Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 27, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Frank Bensel of Galloway (N.J.) National Golf Club and John Pillar of the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., have secured their places on the Corebridge Financial Team, and will compete in the 2026 Senior PGA Championship, April 16-19, at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla.

Both PGA Members qualified as a result of their play in last week’s Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Bensel tied for 19th place at 1-over-par with rounds of 73-73-74-69–289, while Pillar tied for 32nd place at 3-over-par, thanks to his rounds of 71-75-74-71–291.

Corebridge Financial broadened its partnership with the PGA of America to include the title sponsorship of the Corebridge Financial Team at the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Bensel and Pillar were part of an eight-player-strong contingent representing the Philadelphia PGA Section in the 2025 Senior PGA Professional Championship. The group also included: Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek Country Club; Brian Kelly, Titleist Fit Crew; Dave McNabb, Applebrook Golf Club; Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club; Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford Country Club; and Stephen Swartz, Carlisle Country Club.

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 300 golf facilities in our region.

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

Havre De Grace, Md. (October 22, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Anthony Hoffman of John F. Bryne Golf Club in Philadelphia led his team of amateurs, Keith Holmes, Jim Babst, and Nick Gill, to a Net Division victory at the 2025 Fall Finale Pro-Am presented by Parx Casino® at Bulle Rock Golf Course. The winning team shot an impressive 15-under-par round of 57, in the one Best Ball of Four format.

The John F. Byrne team made 13 birdies and an eagle en route to their victory, and bettered Peninsula Golf and Country Club’s Will Scarborough, Matt Hall, John Purple Jr., and Vinny Nardo, by two strokes. Tom Borsavage’s Golf Galaxy – Langhorne team, Jack Enwright, Ken Schaefer, and Mike Burns, tied for third place at 12-under-par with Kyle Miller’s Bellewood Country Club team, Malcolm Smith, Steve Zebley, and Jamison Barnett. Four teams tied for fifth place at 11-under-par.

Scarborough’s team tied for first place in the Gross Division with Matt Finger’s DuPont Country Club team: Meredith Finger, Alan Lazzarino, and Mike Boyle, at 12-under-par. Both teams bettered Peninsula Golf and Country Club’s Greyson Rossi, Joe Roeder, Dan Bittle, and Michael Polise by one stroke. Hoffman’s John F. Byrne team finished in fourth place at 9-under-par, followed by Little Mill Country Club’s Tom Duetsch, Joe Paradise, Kyle Schuricht, and Craig Vittese; and Rolling Green Golf Club’s Frank Palumbo, Mike Dafnus, Mark Hill, and DR Mike Ruggieri.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Fall Finale Pro-Am presented by Parx Casino® leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Fall Finale Pro-Am event is presented by Parx Casino® and supported by Cobra Puma Golf. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Bulle Rock Golf Course, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, 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

Telford, Pa. (October 20, 2025) — PGA of America Member Bob Hennefer of Laurel Creek Country Club in Mount Laurel Township, N.J., was elected as the 46th Philadelphia PGA President in a room of nearly 150 of his peers at the Section’s 2025 Fall Membership Meeting at Indian Valley Country Club on Monday.

Fellow PGA of America Golf Professionals, Eric Kennedy of Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa., and Dustin McCormick of Glen Brook Golf Club in Stroudsburg, Pa., will join Hennefer as Section officers, being elected as vice president, and secretary, respectively. Chip Richter, PGA, of the Country Club of Harrisburg in Harrisburg, Pa., moves to the role of honorary president following his two-year stint as president.

The membership also selected Anthony Malizia of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del., as director of Section affairs, and Michael Caldwell of DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del., as director of tournaments. Section Districts 1, 3 and 5 also elected directors, with Curtis Kirkpatrick of Medford Lakes (N.J.) Country Club, Jeff Breiner of the Country Club of Harrisburg, and Tom Michaels of Berkshire Country Club in Reading, Pa., each being selected to serve second terms in those roles.

The Section honored most of its annual playing award winners during the meeting, highlighted by the 2025 Rolex Haverford Trust Player of the Year Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., and the 2025 Women’s Player of the Year Joanna Coe of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. Both Shattuck and Coe have each earned their respective Player of the Year titles four years in a row.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter, PGA, was named the Section’s Super Senior Player of the Year, while Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club in Rising Sun, Md., was named the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization Player of the Year. Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Shawnee on Delaware, Pa., earned Player of the Year honors for the Central Counties Chapter.

The 2025 Rolex Haverford Trust Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year will be declared following the conclusion of this week’s Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

With a season-long scoring average of 67.93, Braden Shattuck also won the 2025 F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy, his third such title (2022, 2024). He broke the scoring average record he set in 2024. Tom Michaels was named the 2025 Ike Turner Most Improved Player.

Philadelphia PGA Executive Director Geoffrey Surrette, PGA, proudly announced that the Philadelphia PGA Board of Directors recently granted an honorary Section membership to Mr. George Connell, the founder of the Haverford Trust Company. For 29 years, Mr. Connell has shown an unwavering commitment to our mission and to the men and women who make up this Section. His generous support has not only helped us grow as an organization but has also significantly impacted the lives of Philadelphia PGA Professionals and Associates. Most notably, he has been the driving force behind the annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic at Sunnybrook Golf Club. This event has been a game-changer, providing a premier platform that has raised the profile of PGA Professionals and created life-changing opportunities for countless members. Mr. Connell’s dedication to the Philadelphia PGA goes beyond financial support; it’s a testament to his belief in the value of the profession. His partnership has elevated the game and helped the Section showcase the incredible talent and dedication within the ranks.

Surrette went on to thank outgoing Independent Director Ellie Good for her service to the Section.

The Section also acknowledged this year’s recipients of the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship: PGA of America Associates Tyler Armstrong of the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa., and Tessa Henderson of Stonewall in Elverson, Pa. The scholarship was developed by the Jennings family to honor Bud Jennings, a lifelong golfer and longtime Chester Valley Golf Club member. Given Bud’s love for the game of golf, and his willingness to give back and help others, the Jennings family says that this award is the perfect way to remember his legacy.

Prior to being confirmed as president, Bob Hennefer announced the Philadelphia PGA Playing Legends Class of 2025: John D. “Jack” Campbell, Bruce P. Coltart, Ronald “Rod” Munday, Theodore R. “Ted” Turner, and Joe Zarhardt.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Surrette paid tribute to the Section’s longtime assistant executive director, Barb Creveling, who has dutifully served our PGA Membership for nearly 25 years. Creveling recently made it known her retirement is impending. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication, Barb, and enjoy your retirement…you will be missed!

With the PGA Championship returning to Aronimink Golf Club in May 2026, the Section has been soliciting its PGA Professionals to volunteer for the major championship. As part of the promotion, the PGA of America brought the original Wanamaker Trophy to Indian Valley on Monday for the meeting.

Meeting attendees were also treated to Rules of Golf education as presented by PGA Tour Champions Tournament Official Tom Carpus, PGA.

Following the business meeting, 96 PGA Professionals teed it up for a pro-pro tournament, and Trout National’s David Altemus and Danny Lewis teamed to win the event at 12-under-par, bettering two teams by one stroke: Brian Bergstol and Trevor Bensel, LuLu Country Club; and Joanna Coe and Megan Leineweber, Stonewall. Dustin McCormick and Mike Molino, Elmhurst Country Club, finished in fourth place at 10-under-par, followed by and two over Tony Perla, Huntingdon Valley Country Club, and PGA Life Member George Forster in fifth place at 9-under.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Fall Meeting golf event leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Fall Membership Meeting is supported by Antigua, Bethany Travel, Evolve Golf, 1st Phorm, Motocaddy, and Signature Golf. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Indian Valley Country Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, 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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 14, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is excited to announce the newest recipients of the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship: PGA of America Associates Tyler Armstrong of the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa., and Tessa Henderson of Stonewall in Elverson, Pa.

The scholarship was developed by the Jennings family to honor Bud Jennings, a lifelong golfer and longtime Chester Valley Golf Club member. Given Bud’s love for the game of golf and his willingness to give back and help others, the Jennings family says that this award is the perfect way to remember his legacy.

“Our family is thrilled to announce the recipients of the Bud Jennings PGM Scholarship to Tyler Armstrong and Tessa Henderson,” said Chris Jennings. “Both are deserving candidates, and we are very happy to be honoring my father’s memory while also giving back to the golf community in Philadelphia.”

The $3,000 scholarships are awarded annually to both one male and one female Philadelphia PGA Associate aspiring to be elected to PGA Membership. Scholarship recipients will possess the skills, drive, and character it takes to become a first-class PGA Member. The recipients must show demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership; demonstration of strong moral character; ability to maintain a substantial record of service to the Philadelphia PGA Section, PGA of America, and the game of golf; well-regarded as a model PGA Associate.

Tyler Armstrong currently works as an assistant golf professional at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, and has been involved in other areas of the golf industry, including helping with the club’s PGA Jr. League team, and has been certified as a PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) instructor.

“Being chosen as a Bud Jennings Scholarship recipient means that I am now able to pursue PGA Membership without the stress of worrying how I will be able to afford it,” said Armstrong. “It will speed up the process in obtaining membership, and is a weight taken off of my shoulders. Thank you to the Jennings family for providing this scholarship and helping not only myself, but other PGA Associates achieve their goals of PGA Membership.”

Tessa Henderson is an assistant golf professional at Stonewall, a position she took after working for two years as an assistant in New Zealand. She says that she offers her facility and the Section a global perspective and a strong foundation in professional golf operations.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected as a recipient of the Bud Jennings Scholarship,” said Henderson. “This recognition means so much to me as I continue to grow within the golf industry and pursue my goals both on and off the course. I am deeply grateful to the Philadelphia PGA Section, and the Jennings family, for their continued support of young golf professionals and their dedication to fostering the next generation of leaders in 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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 300 golf facilities in our region.

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

Philadelphia, Pa. (October 16, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Jeff Kiddie and Riley Wheeldon of Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., triumphed at the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship on a chilly and very windy day at Bala Golf Club. They turned in an impressive team score of 6-under-par, despite the difficult conditions. The format for the event was Four-Ball.

In second place, only one stroke behind, was the team of Mike Caldwell, Dupont Country Club, and Steve Swartz, Carlisle Country Club. Third place went to Huntingdon Valley Country Club’s Tony Perla and PGA Life Member George Forster at 4-under-par. Rounding out the top five in a tie for fourth with a score of 3-under-par were the teams of Chris Miller, Scranton Golf Center, and John Pillar, Country Club at Woodloch Springs; and Trevor Bensel, Lulu Country Club, and Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek Country Club.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship is sponsored by Bala Golf Club and supported by Levelwear and Tom Gleason. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Bala Golf Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

About Henry J. McQuiston Jr., PGA
Henry J. McQuiston Jr. was born in Philadelphia in 1932 and grew up next to the Chester Valley Golf Club where his family lived. He and his two brothers played golf at Chester Valley and worked for  superintendent Dick Murphy. McQuiston graduated from West Chester State Teachers College in 1954 and then served two years in the United States Army. After being discharged from the Army, he went to work as a schoolteacher. In 1958 he turned professional and worked at Chester Valley while playing some tournaments on the PGA Tour during the summer months and still teaching school the rest of the year. In 1960 he took the job as the assistant at the Bala Golf Club and two years later he became the head professional. In 1968 McQuiston finished in a tie for second in the Section Championship losing in a three-way playoff and in 1971 he was second in the Philadelphia Open losing a playoff. He qualified for the 1962 PGA Championship, the 1963 U.S. Open and the 1984 PGA Senior Championship. McQuiston qualified for the PGA Tour tournament at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club ten times and made the cut three times. McQuiston was a member of eleven Challenge Cup teams that competed against the Middle Atlantic Section. He qualified for the Club Professional Championship four times and the Senior Club Pro Championship once. In 1970 McQuiston and several other Section members built the Avalon Golf Club and operated it until they sold out in 1986. He was elected as the 20th president of the Section in 1973 and 1974 after having served as the second vice president for two years. McQuiston was the head pro at Bala for thirty-seven years after which he continued on as the pro emeritus at the club. In 2004 McQuiston’s name was added to the Section’s Senior Pro-Junior Pro Championship, which had been held at the Bala Golf Club for over 20 years. He was the Section’s “Golf Professional of the Year” in 1997. In 2005 he was inducted into the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame.

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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 15, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is proud to announce that George Vasiloff, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served from 1983 to 2014, has been selected as the Section’s newest PGA HOPE Ambassador, becoming the fourth ambassador to represent PGA HOPE Philadelphia.

This past week, George joined 19 other PGA HOPE Veterans from across the country at National Golf & Wellness week held at Congressional Country Club. Throughout the week, the ambassadors participated in sessions focused on mental health, stress management, and public speaking, while also receiving personalized golf instruction and the opportunity to play the historic course.

George first became involved with PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) in 2018 at the Country Club of Harrisburg, under the guidance of his lead professional, Jeffrey Breiner, PGA. He was nominated for the ambassadorship and selected from among veterans across all 41 Sections to serve as a spokesperson for the program. George has proudly represented his program location at the Secretary’s Cup in both 2019 and 2023, and this year joined the PGA HOPE Philadelphia Tour, a new opportunity designed for program graduates to stay engaged through competitive and social play.

Fellow veterans describe George as resilient, compassionate, and inspiring—qualities that reflect the true spirit of the PGA HOPE community.

National Golf and Wellness Week marks just the beginning of George’s ambassadorship. He plans to bring his new ideas and strategies back to the Philadelphia Section, helping to expand PGA HOPE’s reach and impact throughout the region. With his dedication and work ethic, there is no doubt George will make a lasting difference in the lives of his fellow veterans.

The Philadelphia PGA Section congratulates George Vaslioff on this well-deserved honor and is proud to have him represent PGA HOPE Philadelphia as an ambassador.

About PGA HOPE