News

Playing Through: Brent Wallace, PGA (S2E8)

August 13, 2025Comments Off on Playing Through: Brent Wallace, PGA (S2E8)Featured, PPGA

Welcome to the latest episode of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s web series, “Playing Through,” where PGA of America Golf Professionals, Section staff, Section partners, and other industry professionals are asked 18 questions about their lives and careers.

This episode features PGA of America Member Brent Wallace, the PGA director of golf at Northampton Country Club in Easton. Pa.

To watch the episode, click on the embedded video below.

If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, click here.

PGA of America Golf Professional Dave Quinn Leads Laurel Creek Team to Victory in 2025 Don DeAngelis Pro-Am Presented by Moyer

August 12, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Dave Quinn Leads Laurel Creek Team to Victory in 2025 Don DeAngelis Pro-Am Presented by MoyerFeatured, PPGA

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (August 12, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Dave Quinn from Laurel Creek lead his team of amateurs, Jack Irons, Mark Walker and Mike Okeefe, to victory in the 2025 Don DeAngelis Pro-Am presented by Moyer, shooting an impressive net score of 20-under-par.

This event was created by the DeAngelis family and the Philadelphia PGA Section to pay tribute to Don DeAngelis, an accomplished PGA Member and player, who passed in January 2022. DeAngelis was elected to PGA Membership in 1978, and played the game with immense talent, winning the 1985 Pennsylvania Open and playing in the 1978 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colo., and winning a Section tournament in six straight decades. His most recent win was in September 2021, when he won the 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship’s Super Senior Division, and also shot his age, a 69. See below to view DeAngelis’ playing career highlights. To read a tribute to DeAngelis, click here.

Second place in the net division was the team from Saucon Valley Country Club who finished at 15-under-par, consisting of PGA  Professional Tucker Noel, Robert Dewey, Alex Bradberry, and Tanner Morrow. Three teams tied for third at 11-under-par: Green Valley’s John Cooper, PGA, Sean Cooper, John P. Cooper, and Marc Grabuski; Michael Loeper, PGA, Tim Brennan, John Carroll, and Rusty Philomeno from The 1912 Club; and PGA Professional Drew Quirk, Jeff Grimes, Chris Pegg, and Ted Rothchild, from St. Davids Golf Club.

In the Gross Division, the team out of Green Valley Country Club consisting of professional, John Cooper, and amateurs Sean Cooper, John P. Cooper, and Marc Grabuski, took first with a score of 6-under-par. Three teams tied for second place at one-over-par: Saucon Valley’s Tucker Noel, Robert Dewey, Alex Bradberry, and Tanner Morrow; PGA Professional Lucas LaCava, Trevor Keaton, Aidan Kilcoyne, and Jack Dare from Skippack Golf Club; and Green Pond Golf Course’s John Kulhamer,PGA, and his amateurs Charles Leon, John Mace, and Ryan Orcutt. Two teams tied for fifth at three-over-par. They were PGA Professional Drew Quirk, Jeff Grimes, Chris Pegg, and Ted Rothchild, from St. Davids Golf Club and Megan Leineweber, PGA, Tom Valyo, Paul Deangelis, and Mike Ceribelli, from Stonewall Links.

Dave Quinn took the low professional honors today shooting a three-under-par round to top John Cooper and Bob Lennon by three strokes. George Forster, and Peter Clarke tied for fourth at one-over-par.

To view the full 2025 DeAngelis Pro-Am Leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Don DeAngelis Pro-Am is presented by the DeAngelis family and Moyer, and supported by Echo. 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.

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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

PGA of America Golf Professional Ryan Rucinski and Amateur Avery McCrery Win 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch Championship

August 11, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Ryan Rucinski and Amateur Avery McCrery Win 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch ChampionshipFeatured, PPGA

Springfield, Pa. (August 11, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Ryan Rucinski of Wilmington (Del.) Country Club and his amateur partner Avery McCrery finished with a team score of 12-under-par 59 to win the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch Championship at Rolling Green Golf Club by two strokes over Moselem Springs Golf Club’s Jeff Fick, PGA, and Dave Palumbo.

The event’s format was Gross Four-Ball Stroke Play / Better Ball of Partners for 18 holes.

Rucinski and McCrery combined for 12 birdies and an eagle. The eagle, was Rucinski’s hole-in-one on the par-3 16th hole; he used a pitching wedge from 140 yards. McCrery, coming off her appearance in last week’s U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, set a new women’s course record at Rolling Green: an 8-under-par 63.

Merion Golf Club’s Joanna Coe, PGA, and Nelson Hargrove finished in third place at 9-under-par. Two teams tied for fourth place at 8-under-par: DuPont Country Club’s Mike Caldwell, PGA, and Jason Henzes; and Woodstone Country Club’s Gregg Meyer, PGA, and Nick Lukow. Two more tied for fifth place at 6-under-par: St. Davids Golf Club’s Wesley Calderone and Steve Dressel; and Laurel Creek Country Club’s Dave Quinn and Jack Irons.

View the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch Championship leaderboard by clicking here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pro-Scratch Championship is supported by Turtleson and Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, host Rolling Green Golf Club, their owners, 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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

Philadelphia PGA Partners with Oakley

August 8, 2025Comments Off on Philadelphia PGA Partners with OakleyPPGA

Lower Gwynedd Twp., Pa. (August 8, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is delighted to establish a new partnership with Oakley for the 2025 season. Oakley is a sport and lifestyle brand driven to ignite the imagination through the fusion of art and science. Building on its legacy of innovative, market-leading optical technology; the company manufactures and distributes high performance sunglasses, prescription lenses and frames, goggles, apparel, footwear, and accessories.

Oakley will be the presenting partner for a new event, the Ohana Farm Team Championship, taking place at Cedarbrook Country Club on September 2, 2025.

Geoffrey Surrette, PGA, the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Section said, “We are very excited to have Oakley on as a partner for this season. Their products are top notch and will definitely be a great addition to the new team event this fall!”

About Oakley
Oakley is a globally recognized brand renowned for its innovative and high-performance eyewear, apparel, and accessories. Driven by a commitment to pushing boundaries, Oakley integrates advanced technologies like their Prizm lens technology into products designed to optimize vision and performance. With a focus on both precision and style, Oakley serves athletes and consumers seeking quality, durability, and cutting-edge design in their gear.

Contact: Ewan King, Sr. Manager of Business Development, ewan.king@oakley.com 

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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

PGA of America Golf Professional Riley Wheeldon Wins 49th Pro-Am for Wishes

August 4, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Riley Wheeldon Wins 49th Pro-Am for WishesPPGA

West Chester, Pa. (August 4, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Riley Wheeldon of Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., finished with rounds of 69-67–136, 4-under-par, to win the 49th Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club by one stroke over a trio of PGA Professionals.

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.

Today’s win is Wheeldon’s second Philadelphia PGA victory, having won the Hutch Invitational in June.

“I played quite nicely,” Wheeldon said following his round. “I got a little frustrated with how few putts were dropping, but I had enough to fall in the end.”

He made an eagle, four birdies and two birdies in his final round.

Wheeldon went on to thank everyone at Aronimink Golf Club, Penn Oaks Golf Club, and Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware, & Susquehanna Valley, and the Section staff.

“It feels great to be able to compete as much as we do [in the Philadelphia PGA Section],” continued Wheeldon. “I’m very happy to be here.”

Trevor Bensel, LuLu Country Club, and Stephen Swartz, Carlisle (Pa.) Country Club, and Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green Golf Club, tied for second place. Zac Oakley finished in fifth place at 4-under-par.

Stephen Swartz took the top prize in Senior Division, bettering Applebrook Golf Club’s Dave McNabb by six strokes, and Laurel Creek Country Club’s Dave Quinn by seven. Wilmington Country Club’s Bob Lennon finished in fourth place at 3-over-par, while Spring Ford Country Club’s Rich Steinmetz finished in fifth place at 6-over-par.

View the full 2025 Pro-Am for Wishes leaderboard by clicking here.

The 2025 Pro-Am for Wishes is presented by Cavan Construction Co. Inc., Tamora Group, and Woodward Properties. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, host Penn Oaks Golf Club, their owners, membership, management, and staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

The next Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event is the 104th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Concord Country Club in West Chester, Pa., on Monday, August 18 – Wednesday, August 20.

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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

PGA of America Golf Professionals Swartz, Nicholson Lead Team to Victory in 49th Pro-Am for Wishes

August 3, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professionals Swartz, Nicholson Lead Team to Victory in 49th Pro-Am for WishesPPGA

West Chester, Pa. (August 3, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Stephen Swartz of Carlisle (Pa.) Country Club, and Kevin Nicholson of Sandy Run Country Club in Oreland, Pa., led their team of amateurs, Josh Resslar and Mark Miller, to victory in the 49th Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club thanks to their 11-under-par net team score.

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.

The winning team bettered Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford Country Club, Peter Clarke, Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club, Dan Giacchino, and Eric Bennett by one stroke in the two Best Balls of Four net format. Danny Lewis, Trout National; Brittany Weddell, Green Valley Country Club; Dan Missar; and Devin Saab finished in third place at 9-under-par. Andrew Turner, Country Club of York; Rob Wolfers, Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club; Don Goodwin; and Tim Stanley finished at at 8-under-par for a fourth place tie with Zac Oakley, Bidermann Golf Club, PGA Life Member Rob Shuey, Anthony Diver, and Tommy Gaffney.

In the 36-hole PGA Professional event, Stephen Swartz leads the field at 6-under-par, two strokes ahead of Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club. Rolling Green Golf Club’s Braden Shattuck, LuLu Country Club’s Trevor Bensel, and Whitemarsh Valley Country Club’s Dave Pagett are tied for third place, three behind the leader. The final round is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 4.

Swartz also leads the Senior Division, by five strokes, over Dave McNabb, Applebrook Golf Club; and eight strokes ahead of four PGA Professionals.

Dan Missar turned in a 2-over-par 73 to earn Low Amateur honors. Four players tied for second place at 9-over: Eric DiPietro, Jacob Sokalsky, Geoff Sheehan, and Artie Schenck.

View the full 2025 Pro-Am for Wishes leaderboard by clicking here.

The 2025 Pro-Am for Wishes is presented by Cavan Construction Co. Inc., Tamora Group, and Woodward Properties. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, host Penn Oaks Golf Club, their owners, membership, management, and staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

The next Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event is the 104th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Concord Country Club in West Chester, Pa., on Monday, August 18 – Wednesday, August 20.

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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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

1st Phorm to Partner with Philadelphia PGA

August 3, 2025Comments Off on 1st Phorm to Partner with Philadelphia PGAPPGA

Lower Gwynedd Twp., Pa. (August 3, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is pleased to welcome 1st Phorm, a company offering a comprehensive line of fitness products designed to support various health and training goals, as a new partner for the 2025 season.

1st Phorm will be supporting the Section at a PGA Professional event later this season.

Geoffrey Surrette, PGA, the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Section said, “We are looking forward to the addition of 1st Phorm to our partner lineup. Their brand is a natural fit for us, and we are excited to see how their focus on a healthy lifestyle can benefit the entire Section.”

“We’re thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership between 1st Phorm and the Philadelphia Section of the PGA, a powerful alliance focused on fueling performance, supporting longevity, and enhancing the game of golf through premium nutrition and fitness solutions,” said Michael Derenski from 1st Phorm.

About 1st Phorm
From the driving range to the 18th green, the right nutrition makes a difference. That’s why they are delivering:

  • Delicious, functional snacks that taste amazing and support on course performance
  • Easy, portable fuel options that help golfers stay sharp and strong through every round
  • Education on fitness, recovery, and supplementation to help players of all levels play the game longer and more effectively

Whether you’re a professional, a coach, or a weekend warrior it’s time to fuel your round the right way.

Here’s to playing better, longer, and stronger together.

Contact: Michael Derenski, michaeld@1stphorm.com

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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.

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