West Chester, Pa. (August 6, 2023) — PGA Member Michael Little of Clubhouse 54 in North Wales, Pa., led his team of amateurs, Gene Marinelli and Pat Rugg, to victory in the 47th Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club, topping three teams by two strokes.

The Pro-Am for Wishes first started in 1976 at Whitford Country Club, and has been held annually at Penn Oaks Golf Club since 2008 (the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) to benefit Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley. Since the event moved to Penn Oaks, it has raised over $700,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Using a two best balls of three format, Little made three gross birdies, while Marinelli and Rugg combined for 10 net birdies and one net double eagle; the team rounded out their scorecard with five bogies to finish their round at 11-under-par.

Three teams tied for second place: Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., Jimmy O’Connor, and Syd Tyson; Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C., Anthony Diver, and Kurt Scheivert; and John Allen, Squires G.C., Ken Eck, and David Benway. Terry Hatch, Royal Oaks G.C., Rich Boyd, and Todd Horn finished in fifth place at 8-under-par.

In the 36-hole PGA Professional event, Zac Oakley leads the field following his 3-under-par round of 68. Oakley earned his first Section victory of the year last week at the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Trevor Bensel and Bob Lennon, Wilmington C.C., find themselves trailing Oakley by only one stroke, with three fellow PGA Professionals tied for fourth place at 1-under-par: Andrew Turner, Berkshire C.C.; Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C.; and Michael Little.

After the opening round, Lennon leads the Senior Division by two strokes, topping John Allen, and Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C. Terry Hatch is in fourth place at 1-over-par, followed by PGA Life Member George Forster, who finds himself in fifth place at 2-over-par.

Four amateurs will play in Monday’s final round based on their opening round performance: Pat Rugg, 72; Jimmy O’Connor, 73; Zach Paris, 77; and Kevin O’Hara, 78.

The PGA Professional field and qualifying amateurs will play their final round tomorrow, Monday, August 7 at Penn Oaks. To view the full leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Pro-Am for Wishes title partner is Tamora Building Systems, and is supported by the Piazza Auto Group, Woodward Properties, Smart From the Start, and the Horn Family. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Penn Oaks Golf Club, 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

The Philadelphia PGA Section regrets to inform you of the passing of Aaron Palen, PGA. He tragically passed away on July 30 from a sudden cardiac issue while jogging. Palen, a 21-year PGA Member, was the PGA head professional and interim general manager at Duck Woods Country Club in North Carolina, and had previously worked as the PGA head professional at Mountain View Country Club here in the Philadelphia PGA Section. While observance information has yet to be made public, a GoFundMe page has been created to support his family during this difficult time. Ton contribute, click here.

Blue Bell, Pa. (August 2, 2023) — Reigning Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Champion Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford Country Club in Royersford, Pa., teed off in the first pairing of the torunament and finished with a 5-under-par 66 to win the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Skee Riegel Senior Open at Blue Bell Country Club by one stroke over Mark Parson, Harbor Pines G.C.

As one of the event’s first finishers, Steinmetz set an impressive early clubhouse lead at 5-under-par, making an eagle, five birdies, and two bogies on the Arnold Palmer-designed layout. Parson, who teed off over an hour and a half after Steinmetz, made a valiant effort to tie the leader, making seven of his own birdies, coupled with a bogey and double bogey, but ultimately fell one stroke short.

While it is his first Skee Riegel Senior Open win, Steinmetz has enjoyed many successes since entering the senior ranks last year. He won his debut senior event, the 2022 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship, which he successfully defended earlier this summer, 2022 Senior Philadelphia Players Championship, 2022 Senior TPD Championship, and the full-field 2022 GALV Lehigh Valley Open.

The University of Delaware’s Brendon Post, PGA, finished in third place at 1-under-par, followed by two tied for fourth-place, John Allen, Squires G.C., and Hugh Reilly, Performance Oaks, at even-par.

John Allen finished atop the Super Senior Division, bettering PGA Life Member George Forster and Bob Lennon, Wilmington C.C., by one stroke. Brian Kelly tied for fourth place at 2-over-par, with Harvey Williams, Glen Oak  C.C.

To view the full 2023 Skee Riegel Senior Open leaderboard, click here.

2023 Philadelphia PGA Skee Riegel Senior Open is supported by Jani-King, Sunday Golf, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Blue Bell 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 Robert Henry “Skee” Riegel, PGA
Skee Riegel was born in 1914 in New Bloomfield, Pa., and grew up in eastern Pennsylvania. Riegel served in the U.S. Air Corps as a flight instructor during World War II. After leaving the service he rose to the top of amateur golf, winning the U.S. Amateur in 1947, the Western Amateur in 1948 and the Trans-Mississippi Amateur in 1946 and 1948. Riegel also played on the U.S. Walker Cup teams in 1947 and 1949, remaining unbeaten in Walker Cup play. Riegel turned professional in 1950 and was one of the first golfers involved in strength training. In 1951, he nearly won the Masters, finishing in second place behind Ben Hogan. Riegel returned to Pennsylvania to become PGA Head Professional at Radnor Valley Country Club in 1954, where he continued his winning ways, claiming victory in the 1957 and 1959 Pennsylvania Opens and the 1960 Philadelphia Open. He left Radnor Valley at the end of 1961 for the opportunity to participate in the ownership of a new golf course, York Road G.C. in Bucks County, now known as the Bucks Club. For over 30 years, Riegel was a permanent member of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Tournament Committee and served as Rules Chair for every Section tournament. In 1975, he was given the Section’s PGA Professional Development Award for his many hours spent educating the golf professionals on the rules of golf. Riegel was inducted into the Philadelphia Section Hall of Fame in 1993.

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.

Contacts: 
Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Kayla Gutierrez, Communications Intern, kgutierrez@pgahq.com

Doylestown, Pa. (July 28, 2022) —PGA Member Kyle Early of Waynesborough Country Club, turned in a 5-under-par 67 at Doylestown Country Club to secure his first Philadelphia PGA Section victory at the 2023 Doylestown Open.

Early finished tied with PGA Member Terry Hatch, who was unavailable to compete in a playoff. It was Early’s seven birdies, including on his final hole of the day, No. 9, which led him to capture his first Philadelphia PGA Section victory. Terry Hatch, Royal Oaks G.C., finished in second at 5-under-par, followed by four PGA Professionals who tied third at 4-under par.

Early is on a heater with PAO, following up his win last week at the Hyndman Classic, with a victory today.

“It’s pretty exciting and a really great feeling,” Early said in discussing the emotions surrounding winning his first-ever Section event. “I had an eagle putt on the final hole, which I knew would put me close to the lead. I missed it on a lip out but had a tap in for birdie to finish out which was awesome.”

He went on to thank Doylestown Country Club members and staff, including host professional and Philadelphia PGA Section President Patrick Shine. He also thanked Waynesborough C.C. for letting him compete in the event, the Philadelphia PGA Section staff for organizing the event, and Silvercrest.

The event is a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament and the fourth and final Silvercrest Cup qualifier of the year. Returning for the second year, the Silvercrest Cup series will include four qualifying events for Philadelphia PGA Professionals, and will culminate in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final, hosted at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa. For more information on the season-long race to the Silvercrest Cup, click here. In addition to receiving the winner’s share of the purse, Early also took home an additional $2,500 from the Silvercrest Cup qualifier bonus pool.

A highlight from the event came in the form of a double eagle from PGA Professional Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley C.C. Pagett holed out a 3-wood from 245 yards on the par 5, 14th hole. Well done, Dave!

PGA Member Terry Hatch finished atop the Senior Division, bettering Eric Kennedy, Overbrook G.C., by one stroke. In third place, Don Allan, Burlington C.C., finished 3-under-par, followed by Rich Steinmetz, Springford C.C., who finished 1-under-par.

PGA Member Don Allan took top honors in the Super Senior Division with an impressive 3-under-par, 69. PGA Life Member Brian Kelly and Greg Farrow, Deerwood C.C., finished tied for second at even-par, followed by John Allen, Squires G.C., in fourth, and John DiMarco, The Legacy Club at Woodcrest, rounding out the top five in the division.

Amateur Neil Gordon of Doylestown C.C. bettered Ryan Rigby of Doylestown C.C. by seven strokes in the Amateur Division.

In the race for Women’s Player of the Year,  Julianna Lee of Country Club of York, finished at 4-over-par, 76, followed by Tessa Teachman of Aronimink G.C.
The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the Doylestown Open, with Kyle Early, Waynesborough C.C., taking the title, finishing with a stellar 5-under par, 67. PGA professionals Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C., finished tied second at 4-under par.
To view the full 2023 Doylestown Open leaderboard, click here.
The 2023 Doylestown Open is supported by Jani King, KM Golf Sales, L2 Brands, Ohana Farm LLC, PGA Tour, Stracka Line, and Silvercrest. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Doylestown 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.— Kayla Gutierrez

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament on the schedule is the 47th Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester, Pa., Sunday, August 6 – Monday, August 7, 2023.

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.
Contacts: 
Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Kayla Gutierrez, Communications Intern, kgutierrez@pgahq.com

Please join us in congratulating PGA Member Joanna Coe of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., for qualifying for the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, June 19-23, at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington! She earned her spot in the major championship via her tie, fifth-place finish in the 2023 LPGA Professionals National Championship at Kingsmill Resort, in Williamsburg, Virginia. To view tournament results, click here.

Next year’s championship will mark Coe’s seventh start in a major (six KPMG Women’s PGA Championships and the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open). She also earned recognitions as the inaugural (2020) Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year, and 2022 Philadelphia PGA Women’s Player of the Year, and currently has a commanding lead in this year’s Section Women’s Player of the Year points race.

Good luck, Joanna…play well! We know you will make our Section proud! To send Joanna well wishes, click here.

To learn more about the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, ticket information, and television times, 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.

Contacts: 
Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Kayla Gutierrez, Communications Intern, kgutierrez@pgahq.com

Wilmington, Del. (July 24, 2023) — PGA Associate Anthony Sebastianelli of Rolling Green Golf Club led his team to victory in the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Am Scratch Championship Presented by Parx Casino® at Wilmington Country Club. The event is also supported by Kevin DePaulis Golf Sales, L2 Brands, and Perry Weather.

The event began with scattered rain showers throughout the morning, which quickly turned into beautiful skies of blue to finish out the remainder of the day.

Each team consisted of one PGA Professional and one scratch amateur, participating in a four-ball, Better Ball of Partners format.

PGA Associate Anthony Sebastianelli of Rolling Green G.C. and his amateur partner Jerry Haftmann finished atop the field, making eight birdies as a team to finish at 7-under par, 64.  The teams representing Applebrook G.C., Dave McNabb and Donny Wessner, Wilmington C.C., Ryan Rucinski and Jeff Homer, Merion G.C., Nick Iacono and Reed Valutas, Rolling Green G.C., Frank Palumbo and Nick Verrecchioo, and Bear Trap Dunes, Michael Rushin and Aidan McDermott, all finished tied in second place, with scores of 6-under, 66.

A highlight from the event came in the form of a hole-in-one from amateur Evan Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Country Club. This was Barbin’s his first-ever ace, holing it with a pitching wedge from 136 yards on No. 4. Well done, Evan!

To view the full 2023 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Am Scratch Championship Presented by Parx Casino® leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Am Scratch Championship is presented by Parx Casino®, and is supported by Kevin DePaulis Golf Sales, L2 Brands, and Perry Weather. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Wilmington 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.— Kayla Gutierrez

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.

Contacts: 
Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Kayla Gutierrez, Communications Intern, kgutierrez@pgahq.com

The 119th Philadelphia Open was a two-day event held at Lookaway Golf Club in Buckingham, Pa., July 19-20, and featured several Philadelphia PGA Professionals competing in the field.

On behalf of the Philadelphia PGA Section, we would like to congratulate Braden Shattuck on his impressive win this week at Lookaway G.C. in the 119th Philadelphia Open!

To read more about Shattuck’s climb to victory, click here. To send Braden well wishes, click here.

About the Golf Association of Philadelphia
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 340 Member Clubs and 100,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.

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