Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (September 29, 2021) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is proud to announce that its 12-member team for the 29th Philadelphia Challenge Matches has been finalized. The competition, played annually between top Philadelphia PGA Professionals and Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) amateurs, is slated to take place on October 14 on Saucon Valley Country Club’s Grace Course in Bethlehem, Pa. Twenty-twenty Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year Michael Little will lead the Section’s team as captain.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches would not be possible without the support and energy of Robin McCool. McCool was instrumental in getting the matches started nearly 30 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:

• Michael Little, PGA (C)
  Lookaway Golf Club
• Trevor Bensel, PGA
  Overbrook Golf Club
• Brian Bergstol, PGA
  Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
• George Forster, PGA
  Philadelphia PGA
• Mike Furey, PGA
  Saucon Valley Country Club
• Brian Kelly, PGA
  Bucknell Golf Club
  
• Chris Krueger, PGA
  Kings Creek Country Club
• Hugo Mazzalupi, PGA
  Patriots Glen Nat’l. Golf Club
• Dave McNabb, PGA
  Applebrook Golf Club
• Zac Oakley, PGA
  Bidermann Golf Club
• Braden Shattuck, PGA
  Bidermann Golf Club
• Dustin Wallis
  Honey Run Golf Club

Michael Little, Lookaway G.C. – Little has won two Section events in 2021: the TPD Championship at Little Mill C.C. and the Spring Meeting Pro-Pro at Rolling Green G.C., and has finished in the top 10 seven times. He was also one of 13 Philadelphia PGA Members to compete in the 2021 PGA Professional Championship at PGA G.C. in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in April. As the 2020 Section Player of the Year, Little will serve as Philadelphia PGA Captain for the 29th Philadelphia Challenge Matches.

Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C. – Bensel has racked up three Section wins in 2021, including the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway G.C., the Pro-Scratch Championship at Saucon Valley C.C., and the Spring Pro-Pro Championship at West Shore C.C., as well as one Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) victory. He is slated to compete in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship at OMNI Barton Creek in ​Austin, Texas, next April, thanks to his play in the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Aronimink G.C. and Applebrook G.C.

Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & G.R. – In 2021, Bergstol captured three Section titles, including the TaylorMade Classic at French Creek G.C., the Conestoga Classic at Conestoga C.C., and the Spring Pro-Pro Championship at West Shore C.C., and took the top spot in the U.S. Open qualifier at the Steel Club. He also qualified for the 45th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship at PGA G.C. this November through his play in the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Bergstol has also won two PAO tournaments and currently leads the race for the PAO Player of the Year.

George Forster, Philadelphia PGA – Forster is one of three senior members of the Section’s team, has one Senior Division victory in 2021, the Doylestown Open at Doylestown C.C., and has qualified in the 2022 PGA Professional National Championship via his play in the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. He has four top 10s in 2021 and an additional eight top in Senior Division competitions.

Mike Furey, Saucon Valley C.C. – Furey will have a “home-field advantage” for the 29th Philadelphia Challenge Matches as a PGA Assistant Professional at Saucon Valley. His play in 2021 has been consistent, with seven top 10 finishes in Section tournaments, including at the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, with his play leading to a first alternate position for the 2022 PGA Professional Championship.

Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C. – Kelly is the second senior member of the Section’s team and has had a good year on the course. He won the 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club and has finished in the top 10 in seven other events. On the Senior Division side, he has one victory, at the Philadelphia Players Championship. Kelly is currently in the second position in the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year race, and will compete in the 33rd Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA G.C. in October, thanks to his runner-up finish in the 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship.

Chris Krueger, Kings Creek C.C. – Krueger has finished in the top 10 six times, four of which were in the top five. His best finish in a Section event this year was a tie for second place in the Delaware Valley Open at Concord C.C.

Dustin Wallis, Honey Run G.C. – Wallis has accumulated four top 10 finishes in 2021, including his best finish, a tie for fourth place in the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic at Huntingdon Valley C.C.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches was established in 1991 pits two 12-person teams, including at least two senior contestants, from GAP and the Philadelphia PGA Section in a concurrent individual match and better-ball match. Each match is worth one point. Ties are halved. The Philadelphia Section leads the series, 21-3-4. There were no contests in 2019 and 2020 due to severe weather and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com

Philadelphia, Pa. (September 30, 2021) — Philadelphia PGA Professionals John Pillar of the C.C. of Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., and Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Shawnee on Delaware, Pa., successfully defended the Philadelphia PGA McQuiston Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship on a crisp autumn day at Bala Golf Club.

Pillar and Bergstol followed their record-breaking performance in 2020 (11-under-par 57) with a team score of 9-under-par, 59. The team combined for nine birdies and zero bogies enroute to their second sub-60 round in the event to give them the edge by one stroke over second place finishers Terry Hatch, Royal Oaks G.C.; and Travis Deibert, Doylestown C.C.

Rob Rohrbach, Foxchase G.C.; and Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C.; finished in third place at 7-under-par, while John DiMarco, Woodcrest C.C.; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; finished in fourth at 6-under. Don Allan, Burlington C.C.; and Stephen Sieracki, Woodcrest C.C.; and Jeff Kiddie, Aronimink G.C.; and Eric Kennedy, Overbrook G.C.; rounded out the top five with 5-under-par 63s.

The 2021 McQuiston Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship is supported by Bala Golf Club and Vineyard Vines. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Bala G.C., its membership, management, and host PGA Professionals, and staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

To view the full 2021 McQuiston Senior Pro-Junior Pro leaderboard, click here.

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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com

Fleetwood, Pa. (September 27, 2021) — Philadelphia PGA Professional Noah Firestone of Galloway National Golf Club in Galloway, N.J. won the 2021 Jack Jolly & Son Championship at Moselem Springs Golf Club on the first hole of a sudden death playoff against Eddie Perrino of Eagle Rock Resort.

Firestone teed off in the first group of the championship and fired a 3-under-par 67 to set an early clubhouse lead. He made five birdies and two bogies on a course that played difficult in the steady wind and featured slick greens. Perrino followed shortly with a 67 of his own, and the two waited nearly seven hours until the last groups finished before the playoff began on No. 1. Firestone made a par four against Perrino’s five.

“It’s a great feeling to get my first win of the season,” Firestone said following his playoff victory.

Mike Furey, Saucon Valley C.C.; Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; and Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C.; tied for third place, two strokes behind at 1-under-par. Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., finished in sixth place at even par. Six players tied for seventh at 1-over.

Firestone’s play also won him the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) event by two strokes over Furey, Bergstol, and Bensel.

Perrino’s round earned him top honors in the Senior Division, topping Quinn by three strokes, and four over Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C.; and Terry Hatch, Royal Oaks G.C.; Kelly and PGA Life Member Michael Versuk tied atop the Super Senior Division, each shooting 1-over-par 71s. Don DeAngelis, Spring Ford C.C., and George Forster tied for fifth place two strokes back.

Following his round in the event, Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del. officially captured the 2021 Philadelphia PGA F. Edward Debaufre Trophy, which awards the PGA Professional with the lowest season scoring average for their consistently stellar play. Oakley’s 2021 scoring average of 68.93 over 14 rounds is the lowest scoring average since the trophy was commissioned in 1964. Additionally, Oakley’s father, Pete, previously won the award four times (1980, 1984, 1985, and 1999), making them the first father-son duo to win the DeBaufre title.

Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa., officially captured the Philadelphia PGA Senior Stroke Average title, with an average of 70.93 over 15 rounds this season. The Section congratulates both Oakley and McNabb on their consistently good play this year!

The tournament also saw PGA Life Member J.R. Delich shoot his age (80) for the 321st time in his career. Congratulations, J.R…great playing!

The 2021 Jack Jolly & Son Championship is supported by Jack Jolly & Son Inc., Ohana Farm LLC, Jani-King, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Moselem Springs G.C., its membership, management, and host PGA Professionals, and staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

To view the full 2021 Jack Jolly & Son Championship leaderboard, 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com

Buckingham, Pa. (September 20, 2021) — PGA Member Trevor Bensel of Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa., won the 2021 Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club following his birdie on No. 18 to break a six-player tie.

As players from the morning wave finish their rounds, it became apparent that 4-under-par would be the number to beat; Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C.; and Mark Sheftic, Lookaway G.C.; were first in, and were quickly followed by Andrew Turner, Berkshire C.C.; Eric Kennedy, Overbrook G.C.; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.

“I hit the ball great all day,” Bensel said of his round. “I was fortunate to have a couple of tap-in birdies; my putter has been pretty cold all year, so it was nice to get a few to drop today.

While Bensel has won several Section tournaments in previous years, this was his first individual win of 2021; he tied in this year’s storm-shortened Conestoga Classic, and teamed to win the Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship with Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, and the Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch Championship with amateur James Furness.

Bensel went on to thank the Overbrook G.C. members for their constant support and encouragement, Lookaway G.C. for hosting, and Section partners Scott and Karen Hutchinson.

Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C.; Matt Episcopo, Pine Valley G.C.; and Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; tied for seventh place at 3-under-par. Five players rounded out the top 10.

Eric Williams, Glenmaura National G.C., successfully defended his low amateur title with a 3-over-par 75.

Brian Kelly took top honors in the Senior Division at 4-under-par, followed by Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek G.C.; at 2-under-par in second place. Eddie Perrino, Eagle Rock Resort, and Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C., finished tied for third place at 1-under.

To view the full 2021 Philadelphia Players Championship leaderboard, click here.

The Philadelphia Players Championship was simply an idea over casual conversations between two men who have a passion for golf and a love for Lookaway – Michael Little, PGA Head Professional at Lookaway, and Scott Hutchinson, Lookaway member, much the same way Lookaway was first envisioned. In addition to his commitment to developing this event, Hutchinson is the main sponsor of the event.

The 2021 Philadelphia Players Championship is supported by Scott and Karen Hutchinson. The event is also a Rolex Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Lookaway G.C., its membership, management, 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (September 7, 2021) — PGA Member Parks Price of the Country Club of York in York, Pa., won the 24th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic at Sunnybrook Golf Club in dramatic fashion by draining a long birdie putt on the first sudden death playoff hole to top Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C., and Brett Walker, Sunnybrook G.C. Price’s winner’s check is $100,000, the largest first-place prize available from any event across the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections. It was Price’s first appearance in the event.

Price was the first of the trio in the clubhouse at 4-under-par, tapping in for par on No. 18 for a 68. Oakley soon followed on No. 9 (his 18th hole), but it was Brett Walker who delivered last-minute heroics at his home club. Walker was at 3-under-par on the 18th, and managed to hole a long birdie putt of his own to join the playoff.

On the first hole of sudden death, No. 18, Price hit to about 25 feet to set up his birdie, while Oakley and Walker both hit to within 15 feet, with significantly easier undulations to navigate. Price proceeded to make his long left-to-right breaking putt with authority, causing the crowd to erupt. Oakley and Walker’s birdie putts both missed.

“This was the most fun I could have on a golf course,” said Price after the playoff. “Making that putt in the playoff was incredible.”

Parks went on to thank the event’s title partner, The Haverford Trust Company, their founder and director George Connell, Sunnybrook Golf Club and its membership, the membership and his students at the C.C. of York, and his fiancé.

“I’m getting married in April, so this $100,000 will help that cause,” Price joked.

Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, finished in fourth place. Six PGA Professionals tied for fifth place.

To view the full leaderboard, click here.

In the Senior Division, Mike Moses, Concord C.C., finished at 2-under-par, one stroke ahead of Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C., John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs, and Stu Ingraham, MGolf Range & Learning Center, finished two back, while Pete Lovenguth, Applecross C.C., tied for fifth.

Steve Wetherill, a Sunnybrook G.C. club champion, finished with Low Amateur honors after turning in a 3-under-par 69 to top Hank Smith by three strokes. Amateur Francis Vaughn made a hole-in-one on the 185-yard eighth hole.

The 24th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic’s title partner is The Haverford Trust Company, and is supported by Precise Yardage Books. The event is also a Rolex Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year bonus points event. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Sunnybrook G.C., its membership, management, 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

About The Haverford Trust Company
The Haverford Trust Company was founded in 1979 on Philadelphia’s landmark Rittenhouse Square. Since our founding, one thing has remained unchanged…our commitment to quality. Haverford has prospered for 40 years in a finance industry dominated by giants through our passion and adaptability. With 110+ employees and $13.4 billion* in assets, our size is our advantage. We focus on the essentials: the Quality Investing philosophy that provides our clients with the right mix of stability and growth across the market cycle. For more information, visit HaverfordQuality.com.

*Including assets under management or consultation for The Haverford Trust Company and Haverford Financial Services as of 7/31/2021.

Newtown Square, Pa. (September 2, 2021) — Brett Walker, PGA, of Sunnybrook G.C. in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., winner of the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Aronimink Golf Club and Applebrook Golf Club, will lead 11 Section PGA Professionals to compete in the 55th PGA Professional Championship, April 17-20, at OMNI Barton Creek in ​Austin, Texas. The championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex.

Walker turned in a winning total of 8-under-par, 67-66—133, to win his first Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, following the cancellation of the final round due to severe weather stemming from remnants of Hurricane Ida. Zac Oakley of Bidermann G.C. in Wilmington, Del., was runner-up at 6-under-par. They are joined by Billy Stewart of Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pa.; Ashley Grier of Overbrook G.C. in Villanova, Pa.; Rusty Harbold of Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa.; Terry Hertzog of Merion G.C. in Ardmore, Pa.; Dave McNabb of Applebrook G.C. in Malvern, Pa.; Trevor Bensel of Overbrook G.C.; George Forster; Hugo Mazzalupi of Patriots Glen National G.C. in Elkton, Md.; Steve Sanderson of Pine Valley (N.J.) G.C.; and Parks Price of C.C. of York in York, Pa. Forster, Mazzalupi, Sanderson, and Price clinched their trips to Texas in a six players-for-four spots playoff Thursday at Aronimink.

Mike Furey of Saucon Valley C.C. in Bethlehem, Pa., and Scott Reilly of Philadelphia C.C. in Gladwyne, Pa., are first and second alternates, while Michael Little and Mark Sheftic, both of Lookaway G.C. in Buckingham, Pa., are third and fourth alternates. Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley C.C. in Lafayette Hill, Pa., is fifth alternate. Walker had previously qualified for the 2022 PGA Professional Championship via play in this year’s PGA Professional Championship.

[View Full Leaderboard]

“My goal for Aronimink was just to break par,” said Walker. “The low score on the course the day before was even par, so I figured being under par would give me a leg up on the rest of the field.”

Walker said he hopes to use the experience he picked up this week in the 55th PGA Professional Championship in April.

“Aronimink can play difficult and has hosted major championships and PGA Tour events, and I feel like my game was set up pretty well for it, Walker continued. “I am definitely going to take that to other tournaments and courses.”

Walker went on to thank Sunnybrook G.C., its membership, and PGA Professionals Greg Wingate and Brad Sanders for the support, as well as his parents, Bob and Betty, his girlfriend Sarah and her parents, who were all in attendance as spectators.

Walker also made his major championship debut earlier this year in the 103rd PGA Championship at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort’s Ocean Course. In addition to having his name engraved on the William B. Packer Trophy, Walker earned $9,000 for his win, coming from the $72,000 purse.

The PGA Professional Championship and 41 PGA Section Championships feature a total purse of more than $1.5 million. Golf Channel will televise all four rounds of the national Championship.

If eligibility is met and maintained, the low 20 scorers in 2021 will earn berths into the 104th PGA Championship, May 19-22, 2022, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. In addition to the Walter Hagen Cup, the PGA Professional Championship winner also receives an exemption into the next 10 PGA Professional Championships and exemptions into six PGA TOUR events over a 12-month period. Established in 1968, the PGA Professional Championship roster of Champions includes the following premier TOUR professionals: Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg, Don Massengale, Ed Dougherty, Larry Gilbert, and Bruce Fleisher.

The 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, Ship Sticks, Visit Delco, Pa., and Precise Yardage Books.

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 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. (August 27, 2021) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is pleased to announce that Courtney Curcio has been named the next Director of PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable arm, effective September 1, 2021. Leila Mackie, the foundation’s first director, has accepted a position with the PGA of America.

Curcio has worked for the Philadelphia Section since 2017, when she joined as a communications intern prior to graduating Neumann University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Entertainment and Management. Her hard work identified her as a valuable member of the Section staff and was hired full-time as a coordinator for the foundation in 2019, where she worked closely with Mackie daily on foundation programming and operations. She will continue the work Mackie and she started, ensuring a seamless transition to continue PGA REACH Philadelphia’s mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf.

“While we are sad to see Leila leave, we are happy for her and her next chapter, and expect to continue working with her in her new role with the PGA of America; we wish her nothing but the best,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “We are equally excited for Courtney to continue PGA REACH Philadelphia’s important work, and are very confident in her abilities to lead the foundation into the future.”

“I am delighted to step into this role and have the opportunity to continue to help grow the foundation’s programming and fundraising efforts for our membership, while also building on our mission in the Philadelphia PGA Section,” said Curcio. “Working so closely with Leila since the launch of our foundation three years ago has prepared me to continue to grow our programs and build our brand.”

To send a congratulatory note to Courtney, click here.

Mackie began her career with the Section in 2012 as a PGA Golf Management intern from Clemson University. The following season, she was hired full-time as Player Development Coordinator, and was eventually promoted to Player Development Director, in which she organized and administered various programs with the goal of growing the game. She was elected to PGA Membership in 2013. In 2018, she was tapped to launch PGA REACH Philadelphia, becoming the foundation’s first director. Since its inception, the foundation has raised nearly $150,000 specifically for its Youth, Military, and Diversity pillars, which include programs such as PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships and mentor program. Mackie’s new role will be in the PGA of America’s employment department, where she will act as a Career Services Recruitment Specialist, boosting employment opportunities across the Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Metropolitan PGA Sections. She and her husband, Kevin, will remain living in the Philadelphia area. To send Leila well wishes, click here.

Allison Zwarka, a Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour tournament coordinator, has also accepted another position, effective August 27. She is headed back to her alma mater, Michigan State University, to work as its athletic department’s Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing. Zwarka worked as a tournament intern in 2019 and joined the Section staff full-time in 2020.

“Allison was a great addition to our team,” continued Surrette. “We will miss her, but know she will do a great job working as a Spartan.”

PGA REACH Philadelphia is currently accepting applications for foundation coordinator and tournament coordinator positions.

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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

About PGA REACH Philadelphia 
PGA REACH 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.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (August 25, 2021) — The team representing Yardley C.C. won the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Championship at Sunnybrook Golf Club on a day where temperatures approached 95 degrees Fahrenheit. PGA Professional Rick Hughart led his team of amateur women golfers to finish with a net score of 53, 19-under-par, to win by five strokes over the team from Medford Village C.C.

The winning team’s scorecard included three net eagles and 13 net birdies in the one better ball of four format, which helped give them the edge over the team from Medford Village, which included PGA Professional Greg Matthias, and amateurs Anne D’Amico, Sue Niedrach, and Angelica Lyons.

Four teams tied for third, two representing Sunnybrook, Bidermann G.C., and Saucon Valley C.C. Sunnybrook’s teams were led by PGA Professional Greg Wingate, Debbie Maine, Alison Shoemaker, Nina Talbot and Brad Sanders, PGA, Patty Graver, Pam Piotrowicz, and Megan Piotrowicz. Bidermann’s team featured Braden Shattuck, PGA, Aubree Wellons, Anna Kittelson, and Blakely Larrabee. Saucon Valley was represented by Chris Duckett, PGA, Kelly Borneman, Alisa Graybill, and Michele Haldeman.

In the Gross Division, Commonwealth National G.C.’s Dan Mrozinski, PGA, led his amateur golfers Karen Siegel, Emma Reilly, and Audrey Reese to victory with a 7-under-par 65. They clipped Shattuck’s Bidermann team and PGA Professional Tom Gilbert’s Gulph Mills G.C. team (Missy Wietlisbach, Ellen Miller, and Ellie Good) by one stroke.

The 2021 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship is supported by the Lincoln Motor Company, Trinity Flavors, and Workhorse Brewing Company. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Sunnybrook G.C., its membership, management, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

To view the full 2021 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship leaderboard, 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com