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 Jim “Cheech” Shukdinas, a PGA assistant golf professional at Tavistock (N.J.) Country Club.

If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, click here.

Orwigsburg, Pa. (June 26, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Eric McNamee of Golf Galaxy Montgomeryville in North Wales, Pa., and Ken Dixon of Golf Genius Software in Wayne, Pa., led their respective teams of amateurs, Joe Boyle, Walt Hoffner, and Jesse Brookreson; Josh Lewis, Jason Barkley, and Cory Reighard; to a tie atop the Net Division in the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Schuylkill Team Stableford Pro-Am presented by Parx Casino® and Moyer. McNamee’s team won the tie-breaker in the weather-shortened event.

The winnings team each finished with 44 Stableford points in the two best balls of team format. The modified Stableford format awarded points as follows: Bogey or higher, one point; Par, two points; Birdie, three points; Eagle, four points; and Double Eagle, five points. Bent Creek Country Club’s Terry Hertzog, PGA, Ron kreider, Chris Simon, and Jonas Vossler finished in third place, one stroke behind the leaders.

Dixon’s team also finished atop the Gross Division with 42 points. Skippack Golf Club’s Darryl Lock, PGA, Bill Lydick, Bill Pabst, and Jim Fronzoni finished in a tie for second place with 39 points with Green Pond Golf Course’s John Kulhamer, PGA, John Mace, Phil Ries, and Ryan Orcutt.

A special congratulations to Schuylkill Country Club PGA Director of Golf Andy Signor, who made the shot of tournament, a hole-in-one, on No. 11; he used a seven-iron from 179 yards. Well played, Andy!

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Schuylkill Team Stableford Pro-Am is presented by Parx Casino® and Moyer. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Schuylkill 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

Royersford, Pa. (June 25, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional John Pillar of the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., battled the record-breaking heat to successfully defended his title and capture the 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship at Spring Ford Country Club. Pillar previously won this championship in 2019, 2020, and 2024.

The championship is supported by Golf Channel, Ohana Farm, and the PGA Tour.

Pillar entered the final round with a two-stroke lead, and completed his title defense with rounds of 68-70–138 to finish at 6-under-par, four strokes ahead of Brian Kelly of Titleist Fit Crew.

Heat index of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Pillar battled back on his final nine with five birdies, including three straight to finish, and a lone bogey, after starting his final round 2-over through seven holes.

“I’m proud of the fact that I finished strong,” Pillar said after being presented the trophy. “It’s very emotional to win this championship again; it’s my fourth victory in six years. I don’t take it lightly, because the [Philadelphia PGA] Section has a lot of great players.”

When asked about how he stayed focused in the extreme heat, Pillar said that players have to find shade.

“I learned that a long time ago from a caddie at Aronimink Golf Club…he said to get in the shade whenever you can, because it’s 15 degrees cooler than in the sun. I drank a ton of water, Gatorade, and a Pedialyte, but in the end, you have to take your time and not rush. The heat will identify your mental mistakes more so than the physical mistakes.”

Pillar went on to thank Spring Ford Country Club for hosting, the Country Club at Woodloch Springs for giving him the opportunity to compete, his wife Eileen, his kids, TaylorMade, Nike, and the Philadelphia PGA Section staff.

Pillar will lead six other Philadelphia PGA Members to compete in the 2025 Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on October 23-26, including: Brian Kelly; Stephan Swartz, Carlisle Country Club; Dave McNabb, Applebrook Golf Club; Frank Bensel, Galloway National Golf Club; Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford Country Club; and Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek Country Club. The top 35 finishers in the 2025 Senior PGA Professional Championship will earn a spot in the 2026 Senior PGA Professional Championship, scheduled to be played on April 16-19, at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. Alternates include: Mark Sehtic, Sunnybrook Golf Club; John Cooper, Green Valley Country Club; Hugo Mazzalupi, Radnor Golf Foundation; Brendon Post, University of Delaware; and Kevin Edwards, Olde Homestead Golf Club.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter, PGA, took the top prize in the Super Senior Division, finishing at 4-over-par and one stroke ahead of Harvey Williams, Glen Oak Country Club.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship is supported by Golf Channel, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Spring Ford 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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

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 Megan Leineweber, the PGA head golf professional at Stonewall in Elverson, Pa.

If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, click here.

With the 2025 golf season in full swing and the PGA Championship upon us, we wanted to share something we’ve been working on in the Philadelphia PGA Section: we have launched an online golf shop, which will be available year-round! The new shop allows us to offer apparel and accessories embroidered with the Philadelphia PGA Section logo, and ship it directly to you. The shop also offers PGA Championship and Ryder Cup logoed items. Net proceeds will be donated to our charitable foundation, PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia.

PGA of America Members and Associates from our Section are eligible for a 15 percent discount on all items; PGA Professionals may redeem the discount by entering “PHILA15”

This endeavor has been many months in the making and we are delighted to introduce it to you. More brands will continue to be added in the weeks ahead, and we will announce them as they become available. We look forward to hearing your feedback, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us, or call the shop’s dedicated customer service line at (833) 366-4653.

To visit the online shop, click on the below button.

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