Hawley, Pa. (November 14, 2024) — On October 23, the Philadelphia PGA Section and its 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, hosted teams of U.S. military veterans representing the Metropolitan, New Jersey, and Philadelphia PGA Sections at the Country Club at Woodloch Springs for the inaugural District 2 Patriots Club, as an extension of the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program. With a cumulative team score of 476, the 12 veterans from New Jersey took home the trophy, bettering the veterans from Philadelphia Section (492) and the Metropolitan Section (527).

PGA HOPE  is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to veterans and active duty military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum, led by PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all veterans. PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.

The District 2 Patriots Cup was created by the three PGA Sections that make up the PGA of America’s second geographical district to honor our military veterans and grow the reach of their PGA HOPE programs. The Country Club at Woodloch Springs, its owners, and PGA Director of Golf John Pillar, have a long history of supporting veterans and charities for veterans. Pillar was awarded the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Patriot Award in 2020. The award bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates an unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected our country.

The winning team from New Jersey included Scott Burgin, Craig Casucci, Jim Csogi, Eric Kaiser, Charles Daniel Kennelly, Justin Key, Paul Pasquarella, Dave Ryden, Chris Solivan, Rodjean Thorman, Ernie Trent, and Charlie Wilcox.

Philadelphia’s team featured Craig Adams, Colt Bowen, Joe Dooley, Joel Kent, Tom Koslowski, Mike Malpedo, Robert Marcolina, Michael Rudart, John Strollo, and Vince Zuranski. The Metropolitan included Harry Conklin, Rick Ell, James Eugene, James Girardi, Danny Guaglione, John Lewis, George Lonergan, Artie McAuley, Jae Pea Persaud, Dave Raymond, Nick Tsismenakis, and Con Verrine.

The inaugural District 2 Patriots Cup was supported by the Metropolitan, New Jersey, and Philadelphia PGA Sections and their foundations, PGA of America REACH Foundation Metropolitan Section, New Jersey Golf Foundation, and PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, the Country Club at Woodloch Springs, the Greg Norman Collection, and Northwell Health.

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

During the PGA of America’s Annual Meeting Week in Grand Rapids, Mich., St. Davids PGA General Manager Dean Kandle, and the Philadelphia Cricket Club PGA Director of Golf Jim Smith Jr. received their national honors, the PGA of America Professional Development Award, and Bill Strausbaugh Award, respectively.

Prior to being interviewed by David Marr III in front of the Annual Meeting delegates, PGA Membership, industry leaders, friends, and family, the PGA of America debuted short videos highlighting each award recipient and the hard work they have put into their careers, facilities, Section and Association. Their Q&A session with Dave Marr is also linked below. To watch the videos, click on the below video screens.

Congratulations to both Dean and Jim! Both PGA Members have made our Section proud, and will no doubt continue to improve the game, Association, initiatives, and facilities going forward!

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

Bethlehem, Pa. (November 1, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Steve Sanderson and his superintendent partner, Gavin Johnson won the 2024 Pro-Superintendent Championship. The duo, local to the host course, Saucon Valley Country Club, shot an impressive net score of 8-under-par on the Old Course.

This is the event’s third year; it was created to show support not just for our PGA Members and Associates, but also to continue our great relationship with the PAGCS and all of the grounds professionals who take care of our facilities day in and day out. Special call out to their President Greg D’Antonio from Concord CC and the entire leadership of the PAGCS.

Second place in the net division was a tie between PGA Member Brian Bergstol and Riley Hogan from Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, and John Roche, PGA, and Jim Lanza from Elmhurst Country Club who finished at 4-under-par. Both teams also took home first prize in the gross division. Three teams tied for fourth place at 3-under-par: Kevin Edwards and Brett Hauck from Olde Homestead Golf Club; Rick Gibson and Josh Saunders from Lancaster Country Club; and Eric Figueroa and Dave Visocan from McCall Golf Club.

Figueroa and his partner also placed third in the Gross Division with a score of 3-under-par. Three teams tied for fourth in the Gross Division at one-under-par: Patrick Butkus and Eric Junkins, Whitford Country Club; Steve Sanderson and Gavin Johnson, Saucon Valley Country Club; and Rick Gibson and Josh Saunders, Lancaster Country Club.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Superintendent Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Superintendent Championship is sponsored by Golf Cart Services / E-Z-GO, and supported by Fore Golf Brands. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Saucon Valley Country Club, its members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as well as our partners, 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

Medford, N.J. (October 28, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., and Joanna Coe of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., have earned the titles of Philadelphia PGA Rolex / Haverford Trust Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively, and were recognized at the Section’s Fall Membership Meeting at Medford Village Country Club. These are both Shattuck and Coe’s third consecutive Player of the Year titles.

Shattuck also earned the F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy for Scoring Average, a title he previously won in 2022. His scoring average of 68.42 over 12 rounds is the lowest since the trophy was commissioned in 1964. In addition to his impressive scoring, Shattuck played one of the most remarkable seasons in recent memory. In May, he secured Low Club Professional honors at the PGA Championship in Kentucky, after qualifying for the Corebridge Financial Team at the PGA Professional Championship in Texas, where he was defending champion. Following his impressive finish in the year’s second men’s major championship, Shattuck set a new course record, 63, at Bellewood Country Club the next day, en route to winning the Delaware Valley Open. He also won this year’s Conestoga Classic, and Jack Jolly & Son Championship.

While Coe remained competitive on the course, she also gave birth to her first child in June. She won her second Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Union League Golf Club at Torresdale in September, and competed on the victorious U.S. Women’s PGA Cup Team in October, marking her second-consecutive appearance in the burgeoning biannual event.

Fellow PGA Members John Pillar of the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., and Bill Sautter of the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa., were also honored; Pillar secured this year’s Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year title, while Sautter earned Super Senior Player of the Year.

In addition to his Senior Player of the Year title, Pillar also earned the Section’s Comeback Player of the Year, thanks in part to his victories in the Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship, Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic, and TaylorMade Classic. Sautter had a similarly successful season, winning seven Super Senior events.

PGA Member Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, was crowned this season’s Central Counties Chapter Player of the Year, having won eight Chapter tournaments. The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) announced Trevor Bensel, PGA, of Sandy Run C.C., the PAO Player of the Year, winning the PAO Tour Championship at Aronimink G.C. and the PAO event at the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic.

PGA Professional Mark Parson, Harbor Pines G.C., was given the Section’s Ike Turner Most Improved Player award; his best finish this season was a tie for second place in the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway G.C.

During the Fall Membership Meeting, the Section’s membership reelected DuPont C.C.’s Michael Caldwell, District 2; Elmhurst C.C.’s Mike Molino, District 4; Rolling Green G.C.’s Scott Chisholm, District 6; and Gulph Mills G.C.’s Tom Gilbert, District 6; to second two-year terms on the Board of Directors.

The Section also acknowledged this year’s recipients of the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship: PGA Associates Olivia Gardenhour, Chambersburg C.C., and Kevin Kennedy II, Applebrook G.C. The scholarship was developed by the Jennings family to honor Bud Jennings, a lifelong golfer and longtime Chester Valley Golf Club member. Given Bud’s love for the game of golf, and his willingness to give back and help others, the Jennings family says that this award is the perfect way to remember his legacy.

Following the meeting, 96 of the nearly 150 PGA Professionals in attendance teed it up in the Fall Meeting’s two-person scramble, with Manufacturers’ G. & C.C.’s Peter Clarke, PGA, and Rob Wolfers, PGA, finishing atop the leaderboard at 11-under-par. Five teams tied for second place one stroke behind the winners.

To view the full 2024 Fall Membership Meeting Golf event leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Fall Membership Meeting is supported by Cobra Puma Golf, Evolve Golf, GolfForever, GolfStatus, Motocaddy, Signature Golf, and StickX. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Medford Village 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.

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

Havre De Grace, Md. (October 23, 2024) — PGA of America Life Member, Jeb Boyle, led his team of amateurs, Mike McKinney, Fred Farber and Sam Auker to victory in the net division at the 2024 Fall Finale Pro-Am presented by Parx Casino® at Bulle Rock Golf Course. They shot an impressive 14-under-par round of 58, in the one best ball of four format.

One stroke back in second place in the net division was the team from Carlisle C.C. led by Steve Swartz, PGA, and his amateurs Kobie Swartz, John Friedman and Rick Johnson. They also placed second in the gross division. PGA Professional, Chris Brosius, Skip Willis, Paul Hufschmidt, and Jeff Young from Maple Dale C.C. finished in third place at 12-under-par. There was a tie for fourth at 11-under-par between Tyler Spielberger and his amateurs David Throne, Tony Manson, and Chris Pavlov from Wild Quail G. & C.C.; and Dave Quinn, PGA, Jack Irons, Mike Okeef, Mark Walker, from Laurel Creek C.C. Quinn’s team also placed first in the gross division, while Spielberger’s placed third.

Eric McNamee, PGA, Joe Boyle, Jesse Brookreson, and Brian Murphy from Golf Galaxy – Montgomeryville, took fourth place in the Gross Division at 5-under-par. Six teams tied for fifth place at 4-under par.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Finale Pro-Am presented by Parx Casino® leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Finale Pro-Am event is presented by Parx Casino®. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Bulle Rock Golf Course, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, 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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 18, 2024) — The PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is thrilled to announce that it will collaborate with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the nation’s first hospital dedicated exclusively to pediatrics and a leading advocate for children and adolescents, to leverage the therapeutic benefits of the game of golf to enhance the well-being and development of CHOP’s patients and their families. Together, the organizations will provide unique opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, fundraising and mental health support.

“We could not be more excited to work with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Courtney Curcio. “Our foundation is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those children in CHOP’s care through the game of golf.”

PGA of America Golf Professionals will host Golf Marathons to fundraise for both PGA REACH Philadelphia and CHOP. These funds will support golf-related efforts within communities and bridge the gap between resources and breakthrough for children in CHOP’s care. Additionally, PGA Professionals and the PGA REACH Philadelphia team will host golf clinics and workshops for CHOP patients and their families to teach them basic golf skills and the therapeutic benefits of the game.

“At CHOP, we have a robust golf portfolio which generates close to $1 million each year to support those in our care, aiding many various departments across our hospitals,” said Felicia Tarantino, Director of Community Fundraising at CHOP. “Working with the PGA will elevate that funding while providing innovative and holistic therapeutic options to support patient recovery and well-being. We hope that this collaboration will create and strengthen connections, and promote inclusivity and diversity within the golfing community.”

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.

Philadelphia, Pa. (October 17, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Ben Lesniak and Matthew Zizas from Bala Golf Club tied with John Pillar, C.C. of Woodloch Springs, and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, in the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship at Bala Golf Club. This is Pillar’s and Bergstol’s fourth victory in five years for this event. Both teams finished their rounds at an impressive 6-under-par under today’s fourball format.

The sole team in third place, carding a 4-under-par round of 64 was Laurel Creek Country Club’s Dave Quinn and Sandy Run Country Club’s Trevor Bensel. Three teams tied for fourth place at 3-under-par: John Cooper, Green Valley C.C. and Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C.; Michael Loeper, the 1912 Club and Danie Steyn, Julian Krinsky School of Golf; and Wayne Phillips, Lehigh C.C. and Dave Pagett, Whitemarsh Valley C.C.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship is sponsored by Bala Golf Club and supported by Weatherman. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Bala Golf Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, and as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

About Henry J. McQuiston Jr., PGA
Henry J. McQuiston Jr. was born in Philadelphia in 1932 and grew up next to the Chester Valley Golf Club where his family lived. He and his two brothers played golf at Chester Valley and worked for  superintendent Dick Murphy. McQuiston graduated from West Chester State Teachers College in 1954 and then served two years in the United States Army. After being discharged from the Army, he went to work as a schoolteacher. In 1958 he turned professional and worked at Chester Valley while playing some tournaments on the PGA Tour during the summer months and still teaching school the rest of the year. In 1960 he took the job as the assistant at the Bala Golf Club and two years later he became the head professional. In 1968 McQuiston finished in a tie for second in the Section Championship losing in a three-way playoff and in 1971 he was second in the Philadelphia Open losing a playoff. He qualified for the 1962 PGA Championship, the 1963 U.S. Open and the 1984 PGA Senior Championship. McQuiston qualified for the PGA Tour tournament at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club ten times and made the cut three times. McQuiston was a member of eleven Challenge Cup teams that competed against the Middle Atlantic Section. He qualified for the Club Professional Championship four times and the Senior Club Pro Championship once. In 1970 McQuiston and several other Section members built the Avalon Golf Club and operated it until they sold out in 1986. He was elected as the 20th president of the Section in 1973 and 1974 after having served as the second vice president for two years. McQuiston was the head pro at Bala for thirty-seven years after which he continued on as the pro emeritus at the club. In 2004 McQuiston’s name was added to the Section’s Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship, which had been held at the Bala Golf Club for over 20 years. He was the Section’s “Golf Professional of the Year” in 1997. In 2005 he was inducted into the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame.

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

Bethlehem, Pa. (October 15, 2024) — The Philadelphia PGA Section’s team of 12 PGA of America Golf Professionals defeated the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s amateur team 12.5 points to 6.5 points to capture the 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches at Saucon Valley Country Club.

The Philadelphia PGA Professionals battled all day, with momentum changing seemingly with each hole, but finished well, winning 8.5 of the 12 Singles points and 4 of the six Four-Ball points. While the Golf Association of Philadelphia has seen improved results in recent years, the Philadelphia PGA Section retains the better overall record, now, at 27-5.

The team of Philadelphia PGA Professionals was led by Captain Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; Brian Kelly, Titleist Fit Crew; Danny Lewis, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Michael Little, Clubhouse 54; Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs; Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.; Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C.; Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook G.C.; and Brett Walker, Chester Valley G.C.

The GAP team included Troy Vannucci, Little Mill C.C.; Andy Butler, Huntingdon Valley C.C.; Jon Rusk, LuLu C.C.; Jake Haberstumpf, LedgeRock G.C.; Aaron Fricke, LuLu C.C.; Mark Miller, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Michael Brown Jr., LuLu C.C.; Ryan Tall, LuLu C.C.; John Lalley, Llanerch C.C.; William Howard, Applebrook G.C.; Jeff Frazier, Carlisle C.C.; and Chris Fieger Sr., Heidelberg C.C.

Captain Braden Shattuck, PGA, won the final two holes to top Troy Vannucci 1-up in their Singles match. Other Section victories in Singles included: Brian Bergstol def. Jake Haberstumpf 2 and 1; Anthony Sebastianelli def. Aaron Fricke 2-up; Daniel Lewis def. Mark Miller 2 and 1; Brett Walker def. Michael Brown Jr. 2-up; Mark Sheftic def. Ryan Tall 4 and 2; Michael Little def. William Howard 3 and 2; and John Pillar def. Chris Fieger Sr. 1-up. Amateurs Andy Butler, Jon Rusk, and Jeff Frazier def. Zac Oakley 1-up, Trevor Bensel 2 and 1, and Brian Kelly 5 and 4, respectively.

In the Four-Ball matches, Vannucci and Butler defeated Shattuck and Oakley 2 and 1, and Frazier and Fieger bettered Kelly and Pillar 2 and 1. Bensel / Bergstol def. Rusk / Haberstumpf 2 and 1, Sebastianelli / Lewis def. Fricke / Miller 5 and 4, Walker / Sheftic def. Brown / Tall 5 and 4, and Quinn / Little def. Lalley / Howard 3 and 2.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches would not be possible without the support and energy of Robin McCool. McCool was instrumental in getting the matches started 32 years ago and revitalizing them by bringing in support from Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and our host facility, Saucon Valley C.C. McCool serves as the honorary captain for the GAP team and serves as honorary chair of the event. Everyone owes Robin a debt of gratitude for all of his efforts.

To view the full 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches leaderboard, click here.

The 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches is supported by Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and Kevin McClellan of KM Golf Sales. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Saucon Valley 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.

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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 11, 2024) — The Philadelphia PGA Section and its Hall of Fame Committee have inducted PGA of America Golf Professionals Jeff Kiddie and John Pillar into its Hall of Fame as the class of 2024. They are the 47th and 48th Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame members.

Jeff Kiddie, PGA, the head golf professional at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, was the recipient of the 2023 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year award, which is the highest annual honor given to a PGA of America Golf Professional, awarded for leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf. He was the Section’s first national Golf Professional of the Year.

A PGA Member for 25 years, Kiddie has spent the past 15 years at Aronimink following a seven-year stint at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania, where he served as PGA general manager and head golf professional. Kiddie was the host PGA Professional during the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink, and will also be host to the 2026 PGA Championship.

A longtime, dedicated leader in the Philadelphia PGA Section, Kiddie has held numerous positions including president, vice president, secretary, district director, and director of Section affairs, and has member of the PGA of America Rules Committee for 11 years. In 2019, he was elected the 43rd President of the Philadelphia PGA Section; He served a two-year stint, followed by his honorary president role.

A decorated PGA Professional, Kiddie has received numerous awards and accolades, including being honored as the national 2011 PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Facilities, in addition to his Golf Professional of the Year award. He also received the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 2011 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award; 2021 Bill Strausbaugh Award; 2016 PGA Professional Development Award; 2011 Philadelphia Section Golf Professional of the Year; and is a two-time recipient of the Philadelphia PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year Award – Private Facilities (2007, 2010).

Since Kiddie became a PGA head golf professional in 2001, a total of 13 of his assistant professionals have advanced to become head golf professionals across the country. His passion for the Rules of Golf has led him to become an instructor for PGA and USGA Rules of Golf Workshops, and has worked as a Rules official for six PGA Championships, two KPMG Women’s PGA Championships, and a Ryder Cup. Kiddie is a graduate of Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he competed on the golf team.

Outside of his day-to-day work, Kiddie served as a J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship trustee in 2016-2018, and coached the West Chester YMCA youth basketball team.

“Having been in the Philadelphia PGA Section for almost 25 years, I have so much appreciation for our Section and the great PGA of America Golf Professionals of today, as well those who paved the way in making our Section what it is,” said Kiddie. “When I arrived to the Section in 2000 as a brand new PGA Member, I could not have imagined the thought of one day being included in the Section’s Hall of Fame. To say that I am incredibly honored is a vast understatement. I am also honored to be inducted into our Hall of Fame with John Pillar, whom I think is one of the most well-rounded PGA Professionals in the country and someone that I admire greatly.”

John Pillar, PGA, the PGA director of golf at the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., has consistently been one of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s best players for years, and was named a Section Playing Legend in 2022.

In addition to his playing accomplishments, Pillar has served the Association and Section in various capacities. He served on the PGA of America’s Board of Directors as District 2’s director in 2020-2023, was Section president in 2014-2015, vice president in 2013-2014, secretary in 2012-2013, honorary president, and a Section district director. Pillar was also the Section’s director of tournaments in 2002-2005, and has a member of the PGA of America’s Tournament & Championships Committee since 2020; he chaired the committee in 2014-2015.

On the course, Pillar won the 2009 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, the 2014 Pennsylvania State Open, the Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship in 2019, 2020, and 2024, and the inaugural Pennsylvania Senior Open in 2021, in addition to over 20 other Section tournament wins. Pillar also qualified and competed in the 1997 U.S. Open, 2017 U.S. Senior Open, 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, 15 PGA Professional Championships and four Senior PGA Professional Championships.

Philanthropically, Pillar leads a PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) chapter for U.S. military veterans at the C.C. at Woodloch Springs, has been chair for the Folds of Honor Golf Classic for 11 years, as well as being a committee member for BK Hope Cures for 20 years.

In 2004, he was named the Section’s Most Improved Player of the Year, and has also received several professional honors including being named the 2007 Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, 2020 Philadelphia PGA Patriot Award, four Philadelphia PGA Merchandiser of the Year awards in the Resort Category, and the 2019 Philadelphia PGA Patriot Award.

“As I reflect on this amazing honor I can’t help recall all who have lifted me along the way, as this journey doesn’t happen alone,” said Pillar. “My family and rock Eileen Pillar, who is my greatest fan and supporter in every way, my sons John Jr., Kyle, and Alex, who I have tried to be a role model for. My parents who had very little but gave everything, Woodloch and the Kiesendahl family, who took a chance on a 27-year-old to run their facility, which I call home, and to all the Philadelphia PGA Members, past and present, who have inspired me to give back to this great game. Golf saved my life, and the least I could do is give back to the game that has given me everything. To be included with past Hall of Fame members is truly humbling.”

Kiddie and Pillar will be recognized at the Section’s Fall Membership Meeting on Monday, October 28 at Medford Village Country Club, and will be formally honored at the Section’s Awards Banquet in early 2025.

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

Welcome to the latest episode of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s new 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 Kelly Sanderson, the PGA director of instruction at Huntingdon Valley (Pa.) Country Club. To watch the episode, click on the below button or screen capture. To watch the episode, click here or screen capture.

If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, 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: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com