Clarks Summit, Pa. – On a picture perfect fall afternoon, the Philadelphia PGA returned to the Country Club of Scranton for the annual Fall Pro-Pro Championship. This is the third consecutive year that the Section traveled above the Pocono Mountains to the Country Club of Scranton for the Pro-Pro Championship which paired two PGA Professionals together in a Four Ball or better ball of partners event.
Playing early in the day the team of Michael Little (Lookaway Golf Club) and Kevin Kraft (Bumble Bee Hollow Golf Center) looked to recapture the magic the propelled them to victory at the Spring Pro-Pro Championship. The pair got off to a slow start with bogeys on two of their first three holes but their fortunes changed quickly as they birdied eight of their next ten holes. After a bogey on the tough par-4 16th hole the pair finished strong after Kraft drained a 50 foot eagle putt from the back of the par-5 18th hole. When all was said and done the duo would finish with a 7-under (65).
Their time at the top of the leaderboard by themselves would not last long as they were quickly joined by the team of Pat Butkus (Overbrook Golf Club) and Jeff Herb (Waynesborough Country Club). Playing just two groups behind Kraft and Little the duo of Butkus and Herb also got off to a slow start. As a team they made the turn at 1-under, but as they made their way back to the clubhouse the turned things around. The pair made four birdies and also added an eagle on the par-5 12th hole to finish their round at 7-under (65).
As play went on no other team was able to join the two teams at 7-under and in the end they shared the first place crown. A pair of teams also shared third place with a score of 4-under (68). The first team to reach the number was Justin Alunni (Glen Oak Country Club) and his partner Darryl Lock (Skippack Golf Club). They were eventually joined by the team of Cleve Coldwater (Glenmaura National Golf Club) and his partner Harvey Williams.
Once again the Section would like to thank the membership and staff of the Country Club of Scranton for hosting the Fall Pro-Pro Championship. The Section also thanks our tournament sponsors Club Prophet Systems, Sun Mountain, and Morell Studios for their support of the tournament program.
The next event on the tournament calendar is the Philadelphia Challenge Cup Matches on Thursday, October 5 at Saucon Valley Country Club where the Philadelphia PGA professionals will try to defend their title against the top amateurs of the Golf Association of Philadelphia.
JoeSeptember 14, 2017Comments Off on Team USA makes its bid to win back Llandudno Trophy in showdown with Great Britain & Ireland in the 28th PGA CupUncategorized
By Bob Denney
PGA Historian
OTTERSHAW, Surrey, England (Sept. 14, 2017) – For those American players present two years ago, watching their Great Britain & Ireland counterparts taking turns leaping into a pond by the 18th green at CordeValle in San Martin, California, was unsettling.
The first U.S. loss on home soil in PGA Cup history stung, and now sets up a compelling weekend nearly 27 miles southwest of London. The 28th PGA Cup, the premier international event for PGA Club Professionals, opens Friday at Foxhills Club & Resort’s Longcross Course.
The U.S. owns a 17-6-4 series lead since the event began in 1973, and is 6-5-1 on the road in the chase for the Llandudno International Trophy.
To set the stage for Friday morning’s four-balls, the Americans got a heavy dose of encouragement following Thursday’s opening ceremony. They viewed a video in the Team Room featuring Jack Nicklaus, Paul Azinger, Dave Stockton, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw, Maj. Dan Rooney, Golf Channel announcer/North Florida PGA Member Charlie Rymer and reigning PGA Champion Justin Thomas.
If that wasn’t enough, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk dialed in from Florida, asking the team to “set the winning plate for us as we come over next year.” Furyk closed by saying, “Play your own game. I promise you it’s good enough.”
PGA of America President and U.S. Captain Paul Levy of Indian Wells, California, said he likes what’s he’s seen in his team during practice.
“We have five veterans that have played in these matches before and five who haven’t. But there are also a lot of mature guys,” said Levy. “It’s not like we have a team of 25-year-olds. We have got a lot of experienced players – even those who haven’t played in the match before – who have been top-notch club professionals, tour experienced-type players. So we are excited. We think we’ve got a great team.”
Among the veterans is a twosome who competed at CordeValle in 2015: reigning PGA Professional Champion Omar Uresti, a PGA Life Member from Austin, Texas; and Jamie Broce of Indianapolis, the new head men’s and women’s golf coach at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
“I feel like I take a lot of responsibility for my singles match in 2015,” said Broce. “I played great, and the guy I played made two eagles and three birdies in the last eight holes on me. He won the match and he really played well. I think their whole team played well and they earned it. We didn’t give them anything. For us to come over here to reclaim the Cup, we’re going to have to earn it. We’re not going to be able to back into anything.”
This marks Uresti’s third international team event, having competed in the Japan Friendship Matches as a junior at the University of Texas. “We definitely want to win the Cup back. To be on the first team that lost the Cup on U.S. soil was disappointing,” he said. “They have good players on their team and we have good ones on ours. We’ll be playing a course that is narrower than the old U.S. Open courses we’ve played.”
The 6,751-yard, par-72 Longcross is deceptively inviting in length, but has been honed to the specifications of Great Britain & Ireland Captain Albert MacKenzie. The fairways, according to Foxhills Director of Golf Chris Fitt, “have been pinched to provide bottlenecks” as a defense to the longest hitters.
There are no par-4s over 400 yards on the back nine, which leads to a shotmaker’s course and ideal for match play.
Great Britain & Ireland’s original plan was to utilize the longer Bernard Hunt Course. Both courses are well known to PGA Members here, as they host the annual Senior PGA Professional Championship.
“We just felt the Longcross Course was a little bit more British in its nature, where precision may be par around that course,” said MacKenzie, who was vice captain to winning 2015 Captain Jon Bevan. “Aesthetically, it’s easier on the eye and would provide a great theater for match play and the opportunity for more birdies on the back nine.
“Having been here the last four years for the British Seniors Championship, and finishing runner-up here in 2014, I am very fond of Foxhills. It is a wonderful resort, and offers virtually anything you want.”
MacKenzie doesn’t hide the fact that planning two years ago was paramount to bringing momentum to Great Britain & Ireland. “That was a great week,” said MacKenzie, “Jon (Bevan) was an inspirational Captain. We prepared very thoroughly. I would say the year before the PGA Cup, Jon and I had spoken 250 of the 365 days. It was a fantastic journey. We put a lot of effort into it. We had a template that we studied very closely for what happened in CordeValle and I pretty much used my personal twists.”
For Levy and his team, the task was aligning compatible partners who could mount a challenge. He also will call upon veterans in two-time PGA Professional Champion Matt Dobyns of Glen Head, New York; Mark Brown of Oyster Bay, New York; and 2013 PGA Professional Champion Rod Perry of Port Orange, Florida.
“It’s really exciting to represent your country. It’s a great honor, It’s something that most people don’t get to do very often,” said Dobyns, a PGA Head Professional at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, New York. “It’s also to be on a team, which in golf we don’t get to do very often. It brings back a lot of good memories from college. Being in England, adds another dimension to it, taking a special trip and kind of living the life of a tour player is really exciting and something we all cherish.”
Perry arrived Wednesday morning, having secured his family and home following the passing of Hurricane Irma. He was one of the fortunate to get early clearance for a flight from the nearby Orlando International Airport. The PGA Head Professional at Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club in Port Orange, who missed two days of practice here, was not using any excuses.
“I was ready to play and really enjoyed my time around the course. Playing with Jamie (Broce) was a lot of fun,” said Perry, who competed in 2013 at Slaley Hall in Northeast England, when the U.S. forged a tie to keep the Cup for two more years. “We know we are in for a tough match.”
Brown, a 51-year-old PGA Head Professional at Tam O’Shanter Club in Glen Head, New York, last competed in the PGA Cup in 2000. He’s a three-time runner-up in the PGA Professional Championship.
“When we get on the course, we’re pulling for each other,” said Brown. “When you see that flag on the back of your shirt, it is really a special honor. Hopefully, we’ll take care of business.”
Levy said that he is pleased with the pairings that have come together through the practice rounds.
“The most important things about putting people together are all about relationships. After three days, we have a good idea and two players and want to win a match,” said Levy. “The golf course is very narrow and some areas the rough is tough. When it’s all said and done it’s about getting the ball in the hole faster than the other.”
The U.S. PGA Cup “rookies” include 2016 PGA Professional Champion Rich Berberian Jr. of Hooksett, New Hampshire; Paul Claxton of Claxton, Georgia; Dave McNabb of Newark, Delaware; Adam Rainaud of Chester, Connecticut; and Josh Speight of Locust Hill, Virginia.
“When my brother and I found out that I had made the team, it was the most pumped up that I have been,” said Rainaud, a PGA Assistant Professional at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. “We get the camaraderie of the team and are friends forever.”
It’s been a season of major highs for McNabb, who competed in the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, was runner-up to Uresti in the PGA Professional Championship; and added appearances in the U.S. Senior Open and the PGA Championship.
“I think this would be one of the highlights of my career, to be one of the top 10 PGA Professionals in the country and to represent my country,” said McNabb, the PGA Head Professional at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania. “I think we have to play good solid team golf and bond together as a unit to get the job done.”
28th PGA Cup
United States
Captain: Paul Levy, Indian Wells, Calif.
Rich Berberian Jr., Hooksett, N.H.
Jamie Broce, Indianapolis, Ind.
Mark Brown, Oyster Bay, N.Y.
Paul Claxton, Claxton, Ga.
Matt Dobyns, Glen Head, N.Y.
Dave McNabb, Newark, Del.
Rod Perry, Port Orange, Fla.
Adam Rainaud, Chester, Conn.
Josh Speight, Locust Hill, Va.
Omar Uresti, Austin, Texas
Great Britain & Ireland
Captain: Albert MacKenzie, Devon, England
Phillip Archer, Warrington, Cheshire, England
Robert Coles, Romford, Essex, England
Matthew Cort, Leicester, England
Christopher Currie, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
David Higgins, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Gary Houston, Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales
Greig Hutcheon, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Chris McDonnell, Chichester, West Sussex, England
Damien McGrane, Kells, County Meath, Ireland
Andrew Raitt, London, England
Friday Morning Four-Balls
7:30 a.m. (2:30 a.m. EDT)
Rod Perry, Port Orange, Fla. & Jamie Broce, Indianapolis, Ind. (USA) vs. Greig Hutcheon, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland & Damien McGrane, County Meath, Ireland (GB&I)
7:45 a.m. (2:45 a.m. EDT)
Rich Berberian Jr., Hooksett, N.H. & Adam Rainaud, Chester, Conn. (USA) vs. Robert Coles, Romford, Essex, England & Chris McDonnell, Chichester, England (GB&I)
8:00 a.m. (3:00 a.m. EDT)
Matt Dobyns, Glen Head, N.Y. & Mark Brown, Oyster Bay, N.Y. (USA) vs. Phillip Archer, Warrington, England & Andrew Raitt, London, England (GB&I)
8:15 a.m. (3:15 a.m. EDT)
Omar Uresti, Austin, Texas & Paul Claxton, Claxton, Ga. (USA) vs. Chris Currie, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, Scotland & David Higgins, Killarney, Count Kerry, Ireland (GB&I)
Plymouth Meeting, Pa. – On Wednesday, August 30th, the Philadelphia PGA held the annual Summer Pro-Lady Team at Sunnybrook Golf Club. The event brought 43 teams together from around the Philadelphia Section; each made up of 1 professional and 3 female amateur players. The weather was perfect all day as the morning and afternoon waves made their way around the 18-hole golf course.
Finishing in first place in the Net division was the team from Huntingdon Valley Country Club. The team led by professional, Shawn Matthews playing with amateur partners Kelly Gregor, Trudy Horrocks, and Judy Leighton each contributed multiple birdies on their way to a final team score of 13-under-par (59). There were three teams finishing in second place at 11-under-par (61); the team from The Springhaven Club, Huntingdon Valley Country Club and Country Club of Harrisburg.
Taking first place in the Gross division was the team from Country Club of Harrisburg with a 6-under-par (66) led by professional Jeff Breiner playing with amateur partners Mauria Matthews, Karen May, and Jennifer Donnelly.
The Section would like to thank Synlawn for their support in sponsoring this event as well as the staff of Sunnybrook GC for hosting.
Our next event is the Philadelphia Section Championship on September 19-21st at Laurel Creek Country Club and Burlington Country Club.
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – On Monday, August 28th, the Philadelphia PGA returned to Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester for the second and final round of the 2017 Pro-Am Wishes. After yesterday’s Pro-Am, which also counted as the first round of the 36-hole tournament, two players held a 2-shot lead over the rest of the field.
Both Brett Melton (Radley Run CC) and Kevin Kraft (Bumble Bee Hollow GC) shot an opening round 5-under-par (66) earning themselves the overnight lead and the last pairing in the final round with Chris Krueger (King’s CreekCC) who stood one shot behind at 4-under 67 after the first round. With an outstanding group of Professionals chasing them both Melton and Kraft knew that they had to maintain their play from their opening round to bring home the win. Continue reading
West Chester, PA. – On a beautiful Thursday afternoon the Philadelphia PGA held the annual Pro-Junior Championship at Concord Country Club. The Championship pairs one PGA Professional with one amateur, male or female, 18 years of age or younger. In addition to being a competitive event that allows the junior golfer to experience a Philadelphia PGA Professional tournament, the Championship is also about camaraderie between PGA Professionals and the junior participants.
The Championship is played better ball of partner’s Net event (with amateurs getting 80% of their handicap), but a Gross division is also added, with teams only allowed to earn prizes in one division.
The tournament was a 1pm shotgun. As the scorecards were turned in, Mark Sheftic (Merion GC) and his amateur partner Kevin Smith posted the score to beat in the Net Division with 9-under par total of 62. After Sheftic thought all odds were in his favor Bob Lennon (Wilmington CC) and his amateur partner Ty Brinker managed a 10-under par 61 (29-32) to win the Net Division.
Although Bob Lennon and his amateur partner were first in the Net Divison they also finished on top in the Gross Division. With the teams ahead of them winning more in the Net Division, the team of Hugh Matthis (Tavistock CC) and partner Mary McGuinness won the top spot in the Gross division with a 6-under 65.
The Philadelphia PGA would like to thank the staff of Concord Country Club for helping make this event successful today. The next event on the Philadelphia PGA’s schedule is Philadelphia Senior PGA Championship on August 21-22 at Radnor Valley Country Club in Villanova, Pa.
WEST CHESTER, Pa, – On Sunday, August 27th Penn Oaks Golf Club hosted the first day of the Pro-Am for Wishes tournament benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation. The first round of this two-day tournament pairs one PGA Professionals with two amateurs. The format for the event is one best ball of the two amateurs, (with ams receiving 100% of their established handicap), plus the professional’s score. Continue reading
Philadelphia Pa. –On a rainy Monday morning nearly 75 Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professionals converged on the newly renovated Union League Golf Club at Torresdale for the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship. With weather threatening the tournament, all competitors did their best to battle both the difficult course and the rainy conditions as they tried to play their way into this November’s 41st National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship to be at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla, November 9-12, 2017.
Quickly as the scorecards came in Brian Bergstol (Bangor, Pa.) would go to the top of the leaderboard with a score of -2 under par 68. Bergstol carded one birdie on the first hole, then, added three more birdies on the back nine. With only two bogies the whole day in nasty weather conditions Bergstol did better than everyone and ended the day with the title of champion.
“My caddie asked me if he wanted him to come out today, and I told him no because it didn’t make sense in this weather, I usually complain to him in weather like today but because he wasn’t there I just kept playing, and I guess that worked in my favor today,” Brian Bergstol stated.
Billy Stewart (Devon, Pa.) the only other player under par, fell one shot short with a -1 under par 69. Stewart had back to back birdies on holes one and two followed by another birdie on hole 5.
By winning Bregstol qualified for the 41thNational Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship, Nov. 9-12, at PGA Golf Club (Wanamaker Course) in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The facility will be hosting its twenty-second consecutive Assistant PGA Professional Championship.
“Mission accomplished,” said Bergstol when asked how it feels to qualify for this year’s Assistant PGA Professional Championship. “I wouldn’t say I played the best that I could have and I would have loved to play this course again in better weather conditions; I was only in the rough once which helped in these conditions; although I would have loved to play 36 today I’m happy with how the day turned out.”
Bergstol and Stewart will be joined at November’s Championship by fellow Assistants Jakob Gerney (Sewell, N.J.) who finished with an even par (70), as well as Andrew Turner (Honey Brook, Pa.), and Jordan Gibbs (Philadelphia, Pa.) who posted a score of 1-over (71).
The Philadelphia PGA would like to thank the membership and staff of The Union League at Torresdale as well as tournament sponsor National Car Rental, and our presenting sponsors Srixon, Cleveland Golf, XXIO, Golf Advisor, John Deere, and PGA Tour. The next event of the Philadelphia PGA calendar is the Pro-Junior Championship at Concord Country Club this Thursday August 10.
NCR Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Champ
Aug 7, 2017
Media Results
Qualifiers: 5 Alternates: 4
QUALIFIERS
1 Brian Bergstol Shawnee Inn and GR 34-34--68 -2
2 Billy Stewart ACE Club 33-36--69 -1
3 Jakob Gerney Trump National GC- Philly 33-37--70 E
T4 Andrew Turner Sunnybrook GC 34-37--71 +1
T4 Jordan Gibbs Gulph Mills GC 35-36--71 +1
ALTERNATES - IN ORDER
T4 Greg Matthias Tavistock CC 35-36--71 +1
7 Rusty Harbold Philadelphia Cricket Club 35-37--72 +2
T8 Mike Furey Mahoning Valley CC 37-36--73 +3
T8 James Hoke The Union League GC 36-37--73 +3
DID NOT QUALIFY
10 Tony Perla Philadelphia Cricket Club 35-36--71 +1
11 Ashley Grier Overbrook GC 38-35--73 +3
T12 David Henry Huntingdon Valley CC 38-36--74 +4
T12 Shawn Matthews Huntingdon Valley CC 36-38--74 +4
T12 Michael Little Lookaway GC 35-39--74 +4
T12 Jordan Shuey West Shore CC 38-36--74 +4
T12 Brett Melton Radley Run CC 33-41--74 +4
T12 Matt Episcopo Pine Valley GC 37-37--74 +4
T18 Robby Bruns Merion GC 38-37--75 +5
T18 Pat Butkus Overbrook GC 38-37--75 +5
T18 Sean Szerencsits Southmoore GC 36-39--75 +5
T18 Isaac Bickel Sunnybrook GC 37-38--75 +5
T22 Michael Caldwell Bidermann GC 39-37--76 +6
T22 Rick LeBeau Gulph Mills GC 36-40--76 +6
T22 Kevin Kraft Bumble Bee Hollow 36-40--76 +6
T22 Carson Solien Aronimink GC 41-35--76 +6
T22 Corey McAlarney Squires GC 38-38--76 +6
T22 Zac Oakley Heritage Shores GC 36-40--76 +6
T22 Jeff Herb Waynesborough CC 38-38--76 +6
T22 Sam Ambrose Aronimink GC 38-38--76 +6
T30 Andrew Geesey Meadia Heights GC 39-38--77 +7
T30 Chris Duckett Saucon Valley CC 38-39--77 +7
T30 Kevin Nicholson White Manor CC 40-37--77 +7
T30 Chris Wright Llanerch CC 36-41--77 +7
T30 Jesse Hackett Kennett Square G & CC 38-39--77 +7
T35 Matthew Hillier Pine Valley GC 38-40--78 +8
T35 Andrew Hill Manufacturers GCC 40-38--78 +8
T35 Alex Knoll Bethlehem GC 37-41--78 +8
T35 Dan Marz Huntingdon Valley CC 34-44--78 +8
T39 Jim Parella Blue Bell CC 39-40--79 +9
T39 Brendan White Trenton CC 40-39--79 +9
T39 Brad Sanders Tavistock CC 39-40--79 +9
T39 Tyler Franks Merion GC 39-40--79 +9
T39 Kevin Fairchild Greate Bay GC 38-41--79 +9
T44 Gary Mackay Trump National GC- Philly 38-42--80 +10
T44 Aaron Hartman Philadelphia Cricket Club 41-39--80 +10
T44 Andrew Pierson Camden County GA 41-39--80 +10
T44 Kevin Rossi Lookaway GC 37-43--80 +10
T44 David Sandberg Pine Valley GC 41-39--80 +10
T44 Vincent Kabaso Cleveland Golf 35-45--80 +10
T50 Steve Frederick Lehigh CC 40-41--81 +11
T50 Matt Brown Whitemarsh Valley CC 38-43--81 +11
T50 Trevor Bensel Huntingdon Valley CC 40-41--81 +11
T53 Christian Castelli Philadelphia CC 40-42--82 +12
T53 Sean Furman Atlantic City CC 42-40--82 +12
T53 Brian Dionisio Aronimink GC 43-39--82 +12
T53 Tyler Canaday The Springhaven Club 42-40--82 +12
T57 Jacob Hoffer The Union League GC 41-42--83 +13
T57 Brandon Kuzmich Merion GC 42-41--83 +13
T57 Jason Howard Tavistock CC 41-42--83 +13
T57 Ryan McLean Saucon Valley CC 41-42--83 +13
T57 Peter Clarke Manufacturers GCC 41-42--83 +13
T57 Sean Schwarze GolfTEC - Lehigh Valley 42-41--83 +13
T63 Branden Allen Sunnybrook GC 43-41--84 +14
T63 Evan Mitchell Spring Mill CC 41-43--84 +14
65 Tony Shields ACE Club 46-39--85 +15
T66 Matthew Walbert Saucon Valley CC 43-43--86 +16
T66 Joe Shapley Indian Springs GC 41-45--86 +16
T66 Andrew Heffernan St. Davids GC 41-45--86 +16
69 Greg Wingate Merion GC 42-46--88 +18
70 Ron Pine Whitemarsh Valley CC 42-51--93 +23
JoeJuly 31, 2017Comments Off on Teams from Radley Run & Tavistock Lead the Way at Pro-Assistant-Pro ChampionshipUncategorized
Galloway, N.J. – On a beautiful mid-summer afternoon, 187 PGA Professionals and Assistant PGA Professionals descended upon the New Jersey shore and Seaview Resort for the annual Pro-Assistant-Pro Championship. This event pairs the highest ranking PGA Professional at a given facility with each of his or her PGA Assistant Professionals in a better ball of partners event. The tournament was held on both the Bay and Pines course at Seaview Resort with prizes awarded on each course separately.
Leading the way on the Bay course was the team from Radley Run Country Club featuring John Kellogg and Brett Melton. As a team the duo posted two eagles, both carded by Kellogg, and six birdies to finish with a team total of 10-under (61). The score was good enough for a three shot victory over the pair of Paul Viola and Alex Knoll from Bethlehem Golf Club who finished at 7-under (64). Three teams finished tied for third place after posting scores of 6-under (65). The group featured Tom Michaels and Ben Bewley of Bershire Country Club, Michael Ferguson and Tony Perla from Philadelphia Cricket Club, and Chris Wilkinson and Jared Murosky of Llanerch Country Club.
The Pines Course also featured a clear cut winner after the team of Hugh Matthis and Greg Matthias from Tavistock Country Club finished with a score of 8-under (63). The pair played bogey free while adding eight birdies to give them a two-shot victory over the field. A trio of teams posted scores of 6-under (65) to finish tied for second place. The first team to get to 6-under was Linda Nevatt and Billy Stewart from The ACE Club while the remaining two teams were both from Indian Springs Golf Club. Curtis Kirkpatrick paired with both Steve Sieracki and Brett Fernandes to finish in the second place tie.
The Section would like to thank our sponsors Cutter & Buck, Golf Max, Country Club Editions, and the PGA Tour for supporting this great event. The next event on the Philadelphia PGA calendar is Thursday’s Skee Riegel Senior Open at Radnor Valley Country Club on Thursday, August 3.
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DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – The 2017 edition of the Doylestown Open was once again played at Doylestown Country Club on Friday, July 28. The Doylestown Open is a one-day stroke play event that featured 80 PGA Professionals and three amateur golfers. The tournament served as the 10th event in the race for the Omega Player of the Year presented by Haverford Trust.
Playing in the tournament’s first pairing, Brett Melton (Radley Run Country Club) posted an impressive score of 5-under (67) to lead the way early. On his round, Melton had seven birdies against two bogeys to give a number for all other competitors to chase.
However, it wouldn’t be long until a player from the field would post a number better than Melton’s 5-under. Playing only two groups behind Melton, Eric Figueroa (McCall Golf & Country Club) got off to a hot start with five birdies and only bogey through his first nine holes to make the turn at 4-under.
“I knew I had something going when I made the turn at 4-under,” commented Figueroa on his round. “I knew that if I could finish the last nine holes at even par I would have a pretty good finish.”
Fortunately for Figueroa his inward nine would yield more than just even par. After a bogey on the 11th hole, Figueroa would post three consecutive birdies on holes 13-15 to finish with a tournament total of 6-under (66), one shot better than Melton. Unfortunately for Figueroa he would now have to wait more than six hours to see if his number would be good enough for his first tournament win.
The first person to make a run at Figueroa at the top of the leaderboard was defending Philadelphia PGA champion Jordan Gibbs (Gulph Mills Golf Club). Gibbs. Despite having enough birdies to overtake Figueroa, three bogeys, including two late, kept Gibbs from the top of the leaderboard and ultimately he finished in solo fourth place with a 4-under (68).
The next player to try and knock Figueroa from the top spot was Kevin Kraft (Bumble Bee Hollow). Although he had four birdies over his final five holes, it was early bogeys that proved too difficult to overcome. In the end, Kraft finished with eight birdies and three bogeys to finish one shot behind Figueroa in a tie for second place at 5-under (67).
Leading the way in the tournament’s senior division was Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range). With a 3-under (69), Ingraham finished three shots clear of the senior field and notched his fifth senior win of the 2017 season increasing his lead on the Skee Riegel Senior Player of the Year Leaderboard.
In the end Figueroa’s 6-under would be good enough to give him his first Philadelphia PGA tournament win of his career.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to get this first win,” Figueroa said of his accomplishment. “We have so many great players in our Section and to be able to join them in the winner’s circle is such a cool feeling. I want to thank Gary Rodgers and the entire membership of Doylestown Country Club as well as Kevin McClellan for their support today.”
The third event on the Philadelphia PGA’s super senior circuit sponsored by Jani-King was also held as a part of the Doylestown Open. To be eligible for the super senior division a Professional must be 60 years of age or older and in good standing with the PGA of America. Taking home the title in the super senior division was Gary Hardin (Northampton Country Club) who carded an even par (72) to win by one shot over George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club).
The Section would like to thank the membership and staff of Doylestown Country Club, Kevin McClellan with Cutter & Buck, the PGA Tour and Jani-King for their support of this event.
Doylestown Open
Jul 28, 2017
Individual Stroke Play Results
1 Eric Figueroa McCall Golf & CC 32-34--66 -6
T2 Brett Melton Radley Run CC 33-34--67 -5
T2 Kevin Kraft Bumble Bee Hollow 34-33--67 -5
4 Jordan Gibbs Gulph Mills GC 35-33--68 -4
T5 Michael Little Lookaway GC 35-34--69 -3
T5 Alex Knoll Bethlehem GC 36-33--69 -3
T5 Stu Ingraham M Golf Range 35-34--69 -3
T8 Jaime Gylan Royal Manchester GL 35-35--70 -2
T8 Mark Parson Harbor Pines 35-35--70 -2
T10 Dave Pagett Whitemarsh Valley CC 37-34--71 -1
T10 Greg Matthias Tavistock CC 34-37--71 -1
T12 Gary Hardin Northampton CC 35-37--72 E
T12 Mike Dynda LuLu CC 37-35--72 E
T12 Michael Ferguson Philadelphia Cricket Club 36-36--72 E
T12 Mark Anderson Philadelphia Cricket Club 36-36--72 E
T12 John Kellogg Radley Run CC 37-35--72 E
T12 Brian Hollins Trenton CC 34-38--72 E
T12 Michael Tobiason Deerfield 36-36--72 E
T12 Ryan McLean Saucon Valley CC 38-34--72 E
T12 Mike Furey Mahoning Valley CC 35-37--72 E
T21 John Allen Huntingdon Valley CC 35-38--73 +1
T21 Mike Moses Concord CC 37-36--73 +1
T21 George Forster Radnor Valley CC 37-36--73 +1
T21 Brian Bergstol Shawnee Inn and GR 36-37--73 +1
T21 Rick Flesher Applebrook GC 37-36--73 +1
T21 Curtis Kirkpatrick Indian Springs GC 34-39--73 +1
T21 Frank Howell (a) Doylestown CC 36-37--73 +1
T21 John DiMarco Laurel Creek CC 38-35--73 +1
T29 Trevor Bensel Huntingdon Valley CC 38-36--74 +2
T29 Dave McNabb Applebrook GC 35-39--74 +2
T29 Brian Kelly Bucknell GC 37-37--74 +2
T29 Don DeAngelis Center Square GC 36-38--74 +2
T29 Rich Steinmetz Spring Ford CC 35-39--74 +2
T29 Anthony Napoletano GolfTEC-KoP 34-40--74 +2
T35 Eric McNamee Golf Galaxy - Montgomery 38-37--75 +3
T35 Bill Walker Riverton CC 36-39--75 +3
T35 Eric Schultz Sunnybrook GC 39-36--75 +3
T35 Andrew Pierson Camden County GA 38-37--75 +3
T35 Jack Connelly North Hills CC 39-36--75 +3
T35 Isaac Bickel Sunnybrook GC 39-36--75 +3
T35 Greg Farrow Deerwood CC 36-39--75 +3
T35 Kevin Nicholson White Manor CC 38-37--75 +3
T35 Andrew Geesey Meadia Heights GC 39-36--75 +3
T35 Ben Schlesman Manufacturers GCC 38-37--75 +3
T35 Tyler Collet CC of York 40-35--75 +3
T35 Bob Hennefer Indian Springs GC 40-35--75 +3
T35 Mike Paukovits St. Davids GC 39-36--75 +3
T48 Rick LeBeau Gulph Mills GC 39-37--76 +4
T48 John Spina Philadelphia Cricket Club 38-38--76 +4
T48 Eric Kennedy Overbrook GC 38-38--76 +4
T48 Peter Clarke Manufacturers GCC 37-39--76 +4
T48 Jason Calhoun LaSalle University 38-38--76 +4
T48 Joe Kogelman GolfTEC Moorestown 37-39--76 +4
T48 Andy Fisher AF Golf Ctr. 37-39--76 +4
T48 Jim Parella Blue Bell CC 40-36--76 +4
T48 Chris Atkins Riverton CC 38-38--76 +4
T48 Pat Butkus Overbrook GC 36-40--76 +4
T58 Bill Sautter Philadelphia Cricket Club 38-39--77 +5
T58 Andy Watters Talamore Country Club 40-37--77 +5
T58 Brian Trymbiski (a) Doylestown CC 38-39--77 +5
T61 Peter Lovenguth Silver Creek CC 40-38--78 +6
T61 Dave Quinn Philmont CC 38-40--78 +6
T61 Ryan Rigby (a) Doylestown CC 41-37--78 +6
T61 Tony Shields ACE Club 39-39--78 +6
T65 Ashley Grier Overbrook GC 39-40--79 +7
T65 Frank Palumbo Rolling Green GC 39-40--79 +7
T65 Hugh Reilly Twining Valley GC 38-41--79 +7
T65 Ben Debski The Springhaven Club 38-41--79 +7
T69 Mike Wood Saucon Valley CC 41-39--80 +8
T69 Nathalie Filler Philadelphia Cricket Club 40-40--80 +8
T69 Greyson Rossi Bayside Resort 40-40--80 +8
T69 Kevin Rossi Lookaway GC 39-36--75 +8
T73 Ryan Fiore Huntingdon Valley CC 41-40--81 +9
T73 Evan Mitchell Spring Mill CC 40-41--81 +9
T75 Brad Sanders Tavistock CC 40-42--82 +10
T75 Dustin McCormick Glen Brook GC 40-42--82 +10
T75 Gregg Gipp Phoenixville CC 40-42--82 +10
T78 Joe Ambrose Paupack Hills G & CC 39-45--84 +12
T78 Nick Gorman GolfTEC Moorestown 42-42--84 +12
80 Vincent Kabaso Cleveland Golf 43-42--85 +13
81 J R Delich Applebrook GC 47-41--88 +16
EASTON, Pa. – For the second consecutive year, weather played a significant role in the GALV Lehigh Valley Open. Originally set to begin at 8:00am on Monday, July 24 the start of this year’s event was ultimately moved back to 2:00pm that day after significant rain fell in the Lehigh Valley Sunday night and Monday morning. Rain made a second appearance in the tournament’s opening round which forced players to complete their first round on Tuesday morning.
Opening round play resumed at 9:00am with most players having between three and five holes to play. After round one concluded players would have a short break before heading back out for the second and final round. In between rounds the maintenance staff at Northampton Country Club, who in spite of the weather managed to keep the golf course in terrific condition, would set new hole locations and tee positions. Players were also re-paired with the leaders going off of the first hole.
Leading the way after the first round was amateur Cole Miller (New Tripoli, Pa.) who posted an impressive 8-under (64) to lead the field by one shot. However chasing Miller was an outstanding group of Professionals including Michael Tobiason (Deerfield) who finished at 7-under (65), Pat Butkus (Overbrook Golf Club) who was two shots back at 6-under (66). Finishing their opening rounds three shots back at 5-under (67) was a trio of players that included two-time past champion Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range), John Pillar (CC of Woodloch Springs), and Mark Sheftic (Merion Golf Club).
With the second round of the tournament played as a shotgun it was difficult to gauge where each competitor was in relation to the top of the leaderboard. However, whispers began to circulate through the crowds that gathered that Miller may be making a move to separate himself from the field. However what was also unknown was whether or not someone from the field was making a move at Miller and the top spot.
With scores coming in fast and furious at the end of the shotgun one thing became clear, the whispers of Miller playing well were true. Miller posted four birdies and an eagle in his second round which helped him overcome a late bogey to finish with a second round score of 5-under (67) and a 36-hole total of 13-under (131).
What was also true was that there was a player in the field making a significant run at Miller. Merion’s Sheftic, playing in the group behind Miller, knew he had to post a low number to have any chance at grabbing win. Sheftic would give it all he had as he posted nine birdies, including five consecutive on holes 9-13, but a couple of late bogeys would prove costly. When all was said and done Sheftic would finish his second round with a score of 6-under (66) giving him a 36-hole total of 11-under (133) two shots back of Miller.
The win marks the first time an amateur has won the GALV Lehigh Valley Open in the ten year history of the event. All was not lost for Sheftic as he would finish as the tournament’s low PGA Professional.
“It was my first professional win, I have won NCAA tournaments but this is the first time I have ever won an event that featured a field of PGA Professionals”, said Miller on his victory. “It feels great to go up against some of the best players in the area and know that I can compete alongside of them.”
In the tournaments senior division John Pillar would take the top spot finishing the 36-hole event at 8-under (136). Pillar finished three shots clear of second place finisher Brian Kelly (Bucknell Golf Club) who posted a 5-under (139).
The Section would like to thank our title sponsor, the Golf Association of Lehigh Valley and Mr. Karl Gilbert as well as the entire staff and membership of Northampton Country Club for their hospitality.
The Philadelphia PGA tournament calendar continues this Friday, July 28 at Doylestown Country Club for the annual Doylestown Open. For complete coverage of the Philadelphia PGA be sure to follow us online Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
GALV Lehigh Valley Open
Jul 24 – Jul 25, 2017
36 Hole; Stroke Play Media Results
1 Cole Miller (a) 64-67--131 -13
2 Mark Sheftic Merion GC 67-66--133 -11
3 Rich Steinmetz Spring Ford CC 68-67--135 -9
T4 Michael Tobiason Deerfield 65-71--136 -8
T4 John Pillar CC at Woodloch Springs 67-69--136 -8
6 Matt Episcopo Pine Valley GC 71-66--137 -7
T7 Greg Matthias Tavistock CC 68-71--139 -5
T7 Kevin Kraft Bumble Bee Hollow 70-69--139 -5
T7 Brian Kelly Bucknell GC 69-70--139 -5
T10 Pat Butkus Overbrook GC 66-74--140 -4
T10 Michael Little Lookaway GC 68-72--140 -4
T10 Dave Quinn Philmont CC 69-71--140 -4
T10 Jeff Fick Chapel Hill GC 71-69--140 -4
T14 Brian Bergstol Shawnee Inn and GR 71-70--141 -3
T14 Dave Pagett Whitemarsh Valley CC 69-72--141 -3
T14 Terry Hertzog CC of York 73-68--141 -3
T17 Stu Ingraham M Golf Range 67-75--142 -2
T17 Kevin Scherr (a) 71-71--142 -2
T17 Ashley Grier Overbrook GC 72-70--142 -2
T17 Alex Knoll Bethlehem GC 74-68--142 -2
T21 Joe Kogelman GolfTEC Moorestown 68-75--143 -1
T21 John Olszewski (a) 69-74--143 -1
T21 Eric Schultz Sunnybrook GC 69-74--143 -1
T21 Gary Hardin Northampton CC 71-72--143 -1
T21 Bob Hennefer Indian Springs GC 72-71--143 -1
T26 Brett Melton Radley Run CC 72-72--144 E
T26 Rob Rohrbach Foxchase GC 72-72--144 E
T26 John Spina Phila Cricket Club 72-72--144 E
T29 Eric Kennedy Overbrook GC 69-76--145 +1
T29 Shawn Matthews Huntingdon Valley CC 71-74--145 +1
T29 Bill Sautter Phila Cricket Club 71-74--145 +1
T29 Billy Stewart ACE Club 72-73--145 +1
T29 Mark Anderson Phila Cricket Club 73-72--145 +1
T29 Mike Paukovits St. Davids GC 73-72--145 +1
T29 J.T. Barker (a) 73-72--145 +1
T29 Steve Swartz Regents' Glen CC 76-69--145 +1
T37 George Forster Radnor Valley CC 69-77--146 +2
T37 Dave Fields Brookside CC 71-75--146 +2
T37 Brendon Post Univ. of Delaware 71-75--146 +2
T37 Andrew Turner Sunnybrook GC 72-74--146 +2
T37 Eric Figueroa McCall Golf & CC 72-74--146 +2
T37 Bill Walker Riverton CC 74-72--146 +2
T37 Sam Ambrose Aronimink GC 75-71--146 +2
T37 Don DeAngelis Center Square GC 77-69--146 +2
T45 Chris Duckett Saucon Valley CC 72-75--147 +3
T45 Curtis Kirkpatrick Indian Springs GC 72-75--147 +3
T45 Robin McCool (a) 72-75--147 +3
T45 John Allen Huntingdon Valley CC 76-71--147 +3
T45 Jason Wilson (a) 76-71--147 +3
T50 Greg Farrow Deerwood CC 71-77--148 +4
T50 Barry Dear Twisted Dune 74-74--148 +4
T50 Nick Vecellio (a) 75-73--148 +4
T50 Mike Furey Mahoning Valley CC 76-72--148 +4
T54 Stephen Sieracki Indian Springs GC 72-77--149 +5
T54 Dave Blichar (a) 73-76--149 +5
T54 John DiMarco Laurel Creek CC 72-77--149 +5
T54 Nick Maff (a) 76-73--149 +5
T54 Michael Caldwell Bidermann GC 77-72--149 +5
T54 Anthony Napoletano GolfTEC-KoP 77-72--149 +5
T60 Rick Flesher Applebrook GC 74-76--150 +6
T60 Ryan Shaughnessy Woodstone CC 73-77--150 +6
T60 Chad Hess (a) 74-76--150 +6
T60 Grant Schumaker (a) 76-74--150 +6
T60 Eric McNamee Golf Galaxy 75-75--150 +6
T60 Joe Coulson (a) 76-74--150 +6
T60 Carlos Fullerton (a) 77-73--150 +6
T67 Dustin McCormick Glen Brook GC 75-76--151 +7
T67 Kevin Edwards Olde Homestead GC 78-73--151 +7
T69 Steve Kluemper (a) 73-79--152 +8
T69 Carson Solien Aronimink GC 73-79--152 +8
T69 Mike Wood Saucon Valley CC 75-77--152 +8
T69 Joe Jasinski (a) 78-74--152 +8
T73 Don Allan Burlington CC 75-78--153 +9
T73 Rick LeBeau Gulph Mills GC 75-78--153 +9
T73 George Frake Little Mill 76-77--153 +9
T73 Evan Notaro (a) 78-75--153 +9
T73 Steve Frederick Lehigh CC 78-75--153 +9
T73 Peter Clarke Manufacturers GCC 80-73--153 +9
T79 Andy Watters Talamore CC 78-76--154 +10
T79 Ryan McLean Saucon Valley CC 80-74--154 +10
T81 Tom Moore Applecross CC 74-82--156 +12
T81 Tony Sarko (a) 80-76--156 +12
T81 Jeff Hudson (a) 80-76--156 +12
84 James Boburka (a) 75-82--157 +13
85 Bill Smith Mahoning Valley CC 78-80--158 +14
T86 Gregg Gipp Phoenixville CC 76-83--159 +15
T86 Collin Seip (a) 79-80--159 +15
88 Peter Lovenguth Silver Creek CC 76-84--160 +16
89 Jacob Siegfried (a) 77-84--161 +17
T90 Alec Cwienkala (a) 77-86--163 +19
T90 Steve Kiefner Northampton CC 78-85--163 +19
T90 Dylan Spadt (a) 84-79--163 +19
93 J R Delich Applebrook GC 82-82--164 +20
94 Justin Tresslar (a) 77-92--169 +25
95 Tony Shields ACE Club 83-88--171 +27
96 Gary Strausser Riverview CC 89-92--181 +37
