Category: PPGA

Philadelphia PGA of America Golf Professionals Capture 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches

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

PGA of America Golf Professionals Jeff Kiddie and John Pillar Inducted Into Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame

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

PGA of America Golf Professional Steve Swartz Leads Carlisle C.C. Team to Victory in 2024 Bedford Springs Pro-Am

Bedford, Pa. (October 10, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Steve Swartz of Carlisle (Pa.) Country Club, led his team of amateurs, Joe Lutz, Jim Fucci, and Will Quinn, to victory in the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Bedford Springs Pro-Am at the famed Omni Bedford Springs Resort.

Ten teams comprised of one PGA Professional and three amateur golfers competed in the One Gross + One Net format over 36 holes. Swartz’s team finished their tournament at 25-under-par, bettering the team from Moselem Springs G.C., Jeff Fick, PGA; Jeff Rapp; Dan Kelly; and Randy Goodreau, by two strokes.

Bent Creek C.C.’s Jim Haus, PGA; John Dever; Henry Popplewell; and Chris Emich, finished in third place at 22-under-par, followed by two teams at 18-under: PGA Life Member Dan Baker, Don Young, Jamison Clark, and Eric Mentzer; and Wild Quail G. & C.C.’s Tyler Spielberger, Dylan Chessher, Anthony Konrad, and Chris Noll.

Having started in 2023, this week’s event is the newest travel pro-am on the Section’s event calendar, and was very well received by the tournament’s competitors. Located in the Allegheny Mountains of southern Pennsylvania, Omni Bedford Springs Resort was originally established in the early 1800s, and was based around the property’s mineral springs. The course has been touched by many golf course architects of the years, with the first iterations of the course coming in the late 1800s and early 1900s thanks to Spencer Oldham and H.H. Barker. Later, renowned golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast renovated the course, followed with work by Arthur Goss. In the mid 1920s, Donald Ross created the 18-hole layout, with further work from James Harrison in the ’60s. The facility closed in 1986 and fell into disrepair, but was ultimately restored through a $120 million restoration. Ron Forse and Jim Nagle renovated the course in 2006 in the style of Tillinghast, Ross, and Oldham. Since reopening, the course and resort have received critical acclaim.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Bedford Springs Pro-Am leaderboard, click here.

The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Omni Bedford Springs Resort, 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

Playing Through Web Series: Kelly Sanderson, PGA

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

Philadelphia PGA Section and PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia Announce Partnership With Wilson Smith Golf League

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 8, 2024) — The Philadelphia PGA Section and its 501(c)(3) charitable organization, PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, is proud to announce a partnership with the Wilson Smith Golf League (WSGL), a golf-centric organization supporting recovery from Alcohol and/or Substance Use Disorder (AUD/SUD).

PGA REACH Philadelphia’s mission of impacting lives through the game of golf presents a synergy with the WSGL, as its primary function is to support recovery from alcohol and/or substance addiction through community and fellowship by coordinating services, communication, education, and information into a national network of sober golf leagues.

“It is rewarding to work with the Wilson Smith Golf League to help improve the lives of golfers in our Section,” said Philadelphia PGA Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “It’s also an honor to have the WSGL put their trust in us in helping achieve their mission to support and promote addiction recovery through the structured participation in golf.”

As part of the agreement, the Section’s nearly 900 PGA of America Golf Professionals will act as ambassadors to connect interested golfers at their respective facilities to the WSGL. With the creation of this alliance, WSGL members and their families will improve their health and wellness while increasing their ability to stay clean and sober.

“As we enter our 25th season, the WSGL is excited to partner with the Philadelphia PGA Section and PGA REACH Philadelphia to extend awareness of our organization,” says WSGL’s Peter H. “Our mission dovetails with PGA REACH Philadelphia’s pursuits, and this alliance will bring new awareness of our organization to thousands of golfers throughout the Delaware Valley.”

The Section, foundation, and WSGL will begin their work immediately, with a formal presentation coming during the Section’s annual Fall Membership Meeting at Medford Village Country Club on October 28. PGA of America Golf Professionals are welcome to download, print, and display WSGL collateral by clicking here.

To learn more, and to apply for WSGL membership, visit wilsonsmithgolf.org.

About the Wilson-Smith Golf League
The Wilson-Smith Golf League promotes addiction recovery through community and fellowship by coordinating services, communication, education, and information into a network of sober golf leagues.   The goal of The Wilson-Smith Golf League is to create other WSGL chapters across the country to assist persons afflicted with Alcohol/Substance Use Disorder and their families.

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.

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

Kogelman and Quinn Tie Quagliero and Scarlett in 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship

Cape May Court House, N.J. (October 7, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Joe Kogelman of GOLFTEC – Moorestown in Maple Shade, N.J., and Dave Quinn of Laurel Creek Country Club in Mount Laurel Township, N.J., turned in a team score of 10-under-par 98 to tie Kyle Quagliero and Alex Scarlett, both of Galloway (N.J.) National Golf Club, in the 27-hole 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship at Union League National.

One-hundred-forty-four PGA Professionals teed it up in on the Dana Fry and Jason Straka-designed golf courses, a record number of entries for the event. The event featured a new format for 2024: 27 holes, with Foursomes (alternate shot) played on the Grant Course, a Scramble on the Meade Course, and Four-Ball on the Sherman Course.

Kogelman and Quinn made an eagle, nine birdies and one bogey, while Quagliero and Scarlett made 14 birdies and four bogeys en route to their tie.

Three teams tied for third place one stroke behind the winners: Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C., and Tessa Teachman, Aronimink G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; and George Frake, Moorestown Field Club and PGA Life Member, Jason Panter.

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

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship is supported by John HiginbothamAM&EMaui JimSterling Cut GlassRed Arrow MarkersHydr8 Mobile IV, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Union League National, 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

Philadelphia PGA Announces Team for 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 7, 2021) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is proud to announce that its 12-member team for the 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches has been finalized. The competition, played annually between top Philadelphia PGA of America Golf Professionals and Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) amateurs, is slated to take place on Tuesday, October 15 on Saucon Valley Country Club’s Grace Course in Bethlehem, Pa. Braden Shattuck, PGA, the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year and 2024 PGA Championship Low Club Professional, will lead the Section’s team as captain for the second year in a row.

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.

The 12 PGA Professionals representing the Philadelphia PGA Section include:

Braden Shattuck, PGA (C)
Rolling Green Golf Club

Trevor Bensel, PGA
Sandy Run Country Club

Brian Bergstol, PGA
Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort

Brian Kelly, PGA
Titleist Fit Crew 

Danny Lewis, PGA
Philadelphia Cricket Club

Michael Little, PGA
Clubhouse 54

Zac Oakley, PGA
Bidermann Golf Club

John Pillar, PGA
Country Club at Woodloch Springs

Daver Quinn, PGA
Laurel Creek Country Club

Anthony Sebastianelli
Rolling Green Golf Club

Mark Sheftic, PGA
Sunnybrook Golf Club

Brett Walker, PGA
Chester Valley Golf Club

Philadelphia PGA Challenge Matches Team

Captain Braden Shattuck, PGA, Rolling Green Golf Club – Shattuck is the twice-defending Philadelphia PGA Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year, and currently leads this season’s race by nearly 1,500 points. In addition to his three Section wins in 2024 (Delaware Valley Open, Conestoga Classic, and Jack Jolly & Son Championship), Shattuck earned Low Club Professional honors at this year’s PGA Championship in Kentucky, and leads the race for the F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy with a scoring average of 68.10. At the Delaware Valley Open, he set a new Bellewood Country Club course record: 8-under-par 63. Shattuck also finished tied for 16th in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship in Texas. In eight Section starts this season, he has finished outside the top four only once.

Trevor Bensel, PGA, Sandy Run Country Club – Bensel is currently second in the Section Player of the Year race, and fifth in the DeBaufre Scoring Average rankings with 70.36. Bensel competed in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship, finishing tied for 26th. In 11 Section starts in 2024, he has finished in the top five eight times.

Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort – Bergstol had a hot start to his Section season, tying the course record at Tavistock Country Club, an 8-under-par 64, en route to winning the TaylorMade Classic and the first Silvercrest Cup bonus of the season. He finished second in the season-long Silvercrest Cup standings and is currently in sixth place in the Section’s Player of the Year race and ninth on the DeFaufre Scoring Average list with an average of 70.78.

Brian Kelly, Titleist Fit Crew – Kelly currently sits in the third position on the Section’s Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year points list, thanks in part to his eight top five finishes. He also finds himself third in the Central Counties Chapter Player of the Year race having won the Chapter Championship and the Chapter’s event at the GALV Lehigh Valley Open.

Danny Lewis, PGA, Philadelphia Cricket Club – Lewis is currently eighth in the Section’s Player of the Year race, and 10th on the DeBaufre Scoring Average list, with an average of 71.50. He has four top-10 finishes in Section events this season, in addition to tying for fourth place in the 2024 Philadelphia Open Championship.

Michael Little, PGA, Clubhouse 54 – A two-time Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year (2016, 2020), Little is no stranger to the Challenge Matches. In 2024, Little has entered the winner’s circle twice, at the Pro-Am for Wishes and A.B. Thorn Memorial Pro-Am, and has another nine top 10 finishes. He is currently tied for fifth place in the DeBaufre Scoring Average race, at 70.44.

Zac Oakley, PGA, Bidermann Golf Club – Oakley is fresh off winning his third Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship, having won the final match on Merion Golf Club’s East Course one week after winning the 2024 Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway. He competed in his second major championship in May at the PGA Championship, qualifying from his tie for eighth place at the 2024 PGA Professional Championship. Oakley is second only to Shattuck in the Player of the Year race, and is in the fourth position for the DeBaufre Scoring Average with a 70.14.

John Pillar, PGA, Country Club at Woodloch Springs – Pillar had a hot start to his summer, winning the 26th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic and its $100,000 first-place prize, and the 2024 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship. Pillar also made both cuts in this year’s Senior PGA Professional Championship in Oregon. He is in first place in the Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year race, thanks to his four Senior Division victories.

Dave Quinn, PGA, Laurel Creek Country Club – Quinn is currently 11th in the Section’s Player of the Year competition, thanks in part to his win at the Section’s Fall Pro-Pro Championship and his nine other top 10 finishes.

Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green Golf Club – Sebastianelli is having a break-out year, having won four times, including this year’s Silvercrest Cup and its $15,000 winner’s check. He is fifth in the Player of the Year standings, second in the DeBaufre Scoring Average, and is leading the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) Player of the Year competition.

Mark Sheftic, PGA, Sunnybrook Golf Club – Sheftic is 10th on the Section’s Player of the Year list, and has realized four top 10 finishes this season. His highest finishes this season were at the Pro-Am for Wishes (T3) and the Match Play Championship (semi-finalist).

Brett Walker, Chester Valley Golf Club – Walker returned to the Philadelphia PGA Section this season, and wasted no time to get back to the winner’s circle, by winning his second Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship and the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic. He is seventh on the DeBaufre Scoring Average list at 70.45.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this press release listed an incorrect date for the Challenge Matches, which is scheduled for October 15. Additionally, Mark Sheftic, PGA, and Dave Quinn, PGA, have replaced Zach Barbin and Mike Meisenzahlm PGA.

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

Play Commences for Joanna Coe, PGA, On 2024 U.S. Women’s PGA Cup Team

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 2, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional, Joanna Coe of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., will be competing in her third consecutive Women’s PGA Cup. Coe, fresh off her victory earlier this year at the Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, will join four other female PGA Professionals from across the country to compete at the Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon. The team captain is PGA of America President, John Lindert, the PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing.

The Women’s PGA Cup is a biennial international competition, founded in 2019, among teams from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Great Britain & Ireland, South Africa and Sweden. The U.S. team hopes to retain the cup for the third time in a row. Tee times will begin Thursday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m.

To keep up with live results for the Women’s PGA Cup, visit here.
2024 U.S. Women’s PGA Cup Team
Joanna Coe
Merion Golf Club
Philadelphia PGA Section

Sandra Changkija
LPGA Foundation
North Florida PGA Section

Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth
San Jose Country Club
North Florida PGA Section

Ashley Grier

Yinglings Golf Center
Middle Atlantic PGA Section

Allie Knight
Fairways and Greens Golf Center
Tennessee PGA 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

PGA of America Golf Professional Zac Oakley Wins 2024 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship

Ardmore, Pa. (October 2, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del., defeated Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley C.C. in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., 6 and 5 to win the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship on his favorite course, Merion Golf Club’s famed East Course

“I knew Dave [Pagett] was going to be a tough match,” Oakley said following his round. “He took out our Section’s best player this year (Braden Shattuck, PGA), so I knew he was going to be hard to beat.

“I hit the ball solidly today, hitting greens and fairways. My speed on the greens was good, and my caddie, Steve, gave me a few good reads too.”

Oakley, who received a first-round bye, survived six rounds of matches against 120 of his fellow PGA Professionals in the season-long format. He bettered Anthony Hoffman, John F. Byrne G.C.; Pat Butkus, Whitford C.C.; Matthew Durham, Merion G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; and Pagett en route to his victory today.

Oakley was due to play against Merion G.C.’s Joanna Coe, and Pagett was to see Sunnybrook G.C.’s Mark Sheftic in the semi-finals, but both Coe and Sheftic conceded due scheduling conflicts.

This is Oakley’s third Match Play victory, having previously won in 2021 at the Steel Club and 2019 at Lookaway Golf Club.

“I love match play,” Oakley continued. “It takes the anxiety and tension out on each hole; there’s always the next hole. Using momentum to your advantage is important in match play, and I think I did a pretty good job of keeping my momentum going today.”

Oakley went on to thank Merion Golf Club, their PGA Head Golf Professional Scott Nye, the club’s entire staff, the Section, and Dave Pagett.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship results, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship is supported by Rolex and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Merion 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