News
PGA of America Golf Professional J.T. Wambold Wins 2025 TaylorMade Classic Following Four-Player Sudden-Death Playoff
Egg Harbor Township, N.J. (May 5, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional J.T. Wambold, Yardley (Pa.) Country Club, made birdie on the second hole of a four-player sudden-death playoff to win the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 2025 TaylorMade Classic at Ballamor Golf Club, bettering Nick Parga, Old York Road Country Club in Spring House, Pa.; Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club in Rising Sun, Md.; and Riley Wheeldon, Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. The tournament is a Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year event.
Wambold finished his round in regulation with a 6-under-par 66, which propelled him into the playoff. It was his first Philadelphia PGA Section win of his career.
“I birdied the first three holes,” Wambold said after the playoff. “I hit the ball very well today.”
Wambold said today’s round was his first at Ballamor.
Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C., and Austin Barbin, Chesapeake Bay G.C., tied for fifth place at 5-under-par.
Steinmetz finished atop the Senior Division, thanks to his 5-under-par round of 67. Steinmetz bettered John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs, and Brian Kelly, Titleist Fit Crew, by four strokes. Hugo Mazzalupi, Radnor Golf Foundation, finished in a tie for fourth place at even-par with Jason Wilson, Bethlehem G.C.
Greg Farrow, Deerwood C.C., finished with a 1-over-par 73 to win the Super Senior Division, bettering Darryl Lock, Skippack G.C., by one stroke, and Jack Brennan, Mountain View C.C., by two strokes.
The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the TaylorMade Classic, and it also featured a sudden-death playoff. J.T. Wambold defeated Zach Barbin on the X playoff hole. Austin Barbin, Chesapeake Bay G.C., finished in third place with a 67. Four PGA Professionals tied for fourth place at 4-under-par.
Richard Stolz, Big Swing Golf Center, provided one of the event’s best shots, making a hole-in-one on No. 12. Stolz used an 8-iron from 167 yards. Well played, Richard!
To view the full 2025 TaylorMade Classic leaderboard, click here.
The 2025 TaylorMade Classic is presented by TaylorMade, and supported by KM Golf Sales, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Ballamor Golf Club, its 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 event on the Section tournament schedule is the 27th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic on May 27 at Sunnybrook Golf 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 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Playing Through: Jim Smith Jr., PGA (S2E3)
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 Jim Smith Jr., the 2024 PGA of America Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient, and the PGA director of golf at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa., host of next week’s Truist Championship on the PGA Tour.
To watch the episode, click on the below video.
If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, click here.
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
PGA VendorMatch Registration for 2026 PGA Championship Suppliers Opens May 6
Five Philadelphia PGA of America of America Members Make 2025 PGA Professional Championship Final Cut
Five PGA of America Golf Professionals hailing from the Philadelphia PGA Section have made the 2025 PGA Professional Championship cut and will compete in the final round on Wednesday, April 30: Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; Brett Walker, Chester Valley Golf Club; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run Country Club; Mike Meisenzahl, Tavistock Country Club; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann Golf Club. The top 20 finishers following the conclusion of play will qualify for the 2025 PGA Championship, May 12-18, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of the Corebridge Financial PGA Team.
The final round will be broadcast on Wednesday from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. To view the full leaderboard, click here.
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
Special Olympics Pennsylvania to Hold Press Conference to Announce Selection as Host for the 2025 National Golf Championship
(Norristown, PA – April 22, 2025) – Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) is thrilled to announce it will host the 2025 Special Olympics National Golf Championship, presented by the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP), August 25-28, 2025, at Penn National Golf Club in Fayetteville, PA. SOPA will hold a press conference and celebration on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Penn National Golf Course to make this announcement alongside Special Olympics North America, GAP, WellSpan, and the PGA Tour.
Through this tournament, Fayetteville will bring together more than 300 top Special Olympics athletes from across 22 States and Canada.
“We’re incredibly proud to host the Special Olympics North America Golf Championships here in Pennsylvania. It’s a great opportunity to elevate our golf program, bring the local community together, and showcase the power of inclusion. We can’t wait to welcome athletes from across the nation and Canada to experience all that our great state has to offer,” said Special Olympics Pennsylvania Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Andrew Fee.
WHAT: A press conference announcing that the 2025 Special Olympics North America Golf Championship will be held in Fayetteville in August for the first time. This championship will bring over 300 golfers from across the country and Canada to compete for the gold.
WHEN/WHERE: Monday, May 5 at Penn National Golf Course
(3720 Club House Dr, Fayetteville, PA 17222)
- 9:30 a.m. – Doors open; interview availability
- 10:00 a.m. – Light Breakfast
- 11:00 a.m. – Press conference begins
- 11:30 a.m. – Program concludes, interview availability
WHO: Special Olympics staff, athletes and supporters will come together to announce Penn National Golf Course as the host course for the 2025 Special Olympics North America Golf Championship. Press conference speakers include:
- Patti Nitterhouse, Host, Penn National Golf Club
- Mark Peterson, Executive Director, Golf Association of Philadelphia
- Marc McCarey & Jeramy Kennerknecht, Special Olympics Pennsylvania coach & athlete
- Matt Aaron, President and CEO, Special Olympics Pennsylvania
- Niki Hinckle, WellSpan Health Representative
- Dr. Marilyn J. Wells, Ph.D., Chancellor, Penn State Mont Alto
Editors’ note: the following individuals will be available for media availability before and after the press conference to answer questions about the SONA Golf Championship.
- Craig Pippert, Director, Sports Development, Special Olympics North America
- Andrew Fee, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Special Olympics Pennsylvania
- Marc McCarey & Jeramy Kennerknecht, Special Olympics Pennsylvania coach & athlete
WHY: Special Olympics will welcome more than 300 athletes representing 22 States and Canada from August 25-28, 2025, for the 2025 Special Olympics North America Golf Championship. SOPA is dedicated to prioritizing the lifelong sport that is golf. Throughout this championship, SOPA aims to unite communities and is excited to showcase the talent and determination of hundreds of athletes. SOPA looks forward to seeing you at the Special Olympics North America Golf Championship press conference on Monday, May 5.
Media Contact: Larkin Richards, 610.630.9480, ext. 232, lrichards@specialolympicspa.org
About Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 21 Olympic-type sports to more than 15,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. For more information about how you can join “The Inclusion Revolution,” visit www.specialolympicspa.org.
About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries and territories and more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and our blog on Medium. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.
Three Teams Tie for 2025 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship Title
Northfield, N.J. (April 28, 2025) — On a brilliant, sunny day, three teams of PGA of America Golf Professionals, Applebrook Golf Club’s Dave McNabb and Overbrook Golf Club’s Eric Kennedy, John F. Byrne Golf Course’s Anthony Hoffman and Rocco Sgrillo, and Doylestown Country Club’s Patrick Shine and Anthony Bonargo, tied atop the leaderboard for the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship title at Atlantic City Country Club.
All three teams finished their rounds with 8-under-par 62s in the 18-hole Four-Ball format. Three more teams finished in a tie for fourth place, one stroke behind the victors: Merion G.C.’s Matthew Durham and Pine Valley G.C.’s Matt Zehner; DuPont C.C.’s Michael Caldwell and Matt Finger; and Wilmington C.C.’s Bob Lennon and Ryan Rucinski.
To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship leaderboard, click here.
The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship is supported by Bethany Travel, Evolve Golf, L2 Brands, Mizuno, StrackaLine, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Atlantic City Country Club, its membership, management, and staff, as the event would not have been possible without their support.Far from the Philadelphia PGA Section, 15 Philadelphia PGA Members are competing in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.: Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; Joanna Coe, Merion G.C.; Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Jeff Herb, Waynesborough C.C.; Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek C.C.; Michael Meisenzahl, Tavistock C.C.; Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; Dave Pagett, Whitemarsh Valley C.C.; Tony Perla, Huntingdon Valley C.C.; Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.; Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green G.C.; Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill; Andrew Turner, C.C. of York; and Brett Walker, Chester Valley G.C. To view scores, click here.
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
Fifteen PGA of America Golf Professionals From Philadelphia Will Compete in the PGA Professional Championship
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (April 25, 2025) — Fifteen PGA of America Golf Professionals hailing from the Philadelphia Section will be traveling to Port St. Lucie, Fla., to compete in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship. The event, taking place on April 27-30 at PGA Golf Club, brings together some of the most talented PGA Professionals from across the country to compete for a spot in the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, as part of the Corebridge Financial PGA Team.
The Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, held at Rolling Green Golf Club and Chester Valley Golf Club last year, served as the primary qualifier for the majority of the Section’s players, including champion Brett Walker.
To view starting times and scores for the PGA Professional Championship, click here.
To view event information for the PGA Professional Championship, click here.
The players representing the Philadelphia Section are:
- Trevor Bensel, PGA – Sandy Run Country Club
- Brian Bergstol, PGA – Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
- Joanna Coe, PGA – Merion Golf Club
- Rusty Harbold, PGA – Philadelphia Cricket Club
- Jeff Herb, PGA – Waynesborough Country Club
- Terry Hertzog, PGA – Bent Creek Country Club
- Michael Meisenzahl, PGA – Tavistock Country Club
- Zac Oakley, PGA – Bidermann Golf Club
- Dave Pagett, PGA – Whitemarsh Country Club
- Tony Perla, PGA – Huntingdon Valley Country Club
- Dave Quinn, PGA – Laurel Creek Country Club
- Braden Shattuck, PGA – Rolling Green Golf Club
- Billy Stewart, PGA – Union League Liberty Hill
- Andrew Turner, PGA – Country Club of York
- Brett Walker, PGA – Chester Valley Golf 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
Lehigh Country Club to Host PGA Tour Champions’ Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic in 2026
ALLENTOWN, Penn. – Officials from Jefferson Health, the PGA TOUR Champions and Lehigh Country Club announced on Thursday a five-year partnership to host a new professional golf tournament: the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, which will debut on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule in fall 2026. The competition will be held annually at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and is expected to provide a $50-million boost to the local economy.
The inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic will be hosted the week of Sept. 28 and will feature a field of 78 PGA TOUR Champions players filled with legends including Stewart Cink, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer and more.
Proceeds will benefit local charities in Northeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions, including the primary beneficiaries of the inaugural tournament, Valley Youth House and Eagles Autism Foundation.
All three rounds of the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic will be televised on GOLF Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.
HNS Sports Group, an Ohio-based event management LLC specializing in golf, will manage the event.
Tournaments for Charity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, will serve as the tournament’s host organization.
“We are thrilled to partner with Jefferson Health and bring PGA TOUR Champions golf to the Lehigh Valley,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “Golf legends and World Golf Hall of Fame members will have an exceptional week of competition at a first-rate golf course in Lehigh Country Club. We’re excited to bring local golf enthusiasts an unforgettable experience and look forward to making a lasting, positive impact on the community for years to come.”
The tournament’s title sponsor, Jefferson Health, is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit healthcare systems and is committed to delivering exceptional clinical and compassionate care to patients in the Philadelphia region. Jefferson aims to reimagine health care and higher education to create unparalleled value in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey. More than 65,000 people strong, Jefferson is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, making communities healthier and stronger, preparing tomorrow’s professional leaders for 21st-century careers, and creating new knowledge through clinical and applied research. They are dedicated to training future health professionals and conducting research to improve clinical care, and offer a wide range of disciplines and programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their respective fields. Through innovative teaching methods and hands-on training, they prepare future healthcare providers to meet the evolving needs of the community.
“This is all about making a long-term, positive impact on the Lehigh Valley and the surrounding areas,” said Dr. Joe Cacchione, CEO of Jefferson. “As we continue to integrate our two leading health systems, it’s important that we drive awareness and access to our uncompromising care throughout the region.”
“While we don’t know which player is going to win the inaugural event, we already know that our charitable partners will be the real winners,” said Nick Ragone, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Jefferson. “We want the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic to be among the most charitable and well-attended events on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule beginning in year one.”
Lehigh Country Club is regarded as one of the top golf destinations not only in the Lehigh Valley, but also in Pennsylvania, routinely ranked among the top courses in the state. The club moved to its current location in 1928, with the course designed by the renowned architect William S. Flynn. The 206-acre site was previously farmland owned by the Kemmerer and Kline families and was purchased by a group of 42 club members. The fairways at Lehigh Country Club are known for their masterful routing, featuring significant elevation changes.
Valley Youth House is a catalyst for youth to achieve their desired futures through genuine relationships that support families, ensure safe places and build community connections. They partner with each young person they meet to help them create the best possible outcome for their unique situation.
“We are deeply honored to be named beneficiary of the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic through this incredible partnership with Jefferson Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network. At Valley Youth House, we believe every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Christina Schoemaker, senior vice president of advancement for Valley Youth House. “This generous commitment will help us continue to provide critical support, housing, and resources to young people in our community. We’re grateful to work alongside organizations who share our dedication to caring for our community and building healthy futures for all.”
On the field, the Philadelphia Eagles are united by one objective: victory. Off the field, the team is drawn together by an even larger goal: taking action for autism through the Eagles Autism Foundation. The Foundation’s biggest strength is bringing people together through research, advocacy, empathy and unity. Together, the Eagles Autism Foundation is making an impact that echoes around the globe.
“The Eagles Autism Foundation is proud to be recognized as one of the beneficiaries of the inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic,” said Ryan Hammond, executive director, Eagles Autism Foundation. “We are grateful to collaborate with like-minded organizations like Jefferson Health, that continue to serve under-represented communities including those on the autism spectrum. One hundred percent of this generous donation from Jefferson Health will help fund innovative autism research and care programs, making a transformational impact in our Eagles autism community.”