News
Tour the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas
The Home of the PGA aspires to connect people, deliver memorable experiences, and amplify member and association stories. We welcome you to come HOME.
We look forward to providing PGA Members, Associates, and staff opportunities to learn and connect through impactful storytelling and the common thread of golf. As you explore the new Home of the PGA, we hope to evoke emotion, share experiences, and provide opportunities to create long-lasting relationships through the state-of-the-art facility.
We are excited to extend an invitation to schedule a personalized tour of the Home of the PGA of America by contacting Sydney Jenkins at memberexperience@pgahq.com or by calling (214)-308-6038.
Please provide your PGA Member Identification Number prior to arrival and have your Member ID upon arrival so that the PGA Team can provide the best experience.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
To see a virtual drone tour of the new Home of the PGA, click on the below image.
All-New AGS Tour Seeks to Revolutionize the Way Amateur Golfers Compete
Radnor, Pa. – Millions of golfers across the country are faced with a similar problem: they want to play more golf but due to work, family and the prohibitive cost of joining a club, are unable to do so. Rather than put their clubs away and face the prospects of picking the game back up in retirement, our team set out to solve the problem.
The solution is the AGS Tour from the Amateur Golf Society of America presented by The Golf Association of Philadelphia. Our uniquely formatted event series enables amateurs to compete, on their schedules. Instead of hosting one or two-day events at a fixed day or time with a large entry fee, our week-long competitions see members tee it up at their convenience during the seven-day window at top public courses, with real-time scoring and leaderboards powered by Golf Genius. Featuring four net flights, seniors and women’s divisions, the AGS Tour provides opportunities for golfers of all skill levels. Members enjoy exclusive, advanced access to event tee sheets, ensuring that they can play when they want for a price they’re comfortable paying, with no minimum commitment. Golfers compete each week for prizes from sponsors and partners, and also earn points on our season-long list, much in the way PGA Tour professionals compete in the FedEx Cup.
“GAP is thrilled to partner with the AGS Tour, as the format allows players flexibility not found in traditional golf competition, while allowing members to discover both new GAP courses and playing partners,” said Steve Latos, GAP Director of Member Services. “Based on the success of the Tour in its past iteration, we are confident members of the AGS Tour will have an enhanced and expanded golfing experience.”
In addition to the groundbreaking partnership with The Golf Association of Philadelphia, The AGS Tour is also a supporting partner of the LPGA.
“The LPGA Amateur Golf Association is focused on connecting women of all abilities to learn, play and enjoy golf. Our 2023 partnership with the AGS Tour Women’s Division will allow us to continue to offer more playing opportunities in the PA, NJ and Delaware markets. We are excited to pilot this new benefit to our members!” – Mary-Lee Cobick, Senior Vice President, LPGA Foundation
“The Philadelphia PGA is proud to partner with Dan and the team from AGS,” stated Executive Director, Geoff Surrette. “Their efforts speak directly to our mission of growing the game of golf and we are excited to be part of their journey.”
“For too long, amateur golfers have faced a variety of obstacles preventing them from playing more golf. The AGS Tour concept tackles this challenge head on by providing additional playing opportunities, all-levels competition and unique perks to our membership. We’re thrilled to partner with the Golf Association of Philadelphia to roll out the Tour in three states for 2023, and we look forward to expanding our footprint with golf association partners in the years to come.” – Dan Hershberg, GM/Founder, AGS.
The AGS Tour app is now live, and the season tees off on April 24th. A standard membership starts at $75 and includes all the benefits of GAP Membership, including an official Handicap IndexⓇ, as well as dozens of perks from AGS sponsors and partners. A $65 senior membership is also available for golfers aged 55 or older. Premium memberships will be offered for $100, which include early access to purchase spots at AGS Match Play events, a series of five on-day competitions at top private courses in the greater Philadelphia area. Sign up available through AmateurGolfSociety.com.
About the Amateur Golf Society of America
AGS is a golf tour, technology and entertainment company. Our mission is to grow the beautiful game of golf by making it more inclusive and accessible, through our uniquely formatted competitive tour, advanced booking platform, and original content.
We operate The AGS Tour, presented by The Golf Association of Philadelphia. Our 2023 season features more than 60 events in three states including PA, NJ & DE, with plans to expand across America in the years ahead.
The AGS Tour’s unique format and booking platform enables amateurs to play competitive, tournament-style golf on their schedule. We are obsessed with giving our membership the best possible golf experience, and the tools to compete at the pinnacle of their ability.
Contact: Sam Spuhler, VP of Product and Analytics, sam@amateurgolfsociety.com, amateurgolfsociety.com
Philadelphia PGA Section is Proud to Partner with GolfForever
The Philadelphia PGA Section has partnered with GolfForever, a comprehensive, smart at-home training system that takes a science-based approach to maximize golfers’ performance by improving flexibility, core strength, balance, and rotational power.
With this partnership, you can expect wholesale and tournament opportunities, along with personal access to the GolfForever training program. This will allow you to help your customers warmup on the course and train at home, so they can play without limits.
Join the Live Webinar, April 12th, to Learn More
We invite you to join the top minds behind GolfForever for a live webinar, Playing Better Golf Starts with Your Body, on Wednesday, April 12 at 4:00 p.m. EST to learn:
- Importance of fitness to unlock pain-free golf and lower scores
- How GolfForever has helped top PGA Tour pros, including World #1 Scottie Scheffler
- Science behind asymmetrical resistance bar training – and its link to improved golf performance
For more information, please see the attachments
and contact your local sales rep,
Kevin DePaulis at kevindepaulis@gmail.com or (717) 319-1100.
To view GolfForever’s pricing, click here; for their tournament package, click here.
Information From the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 2023 Roundtables
Over the course of the offseason, the Philadelphia PGA Section hosted multiple in-person and virtual educational roundtable sessions. The topics of discussion, as well as the roundtable format, have proven to be highly interactive and beneficial for the group of participants. The day included a loose agenda to provide for some great peer-to-peer conversation on the many different topics facing our PGA Professionals, our Section, and our industry today. Thank you to all who attended and participated.
To review the slideshow presentation from the roundtables, click here. To watch the recording of the virtual women’s roundtable featuring PGA Members Suzy Whaley and Alison Curdt, click here.
Should you have questions for your PGA employment and player engagement teams, contact: Regional Director Jonathan Gold, PGA, jgold@pgahq.com; Recruiting Specialist Leila Mackie, PGA, leilam@pgahq.com; and Player Engagement Consultant Mike Smith, PGA, msmith@pgahq.com.
This year’s roundtable series was presented by Brightview. To learn more about Brightview, click here. For a discovery conversation contact Ron Stepanek, PGA, at (267) 804-5473 or ron.stepanek@brightview.com.
On behalf of our membership, the Section thanks Brightview and Ron for their support, as well as our District Directors and host facilities.
Looking for more learning opportunities? The Section is hosting a Tech Forum on Wednesday, April 12 at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m…click here to learn more and to register.
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. Founded in 1921, the Section celebrates its centennial in 2021.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com
Philadelphia PGA Section Kicks Off Season With Spring Membership Meeting
Wilmington, Del. (March 27, 2023) — The Philadelphia PGA Section officially kicked off its PGA Professional tournament season following the conclusion of its 2023 Spring Membership Meeting at DuPont Country Club.
Approximately 200 PGA Professionals gathered at DuPont to conduct the Section’s official business. PGA of America President John Lindert, C.C. of Lansing; travelled to the Section to participate in a town hall with Section President Patrick Shine, Doylestown C.C.; PGA District 2 Director John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs; and Incoming District 2 Director David Reasoner, Ridgewood C.C. The group discussed PGA Professional recruiting and compensation, work-life balance, and much more.
The Section also formally announced its new Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship. 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. The scholarship will be 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. Chris and Kathryn Jennings joined the meeting for the announcement to honor Bud. To learn more about the scholarship, click here.
Section Past President Mike Cole, Rock Manor G.C., spoke to honor late Section Past President, Section Hall of Fame Member, and 1989 Section Golf Professional of the Year George McNamara. McNamara, who passed away in June 2022, was a friend to many, but his most lasting legacy may be the securement of our Section’s homesite. He helped to establish a finance committee, which created our restricted reserve fund, which ultimately allowed our Section to purchase its current headquarters. In remembrance of George, we will be installing a sign at our homesite paying homage to George’s dream, foresight, and leadership. Mr. McNamara’s wife, Nancy, was in attendance for the presentation.
Director of Section Affairs Dustin McCormick honored the Section’s 2022 awards class, headlined by Golf Professional of the Year Mike Wood, Saucon Valley C.C. To learn more about the Section’s award recipients, click here.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, a field of 132 PGA Professionals teed it up in a two-person scramble on DuPont’s Championship Course and neighboring Hartefeld National, with PGA Members Parks Price, C.C. of York; and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; teaming to win at DuPont; Mark Parson, Harbor Pines G.C.; and Ben Debski, Springhaven Club; tied for the top spot at Hartefeld with Sunnybrook G.C.’s Mark Sheftic and Robert Fenton. The Price-Bergstol team finished at 15-under-par to win by five strokes over a trio of teams. The winners at Hartefeld finished with a team score of 11-under-par, good enough for a two-stoke victory.
To view the full 2023 Spring Meeting Golf Event leaderboard, click here.
The 2022 Philadelphia PGA Fall Membership Meeting is supported by Evolve Golf, Levelwear, Precision Pro Golf, Signature Golf, StickX, and Skoni. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our hosts, DuPont Country Club, and Hartefeld National, their 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Chapel Hill G.C. Wins 2023 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am
Pinehurst, N.C. (March 16, 2023) — Chapel Hill Golf Course head professional and PGA Associate Quinn Joseph led his team of amateurs, Josh Joseph, Sam Varano, and Mike Wolf, to victory in the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.
The group finished with a team score of 16-under-par, 416, in the 54-hole one gross and one net competition, good for a four-stroke victory over the team from Woodstone C.C.: Greg Meyer, PGA, Trevor Buss, Fayez Elias, and Shawn Hughes. Two teams tied for third place at 10-under-par: Bayside Resort G.C., Bryce Young, PGA, John Fowler, Sid Burkot, and Duke Hanson; and Maple Dale C.C.: Chris Brosius, PGA, Rich Karolczak, Sean Sullivan, and Art Giangrant.
The annual pro-am has become a staple on the Section’s tournament schedule each spring, and quickly sells out each season. This year, the field played Pinehurst’s Nos., 2, 4 courses, and Forest Creek Golf Club’s North Course, in addition to a practice round on Pinehurst’s No. 8 course. The highlight of the event each year is the round on No. 2; built in 1907 by renowned golf course architect Donald Ross, and restored in 2010 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the course has hosted several major golf competitions, including a PGA Championship, a Ryder Cup, three men’s U.S. Opens, and a U.S. Women’s Open, with several more tournaments scheduled in the future.
To view the full 2023 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.
The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Pinehurst Resort, its 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Remembering Dick Smith Sr., PGA
As you may be aware, Dick Smith Sr., PGA, passed away earlier this week, and his family has released the details for his services. Smith’s viewing will be held at Our Lady of Peace Parrish (32 Carrol Ave., Williamstown, NJ 08094) on Wednesday, March 15 at 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. with mass beginning at 12:00 p.m. Bell-Hennessy Funeral Home will be handling all arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the Smith family is asking for donations to be made in his name to PGA REACH Philadelphia. You may donate by clicking here, and selecting “I would like to dedicate this donation,” to input “Dick Smith Sr.”
To read the Section’s original remembrance for Mr. Smith, please see below.
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dick Smith Sr., the 27th PGA of America president and 22nd Philadelphia PGA Section president; he was 80. Dick is survived by his wife Adrienne, brother and fellow PGA Member Tom, son and fellow PGA Member Section Past President Dick Jr., daughter Stephanie, daughter-in-law Michelle, and grandchildren Alexandria, Marissa, Zak, also a PGA Associate. The Section will share service information when it becomes available.
Smith was born in Ohio, and grew up in Baltimore, Md. He attended Loyola College and turned professional in 1962. That year, he came to the Philadelphia PGA Section as an assistant to George Griffin Jr. at Green Valley Country Club. From there, Smith joined Ken Gibson in New Jersey where he helped run the Golf Farm, Indian Spring Golf Course, and Wedgwood Country Club. In the early 1970s, he was the pro-manager of the Hi-Point Golf Club, and in 1975, he went back to Wedgwood in a partnership that leased the course. Smith moved over to the Woodcrest Country Club in 1981 as the PGA head professional, where he stayed for twelve years.
Smith has one of the most outstanding Philadelphia PGA Section tournament records in history. He won three Philadelphia PGA Professional Championships in succession, ultimately winning the championship five times. Smith played in five PGA Championships and a U.S. Open. He qualified for the PGA Professional Championship 15 times, Senior PGA Championship twice, U.S. Senior Open twice, and the Senior PGA Professional Championship three times. In 1970, he won the Philadelphia Open.
After several years of serving on the Section’s tournament committee, Smith was elected to the office of first vice president at the Section’s 1974 Fall Membership Meeting, where he was also elected tournament chair. This was his first political step in what would take him to the highest office in the PGA of America. After three years as the Section’s first vice president, Smith was elected president. He served the Section as its 22nd president for three years, from 1978 to 1980. In late 1983, the Section sent Smith to the PGA of America for a three-year term as its District 2 director. At the 1986 PGA Annual Meeting, Smith was elected to national office for a two-year term as secretary. Following his term, he served as the vice president from 1989-1990, and president from 1991-1992.
After leaving national office, he also left Woodcrest to be the PGA director of golf at Galloway National Golf Club, which was still under construction. Two years later, he purchased the Williamstown Golf Center, which he operated for seven years. During this time, Smith set up a partnership that leased New York State’s Bethpage State Park Golf Course shop for five years, including in 2002, when the facility’s Black Course hosted the U.S. Open. During his time on Long Island, he was a dual member of both the Metropolitan and Philadelphia PGA Sections.
Smith returned to the Philadelphia PGA Section full-time as the PGA director of golf at two new golf courses in New Jersey. Later, Smith and the Section created the Dick Smith Cup Matches, which were contested each year between the assistant professionals from the Central Counties Chapter and the assistant professionals from the rest of the Section. In 2005, he was hired as the PGA general manager at Woodcrest Country Club, where his son Dick Smith Jr. had succeeded him as PGA Professional and was now in his 13th year.
Smith was the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Golf Professional of the Year in 1980, and was an original inductee into the Section’s Hall of Fame in 1992. Smith was inducted into the PGA of America’s PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 2005.
Dick’s dedication to the PGA of America, Philadelphia PGA Section, and the game of golf was impressive:
- PGA of America president, 1991-1992
- PGA of America Hall of Fame member, 2005
- Philadelphia PGA Section president, 1978-1980
- Philadelphia PGA Section Hall of Fame member, 1992
- Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year, 1980
- Philadelphia PGA Section first vice president, 1975-1977
- Philadelphia PGA Section Playing Legend, 1992
- Philadelphia PGA Section Player of the Year, 1971-1974, 1983
- Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion, 1974, 1977, 1981-1982
- Philadelphia PGA Section F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy for scoring average, 1971-1974, 1982-1983
- Annual host of Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship
- Namesake of the Philadelphia PGA Dick Smith Cup Matches
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.
Philadelphia PGA Section Announces Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 22, 2023) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is excited to announce the creation of the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship – a first of its kind for the Section. 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.
The scholarship will be 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.
“On behalf of our officers, board of directors, and membership, the Philadelphia PGA Section thanks the Jennings family for helping to build the next generation of PGA Members who will help grow the game of golf,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “Providing support for these PGA Associates will help ensure they serve the community in ways Bud Jennings would be proud of.”
“Golf is an honorable sport, and that’s why my dad was so at home on the course; he loved the camaraderie and intricacies of the game. Every day, every shot was different,” said Chris Jennings.
“He just loved being on the golf course,” said Martina Jennings. “I have so many wonderful memories of him there, with me, his kids or grandkids, or any of the many cherished friends he made on the course over the years. He would be honored to know that his love of the game is living on in this scholarship.”
The official scholarship applications will launch on phillypga.com following the Section’s 2023 Spring Membership Meeting, scheduled for Monday, March 27 at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del.
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
Philadelphia PGA Section Announces New Invitational Golf Tournament: The Hutch
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 28, 2023) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is excited to announce the creation of a new invitational golf tournament: The Hutch. The event will be hosted by Section partners Scott and Karen Hutchinson, and is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 13 at Berkshire Country Club in Reading, Pa.
The Hutch will be a limited field event with the Hutchinsons extending invitations to 24 PGA Professionals. Participating PGA Professionals will team with one amateur golfer of their choice in the Better Ball format to compete for a purse of at least $10,000.
“Our Philadelphia PGA Professionals are grateful to Scott and Karen Hutchinson for their past generosity, and now have something to be even more excited about,” said Section Executive Director Geoffrey Surrette, PGA. “Not every PGA Section is as fortunate as we are to have the support of the Hutchinsons, and we are proud to expand our relationship with them, ultimately providing another opportunity to our members.”
The Hutchinsons have been longtime supporters of the Philadelphia PGA Section and PGA REACH Philadelphia, and also support the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club. The Hutch was established by the Hutchinsons to provide an additional playing and compensation opportunity to PGA Professionals who prioritize competitive golf while also successfully balancing their careers and partner relationships.
“Partnering with the Philadelphia PGA Section for the past decade has provided many playing opportunities outside of Lookaway Golf Club. The Hutch was created as a way to thank the PGA Professionals at those facilities,” said Scott Hutchinson “I want to also thank the Philadelphia PGA Section staff and Berkshire Country Club for making this event possible.”
Invitations for PGA Professionals will be distributed on March 1 via email.
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