,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “Parx will surely improve our events for our PGA Professionals and their members and guests, and we are delighted to be able to help refine the casino’s boutique client experiences.”

Parx Casino® Chief Marketing Officer Marc Oppenheimer said “We are thrilled to partner with the Philadelphia PGA Section this year for their series of pro-am events. We also are proud to support the mission of PGA REACH Philadelphia. We look forward to building a long lasting relationship together providing great golf experiences for all in the Philadelphia area.”

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

Carrie Nork Minelli, PR Director, Parx Casino®, cnorkminelli@parxcasino.com

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 18, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is proud to announce that it has appointed Eleanor Good to its Board as an Independent Director for a two-year term. She fills the vacancy left by Binney Wietlisbach, following the conclusion of her second consecutive term.

Good is a trial attorney practicing insurance defense, representing policyholders in automobile and home or business-owner bodily injury matters, the insurer in coverage and property damage matters, and heads a litigation and enforcement program against Philadelphia towing companies. She is admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

She is a graduate of the College of William & Mary in 2009, where she played NCAA Division I golf, and University of Dayton School of Law in 2012. Eleanor serves on the Board of Directors and Finance and Greens Committees of Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pa., and formerly served on the club’s Golf Committee. She is also a co-chair of fundraising committees for both the Saturday Club and the Junior League of Philadelphia.

“As someone with a deep passion for the game, I’m looking forward to developing engagement and supporting members in the Section,” said Good.

Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA, said of Good’s appointment: “We are very fortunate to have Ellie serve on the Board and look forward to what she can bring to our leadership. Her professional experience and personal golf resume will surely serve us very well.

“We also thank Binney for her hard work and dedication to our membership. We will continue to keep her close and benefit from her experience and insight.” continued Surrette. “The Section is in a better place because of her service.”

The Section’s Board of Directors consists of the Section’s President, Vice President, Secretary, seven District Directors, two At Large Directors (Director of Section Affairs and Director of Tournaments), the Central Counties Chapter President, Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) Chair, Honorary President, and two Independent Directors.

Philadelphia PGA Section Board of Directors

Patrick Shine, PGA
President

Chip Richter, PGA
Vice President

Bob Hennefer, PGA
Secretary

Jeff Kiddie, PGA
Honorary President

Dustin McCormick, PGA
At Large Director / Director of Section Affairs

Eric Kennedy, PGA
At Large Director / Director of Section Affairs

Kevin Duffy, PGA
District 1 Director

Anthony Malizia, PGA
District 2 Director
Jason Gebhart, PGA
District 3 Director

Mike Molino, PGA
District 4 Director

Brett Nelson, PGA
District 5 Director

Gerry Davis, PGA
District 6 Director

Dean Kandle, PGA
District 6 Director

Judd Caruso, PGA
Central Counties Chapter President

Keith Clawson, PGA
PAO Chair

Eleanor Good
Independent Director

To Be Announced
Independent Director

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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 15, 2022) — 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, have partnered to create the Silvercrest Cup, a new tournament series for Philadelphia PGA Professionals.

Beginning this season, the series will include four qualifying events for Philadelphia PGA Professionals, and will culminate in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final, hosted at the historic Donald Ross-designed Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, 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.

“We’re very excited about the new Silvercrest Cup tournament series and are grateful to our newest 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.”

Silvercrest Chairman and CEO, Richard R. Hough III, said “Silvercrest Asset Management Group believes in giving back to the communities we live and work in. It is extremely rewarding to recognize and assist those who share our passion for learning, teaching, and striving for excellence.

“PGA Professionals share the same attributes for success and giving back that Silvercrest believes in,” he continued. “Their dedication to the game of golf and the members of the clubs that they unselfishly serve is unmatched in any other sport.”

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.
2022 Silvercrest Cup Tournament Series Schedule

May 9, 2022
Delaware Valley Open
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 1
Rolling Green Golf Club
Springfield, Pa.

May 16, 2022
TaylorMade Classic
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 2
Cedarbrook Country Club
Blue Bell, Pa.

June 20, 2022
Conestoga Classic
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 3
Conestoga Country Club
Lancaster, Pa.

July 29, 2022
Doylestown Open
Silvercrest Cup Qualifier No. 4
Doylestown Country Club
Doylestown, Pa.

September 26, 2022
Silvercrest Cup
Gulph Mills Golf Club
King of Prussia, 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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 14, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is pleased to announce that Leilyn Nowaczynski has been named Director of the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, the Delaware Valley’s premier youth golf tour.

Nowaczynski is entering her second season with the Section, having worked as a tournament coordinator for the junior tour in 2021. Leilyn came to the Delaware Valley from the Wisconsin PGA Section where she worked as a PGA WORKS Fellow. A Waterford, Wis., native, she attended University of Wisconsin for her undergraduate studies and earned her master’s degree at University of Wisconsin – Parkside.

“We are excited to have Leilyn take on her new role with the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “We’re confident in Leilyn’s skills and abilities to lead our tour and take it to the next level.”

Nowaczynski filled the position left when our previous director, Lewis Harry, PGA, accepted the Director of Rules and Competitions position with the Colorado Golf Association.

“We also wish Lewis nothing but the best in his new role,” continued Surrette. “Starting with us as an intern in 2015, and working full-time for the Section since 2018, we are very appreciative for the countless hours he dedicated to our events and the great work he did.”

To send a congratulatory note to Leilyn, click here.

The Section has also hired a tournament coordinator: Josh Monkres.

Monkres will be joining the Section team by way of Bowie, Texas, where he worked as an operations associate for the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. Josh received his degree in Recreation, Event & Sport Management from the University of North Texas.

PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, has hired a new coordinator: Gervon Williams. Williams, a Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduate with a degree in sports management, comes to the foundation from Springboard Collaborative in Philadelphia, and previously worked for the Borough of Chambersburg, Pa.’s Recreation Department.

Additionally, the foundation is currently in the process of hiring a PGA WORKS Fellow for 2022. The PGA WORKS Fellowship provides the opportunity for a one-year, paid immersion in a PGA Section’s foundation operations. This entry-level employment experience offers a taste of what a career in the golf industry can provide. The PGA WORKS Fellowship is a program that offers access to individuals from diverse backgrounds—whether by gender, age, race or color, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, religion or veteran status—into the golf industry to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry.
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.

About the Philadelphia PGA 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.

About PGA REACH Philadelphia 
PGA REACH 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.

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