Category: PPGA
Parks Price, PGA, Wins 2020 Philadelphia PGA Tournament Players Division Championship
Ambler, Pa. (October 13, 2020) — PGA Member Parks Price, C.C. of York, won the rescheduled 2020 Philadelphia PGA Tournament Players Division (TPD) Championship in a playoff after turning in a Modified Stableford score of 22 at Old York Road C.C.
Price won the playoff with a birdie on Old York Road C.C.’s par-4 first hole, over second place finisher Deerfield’s Michael Tobiason’s par. Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C., also finished tied for second place, but was not able to compete in the playoff.
“It’s great to finally win,” Price said after acknowledging his first Section victory. “It was a fun day and a great event.”
Parks’ round of 69, 2-under-par, included four birdies and two bogies.
Alex Knoll, Glen Brook C.C., finished in fourth place with 22 points, while Jason Calhoun, Univ. of Pennsylvania, finished in fifth with 19 points.
The Modified Stableford points were award as follows: Bogey or higher, -1 point; Par, 1 point; Birdie, 3 points; Eagle, 6 points; and Double Eagle, 9 points.
Green Valley C.C.’s John Cooper, PGA, won the Senior Division by two points with 18 total over PGA Member Eddie Perrino, Eagle Rock Resort. In the Super Senior Division, Greg Farrow, Deerwood C.C., won by four points over George Forster, Radnor Valley C.C.
To view the full 2020 Philadelphia PGA Tournament Players Division Championship leaderboard, click here.
The 2020 Philadelphia PGA Tournament Players Division Championship, an OMEGA Player of the Year event, is supported by Kevin McClellan Golf Sales, Jani-King, HATH CBD, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Old York Road C.C., its membership, management, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
Pillar and Bergstol Team to Win 2020 Philadelphia PGA McQuiston Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship
Philadelphia, Pa. (October 8, 2020) — PGA Professionals John Pillar, C.C. of Woodloch Springs, and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, teamed to win the 2020 Philadelphia PGA McQuiston Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship at Bala G.C. in historic fashion.
Pillar and Bergstol’s team score of 57, 11-under-par, allowed them to run away with their victory, finishing six strokes ahead of second place finishers, host PGA Member Chris Barletta, Bala G.C., and PGA Member Dave Pagett, Whitemarsh Valley C.C.
Pillar and Bergstol’s 57 is the lowest in the event’s history, bettering 2015 champions J.R. Delich and Mark Sheftic’s score by one.
“It’s great to be a part of history,” Pillar said after being told of their accomplishment.
The team from Radnor Valley C.C., George Forster and Tony Perla, finished tied for third at 4-under-par with Rob Rohrbach, Foxchase G.C., and Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs C.C.
To view the full 2020 Philadelphia PGA McQuiston Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship leaderboard, click here.
The 2020 Philadelphia PGA McQuiston Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship’s title partner is Bala Golf Club, is presented by the PGA Tour and is supported by Vineyard Vines . The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Bala 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 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.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Whitford C.C. Team Wins 2020 Club Car / Golf Cars Incorporated Pro-Official Championship
Lafayette Hill, Pa. (September 28, 2020) — PGA Member Michael Ladden and his amateur partner Todd Cottingham, representing Whitford C.C., teamed to win the 2020 Club Car / Golf Cars Incorporated Pro-Official Championship with a net team score of 10-under-par 62 at Whitemarsh Valley C.C. Ladden shot a gross 76 while Cottingham turned in an 83.
Ladden and Cottingham held off the host team from Whitemarsh Valley C.C., David Pagett, PGA, and his amateur partner Brandon McKay, who finished one stroke behind at 9-under-par.
Radley Run C.C.’s Jonathan Arthur, PGA, and his amateur partner Mike Evanko finished in third place at 7-under par. Whitford C.C.’s second team of Evan Mitchell, PGA, and Robert Reynolds; Glen Brook G.C.’s Dustin McCormick, PGA, and Steve Houloose; and Aronimink G.C.’s Jeffrey Kiddie, PGA, and Jeff Fialko rounded out the top 5 at 6-under-par.
To view the full 2020 Club Car / Golf Cars Incorporated Pro-Official Championship leaderboard, click here.
The 2020 Club Car / Golf Cars Incorporated Pro-Official Championship is supported by Club Car, Golf Cars Incorporated, and AM&E. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Whitemarsh Valley C.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 PGA of America
The PGA of America represents the very best in golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Alex Knoll, PGA, Captures 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship; Earns Berth in 54th PGA Professional Championship
Lititz, Pa. (September 23, 2020) — Alex Knoll, PGA, of Glen Brook G.C. in Stroudsburg, Pa., winner of the Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, at Bent Creek Country Club and the Country Club of York, will lead 11 Section PGA Professionals to compete in the 54th PGA Professional Championship, April 25-28, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Knoll turned in a winning total of 10-under-par 204 to successfully defend the Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, winning wire-to-wire. Tom Cooper of Pine Valley (N.J.) C.C. was runner-up, finishing at 7-under-par 207. They are joined by Rusty Harbold of Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa; Andrew Turner of French Creek G.C. in Elverson, Pa.; Michael Little of Lookaway G.C. in Buckingham, Pa.; Zac Oakley of Bidermann G.C. in Wilmington, Del.; Brett Walker of Sunnybrook G.C. in Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; Hugo Mazzalupi of Patriot’s Glen National G.C. in Elkton, Md.; Parks Price of the C.C. of York in York, Pa.; Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford C.C. in Royersford, Pa.; and Mark Sheftic of Merion G.C. in Ardmore, Pa.; Ashley Grier of Overbrook G.C. in Villanova, Pa. also qualified via her selection to the 2019 U.S. Women’s PGA Cup.
“I was proud of myself today,” Knoll said of his final round at Bent Creek C.C. “My past big tournament experiences really helped me play better today.”
Knoll also made his major championship debut earlier this year in the 102nd PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, Calif.
A highlight of Knoll’s final round was his tee shot on No. 17, a short 270-yard par-4, which led to a birdie. He hit driver just long and right of the green.
“Driver is my best club,” Knoll said. “If I can put driver in my hand, I’m going to. Even though there was a lot of trouble, I thought driver would clear 90 percent of it, and I was just trying to go par-par to finish. Even if I hit it way off line, it was going to avoid more of the trouble rather than if I hit a bad iron. I hit a really great shot right at the flag, and ended up making birdie.”
In addition to his role as a PGA Professional at Glen Brook G.C., Knoll is a school teacher and was taking virtual attendance prior to his rounds in the Championship.
The PGA Professional Championship and 41 PGA Section Championships feature a total purse of more than $1.5 million. The PGA Professional Championship purse is $650,000, distributed among those who make the cut in the 312-player field. 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 103rd PGA Championship, May 20-23, 2021, at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
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 PGA Professional Championship is presented by Club Car and OMEGA. Supporting sponsors are Titleist/FootJoy, NIKE and TaylorMade. Presenting partners are Golf Channel and the PGA TOUR. The 41 Section Championships and the National Championship offer a combined purse of more than $1.5 million.
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 PGA of America
The PGA of America represents the very best in golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Defending Champion Alex Knoll, PGA, Extends Lead in 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship
Lititz, Pa. (September 22, 2020) — Defending Champion Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C., extended his lead in the 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car and OMEGA, to two strokes after turning in a 3-under-par 69 at the C.C. of York. Knoll finds himself at 9-under-par going into the final round.
Pine Valley G.C.’s Tom Cooper, PGA, is in solo-second after he shot a 2-under-par 70, also at the C.C. of York, reaching 7-under-par for the championship.
“It was a good day again; it’s always tough to follow a good round with another one,” said Knoll. “I was pretty proud that I came in with a 3-under score today, birdieing the last hole.”
Knoll joked that his front nine score could have been a 28, as he said he hit it “beyond excellent,” but didn’t make many putts. Knoll carded 33 strokes on the front. To hear Knoll’s full remarks following his round, click here.
Cooper, held his position in second-place, yet fell a stroke further behind after 36 holes. While Cooper had a couple of three-putts during his round, he did acknowledge he had a few longer putts drop.
“It is always nice when the long putts fall in the hole,” he said.
For Cooper’s full remarks, click here.
Spring Ford C.C.’s Rich Steinmetz, PGA, turned in the day’s lowest round, a 4-under-par 67 at Bent Creek C.C., which places him in third place at 5-under-par, four back of Knoll. Brett Walker tied Steinmetz with his 3-under-par 68 at Bent Creek C.C.
Sixty-one of the 144 Philadelphia PGA Professionals in the field made the cut to the final round to continue their quest for the William B. Packer Trophy and a berth into the 54th PGA Professional Championship, April 25-28, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Along with the trophy, the winner will earn a $9,000 first-prize out of the $72,000 purse.
The final round is scheduled for tomorrow, Sept. 23, at Bent Creek C.C. Follow the action via our live scoring by visiting golfgenius.com/pages/2420290 and our social media channels: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
For more information on the championship, including the week’s schedule, pairings, and more, visit the championship’s official e-publication.
Members of the media are welcome onsite to cover the championship.
The 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Club Car and OMEGA, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, and the PGA Tour.
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
Defending Champion Alex Knoll, PGA, Leads 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship After Opening Round 65
Lititz, Pa. (September 21, 2020) — Defending Champion Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C., leads the 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car and OMEGA, by one stroke after firing a 6-under-par 65 in the opening round at Bent Creek C.C., fueled by two eagles on Nos. 9 and 12, both par-5s.
Two PGA Members, Mark Sheftic, Merion G.C.; and Tom Cooper, Pine Valley G.C.; are tied for second place, one stroke behind Knoll.
“I hit it excellent off the tee and gave myself a lot of opportunities,” Knoll said of his opening round. “I made some nice putts today and really played the par-5s excellent; I was 5-under on those holes, so that really helped my score today.”
To hear Knoll’s full remarks following his round, click here.
Sheftic, who played his opening round at the C.C. of York and made five birdies and an eagle, said that the course played outstanding.
“My game plan going into today was to stay below the hole, and I did putt well.” For Sheftic’s full comments, click here.
Cooper, like Knoll, played Bent Creek C.C. for his first round, and said he hit the ball consistently throughout the day, following a good stretch of ball-striking.
“I was hovering around even-par and 1-under for most of the front nine, thinking ‘just keep hitting fairways and greens and see if we can make some more birdies,” Cooper said. “I was able to make some long putts and hit some good shots coming in.”
Cooper made eight birdies during his round. For his full remarks, click here.
One-hundredd-forty-four of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s best players are competing for the William B. Packer Trophy and a berth into the 54rd PGA Professional Championship, April 25-28, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Along with the trophy, the winner will earn a $9,000 first-prize out of the $72,000 purse.
The second round continues tomorrow, Sept. 22, at 8:30 a.m. at both Bent Creek C.C. and the C.C. of York. Follow the action via our live scoring by visiting golfgenius.com/pages/
For more information on the championship, including the week’s schedule, pairings, and more, visit the championship’s official e-publication.
Members of the media are welcome onsite to cover the championship.
The 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Club Car and OMEGA, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, and the PGA Tour.
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
99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship Set for September 21-23
Lititz, Pa. (September 18, 2020) — The 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car and OMEGA, is set to begin on Monday, September 21 at Bent Creek Country Club and the Country Club of York, with the final round taking place on Wednesday, September 23 at Bent Creek.
The two facilities will host 147 of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s best players as they compete for the William B. Packer Trophy and a berth into the 54rd PGA Professional Championship, April 25-28, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
PGA Member Alex Knoll, who made his major championship debut earlier this year in the 102nd PGA Championship, is the defending champion. Knoll won the 2019 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship by two strokes after breaking World Golf Hall of Famer Sam Snead’s course record in the first round at Union League Golf Club at Torresdale (62).
Other past champions in this year’s field include: Billy Stewart, 2018; Terry Hertzog, 2001, 2004 and 2017; Dave McNabb, 2015; George Forster, 1999 and 2014; Dave Quinn, 2006 and 2013; Stu Ingraham, 2008 and 2012; Rich Steinmetz, 2007, 2010 and 2011; John Pillar, 2009; Brian Kelly, 1995, 2000 and 2005; Terry Hatch, 2003; and Dave Roberts, 2002.
The first groups tee off at 8:30 a.m. on Monday at both Bent Creek C.C. and the C.C. of York. Follow the action via our live scoring by visiting golfgenius.com/pages/
For more information on the championship, including the week’s schedule, pairings, and more, visit the championship’s official e-publication.
Members of the media are welcome onsite to cover the championship.
The 99th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Club Car and OMEGA, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, and the PGA Tour.
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
Team Forster Wins 2020 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch Championship
Fleetwood, Pa. (September 17, 2020) — PGA Member George Forster, Radnor Valley C.C., and his amateur teammate Anthony Pigott won the 2020 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch Championship at Moselem Springs G.C. with a team score of 9-under-par 61. Forster carded a 66 with his own ball.
Forster and Pigott’s margin of victory was two strokes over the team of PGA Member Steve Swartz, West Shore C.C., and his amateur partner David Herbst.
Commonwealth National G.C.’s Patrick Shine, PGA, and his amateur partner Michael Valentine, who were paired with Forster and Pigott, said the winning team was making putts from everywhere, including some with significant break.
Three teams finished tied for third place at 6-under-par, including: PGA Associate Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, and Ryan Orcutt; PGA Member Mike Molino, C.C. of Scranton, and Cory Calvert; and PGA Member Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C., and Tucker Sandercock.
To view the full 2020 Pro-Scratch Championship leaderboard, click here.
The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Moselem Springs G.C., 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com
Michael Tobiason Wins Inaugural Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club
Buckingham, Pa. (September 31, 2020) — Michael Tobiason, Deerfield C.C., won the inaugural Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club, besting a field of 99 top playing Philadelphia PGA Professionals and 10 amateurs with a 7-under-par 65.
Tobiason enjoyed a two-stroke margin of victory over host PGA Member Michael Little, Lookaway G.C. Tobiason and Little shared similar back nines. Little was even-par through No. 11, then rattled off five birdies in his final seven holes. Tobiason, however, was 3-under-par at the turn, and also made five birdies on the back nine, with a lone bogey.
“We had a great field here for the inaugural Philadelphia Players Championship, so it’s an honor to win, as we have a lot of great players in our Section,” said Tobiason. “You have to go low to win.”
Tobiason also won the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship in August.
Eric Williams, Glenmaura National G.C., earned Low Amateur honors in a playoff against Oscar Mestre, Overbrook G.C., with a birdie on the first extra hole. Williams and Mestre finished with scores of 2-under-par 70s.
“It was an honor to finish as Low Amateur in the first Philadelphia Players Championship,” said Williams. “The hospitality at Lookway was fantastic. It’s a special place.”
PGA Member David Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., won the Senior Division with a 3-under-par 69, one stroke ahead of Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C.; and Brendon Post, University of Delaware.
An additional highlight of the day: PGA Member John Cooper, Green Valley C.C., made a hole-in-one on No. 15. Congratulations, John!
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. With his support, the $31,000 purse is the second largest one-day payout in the Philadelphia PGA Section.
To view the full 2020 Philadelphia Players Championship leaderboard, click here.
The 2020 Philadelphia Players Championship, an OMEGA Player of the Year event, is supported by Scott Hutchinson and Lookaway Golf Club. 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.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com