Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (July 23, 2024) — Inside Golf, a Philadelphia PGA Section partner, will air a television special highlighting the 26th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic, won by PGA of America Golf Professional John Pillar, premiering on NBC Sports Philadelphia on Thursday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The special will be rebroadcast throughout July and August on NBC Sports Philadelphia and NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus.

The special will feature all of the major highlights from May’s electrifying golf tournament at Sunnybrook Golf Club, where Pillar walked away with a winner’s check of $100,000, the largest first-place prize available from any event across the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections, following a sudden-death playoff with PGA Professionals Kyle Early and Braden Shattuck.

York, Pa. (July 22, 2024) — Two teams, Peter Clarke, PGA, of Manufacturers’ G. & C.C. and his partner Rodney Anders; Stephen Swartz, PGA, of Carlisle C.C. and Jeff Frazier tied to win the 2024 Pro-Scratch Championship presented by Parx Casino® at the Country Club of York. Despite a significant weather delay and soggy afternoon, both teams finished with scores of 9-under-par 63.

In today’s format, each team consisted of one PGA of America Golf Professional and one amateur with a scratch handicap playing in a better ball of partners.

The competition was very close as several teams were only a few strokes back. Kyle Quagliero and Jack Ross, Galloway National G.C. tied for third place, one stroke behind the winners. Three teams tied for fifth place two strokes back: George Frake and Kevin Kramarski, Moorestown Field Club; Rob Singer and Buddy Hansen, Union League Liberty Hill; and Jim Haus and Zak Drescher, Bent Creek C.C.

To view the full 2024 Pro-Scratch Championship presented by Parx Casino®, click here.

The 2024 Pro-Scratch Championship is presented by Parx Casino® and supported by L2 Brands and Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, the Country Club of York, 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

Elverson, Pa. (July 17, 2024) — After three severe weather delays, teams from Yardley (Pa.) Country Club Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., tied for the top prize in the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Junior Team Championship at French Creek Golf Club. Following the lengthy delays, the event was cut to nine holes.

Yardley’s team consisted of PGA of America Golf Professional J.T. Wambold, Sabrina Swope, Naaz Mehta, and Noor Mehta, while Aronimink’s featured PGA Member John Bierkan, Hunter Setson, Jack Crowley, and Liam Crowley. Both teams finished their nine-hole rounds at 8-under-par.

Cedarbrook C.C.’s Jim Parella, PGA, Tristan Smith, Diego Yanez, and Nolan Corcoran; tied for third place with Kennett Square G. & C.C.’s Lamar Saxon, Holden Stephenson, Grant Burkhart, and Paul Sanfrancesco at 7-under-par. Wild Quail G. & C.C.’s Tyler Spielberger, PGA, Reagan Garnsey, Evan Gebhart, and Gavin Garrison, tied for fifth place with DuPont C.C.’s Matt Finger, Hannah Webb, Meredith Finger, and Joseph Kelly at 6-under-par.

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

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Junior Team Championshipis supported by the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, French Creek Golf Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event https://www.frenchcreekgolf.com/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.

Mohnton, Pa. (July 16, 2024) — The team from Philadelphia Cricket Club, led by PGA of America Golf Professional Jim Smith, and his amateur partners Scott Storck, Tyler Stahle, and Justin Smith, took first place in the Net Division in the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Stableford Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino® at LedgeRock Golf Club. After two weather delays, the event was cut to 10 holes due to severe weather. The event is also supported by Ohana Farm.

Each team consisted of one PGA Professional and three amateurs, while the event’s Stableford format was two Better Balls of four. The Stableford points were awarded as follows: Bogey or higher, 1 point; Par, 2 points; Birdie, 3 points; Eagle, 4 points; and Double Eagle, 5 points.

Smith’s team finished with net 53 Stableford points, topping host LedgeRock G.C.’s Bill Kindoll, PGA, Chris Storck, Greg Giles, and Brad White by one point. PGA Member Chad Halvonik and his team from Lookaway G.C., Lisa Kozak, Beth Thompson, and Linda Davis, finished in third place with net 50 Stableford points. The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Geoff Surrette, PGA, Scott Hutchinson, Doug Zadow, and Tate Oakley took fourth with 49 points. Eight teams tied for fifth place with 48 points.

Smith’s Philadelphia Cricket Club team also topped the Gross Division with gross 53 Stableford points. The team found their round highlighted by the performance of amateur Tyler Stahle, who finished through 10 holes with five birdies and an impressive eagle on hole 8.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Stableford Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino® leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Stableford Team Championship is presented by Parx Casino®, and is supported by Ohana Farm. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, LedgeRock 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.

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

Macungie, Pa. (July 9, 2024) — Unperturbed by a 95-minute severe weather delay and a crowded leaderboard, PGA of America Golf Professional Anthony Sebastianelli of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., turned in a 3-under-par 68 in the final round to reach 6-under for the tournament and win the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley’s 2024 Lehigh Valley Open at Brookside Country Club. It is his first Philadelphia PGA Section win.

Sebastianelli, finished one stroke ahead of Brendon Post of the University of Delaware, and Michael Little of Clubhouse 54.

“Sitting in the clubhouse during the weather delay with a share of the lead was a little stressful,” said Sebastianelli following his round. “But it was so much fun. I really like to compete in everything that I do, and having such a good leaderboard today was special.”

Sebastianelli went on to thank the membership and staff at Rolling Green G.C., his new bride Emily, his family and friends, the Brookside C.C. membership and staff, and the Section staff.

Two-time GALV Lehigh Valley Open Champion Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C., tied for fourth place at 4-under-par with Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.

Whitemarsh Valley C.C.’s Dave Pagett, PGA, set a new course record at Brookside, finishing his final round with a 6-under-par 65, ten strokes better than his opening round 75. He made seven birdies and one bogey to tie for 10th place. The previous course record, 66, was set by then Atlantic City C.C. PGA Professional Stan Dudas in an 18-hole playoff for the 1968 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, which he won, and was tied by former PGA Tour player Mike Hubert in a 1988 charity pro-am.

Pagett was playing alongside Brookside C.C. PGA Head Golf Professional Dave Fields, who considered it an honor to witness the record-breaking round. This is the third time this season that a PGA Professional tied or set a new course record during a Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event; Brian Bergstol, tied the course record (64) at Tavistock C.C. on May 6 en route to winning the TaylorMade Classic, and Braden Shattuck set a new course record (63) at Bellewood C.C. on May 20 at the Delaware Valley Open, which he won.

Post finished at at 4-under-par for the top honors in the Senior Division, one stroke ahead of Steinmetz and Cooper. PGA Life Member George Forster finished two strokes behind in fourth place, followed by PGA Life Member Rob Shuey at 2-under-par.d

With rounds of 68-65–133, Deerwood C.C.’s Greg Farrow ran away with the Super Senior Division title. Finishing at 9-under-par, he bettered PGA Life Member Wayne Phillips by seven strokes. Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, finished in third place at 1-under-par. While Farrow finished his final round with 65 strokes, he played the Super Senior tees, a shorter yardage than the set of tees Pagett played from earlier in the day.

The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Central Counties Chapter hosted an event concurrently with the 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open, with Titleist Fitcrew’s Brian Kelly taking home the first-place prize. Kelly made a birdie on the first sudden-death playoff hole against Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C. Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort’s Brian Bergstol shot even-par to tie Kelly and Knoll, but did not compete in the playoff. Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C., finished in fourth place at 3-over-par. Stephen Swartz, Carlisle C.C., and Mike Molino, Elmhurst C.C., tied for fifth place, four strokes back.

Twenty-three amateurs competed in the Open this week, and with rounds of 71-69–140, both Samantha Fritzinger, Lower Macungie Twp., Pa.; John Keba, Emmaus, Pa.; tied to share Low Amateur honors. Dave Olexson, also of Emmaus, Pa., finished in third place, six strokes behind Fritzinger and Keba. Brad Gordon, Tallahassee, Fla.; and Michael Ashcraft, Freemansburg, Pa.; tied for fourth place at 5-over-par.

To view the full 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 GALV Lehigh Valley Open is supported by the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley, Payntr Golf, Jani-King, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Brookside Country 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. Visit phillypga.com to learn more.

About the Golf Association of Lehigh Valley
The Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to promoting and growing the game of golf in the greater Lehigh Valley region for youth and adult golfers, and to preserving the unique history of the game in the region. Learn more at golfgalv.com.

Contacts: 

The membership of Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn., recently invited PGA of America Life Member David Nevatt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his victory in the 1974 United States Junior Amateur Championship. Before he makes the trip later this month, we invited David to our Section office to sit down and reflect on his big win and his career in the golf industry. To watch the interview, click here or on the video embedded below.

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

Huntingdon Valley, Pa. (July 1, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Brett Walker of Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pa., turned in a 4-under-par 66 to win the 2024 William Hyndman III Memorial Classic at Huntingdon Valley Country Club by two strokes over Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C. The tournament is a Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event.

After shooting an even-par 35 on the first nine holes of this round, Walker hit his stride going into the back nine, making birdie on four holes in a row on Nos. 10-13. Today’s win is Walker’s first Philadelphia PGA Section victory since his win at the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Aronimink G.C.

“My round started pretty well,” Walker said following play. “I birdied No. 1 to get off to a nice start. I turned at even-par, and then my putter got hot and made four birdies in a row, and then cruised in. The course played fair, but tough.

“I’m pumped to be back in the Philadelphia Section, and honored to have won this event.”

Walker went on to thank his family and friends, the Chester Valley G.C. membership and staff for the opportunity to represent the club, the Huntingdon Valley C.C. staff, and the Section staff.

Danny Lewis, Philadelphia Cricket Club; and Louis Kelly, Gulph Mills G.C.; tied for third place at 1-under-par 69. Five players tied for fifth place at even-par.

In the Senior Division, Mike Molino, Elmhurst C.C., tied with Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek C.C., for first place at even-par. Four players tied for third place, three behind the winners.

PGA Life Member Michael Versuk won the Super Senior Division with a 4-over-par 74. He was followed by Wayne Phillips, Lehigh C.C., and Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, who both finished at 5-over-par 75 to tie for second.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic with Trevor Bensel taking home the top prize. Louis Kelly finished in solo second place one stroke behind Bensel, followed by Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C., and Patrick Allgeier, Aronimink G.C., at even-par, and Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C., and Robert Fenton, Sunnybrook G.C., at 3-over-par in fifth place.

To view the full 2024 William Hyndman III Memorial Classic leaderboard, click here.

Author John Riley was onsite alongside Bill Hyndman V, grandson of William Hyndman III, to greet players following their rounds and gift them Riley’s newest book, “A Will To Win”, a story about tournament namesake and legendary amateur William Hyndman III’s perseverance and triumph. Copies may be purchased via awilltowin.com.

The 2024 William Hyndman III Memorial Classic is supported by the Hyndman Family, Callaway Golf, Jack Jolly & Son Inc., Jani-King, KM Golf Sales / Kevin McClellan, Ohana Farm LLC, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Huntingdon Valley Country Club, its membership, management, staff, and host PGA of America Golf Professionals, 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 GALV Lehigh Valley Open at Brookside Country Club in Macungie, Pa., on July 8-9.

About William Hyndman III 
William Hyndman III was one of the most accomplished Philadelphia amateur golfers in history. Hyndman’s resume developed early by winning the 1935 Philadelphia Amateur at the age of 19; he ultimately accumulated three Philadelphia Amateur titles, 10 Patterson Cup crowns, and six Silver Crosses. Hyndman also made nine Masters Tournament appearances and made a hole-in-one on Augusta National G.C.’s 12th hole. By the time Hyndman ended his golfing career, he had competed in 50 USGA championships, including playing on five Walker Cup teams and winning two U.S. Senior Amateur titles.

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 Twp., Pa. (June 26, 2024) — The PGA of America recently announced that Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., is on the roster of 10 PGA of America Golf Professionals who will compete on the United States Team against Great Britain & Ireland in the 31st PGA Cup. The biennial competition will take place Sept. 10-15, 2024, at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon.

The PGA Cup is an event similar to the Ryder Cup, started in 1973, where the top PGA of America Golf Professionals from the United States compete against the PGA Professionals from Great Britain and Ireland. Each team consists of ten golfers. In 2022 the team from the United States won the cup and they hope to retain it this year.

The Philadelphia extends its congratulations and best wishes of luck to the Braden and the rest of the 2024 Team! To read more about the team, click here.

2024 U.S. PGA Cup Team

• Braden Shattuck (Aston, Pa.) – Rolling Green Golf Club, Philadelphia Section
• Michael Block (Mission Viejo, Calif.) – Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Southern California Section
• John Somers (Trinity, Fla.) – Southern Hills Plantation Club, North Florida Section

• Ben Polland (Jackson Hole, Wyo.) – Shooting Star of Jackson Hole, Rocky Mountain Section
• Jared Jones (Houston, Texas) – River Oaks Country Club, Southern Texas Section
• Andy Svoboda (Oak Brook, Ill.) – Butler National Golf Club, Illinois Section
• Jeremy Wells (Estero, Fla.) – Cypress Lake Golf Club, South Florida Section
• Matt Cahill (West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Seminole Golf Club, South Florida Section
• Jesse Mueller (Phoenix, Ariz.) – Grand Canyon University Golf Course, Southwest Section
• Tyler Collet (Vero Beach, Fla.) – John’s Island Club, South Florida Section

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. (June 14, 2024) — The PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable organization, recently received a generous $30,000 donation from the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Five-Ball for the Four-Ball golf tournament.

The event was played on the club’s Wissahickon Course, just before hosting the United States Golf Association’s U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Golf Championship on May 25-29, and was designed to support local charity organizations. The club invited six local not-for-profit organizations to participate, guaranteeing each a minimum donation, while event’s winning team was allowed to pick one of the charities to receive a $30,000 donation.

The winners (Mike Anderson, Jose Rovelli, Dominic Origlio III, Conrad Von Borsig, and Robby Walizer), sponsored by John Evans’ Sons Co-President and Philadelphia Cricket Club Junior Golf Chairman Sam Davey, chose PGA REACH Philadelphia as the event’s main benefactor.

“Playing in the Five-Ball for the Four-Ball charity golf tournament was an absolute blast and our team was grateful to play the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course in peak-tournament condition,” said Davey. “We are thrilled to have designated PGA REACH Philadelphia as our team’s benefactor because of their ongoing efforts to improve lives bringing more golf to people without access to the game, our youth, and to the men and women who have served in our military.”

The donation will help support the foundation’s Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion programming such as PGA Jr. League, Golf in Schools, PGA HOPE Philadelphia (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mr. Davey’s team and the Philadelphia Cricket Club for their benevolent donation,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Courtney Curcio. “Their donation will go a long way to improve lives through the game of golf here in the Philadelphia PGA Section.”

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.

FRISCO, Texas (June 5, 2024) – PGA of America Golf Professional Matt Keller, Owner of York Indoor Golf & Training Center in York, Pennsylvania, and Lancaster Indoor Golf & Training Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain.

The PGA Master Professional program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. The curriculum is designed to ensure golf professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations.

Among the more than 30,000 that comprise the PGA of America, Keller, a Member of the Philadelphia PGA Section, joins a special group as the 444th to earn Master Professional status. He achieved his designation in Teaching & Coaching.

The program is available to those with at least 10 years of PGA Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Certified Professional Program. The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the presentation.

“Becoming a PGA Master Professional is a huge honor,” said Keller, a PGA of America Member since 2003. “Coming from where I started, to reach this point of such an elite group of people, it’s taken a lot of persistence over the years. I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited to be a part of this Master Professional group now and continue to progress my teaching and coaching abilities within the golf industry.”

Keller graduated from the Penn State University PGA Golf Management program in 2003 with a degree in Recreational Park and Management. He earned a Master’s Degree from Ohio University in 2012, focusing on sport psychology, long-term athletic development, athlete performance, conditioning, recovery and injury prevention. 

Before becoming owner of York Indoor Golf & Training Center in York, Pennsylvania in 2017, and Lancaster Indoor Golf & Training Center in Lancaster in 2021, Keller worked for several golf facilities in various roles throughout Florida, Delaware and Pennsylvania, including The Club at The Strand, Lancaster Country Club, Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club and Regents’ Glen Country Club. Additionally, Keller teaches Golf I at Penn State York, where he’s taught since 2018.

Keller resides in Manchester, Pennsylvania, with his wife Maureen and son Kurtis.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contacts

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com

Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com