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PGA of America Golf Professional Zac Oakley Claims Fourth Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship

September 30, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Zac Oakley Claims Fourth Philadelphia PGA Match Play ChampionshipFeatured, PPGA

Ardmore, Pa. (September 30, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Delaware, successfully defended his title to claim a record fourth Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship. In the final match, Oakley defeated Chesapeake Bay Golf Club’s Zach Barbin, PGA, in 19 holes, on Merion Golf Club’s storied East Course.

Oakley started the day facing off against fellow PGA Professional Kyle Early of Waynesborough Country Club in the semi-finals, prevailing 6 and 5. Barbin earned his place in the final match by defeating Lulu Country Club’s Trevor Bensel, PGA, 4 and 3.

Barbin took the lead early in the final match with a birdie on the par-5 second hole, eventually growing the margin to 3-up through 13 holes. Oakley clawed his way back and won No. 18 to force extra play, and made birdie on the first extra hole (No. 1) to take the title.

Oakley said he had the same game plan for today’s matches as he did in last year’s final: hit fairways and greens, and make pars.

“Zach [Barbin] played great today,” Oakley said following the match. “It was tough. It was up-and-down on the back nine, but I really focused on the last four holes, hung in there, and made a lot of good putts.

“To do it at Merion makes it even more special to win.”

He went on to thank Merion Golf Club, its membership and entire staff for hosting, Bidermann Golf Club, his caddie Steve, and the Philadelphia PGA staff.

Oakley previously won the Match Play in 2019 at Lookaway Golf Club, 2021 at the Steel Club, and 2024 on Merion’s East Course. One-hundred-fourteen PGA Professionals competed in the 2025 edition of the championship, competing throughout the season. En route to his 2025 victory, he bettered PGA Professionals Andy Hewitt, Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club, 6 and 4; Brendon Post, University of Delaware, 1-up; Andrew Turner, Country Club of York, 3 and 2; Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club, 2-up; Kyle Early, 6 and 5; and Zach Barbin, 19 holes.

To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship is supported by Rolex and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners and Merion Golf Club, its 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

PGA of America Golf Professional Braden Shattuck Claims Victory at 2025 Delaware Valley Open

September 29, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Braden Shattuck Claims Victory at 2025 Delaware Valley OpenPPGA

Pine Hill, N.J. (September 29, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania, rose to victory in the 2025 Delaware Valley Open by finishing an impressive 3-under-par round of 68 at Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia. Today’s event was the last chance for PGA Professionals to earn Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points for the season; Shattuck has now earned three Section victories in 2025 (Doylestown Open, Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, Delaware Valley Open) and holds a significant lead in the race.

The field struggled on the course in south Jersey, with a stroke average of nearly 79. Shattuck however, handled the conditions well, making five birdies following a double bogey on the par-3 fifth hole.

Following the event, Shattuck thanked his best friend and wife, Veoletta, all the members and staff at Rolling Green, the event partners for their support, and the Lord for all the blessings in his life.

Shattuck finished two strokes ahead of five PGA Professionals: Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club; Michael Little, Clubhouse 54; Tony Perla, Huntingdon Valley Country Club; Andy Hewitt, Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club; and Riley Wheeldon, Aronimink Golf Club.

Mark Sheftic secured victory in the Senior Division, finishing at 1-under-par, two strokes in front of PGA Life Member George Forster and three ahead of Carlisle Country Club’s Stephen Swartz. Applebrook Golf Club’s Dave McNabb and Wilmington Country Club’s Bob Lennon tied for fourth place at 4-over.

Deerwood Country Club’s Greg Farrow took home the top prize in the Super Senior Division, thanks to his even-par round of 71. The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter finished two strokes behind Farrow.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the Delaware Valley Open, with Lulu Country Club’s Trevor Bensel walking away with the win. Finishing at even-par, Bensel bettered the five PGA Professionals who tied for second place by one stroke: Kyle Early, Waynesborough Country Club; Andrew Cornish, Green Valley Country Club; Andrew Turner, Country Club of York; and Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club.

To view the full 2025 Delaware Valley Open leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Delaware Valley Open is supported by Jack Jolly & Son Inc., KM Golf Sales, Nextevo Naturals, the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners and Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia, its 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

Playing Through: Ricky Kline, PGA (S2E10)

September 24, 2025Comments Off on Playing Through: Ricky Kline, PGA (S2E10)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 Ricky Kline, the PGA head golf professional at Sittler Golf in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.

To watch the episode, click on 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 Zach Barbin Wins 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship in Sudden-Death Playoff

September 22, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Zach Barbin Wins 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship in Sudden-Death PlayoffPPGA

Buckingham, Pa. (September 22, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club in Rising Sun, Maryland, made a par in a sudden-death playoff to better Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club, and win the 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club.

Both Barbin and McNabb each finished their rounds in regulation with scores of 7-under-par 65, setting up the playoff. Barbin’s round featured an eagle, nine birdies, and two bogeys.

“I played great golf today,” Barbin said after the conclusion of the playoff. “I’ve been playing very nicely the past few weeks, and 7-under on any golf courses is really good, so I’m very pleased with that.

“I always want to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, my wife, my family, Scott and Karen Hutchinson for all they have done for the Section, our partners, Lookaway Golf Club, and the Section staff.”

The championship’s presenting partners, Scott and Karen Hutchinson have helped to make the event’s purse one of the Section’s largest, at over $28,000, with $6,000 going to the champion.

Wilmington Country Club’s Ryan Rucinski tied for third place with    LuLu Country Club’s Trevor Bensel at 5-under-par. Michael Little, Clubhouse 54, and Andrew Cornish, Green Valley Country Club, tied for fifth place, three strokes behind the winner.

McNabb took home the top prize in the Senior Division, bettering Sunnybrook Golf Club’s Mark Sheftic and John Cooper by five strokes. Brian Kelly, Titleist Fitcrew, and Frank Bensel, Galloway National Golf Club, tied for fourth place at 1-over.

After the trophy presentation, event partner Scott and Karen Hutchinson presented the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, a $20,000 donation, to support PGA HOPE Philadelphia clinics.

To view the 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Philadelphia Players Championship’s present partners are Scott and Karen Hutchinson, and is supported by Anderson Ord, Callaway Golf, and Destination Kohler. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Lookaway Golf 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.

The next Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event is the Delaware Valley Open at Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia on Monday, September 29.

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 Michael Little Wins 2025 Jack Jolly & Son Championship

September 8, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America Golf Professional Michael Little Wins 2025 Jack Jolly & Son ChampionshipPPGA
Mount Laurel Township, N.J. (September 8, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Michael Little of Clubhouse 54 in North Wales, Pennsylvania, finished with a 5-under-par 66 to win the 2025 Jack Jolly & Son Championship at Laurel Creek Country Club by one stroke over Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club. Today’s win is Little’s first Section win of the season.

Little had previously won this championship in 2016 at Concord Country Club. The field had its hands full with the course and its setup today, with the scoring average nearing 78; Little, however, had a hot start, going 5-under on the front nine, and finished even on the back nine.

“It was nice to have everything come together today,” Little said after signing his scorecard. “I only missed one green, and the putter was hot today, which helped.”

Little went on to thank his wife, kids, Jack Jolly & Son Inc., Kevin McClellan, everyone at Clubhouse 54, Laurel Creek Country Club, the Section staff, and to fellow PGA Members Mark Sheftic and John Bierkan for the recent help on his game.

Riley Wheeldon, Aronimink Golf Club, finished in third place, three behind Little. Five PGA Professionals tied for fourth place at 2-under-par: Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green Golf Club; Austin Barbin, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club; Trevor Bensel, LuLu Country Club; Rocco Sgrillo, John F. Byrne Golf Course; and Scott Chisholm, Rolling Green Golf Club.

Spring Ford Country Club’s Rich Steinmetz earned top honors in the Senior Division, bettering two PGA Professionals by two strokes: Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club; and John Pillar, Country Club at Woodloch Springs. Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek Country Club, finished in fourth place at 2-over.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter finished with a 2-under-par 69 to top the Super Senior Division by two strokes over Deerwood Country Club’s Greg Farrow and finished five ahead of PGA Life Member Wayne Phillips.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the Jack Jolly & Son Championship, and Zach Barbin walked away with the top prize at 4-under-par. Barbin’s brother Austin tied for second place with Trevor Bensel and Rocco Sgrillo, John F. Byrne Golf Course, at 2-under-par. Pine Valley Golf Club’s Matt Zehner finished in fifth place with an even-par round of 71.

To view the 2025 Jack Jolly & Son Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2025 Jack Jolly & Son Championship’s title partner is Jack Jolly & Son Inc., and is supported by KM Golf Sales / Kevin McClellan. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Laurel Creek 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.

The next Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year points event is the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway Golf Club on Monday, September 22.

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

Playing Through: Nick Biondi, PGA (S2E9)

September 8, 2025Comments Off on Playing Through: Nick Biondi, PGA (S2E9)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 Nick Biondi, the PGA director of instruction at Radley Run Country Club in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

To watch the episode, click on 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 REACH Foundation Announces 2025-26 Class of PGA WORKS Fellows

September 4, 2025Comments Off on PGA of America REACH Foundation Announces 2025-26 Class of PGA WORKS FellowsPPGA

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 4, 2025) – The PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, has announced the 2025-26 class for the PGA WORKS Fellowship.

The PGA WORKS Fellowship, established in 2017, provides the opportunity for a paid immersion in a PGA of America Section’s Foundation operations. PGA Sections oversee the 41 regions of the PGA of America across the United States and help create the network of communication and community for PGA of America Golf Professionals and amateur golfers nationwide.

The PGA WORKS Fellowship is one of the most valuable entry-level opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to gain experience in the golf industry. The Fellowship gives recent college and university graduates a first-hand look at everything that a career in the $102 billion golf industry can provide.

The primary responsibilities of the 23 PGA WORKS Fellows will be to support and execute philanthropic initiatives for the charitable foundations of their respective PGA Sections. This includes assisting with marketing, communications and fundraising activities, as well as PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) programming for Veterans and junior golf initiatives such as PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip & Putt.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new class of PGA WORKS Fellows to their respective PGA Sections,” said PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea Jr., PGA Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club (Arizona). “Our PGA WORKS Fellowship program isn’t just about opening doors, it’s about equipping the next generation of leaders and ensuring those doors lead to meaningful career paths and lasting connections.”

As part of PGA WORKS’ mission, Fellows are encouraged to continue their careers in golf following their fellowships with direct access to both PGA of America Career Consultants and mentors to help achieve their career goals. In the history of the PGA WORKS Fellowship, 89 percent of all Fellows have acquired jobs within the golf industry, and 83 percent have acquired full-time positions upon completing their fellowship.

Past Fellows have gone on to work for Titleist, the First Tee, the USGA, APGA and the PGA Tour, among other golf companies, sporting organizations and leading industries. Others have continued their education or taken their career in golf a step further by attaining PGA of America Membership.

Currently, seven PGA WORKS Fellows Alumni work for the Association at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas: PGA WORKS Leader Cameron Dinkins; PGA WORKS Program Coordinator Iyannei Miranda; PGA REACH Events Coordinator Caroline Riggs; PGA Jr. League Grants Coordinator Tomie Anderson, PGA Jr. League Specialist Dayvon Collins, Membership Representative Cameron Jones and Education Faculty Rosa Jones, PGA.

2025-26 Class of PGA WORKS Fellows

Patrick Appel; Fairfield, Calif.; University of California, San Diego; Northern California PGA Section

Mackenzie Blake; Buffalo, N.Y.; SUNY Cortland; Western New York PGA Section

Claire Calabro; West Chester, Penn.; Florida State University; Gateway PGA Section

Will Cisko; Sparta, N.J.; Rutgers University; New Jersey PGA Section

Kenadie Daegar; Payne, Ohio; University of Northwestern Ohio; Michigan PGA Section

Katherine Foerg; University Heights, Ohio; Niagara University; Northern Ohio PGA Section

Shandiin Harper; Farmington, N.M.; Western New Mexico University; Sun Country PGA Section

George Hill; Jackson, Miss.; University of Alabama; Metropolitan PGA Section

Jacob Hillan; Rensselaer, Ind.; Ball State University; Indiana PGA Section

Leann Kelly; Dunwoody, Ga.; Auburn University; Southern Texas PGA Section

AJ Kisting; New Berlin, Wis.; St. Norbert College; Wisconsin PGA Section

Harlee Lucier; Parish, N.Y.; Utica University; Central New York PGA Section

Savannah Nissel; Ocala, Fla.; Rollins College; North Florida PGA Section

Emmett Noone; Center Valley, Penn.; Temple University; Philadelphia PGA Section

Kennedy Pickering; McKinney, Texas; University of Colorado Boulder; Northern Texas PGA Section

Nina Piscitello; Sacramento, Calif.; California Baptist University; Southern California PGA Section

Sydney Reichard; Brookline, N.H.; University of South Carolina; New England PGA Section

Bryan Sandoval; Littleton, Colo.; University of Colorado Boulder; Colorado PGA Section

Emme Speas; Camas, Wash.; Colorado State University; Carolinas PGA Section

Issie Spray; York, England; Jacksonville State University; Southern Ohio PGA Section

Noah Tietsort; Tulsa, Okla.; Rogers State University; South Central PGA Section

Maria Villamil; Bogota, Colombia; Lincoln University of Missouri; Kentucky PGA Section

Elizabeth Young; Lexington, N.C.; The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Middle Atlantic PGA Section

For more information about the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contacts

Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, 801/995-0684, jdodson@pgahq.com
Jared Minski,  Mastro Communications, Inc., 732/546-4325, jared@mastrocomm.com