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Philadelphia PGA Section Announces Class of 2023 Playing Legends

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 28, 2021) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is proud to announce its Class of 2023 Playing Legends, which includes PGA Members Ted McKenzie and Jerry Pisano; Pisano will be inducted posthumously. The class will be honored at the Section’s Fall Membership Meeting at Philmont Country Club on October 30.

Established in 1991, the Section’s Playing Legends honorary program recognizes individuals based on criteria set forth by the Philadelphia PGA’s Hall of Fame Committee. One of the main criteria is that individuals must have had success in major events locally or nationally, something that each 2023 inductee has accomplished consistently throughout their careers.

Playing Legends – Class of 2023
Ted McKenzie, now retired, has a remarkable résumé for both playing professional accomplishments. He was the longtime PGA Professional at Waynesborough Country Club in Paoli, Pa., and later helped found the famed Stonewall Links in Elverson, Pa. During his career, he worked his way through the ranks of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Board of Directors, ultimately serving as the Section’s president, and also served as the Section’s tournament chair. For over 20 years, McKenzie was one of the leading players in the Section. His two biggest wins within the Section included the 1971 Philadelphia Open and the 1979 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. He earned the Player of the Year title in 1975, and also earned the F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy for Scoring Average the same year. Throughout his career, he qualified for two U.S. Opens, seven PGA Professional Championships and a Senior PGA Professional Championship. In the first 13 years of the Challenge Cup Matches against the Middle Atlantic PGA Section, McKenzie qualified for the team 11 times and he earned a berth on the team a total of 12 times. In 1984, he was honored as the Section’s PGA Golf Professional of the Year and was inducted into the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Jerry Pisano, named a Philadelphia PGA Playing Legend posthumously, worked as the PGA Professional at several facilities, including Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa., Locust Valley in Coopersburg, Pa., Radnor Valley Country Club in Villanova, Pa., and Edgmont Country Club in Newtown Square, Pa. Pisano won the Philadelphia Open three times, in 1957, 1962, and 1965, in addition to the 1964 Pennsylvania Open. Over the course of his career, Pisano competed in five major championships, including three PGA Championships (1961, 1962, and 1963), and two U.S. Opens (1962 and 1963).

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

Curtis Kirkpatrick Appointed Philadelphia PGA Section’s District 1 Director

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (May 8, 2023) — Curtis Kirkpatrick, PGA, of Indian Spring Country Club in Marlton, N.J., has been appointed to the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Board of Directors as District 1 Director, following the change of facility and District of his predecessor Kevin Duffy, PGA, as outlined in the Section by-laws, section 6.07 on vacancies: “the president shall appoint an individual to fill any such office vacancy whose term shall be the un-expired term of the vacant position on the board of directors.”

Duffy recently accepted the PGA director of golf position at Commonwealth National Golf Club in Horsham, Pa., which is located in the Section’s sixth District; he was slated to complete his second-consecutive two-year term in October. The membership, officers, board and staff would like to thank Kevin for his many years of service to the Section.

Kirkpatrick was elected to PGA Membership in 2013, and has worked as PGA head professional at Indian Spring since 2014. While this is his first stint serving on the Section’s board, Kirkpatrick also serves as the lead PGA Professional at the PGA HOPE Philadelphia Chapter based at his facility. Kirkpatrick remains eligible to be nominated as District 1 director at the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Fall Membership Meeting in October.

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

Remembering Bernie Haas, PGA

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of PGA Life Member Bernie Haas; he was 88. Haas won the 1961 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Philadelphia Country Club.

There will be no services observed at this time. A memorial service will be held at a future date and will be announced by the Freay Funeral Home. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point, Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. To read his full obituary, 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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

PGA Member Jeff Fick Wins 2022 Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization Championship

Ardmore, Pa. (October 20, 2022) — PGA Member Jeff Fick of Moselem Springs Golf Club in Fleetwood, Pa., turned in an even-par round of 70 on Merion Golf Club’s West Course to win the 2022 Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) Championship by one stroke over Alex Willey, PGA, of Burlington Country Club in Westampton, N.J.

The purpose of the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization is to prepare Philadelphia PGA assistant professionals for future professional success as PGA Members. The PAO gives assistant professionals the opportunities to prepare themselves for the PGA Playing Ability Test, the PGA’s Professional Golf Management program, the golf business, and future PGA Membership, accomplished through leadership, mentoring, support through education, networking, and tournament competition.

Fick made four birdies and three bogeys on his front nine, and added only one more bogey on No. 10, to finish at even-par on the tricky golf course. The cool temperatures and steady wind made the traditionally short course play even more difficult.

Sandy Run C.C.’s Trevor Bensel, the current PAO Player of the Year race leader, finished three behind Fick at 3-over-par, while Rocco Sgrillo, John F. Byrne G.C., and PAO Chair Keith Clawson, Merion G.C., tied for fourth place at 4-over-par.

The 2022 Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization Championship is supported by Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Merion 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.

To view the full 2022 PAO 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

Place Your Bids! PGA REACH Philadelphia Online Auction Now Open

Bid Now

PGA REACH Philadelphia’s 2022 online auction is officially open! Support our foundation’s mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf by bidding on and winning items including Dormie Network membership, foursomes at exclusive golf courses like TPC Sawgrass, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Liberty National, luxury getaways, sports memorabilia, and more. Click on the “Bid Now” button above or any of the individual featured listings below to get started; more items are available on the auction site.

Golf Experiences

  • Dormie Network membership
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  • TPC Sawgrass foursome
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  • Liberty National Golf Club foursome
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  • Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course foursome
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  • Bidermann Golf Club foursome
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  • Galloway National Golf Club foursome
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  • Omni Homestead Resort foursome
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  • Dormie Network Stay and Play
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Getaways / Memorabilia

  • Old Head Golf Experience
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  • Tennessee Whiskey Adventure
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  • Fairmont Banff Stay and Experience
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  • Biltmore Estate Stay and Experience
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  • Masters Tournament Experience
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  • Kentucky Derby Experience
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  • Framed Lee Wybranski 150th Open Championship Poster
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  • Framed Lee Wybranski 2022 U.S. Open Poster
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…Plus much more!

Click the button below to view all the items up for auction and to place your bids!

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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 Inclusion.

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.
Contact: Courtney Curcio, PGA REACH Philadelphia Director, ccurcio@pgahq.com

Celtic Golf Announces Raffle to Benefit PGA REACH Philadelphia

Celtic Golf is launching a generous raffle to benefit PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, to support its mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf.

The grand prize includes four nights at the five-star Killarney Park Hotel and three rounds of golf at renowned Waterville Golf Links, Ballybunion’s Old Course, and Tralee Golf Club, for two people. The winner will be drawn following our annual PGA REACH Philadelphia Pro-Am on October 11.

Please consider entering the raffle, by clicking the below button and registering via Golf Genius. PGA REACH Philadelphia thanks our friends at Celtic Golf.

Enter Raffle

Proceeds from the raffle will help support programs for youth golfers like PGA Jr. League and Golf in Schools, U.S. military veterans like PGA HOPE Philadelphia, and diverse communities like the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships, and mentor program.

The grand prize includes the following for a party of two golfers in the summer of 2023:

Hotel: Four nights prepaid and confirmed accommodations (premium twin room) at the five-star Killarney Park Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

Golf: Prepaid and reserved tee times for three rounds of golf at the following courses:

  • Waterville Golf Links
  • Ballybunion – Old Course
  • Tralee Golf Club

Ground Transport: (self) Drive Hertz Class G rental with automatic transmission inclusive of collision damage waiver insurance, unlimited mileage, and VAT

Meals: Full breakfast daily

Taxes: All hotel taxes (VAT) included

 

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. Visit PGAREACHPhiladelphia.com to learn more. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.

Contacts:

Courtney Curcio
Director, PGA REACH Philadelphia
ccurcio@pgahq.com

Matt Frey, PGA
Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section
mfrey@pgahq.com

Best Golf Balance Exercises | GOLFFOREVER

Balance plays a key role in the game of golf. Having good balance will enable a stronger swing and improve your game. Here we show you some exercises you can do at home that will improve your balance. #golfforever

Generally speaking, balance is the most under-trained aspect within most golf training programs. But as you surely understand – balance is perhaps the most fundamental element of your golf swing.

People tend to think a loss of balance is an unwanted side effect of aging. It’s true—like so many things related to our bodies—balance does diminish with age… but only if not practiced.

Here’s the encouraging news: balance WILL improve when practiced regularly – and doing so will pay dividends on the course. 

Generating maximum power and consistency in your golf swing requires that all of the body’s systems related to balance work together: your vestibular system (inner ear), proprioceptive system (cells found in ligaments and joints that tell your brain where your limbs are in space), muscular system, and visual system. It’s important to challenge these systems individually and together.

The best way to do this? Practicing simple balance drills on a regular basis. The following video contains several simple movements and exercises that you can do anywhere with just a golf club. These balance moves train all four systems to improve your balance in golf-specific ways. As an added benefit, nearly all of these exercises serve a dual purpose of also improving flexibility in the hips, rotational coordination, and core muscle activation.

As we say at GolfForever, change comes with commitment. A little bit of balance work a few times a week will go a long way toward enabling you to Play Without Limits!

Jeremy James, DC, CSCS

Founder of GOLFFOREVER

Co-Author, The Younger Next Year Back Book. Golf-performance and pain specialist to PGA pros, Fortune 500 CEOs and thousands of everyday golfers

PGA Member Rich Steinmetz Leads 2022 GALV Lehigh Valley Open

Macungie, Pa. (July 11, 2022) — Philadelphia PGA Member Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford Country Club in Royersford, Pa., leads the Golf Association of Lehigh Valley’s 2022 Lehigh Valley Open at Brookside Country Club by three strokes, following his 3-under-par opening round of 68.

It was the first time seeing the Brookside layout for many of the PGA Professionals in the field as this is the first new host site for the GALV Lehigh Valley Open since 2009. The Section did host its Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Brookside in 1968, won by Stan Dudas. Between the steady breeze and the difficult greens, most scores remained near par or over.

Steinmetz, however, managed to make four birdies and only one bogey in his opening round, placing him three strokes ahead of Alex Willey, Burlington C.C.; Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C.; and Travis Deibert, Doylestown C.C. Four players are tied for third, four back: Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; and amateur Jake Haberstumpf, Bethlehem, Pa.; and Rocco Sgrillo, John F. Byrne G.C.

In the race for Low Amateur honors, Haberstumpf leads the way by two strokes over Zach Fischl, Bethelem, Pa.; and Michael Ashcraft, Freemansbirg, Pa. Scott Kalamar, Bethlehem, Pa.; is in solo fourth place at 5-over-par. Three amateurs are tied for fifth place at 6-over-par.

Brian Kelly leads the Senior Division at 1-over-par, one clear of Applebrook G.C.’s Dave McNabb; Hugo Mazzalupi, Linfield National G.C.; and George Forster, Radnor Valley C.C. John Pillar, C.C. of Woodloch Springs, is in fifth at 3-over-par.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter leads the Super Seniors following his 3-over-par round of 74. PGA Life Member Michael Versuk is six behind Sautter.

The 2022 GALV Lehigh Valley Open’s final round is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, July 12.to Due to the weather forecast for tomorrow’s final round, starting times will be moved to 8:30-10:10 a.m., with a two-tee start.

The 2022 GALV Lehigh Valley Open, a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament, is supported by the Golf Association of Lehigh ValleyJani-King, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Brookside Country 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.

To view the full 2022 GALV Lehigh Valley Open leaderboard, click here.

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament on the schedule is the Doylestown Open on Friday, July 29 at Doylestown Country Club. The Doylestown Open is also the final Silvercrest Cup qualifier prior to the final in September.

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