John Spina Wins 2022 Philadelphia PGA Skee Riegel Senior Open
Spina, hailing from Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa., followed his eagle on No. 3 with another eagle on the par-four 13th, along with four birdies and two bogies, to top Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C. by three strokes.
“I have always liked coming [to the 1912 Club] and playing,” Spina said after his round. “I loved the way the place played. It felt great out there.
“You never know when you’re going to play well again, and it’s been a long time since I’ve won, so it’s nice to finally get a win again, play well, and hopefully keep it going.”
Hugo Mazzalupi, Linfield National G.C.; and Mark Parson, Harbor Pines G.C.; each shot even-par and finished tied for fourth. Brian Kelly, PGA, finished in fifth place at 1-over-par.
In the Super Senior Division, Brian Kelly, took top honors with a 1-over-par 71. Kelly bettered runners-up Wayne Phillips, Leigh C.C.; and Bob Lennon, Wilmington C.C.; by two strokes. Mickey Sokalski, North Hills C.C.; Darryl Lock, Skippack G.C. and Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club; rounded out the division’s top five finishers at 4-over-par.
The 2022 Philadelphia PGA Skee Riegel Open is supported by Jani-King and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, the 1912 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 Philadelphia PGA Skee Riegel Senior Open leaderboard, click here.
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.