Havre De Grace, Md. (October 23, 2024) — PGA of America Life Member, Jeb Boyle, led his team of amateurs, Mike McKinney, Fred Farber and Sam Auker to victory in the net division at the 2024 Fall Finale Pro-Am presented by Parx Casino® at Bulle Rock Golf Course. They shot an impressive 14-under-par round of 58, in the one best ball of four format.

One stroke back in second place in the net division was the team from Carlisle C.C. led by Steve Swartz, PGA, and his amateurs Kobie Swartz, John Friedman and Rick Johnson. They also placed second in the gross division. PGA Professional, Chris Brosius, Skip Willis, Paul Hufschmidt, and Jeff Young from Maple Dale C.C. finished in third place at 12-under-par. There was a tie for fourth at 11-under-par between Tyler Spielberger and his amateurs David Throne, Tony Manson, and Chris Pavlov from Wild Quail G. & C.C.; and Dave Quinn, PGA, Jack Irons, Mike Okeef, Mark Walker, from Laurel Creek C.C. Quinn’s team also placed first in the gross division, while Spielberger’s placed third.

Eric McNamee, PGA, Joe Boyle, Jesse Brookreson, and Brian Murphy from Golf Galaxy – Montgomeryville, took fourth place in the Gross Division at 5-under-par. Six teams tied for fifth place at 4-under par.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Finale Pro-Am presented by Parx Casino® leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Finale Pro-Am event is presented by Parx Casino®. 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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 18, 2024) — The PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is thrilled to announce that it will collaborate with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the nation’s first hospital dedicated exclusively to pediatrics and a leading advocate for children and adolescents, to leverage the therapeutic benefits of the game of golf to enhance the well-being and development of CHOP’s patients and their families. Together, the organizations will provide unique opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, fundraising and mental health support.

“We could not be more excited to work with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Courtney Curcio. “Our foundation is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those children in CHOP’s care through the game of golf.”

PGA of America Golf Professionals will host Golf Marathons to fundraise for both PGA REACH Philadelphia and CHOP. These funds will support golf-related efforts within communities and bridge the gap between resources and breakthrough for children in CHOP’s care. Additionally, PGA Professionals and the PGA REACH Philadelphia team will host golf clinics and workshops for CHOP patients and their families to teach them basic golf skills and the therapeutic benefits of the game.

“At CHOP, we have a robust golf portfolio which generates close to $1 million each year to support those in our care, aiding many various departments across our hospitals,” said Felicia Tarantino, Director of Community Fundraising at CHOP. “Working with the PGA will elevate that funding while providing innovative and holistic therapeutic options to support patient recovery and well-being. We hope that this collaboration will create and strengthen connections, and promote inclusivity and diversity within the golfing community.”

About PGA REACH Philadelphia 
PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 as the charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the 41 Sections within the PGA of America. PGA REACH Philadelphia is committed to serving our communities and growing the game of golf through our three pillars: Youth, Military, and Diversity.

For more information on PGA REACH Philadelphia and its mission to positively impact lives through golf, visit pgareachphiladelphia.com To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.

Philadelphia, Pa. (October 17, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Ben Lesniak and Matthew Zizas from Bala Golf Club tied with John Pillar, C.C. of Woodloch Springs, and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, in the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship at Bala Golf Club. This is Pillar’s and Bergstol’s fourth victory in five years for this event. Both teams finished their rounds at an impressive 6-under-par under today’s fourball format.

The sole team in third place, carding a 4-under-par round of 64 was Laurel Creek Country Club’s Dave Quinn and Sandy Run Country Club’s Trevor Bensel. Three teams tied for fourth place at 3-under-par: John Cooper, Green Valley C.C. and Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C.; Michael Loeper, the 1912 Club and Danie Steyn, Julian Krinsky School of Golf; and Wayne Phillips, Lehigh C.C. and Dave Pagett, Whitemarsh Valley C.C.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Henry McQuiston Senior Professional-Junior Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship is sponsored by Bala Golf Club and supported by Weatherman. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Bala Golf Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, and as well as our partners, 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

Bethlehem, Pa. (October 15, 2024) — The Philadelphia PGA Section’s team of 12 PGA of America Golf Professionals defeated the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s amateur team 12.5 points to 6.5 points to capture the 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches at Saucon Valley Country Club.

The Philadelphia PGA Professionals battled all day, with momentum changing seemingly with each hole, but finished well, winning 8.5 of the 12 Singles points and 4 of the six Four-Ball points. While the Golf Association of Philadelphia has seen improved results in recent years, the Philadelphia PGA Section retains the better overall record, now, at 27-5.

The team of Philadelphia PGA Professionals was led by Captain Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; Brian Kelly, Titleist Fit Crew; Danny Lewis, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Michael Little, Clubhouse 54; Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs; Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.; Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C.; Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook G.C.; and Brett Walker, Chester Valley G.C.

The GAP team included Troy Vannucci, Little Mill C.C.; Andy Butler, Huntingdon Valley C.C.; Jon Rusk, LuLu C.C.; Jake Haberstumpf, LedgeRock G.C.; Aaron Fricke, LuLu C.C.; Mark Miller, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Michael Brown Jr., LuLu C.C.; Ryan Tall, LuLu C.C.; John Lalley, Llanerch C.C.; William Howard, Applebrook G.C.; Jeff Frazier, Carlisle C.C.; and Chris Fieger Sr., Heidelberg C.C.

Captain Braden Shattuck, PGA, won the final two holes to top Troy Vannucci 1-up in their Singles match. Other Section victories in Singles included: Brian Bergstol def. Jake Haberstumpf 2 and 1; Anthony Sebastianelli def. Aaron Fricke 2-up; Daniel Lewis def. Mark Miller 2 and 1; Brett Walker def. Michael Brown Jr. 2-up; Mark Sheftic def. Ryan Tall 4 and 2; Michael Little def. William Howard 3 and 2; and John Pillar def. Chris Fieger Sr. 1-up. Amateurs Andy Butler, Jon Rusk, and Jeff Frazier def. Zac Oakley 1-up, Trevor Bensel 2 and 1, and Brian Kelly 5 and 4, respectively.

In the Four-Ball matches, Vannucci and Butler defeated Shattuck and Oakley 2 and 1, and Frazier and Fieger bettered Kelly and Pillar 2 and 1. Bensel / Bergstol def. Rusk / Haberstumpf 2 and 1, Sebastianelli / Lewis def. Fricke / Miller 5 and 4, Walker / Sheftic def. Brown / Tall 5 and 4, and Quinn / Little def. Lalley / Howard 3 and 2.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches would not be possible without the support and energy of Robin McCool. McCool was instrumental in getting the matches started 32 years ago and revitalizing them by bringing in support from Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and our host facility, Saucon Valley C.C. McCool serves as the honorary captain for the GAP team and serves as honorary chair of the event. Everyone owes Robin a debt of gratitude for all of his efforts.

To view the full 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches leaderboard, click here.

The 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches is supported by Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and Kevin McClellan of KM Golf Sales. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Saucon Valley Country Club, 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 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 11, 2024) — The Philadelphia PGA Section and its Hall of Fame Committee have inducted PGA of America Golf Professionals Jeff Kiddie and John Pillar into its Hall of Fame as the class of 2024. They are the 47th and 48th Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame members.

Jeff Kiddie, PGA, the head golf professional at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, was the recipient of the 2023 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year award, which is the highest annual honor given to a PGA of America Golf Professional, awarded for leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf. He was the Section’s first national Golf Professional of the Year.

A PGA Member for 25 years, Kiddie has spent the past 15 years at Aronimink following a seven-year stint at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania, where he served as PGA general manager and head golf professional. Kiddie was the host PGA Professional during the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink, and will also be host to the 2026 PGA Championship.

A longtime, dedicated leader in the Philadelphia PGA Section, Kiddie has held numerous positions including president, vice president, secretary, district director, and director of Section affairs, and has member of the PGA of America Rules Committee for 11 years. In 2019, he was elected the 43rd President of the Philadelphia PGA Section; He served a two-year stint, followed by his honorary president role.

A decorated PGA Professional, Kiddie has received numerous awards and accolades, including being honored as the national 2011 PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Facilities, in addition to his Golf Professional of the Year award. He also received the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 2011 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award; 2021 Bill Strausbaugh Award; 2016 PGA Professional Development Award; 2011 Philadelphia Section Golf Professional of the Year; and is a two-time recipient of the Philadelphia PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year Award – Private Facilities (2007, 2010).

Since Kiddie became a PGA head golf professional in 2001, a total of 13 of his assistant professionals have advanced to become head golf professionals across the country. His passion for the Rules of Golf has led him to become an instructor for PGA and USGA Rules of Golf Workshops, and has worked as a Rules official for six PGA Championships, two KPMG Women’s PGA Championships, and a Ryder Cup. Kiddie is a graduate of Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he competed on the golf team.

Outside of his day-to-day work, Kiddie served as a J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship trustee in 2016-2018, and coached the West Chester YMCA youth basketball team.

“Having been in the Philadelphia PGA Section for almost 25 years, I have so much appreciation for our Section and the great PGA of America Golf Professionals of today, as well those who paved the way in making our Section what it is,” said Kiddie. “When I arrived to the Section in 2000 as a brand new PGA Member, I could not have imagined the thought of one day being included in the Section’s Hall of Fame. To say that I am incredibly honored is a vast understatement. I am also honored to be inducted into our Hall of Fame with John Pillar, whom I think is one of the most well-rounded PGA Professionals in the country and someone that I admire greatly.”

John Pillar, PGA, the PGA director of golf at the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., has consistently been one of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s best players for years, and was named a Section Playing Legend in 2022.

In addition to his playing accomplishments, Pillar has served the Association and Section in various capacities. He served on the PGA of America’s Board of Directors as District 2’s director in 2020-2023, was Section president in 2014-2015, vice president in 2013-2014, secretary in 2012-2013, honorary president, and a Section district director. Pillar was also the Section’s director of tournaments in 2002-2005, and has a member of the PGA of America’s Tournament & Championships Committee since 2020; he chaired the committee in 2014-2015.

On the course, Pillar won the 2009 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, the 2014 Pennsylvania State Open, the Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship in 2019, 2020, and 2024, and the inaugural Pennsylvania Senior Open in 2021, in addition to over 20 other Section tournament wins. Pillar also qualified and competed in the 1997 U.S. Open, 2017 U.S. Senior Open, 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, 15 PGA Professional Championships and four Senior PGA Professional Championships.

Philanthropically, Pillar leads a PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) chapter for U.S. military veterans at the C.C. at Woodloch Springs, has been chair for the Folds of Honor Golf Classic for 11 years, as well as being a committee member for BK Hope Cures for 20 years.

In 2004, he was named the Section’s Most Improved Player of the Year, and has also received several professional honors including being named the 2007 Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, 2020 Philadelphia PGA Patriot Award, four Philadelphia PGA Merchandiser of the Year awards in the Resort Category, and the 2019 Philadelphia PGA Patriot Award.

“As I reflect on this amazing honor I can’t help recall all who have lifted me along the way, as this journey doesn’t happen alone,” said Pillar. “My family and rock Eileen Pillar, who is my greatest fan and supporter in every way, my sons John Jr., Kyle, and Alex, who I have tried to be a role model for. My parents who had very little but gave everything, Woodloch and the Kiesendahl family, who took a chance on a 27-year-old to run their facility, which I call home, and to all the Philadelphia PGA Members, past and present, who have inspired me to give back to this great game. Golf saved my life, and the least I could do is give back to the game that has given me everything. To be included with past Hall of Fame members is truly humbling.”

Kiddie and Pillar will be recognized at the Section’s Fall Membership Meeting on Monday, October 28 at Medford Village Country Club, and will be formally honored at the Section’s Awards Banquet in early 2025.

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

Bedford, Pa. (October 10, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Steve Swartz of Carlisle (Pa.) Country Club, led his team of amateurs, Joe Lutz, Jim Fucci, and Will Quinn, to victory in the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Bedford Springs Pro-Am at the famed Omni Bedford Springs Resort.

Ten teams comprised of one PGA Professional and three amateur golfers competed in the One Gross + One Net format over 36 holes. Swartz’s team finished their tournament at 25-under-par, bettering the team from Moselem Springs G.C., Jeff Fick, PGA; Jeff Rapp; Dan Kelly; and Randy Goodreau, by two strokes.

Bent Creek C.C.’s Jim Haus, PGA; John Dever; Henry Popplewell; and Chris Emich, finished in third place at 22-under-par, followed by two teams at 18-under: PGA Life Member Dan Baker, Don Young, Jamison Clark, and Eric Mentzer; and Wild Quail G. & C.C.’s Tyler Spielberger, Dylan Chessher, Anthony Konrad, and Chris Noll.

Having started in 2023, this week’s event is the newest travel pro-am on the Section’s event calendar, and was very well received by the tournament’s competitors. Located in the Allegheny Mountains of southern Pennsylvania, Omni Bedford Springs Resort was originally established in the early 1800s, and was based around the property’s mineral springs. The course has been touched by many golf course architects of the years, with the first iterations of the course coming in the late 1800s and early 1900s thanks to Spencer Oldham and H.H. Barker. Later, renowned golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast renovated the course, followed with work by Arthur Goss. In the mid 1920s, Donald Ross created the 18-hole layout, with further work from James Harrison in the ’60s. The facility closed in 1986 and fell into disrepair, but was ultimately restored through a $120 million restoration. Ron Forse and Jim Nagle renovated the course in 2006 in the style of Tillinghast, Ross, and Oldham. Since reopening, the course and resort have received critical acclaim.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Bedford Springs Pro-Am leaderboard, click here.

The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Omni Bedford Springs Resort, 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 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

Cape May Court House, N.J. (October 7, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Joe Kogelman of GOLFTEC – Moorestown in Maple Shade, N.J., and Dave Quinn of Laurel Creek Country Club in Mount Laurel Township, N.J., turned in a team score of 10-under-par 98 to tie Kyle Quagliero and Alex Scarlett, both of Galloway (N.J.) National Golf Club, in the 27-hole 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship at Union League National.

One-hundred-forty-four PGA Professionals teed it up in on the Dana Fry and Jason Straka-designed golf courses, a record number of entries for the event. The event featured a new format for 2024: 27 holes, with Foursomes (alternate shot) played on the Grant Course, a Scramble on the Meade Course, and Four-Ball on the Sherman Course.

Kogelman and Quinn made an eagle, nine birdies and one bogey, while Quagliero and Scarlett made 14 birdies and four bogeys en route to their tie.

Three teams tied for third place one stroke behind the winners: Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C., and Tessa Teachman, Aronimink G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; and George Frake, Moorestown Field Club and PGA Life Member, Jason Panter.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Fall Pro-Pro Championship is supported by John Higinbotham, AM&E, Maui Jim, Sterling Cut Glass, Red Arrow Markers, Hydr8 Mobile IV, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Union League 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 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