The third major of the LPGA season, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, will be played June 20-23, 2019 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, MN. Among the field of 156 Professionals will be Ashley Grier of Overbrook Golf Club. Grier will get her KPMG underway at 9:30 AM Thursday morning followed by a 2:55 PM start time on Friday afternoon. Follow along as she competes against the game’s top female professionals.
JoeMay 21, 2019Comments Off on Brian Kelly & Dave McNabb to Compete in the KitchenAid Senior PGA ChampionshipChampionships
When the 80th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club gets underway on Thursday, the field will feature 35 players who are PGA Club Professionals that qualified at the 2018 Senior PGA Professional Championship. Among the group of PGA Professionals will be two Philadelphia PGA Professional include current Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Champion Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club and Brian Kelly of Bucknell Golf Club.
Both McNabb and Kelly will be on the course early on Thursday with McNabb’s opening round starting at 7:20 AM and Kelly getting underway not much later at 7:35 AM. For Friday’s second round, McNabb’s will start at 12:30 PM and Kelly at 12:45 PM.
The 2019 edition of the PGA Professional Championship will be played at Belfair in Bluffton, SC from Sunday, April 28 – Wednesday, May 1.Among the 312 PGA Professionals from across the country will be 12 representatives of the Philadelphia PGA. We will provide updates on all of our Professionals throughout the tournament so check back frequently for updates.
The Philadelphia PGA will be represented by 8 Section Professionals when the 31st Senior PGA Professional Championship is played October 3-6, 2019 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas.
Follow coverage of the individual professionals below:
JoeSeptember 24, 2018Comments Off on Billy Stewart Uses Late Surge to Capture His First Philadelphia PGA Professional ChampionshipChampionships
Concordville. PA – September 21, 2018 – Billy Stewart (The ACE Club), is the winner of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, at Concord Country Club. Stewart will lead 12 Philadelphia PGA Professionals to compete in the 52nd PGA Professional Championship, next April 28 – May 1, 2019 at Belfair in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Stewart came into the third and final round of the Championship with a four shot lead but as he made his way around the Flynn designed course he got off to a slow start. Through sixteen holes Stewart had posted 15 pars and 1 bogey and was sitting at 5-under for the Championship. However, Stewart saved his best for the final two holes. On the seventeenth hole, Stewart made a lengthy downhill putt for birdie. While on the eighteenth Stewart reached the closing par-5 in two and after two putts he carded his second consecutive birdie bringing him to 7-under (207) for the Championship.
While a number of players gave it their best shot throughout the day, only one managed to temporarily grab the lead. Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) found himself at the top of the leaderboard after the twelfth hole, thanks in large part to the four birdies he had made up to that point. However, a bogey on the sixteenth hole coupled with birdies by Stewart on holes 17 & 18 ultimately dropped Ingraham from the top spot and a chance at his third Philadelphia PGA Championship although it was good enough for a solo second place finish.
The biggest move of the day came from Brian Hollins (Links Golf Club). As play began on day three, Hollins found himself at 2-over and in 22nd place. However, when play ended Hollins had moved up nineteen spots after he posted a championship best 5-under (66) moving him from 22nd place into solo third place.
When all was said and done Stewart was able to walk away as the Champion of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, the first of his career. Along with Ingraham and Hollins, Stewart will be joined by Mark Sheftic (Merion Golf Club), Mike Ladden (Whitford Country Club), Rusty Harbold (Philadelphia Cricket Club), George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club), Terry Hertzog (Country Club of York), Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club), Alex Knoll (Bethlehem Golf Club), Mark Anderson (Philadelphia Cricket Club) and Ashley Grier (Overbrook Golf Club), the only female professional playing in the Championship, who birdied the first sudden-death playoff hole to win a spot in the National event next year. She has already earned a spot in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship also in 2019.
Concordville, Pa. – In somewhat of an anomaly the September rains were not in the forecast for a second consecutive day as players got set for the second round of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. For round two, players switched courses, meaning those players who played Concord Country Club on day one moved to Whitford Country Club on day two and vice versa.
After opening with a 1-under (70) at Concord Country Club, Billy Stewart (The ACE Club) knew he left a couple shots out there. However, as Stewart made his way around Whitford Country Club, he capitalized on every opportunity he found. Stewart posted two birdies on his outward nine and added five additional birdies coming back to the clubhouse, but a bogey on the par-4 18th hole dropped him back to 5-under (67) for the day and 6-under (137) for the Championship.
“For me I tried to limit any mistakes and just play my game,” said Stewart of his second round. “I was able to make a lot of putts which always helps. I got it going on the back nine and even though I made a bogey on the last hole I still feel really good about my round today.”
The player sitting just behind Stewart is no stranger to Philadelphia PGA Championships. Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range), is a two time winner of the Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship and, after carding a second round 3-under (68), he has positioned himself to make a run at a third Championship crown. Ingraham made his way around Concord Country Club carding five birdies and only two bogeys to get to 3-under (140) for the Championship.
There are a pair of players who find themselves just four shots back as they head into the third and final round. The first to reach 2-under for the Championship was Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club). Quinn started day two at 2-under after posting an opening round (70) at Whitford Country Club. Quinn got off to a fast start in round two with four birdies through eleven holes but a tough stretch on holes 12-14 ultimately dropped him back to even par for the day keeping him at 2-under for the Championship.
The second player to reach 2-under for the Championship was Jeff Fick (Chapel Hill Golf Club). Fick headed into round two at even par after posting a 71 at Concord CC in the opening round. Fick had better luck in round two as he found himself 3-under for the day and the Championship as he played the par-3 17th hole. Unfortunately for Fick he carded his lone bogey of the day dropping him back into a third place tie at 2-under (141).
Overnight leader Rusty Harbold (Philadelphia Cricket Club) was unable to capture the magic that propelled him into the lead after 18-holes. Harbold carded a 5-over (76) at Concord Country Club dropping him back to 1-over (144) for the Championship. Despite losing the lead, Harbold is still in prime position to grab one of the twelve spots that are up for grabs in the 52nd PGA Professional Championship.
With nine players currently tied for the twelfth and final qualifying spot and another twelve within two shots of the last spot, tomorrow’s final round is shaping up to have a lot of fireworks.
The final round of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship will get underway at 8:00 AM at Concord Country Club with players going off of both tees and the leaders teeing off at 9:40 from the first tee.
For continued coverage of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship coverage you can visit philadelphia.pga.com or on social media @PhiladelphiaPGA / #PPGAChamp
JoeSeptember 19, 2018Comments Off on Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Rusty Harbold Sets Pace at 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional ChampionshipChampionships
Concordville, Pa. – After heavy rains delayed the start of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship more than 24 hours, the opening round got underway on Wednesday, September 19 at both Concord Country Club and Whitford Country Club. The field for the first round was split between the two facilities.
The Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is a must play event for all Sectional Professionals. At stake this week is the Section’s top prize the William B. Packer trophy, awarded to the Championship’s top finisher. Additionally, Professionals are competing for one of 12 spots into next year’s 52nd PGA Professional Championship at Belfair in South Carolina.
Playing early in the day at the Championship’s secondary course, Whitford Country Club, Rusty Harbold (Philadelphia Cricket Club) carded, what was ultimately, the best score of the opening round. Harbold had an up and down opening nine holes reflected in only a single par on his outward nine. On the other eight holes, Harbold traded four birdies and four bogeys and ultimately made the turn at even par. As he played his way back to the clubhouse, Harbold managed to get things dialed in as he posted five birdies against only one bogey to finish with a 4-under (68).
“It was just one of those days”, said Harbold of his round. “If you look at the score card my round was a little up and down on the front nine but I was able to make some putts so I never really got down on myself. On the back nine, I hit some really good wedges and gave myself a lot of chances which I was able to capitalize.”
As play continued at Whitford Country Club the closest anyone got to Harbold’s score was a trio of 1-under (71s). The first to get to that number was Brendon Post (Univ. of Delaware) who reached the number after carding six birdies and five bogeys. Next to join the group at 1-under was Rob Shuey (Colonial Golf Club). Unfortunately for Shuey it was a late bogey that dropped him back to 1-under. The final player to shoot 1-under at Whitford was Mark Sheftic (Merion Golf Club). Sheftic, like Shuey, was thwarted by a late bogey.
Leading the way at Concord Country Club was Bob Hennefer (Indian Springs Golf Course). As he made his way around the outward nine, Hennefer traded one birdie and one bogey and found himself at even par through his first nine holes. However as he started his inward nine, Hennefer carded two quick birdies on holes 10 & 11. After Hennefer dropped a shot on the par-3 15th hole he came to the 18th hole at 1-under. After two great shots, Hennefer had a chance to post the second eagle of the day at eighteen. When his putt found the bottom of the cup Hennefer finished with a 3-under (68) and jumped into second place after round one.
Finishing one shot behind Hennefer and two shots behind first round leader Harbold were a pair of players who carded scores of 2-under (69). Reaching the 2-under number first was Hugo Mazzalupi (Patriots Glen National Golf Club) who birdied his first hole and his final two holes to reach the number. The next player to finish at 2-under was Brett Melton (Radley Run Country Club). Melton posted two birdies and one bogey on each of his nines to end the day at 2-under.
“I am not going to put a number on tomorrow’s round”, said Harbold. “I will keep with my routine and just see what happens.”
Players will now switch courses for the Championship’s second round. At the end of round two, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties who will return to Concord Country Club on Friday for the third and final round.
For complete coverage of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship be sure to follow the action on philadelphia.pga.com or via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@PhiladelphiaPGA) or the #PPGAChamp.
JoeSeptember 13, 2018Comments Off on Philadelphia Section’s Biggest Event, the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, Set to Return to Concord Country ClubChampionships
Concordville, Pa. – A familiar site will play host to the Section’s biggest event as Concord Country Club gets set to welcome more than 140 Philadelphia PGA Professionals for the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. This will be the seventh time, the first since 2015, that Concord Country Club has hosted the Championship. Previous Championships held at the Chester County golf course include the 1927 Championship won by Joe Coble, the 1932 Championship won by George Smith, the last of his three titles, the 86th PPGA Championship won by Rich Steinmetz (2007), who also won the 89th PPGA Championship at Concord (2010), the 88th PPGA Championship won by John Pillar (2009) and finally the 94th PPGA Championship won by Dave McNabb (2015).
Competitors in this year’s field will not only be looking to have their name etched on the historic William B. Packer trophy joining legends like George Smith, Art Wall, Jr., and Dick Smith, Sr., but they will also be looking to qualify for one of twelve spots in the 52nd PGA Professional Championship to be held at Belfair in Bluffton, South Carolina April 28 – May 1, 2019.
Championship week will get underway with the annual Mariniello Tournament of Champions Pro-Am on Monday, September 17. The Pro-Am, named in honor of Vince Mariniello, past Variety – The Children’s Charity of Delaware Valley President and longtime friend of the Philadelphia PGA, will bring together more than twenty teams helping to generate significant donations to the charity.
The opening rounds of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship will be played on Tuesday, September 18 and Wednesday, September 19 at both Concord Country Club as well as the Championship’s second host facility, Whitford Country Club in Exton, Pa. The Championship field will be split between the two facilities with competitors playing one round at each course. At the end of play on day two, the field will be cut to the low 60 players plus ties with all players returning to Concord Country Club for the third and final round.
The final round will get underway in the morning with players just inside the cut line leading the way allowing the tournament leaders to play together in the final parings in the early afternoon. At the conclusion of play, ties for the overall championship as well as any qualifying spots will be settled via a sudden death tiebreaker.
In the field at this year’s tournament field will be ten past champions including, Rich Steinmetz, John Pillar, and Dave McNabb who all captured a Section crown at Concord Country Club. Additionally, defending champion, Terry Hertzog will look to become only the sixth person and the first since Steinmetz in 2010-2011, to successfully defend his title.
For complete coverage of the 97th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship be sure to follow us on our Social Media Channels Facebook / Twitter / Instagram by using the #PPGAChamp
JoeAugust 21, 2018Comments Off on Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club Wins 2018 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional ChampionshipChampionships
Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club Wins 2018 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship; Will Lead Group of Seven to 30th Senior PGA Professional Championship
Malvern, Pa. – The 2018 edition of the Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship was played August 20-21, 2018 at White Manor Country Club in Malvern, Pa. Nearly 40 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professionals gathered to compete for one of seven spots in the 30th Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla October 25-28, 2018.
As play got underway on day two of the Championship, Dave McNabb (Applebrook Golf Club) found himself one shot back of overnight leader Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) who had posted an opening round 4-under (67). Playing in the tournament’s final pairing, McNabb was able to keep an eye on his Quinn as they made their way around the course.
Despite a bogey on his opening hole, McNabb was able to recover nicely and carded three birdies on his front nine to make the turn at 2-under for the day. Meanwhile Quinn managed only two birdies and an untimely bogey on the ninth hole meant that the two competitors were tied as they began the final nine holes of the Championship.
As McNabb and Quinn played their way back to the clubhouse Quinn was unable to get anything going and a pair of bogeys would ultimately drop him from the top spot. However, McNabb posted three additional birdies which helped him to overcome a bogey and a potentially devastating double bogey on the 18th hole to finish his second round at 2-under (69) giving him a 36-hole total of 5-under (137) and a two shot victory. Quinn finished the Championship with a two-day total of 3-under (139) giving him a share of second place with George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club) who moved into contention after posting a second day low round of 3-under (68).
Including his win at the 94th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship (2015), McNabb now joins a short list of Philadelphia PGA Professionals who have won both the Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship and the Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship.
“It feels incredible to get this win today,” said McNabb of Senior Championship win. “I had been working really hard to get my game in shape for this event. I was disappointed when I didn’t qualifying for this year’s PGA Championship but I used that time practicing. I am looking forward to competing alongside my fellow Philadelphia PGA Professionals at this year’s 30th Senior PGA Professional Championship.”
McNabb will lead a group of seven Philadelphia Senior PGA Professionals to this year’s National Senior PGA Professional Championship. Joining McNabb in Florida will be Quinn, George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club), John Pillar (Country Club of Woodloch Springs), Brian Kelly (Bucknell Golf Club), John Allen (Huntingdon Valley Country Club), and John Appleget (The Shore Club).
JoeSeptember 21, 2017Comments Off on Hertzog Comes from Behind to Capture the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional ChampionshipChampionships
Tony Leodora Interviews 96th PPGA Champion Terry Hertzog
Mount Laurel, N.J. – September 21, 2016 – Terry Hertzog (Country Club of York), is the winner of the 96th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, at Laurel Creek Country Club. Hertzog will lead 13 Philadelphia PGA Professionals to compete in the 51st PGA Professional Championship, next June 17-20, 2018 at Bayonet Black Horse in Seaside, California.
Hertzog’s charge to the top of the leaderboard was slow and steady but in the end it proved to be the method best suited for him. Hertzog found red numbers on holes 5, 10 and 11 and after 36-hole leader Perla was unable to capture the magic from day two Hertzog quickly found himself in the mix for the Championship.
Other names tried to play their way into the top spot including a pair of past champions, Jordan Gibbs and Dave Quinn. Gibbs got to 2-under after 15 holes but a pair of bogeys on holes 16-17 dropped him from contention for a second consecutive title. Quinn also found himself at 2-under after 15 holes but similar to Gibbs, a bogey on the difficult 16th hole proved too much to overcome.
Although Hertzog trailed the leader by seven shots heading into the final round consistent play throughout the week, especially in today’s round ultimately vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard with a championship total of 2-under (210). Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club) was the Championship’s runner-up, after carding a three day total of 1-under-par 211. They are joined by Jordan Gibbs (Gulph Mills Golf Club), Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range), Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club), Tony Perla (LedgeRock Golf Club), Billy Stewart (The ACE Club), Brett Melton (Radley Run Country Club), Brendon Post (Univ. of Delaware), Alex Knoll (Riverton, N.J.), Mark Sheftic (Merion Golf Club), Rusty Harbold (Philadelphia Cricket Club), and Dave McNabb (Applebrook Golf Club).
The win was Hertzog’s third Philadelphia PGA Professional title becoming the tenth Philadelphia PGA Professional to accomplish the feat. George Smith (1929-30, 1932), Charles Schneider (1933, 1937, 1939), Henry Williams, Jr. (1949, 1953, 1958), Stan Dudas (1955, 1959, 1968), Art Wall, Jr. (1956, 1962-63, 1965, 1971), Dick Smith, Sr. (1974, 1977, 1981-83), Rick Osberg (1985, 1989, 1992), Brian Kelly (1995, 2000, 2005), and Rich Steinmetz (2007, 2010-11).
“It feels really amazing to get this win today”, commented Hertzog on his Championship. “I honestly didn’t think I had a chance heading into today but I wanted to put together a good round to qualify for the PGA Professional Championship next June. I played really well early in the day and that helped offset some blemishes late in the day. It’s a great feeling and I’m so thankful to the staff and membership at Laurel Creek for allowing us to use their facility the last few days.”