News
Brett Walker, PGA, Captures 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship
Newtown Square, Pa. (September 2, 2021) — Brett Walker, PGA, of Sunnybrook G.C. in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., winner of the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Aronimink Golf Club and Applebrook Golf Club, will lead 11 Section PGA Professionals to compete in the 55th PGA Professional Championship, April 17-20, at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas. The championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex.
Walker turned in a winning total of 8-under-par, 67-66—133, to win his first Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, following the cancellation of the final round due to severe weather stemming from remnants of Hurricane Ida. Zac Oakley of Bidermann G.C. in Wilmington, Del., was runner-up at 6-under-par. They are joined by Billy Stewart of Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pa.; Ashley Grier of Overbrook G.C. in Villanova, Pa.; Rusty Harbold of Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, Pa.; Terry Hertzog of Merion G.C. in Ardmore, Pa.; Dave McNabb of Applebrook G.C. in Malvern, Pa.; Trevor Bensel of Overbrook G.C.; George Forster; Hugo Mazzalupi of Patriots Glen National G.C. in Elkton, Md.; Steve Sanderson of Pine Valley (N.J.) G.C.; and Parks Price of C.C. of York in York, Pa. Forster, Mazzalupi, Sanderson, and Price clinched their trips to Texas in a six players-for-four spots playoff Thursday at Aronimink.
Mike Furey of Saucon Valley C.C. in Bethlehem, Pa., and Scott Reilly of Philadelphia C.C. in Gladwyne, Pa., are first and second alternates, while Michael Little and Mark Sheftic, both of Lookaway G.C. in Buckingham, Pa., are third and fourth alternates. Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley C.C. in Lafayette Hill, Pa., is fifth alternate. Walker had previously qualified for the 2022 PGA Professional Championship via play in this year’s PGA Professional Championship.
“My goal for Aronimink was just to break par,” said Walker. “The low score on the course the day before was even par, so I figured being under par would give me a leg up on the rest of the field.”
Walker said he hopes to use the experience he picked up this week in the 55th PGA Professional Championship in April.
“Aronimink can play difficult and has hosted major championships and PGA Tour events, and I feel like my game was set up pretty well for it, Walker continued. “I am definitely going to take that to other tournaments and courses.”
Walker went on to thank Sunnybrook G.C., its membership, and PGA Professionals Greg Wingate and Brad Sanders for the support, as well as his parents, Bob and Betty, his girlfriend Sarah and her parents, who were all in attendance as spectators.
Walker also made his major championship debut earlier this year in the 103rd PGA Championship at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort’s Ocean Course. In addition to having his name engraved on the William B. Packer Trophy, Walker earned $9,000 for his win, coming from the $72,000 purse.
The PGA Professional Championship and 41 PGA Section Championships feature a total purse of more than $1.5 million. Golf Channel will televise all four rounds of the national Championship.
If eligibility is met and maintained, the low 20 scorers in 2021 will earn berths into the 104th PGA Championship, May 19-22, 2022, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. In addition to the Walter Hagen Cup, the PGA Professional Championship winner also receives an exemption into the next 10 PGA Professional Championships and exemptions into six PGA TOUR events over a 12-month period. Established in 1968, the PGA Professional Championship roster of Champions includes the following premier TOUR professionals: Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg, Don Massengale, Ed Dougherty, Larry Gilbert, and Bruce Fleisher.
The 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, Ship Sticks, Visit Delco, Pa., and Precise Yardage Books.
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
PGA Member Brett Walker Leads 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship Entering Final Round
Newtown Square, Pa. (August 31, 2020) — PGA Member Brett Walker, Sunnybrook G.C., surged to the top the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship leaderboard with a second round score of 4-under-par 66 at Aronimink Golf Club. The championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex.
Walker, who won his first Section event earlier this month at the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship, had not played Aronimink prior to today’s round, making it even more impressive. Walker’s scorecard featured four birdies and an eagle and is the low round of the week at Aronimink. First round leader Ashley Grier shot 66 in her first round at Applebrook Golf Club.
“My strategy has been to hit a lot of fairways, and I hit it really well off the tee, which allowed me to attack some of the hole locations,” said Walker. “The course was playing tough if you missed fairways, but I did a good job of keeping it in position, which made it an easier round for me.”
Walker, who played in his first major championship, the PGA Championship, earlier this year, said that he would employ the same strategy for tomorrow’s final round.
Bidermann G.C.’s Zac Oakley turned in a 3-under-par 67 at Aronimink today, placing him in second place, two behind Walker. Oakley has won or tied for first in two Section events this season, including the Doylestown Open and Conestoga Classic. He is also currently second in the Rolex Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year race.
Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill, is in third place following his 71 at Aronimink, five back. Overbrook G.C.’s Grier is in fourth at 2-under-par. Yesterday, she became the first woman to lead a Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship after any round.
Rounding out the top five at 1-under-par: Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Terry Hertzog, Merion G.C.; and host PGA Professional at Applebrook, Dave McNabb. Overbrook’s Trevor Bensel is at even-par; Six PGA Professional are tied for tenth. The top 11 players at the conclusion of play will advance to the
Sixty-six Philadelphia PGA Section’s will advance to the final round to compete for the William B. Packer Trophy and a berth into the 55th PGA Professional Championship, April 17-20, at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas.
The championship is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, September 1, at Aronimink G.C., with tee times beginning at 8:00 a.m. Follow the action via our live scoring by visiting golfgenius.com/pages/2799551 and our social media channels: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
For more information on the championship, including the week’s schedule, pairings, and more, visit the championship’s official e-publication.
Members of the media are welcome onsite to cover the championship.
The 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, Ship Sticks, Visit Delco, Pa., and Precise Yardage Books.
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
PGA Member Ashley Grier Leads 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship After Opening Round 66
Newtown Square, Pa. (August 30, 2020) — As the Philadelphia PGA Section celebrates its centennial, history continues to be made, as Aronimink Golf Club and Applebrook Golf Club host the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship for the first time. Making more waves is PGA Member Ashley Grier, Overbrook G.C., who leads by one stroke after firing a 5-under-par 66 in the opening round, marking the first time a woman has led after any round of the event. The championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex.
Grier, the 2020 Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year, made six birdies and a lone bogey at Applebrook Golf Club. She will play her second round at Aronimink Golf Club tomorrow.
“I was unusually calm today,” Grier said of her opening round. “It’s going to be a long week, so I was trying to be really strong mentally today. I hit the golf ball really well.”
Hitting the ball well may be an understatement, as Grier hit all 18 greens in regulation. Her only bogey came after a three-putt on No. 18. She went on to say that it was one of the best rounds for ballstriking and putting she has had in a while.
“I plan to look at the second round at Aronimink similarly to today’s round at Applebrook,” she continued. “You have to hit a lot of fairways and greens [at Aronimink]. I am going to take it one step at a time and try to sit down and rest as much as I can to rest my back as it’s been a little sore.”
Grier, the inaugural Women’s Philadelphia PGA Professional champion, leads Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill, and Brett Walker, Sunnybrook G.C., by one stroke. PGA Professionals tied for fourth place, two back, include Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C., and Steve Sanderson, Pine Valley G.C.
The two host courses scored very differently for the first round. After the first round, the top nine players had all played at Applebrook. The PGA Professionals who turned in the low rounds at Aronimink (even par 70s) are tied for 10th and included Parks Price, C.C. of York; Scott Reilly, Philadelphia C.C.; and George Forster. Others at T10 include Peter Lovenguth, Applecross C.C.; Dustin Wallis, Honey Run G.C.; Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C.; John Bierkan, Aronimink G.C.; Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.
One-hundred-sixty-three of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s best players are competing for the William B. Packer Trophy and a berth into the 55th PGA Professional Championship, April 17-20, at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas.
The second round continues tomorrow, August 31 at 9:00 a.m. at both Aronimink G.C. and Applebrook G.C. Follow the action via our live scoring by visiting golfgenius.com/pages/2799551 and our social media channels: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
For more information on the championship, including the week’s schedule, pairings, and more, visit the championship’s official e-publication.
Members of the media are welcome onsite to cover the championship.
The 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship is presented by Cadillac, Club Car and Rolex, and supported by Titleist / FootJoy, Nike, TaylorMade, Golf Channel, the PGA Tour, Ship Sticks, Visit Delco, Pa., and Precise Yardage Books.
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
Philadelphia PGA Names Courtney Curcio PGA REACH Philadelphia Director
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (August 27, 2021) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is pleased to announce that Courtney Curcio has been named the next Director of PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable arm, effective September 1, 2021. Leila Mackie, the foundation’s first director, has accepted a position with the PGA of America.
Curcio has worked for the Philadelphia Section since 2017, when she joined as a communications intern prior to graduating Neumann University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Entertainment and Management. Her hard work identified her as a valuable member of the Section staff and was hired full-time as a coordinator for the foundation in 2019, where she worked closely with Mackie daily on foundation programming and operations. She will continue the work Mackie and she started, ensuring a seamless transition to continue PGA REACH Philadelphia’s mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf.
“While we are sad to see Leila leave, we are happy for her and her next chapter, and expect to continue working with her in her new role with the PGA of America; we wish her nothing but the best,” said Section Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “We are equally excited for Courtney to continue PGA REACH Philadelphia’s important work, and are very confident in her abilities to lead the foundation into the future.”
“I am delighted to step into this role and have the opportunity to continue to help grow the foundation’s programming and fundraising efforts for our membership, while also building on our mission in the Philadelphia PGA Section,” said Curcio. “Working so closely with Leila since the launch of our foundation three years ago has prepared me to continue to grow our programs and build our brand.”
To send a congratulatory note to Courtney, click here.
Mackie began her career with the Section in 2012 as a PGA Golf Management intern from Clemson University. The following season, she was hired full-time as Player Development Coordinator, and was eventually promoted to Player Development Director, in which she organized and administered various programs with the goal of growing the game. She was elected to PGA Membership in 2013. In 2018, she was tapped to launch PGA REACH Philadelphia, becoming the foundation’s first director. Since its inception, the foundation has raised nearly $150,000 specifically for its Youth, Military, and Diversity pillars, which include programs such as PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships and mentor program. Mackie’s new role will be in the PGA of America’s employment department, where she will act as a Career Services Recruitment Specialist, boosting employment opportunities across the Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Metropolitan PGA Sections. She and her husband, Kevin, will remain living in the Philadelphia area. To send Leila well wishes, click here.
Allison Zwarka, a Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour tournament coordinator, has also accepted another position, effective August 27. She is headed back to her alma mater, Michigan State University, to work as its athletic department’s Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing. Zwarka worked as a tournament intern in 2019 and joined the Section staff full-time in 2020.
“Allison was a great addition to our team,” continued Surrette. “We will miss her, but know she will do a great job working as a Spartan.”
PGA REACH Philadelphia is currently accepting applications for foundation coordinator and tournament coordinator positions.
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.
About PGA REACH Philadelphia
PGA REACH 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.
Yardley C.C. Wins 2021 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship
Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (August 25, 2021) — The team representing Yardley C.C. won the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Championship at Sunnybrook Golf Club on a day where temperatures approached 95 degrees Fahrenheit. PGA Professional Rick Hughart led his team of amateur women golfers to finish with a net score of 53, 19-under-par, to win by five strokes over the team from Medford Village C.C.
The winning team’s scorecard included three net eagles and 13 net birdies in the one better ball of four format, which helped give them the edge over the team from Medford Village, which included PGA Professional Greg Matthias, and amateurs Anne D’Amico, Sue Niedrach, and Angelica Lyons.
Four teams tied for third, two representing Sunnybrook, Bidermann G.C., and Saucon Valley C.C. Sunnybrook’s teams were led by PGA Professional Greg Wingate, Debbie Maine, Alison Shoemaker, Nina Talbot and Brad Sanders, PGA, Patty Graver, Pam Piotrowicz, and Megan Piotrowicz. Bidermann’s team featured Braden Shattuck, PGA, Aubree Wellons, Anna Kittelson, and Blakely Larrabee. Saucon Valley was represented by Chris Duckett, PGA, Kelly Borneman, Alisa Graybill, and Michele Haldeman.
In the Gross Division, Commonwealth National G.C.’s Dan Mrozinski, PGA, led his amateur golfers Karen Siegel, Emma Reilly, and Audrey Reese to victory with a 7-under-par 65. They clipped Shattuck’s Bidermann team and PGA Professional Tom Gilbert’s Gulph Mills G.C. team (Missy Wietlisbach, Ellen Miller, and Ellie Good) by one stroke.
The 2021 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship is supported by the Lincoln Motor Company, Trinity Flavors, and Workhorse Brewing Company. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Sunnybrook G.C., its membership, management, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
To view the full 2021 Philadelphia PGA Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Penn State Wins 2021 National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Philadelphia Section Championship
Blue Bell, Pa. (August 17, 2021) — Dodging rain showers, the team from Penn State won the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Philadelphia Section Championship at Blue Bell Country Club, securing their spot in the Regional Championship next month.
Penn State won the championship match play round for 13u (boys and girls ages 10-13) against Radnor No. 1 with a score of 7.5 points to 4.5 points. Penn State beat the West Chester No. 2 team in the semi-finals, 8.5 to 4.5. The winning team is led by PGA Professional Steve Wager of Penn State University G.C. and includes eight All-Star players: Luke McGraw, Roman Italia, Brady Wager, Reese Walizer, Crosby Dennis, Charlie Ladrido, Kasha Stolberg, and Luke Ladrido.
The runner-up team, led by PGA Professional David Zimmaro, Overbrook G.C., included All-Stars Lannon Boyd, Elayna Fanelli, Kiersten Bodge, Luke Herrell, Liam McFadden, Jackson Corbett, Noah Brand, and Jimmy Warmkessel. The Radnor 1 team defeated Delaware No. 2 in the semi-finals via a scorecard playoff.
The team from Delaware won the 17u Division (stroke play) against Pine Hill No. 1 with an aggregate team score of 65 to 76. Their team was led by PGA Life Member Bob Rementer and includes All-Stars Matt Reeed, Evan Gebhart, Joey Crissman, Reagan Garnsey, Grayson Lewis, and Kayla Brosius.
Section Championships (and their Qualifiers) are the first of three phases in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season, which highlights the aspirational nature of competition celebrated in a way unique to PGA Jr. League.
“We’re thrilled to bring the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Philadelphia Section Championship Championship to Blue Bell this year,” said Leila Mackie, PGA REACH Philadelphia Director. “Ushering in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season by welcoming our local All-Star teams, coaches and families to Blue Bell for an exciting day is always fun for our PGA Section.”
Following recreational play in the spring and summer, hundreds of 13u All-Star teams and new in 2021, 17u All-Star teams, are formed from a combination of players from each league. Section Champions from both age divisions advance to the Regional stage of competition at one of 12 sites in September. Ultimately, 12, 13u Regional champions will vie for the title at the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, Oct. 7-10, to be broadcast live on select ESPN networks.
The teams from Penn State will play in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Regional Championship on September 3-5 at Teugega Country Club in Rome, N.Y.
PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America’s 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA REACH, with the goal of making the program accessible to all youth regardless of background, circumstance or ability. Boys and girls ages 17 and under learn and play golf on teams, wear numbered jerseys and receive expert coaching from PGA Professionals.
In 2020, PGA Jr. League led the development of responsible Back2Golf guidelines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing nearly 1,700 PGA Professional Captains to coach nearly 37,000 kids through healthy team golf experiences. Additionally, PGA REACH helped award nearly 2,500 scholarships last year to players from active military families or with extenuating financial circumstances. The Championship Season was cancelled in 2020 to prioritize well-being and minimize travel for participants.
National Car Rental was named the inaugural title partner of the Championship Season in February. PGA Jr. League’s biggest corporate partner since 2018, as well as an Official Partner and the Official Rental Car of the PGA of America since 2012, National’s new title partnership aims to continue fueling meaningful growth of PGA Jr. League and supporting the program’s endeavors to welcome more kids to the game.
About PGA REACH Philadelphia
PGA REACH 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.
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
Brian Kelly, PGA, Wins 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club in Playoff
West Chester, Pa. (August 16, 2021) — PGA Professional Brian Kelly won the 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club in a three-person playoff with Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.
Bucknell Golf Club’s Kelly started his final round two strokes behind first round leaders Bergstol and Oakley but was able to make four birdies en route to a 68, finishing at 2-under-par, which set an early clubhouse lead. Oakley birdied the 36th hole to tie, while Bergstol parred.
As raindrops began to fall, Kelly got up and down on the first playoff hole (No. 1) from just short and right of the green to make par and secure his first Philadelphia PGA victory since the 2019 TaylorMade Classic.
Chris Krueger, Kings Creek C.C.; finished in solo fourth place at 1-under-par, while Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C.; Mike Tobiason, Deerfield; John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.; and Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C.; finished tied for fifth at even par.
Kelly also finished atop the Senior Division, two clear of Cooper and Mazzalupi, and four ahead of Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.; and Stu Ingraham, M Golf Range & Learning Facility.
To view the 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes full leaderboard, click here.
The pro-am portion of the event took place on Sunday, August 15 with PGA Professionals John Spina and Zac Oakley leading their respective amateur teams to tie for the title. Spina’s team included Ned Scheffler and Mike Chapman, while Oakley’s featured Joe Paris and Zach Paris. To read more about the pro-am, click here.
The Pro-Am for Wishes has been held annually at Penn Oaks Golf Club since 2011 (the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) to benefit Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley. The 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes is supported by Otto’s BMW, Smart from the Start Childcare, Crothall Healthcare, Exelon Corporation, and T.Lad & Kristin Webb. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Penn Oaks G.C., its membership, management, 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.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Spina and Oakley Lead Amateur Teams to Top of 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes
West Chester, Pa. (August 15, 2021) — PGA Professionals John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; led their respective amateur teams to tie for the 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes title on a beautiful summer day at Penn Oaks Golf Club. Spina’s team included Ned Scheffler and Mike Chapman, while Oakley’s featured Joe Paris and Zach Paris.
Using a two best balls of three format, both teams finished with scores of 133, 9-under-par, to win by one stroke over Laurel Creek C.C.’s Dave Quinn and his amateur partners Rob Narkiewicz and Karen Narkiewicz. Biderman’s Braden Shattuck finished in fourth place with amateurs Mike Ackerman and Pat O’Connor, while Honey Run G.C.’s Dustin Wallis and partners Andrew Tully and Brett Pasapane tied for fifth with Overbrook G.C.’s Eric Kennedy and partners John Thompson and Charles Meloro.
Oakley is tied for first with Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort’s Brian Bergstol in the PGA Professional event at 2-under-par, one stroke ahead of Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C.; John Cooper, Green Valley C.C.; and Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill. Eric Kennedy, Stu Ingraham, M Golf Range & Learning Facility; and Steve Swartz, West Shore C.C. are two off the leaders.
After the first round of play was completed, there were two PGA Professionals tied atop the Senior Division at 1-under-par: Hugo Mazzalupi and John Cooper, Green Valley C.C. Stu Ingraham, M Golf Range & Learning Facility, is one stroke behind the division leaders, while John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club; and Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C. are tied for fourth place, trailing by two strokes.
Six amateurs have the option to play in Monday’s final round based on their opening round performance: Brandon Famous, 75; Zach Paris, 75; Jimmy O’Connor, 77; Kevin Ohara, 77; Doug Zelner, 78, and Rick Gorman, 79.
The PGA Professional field and qualifying amateurs will play their final round tomorrow, Monday, August 16 at Penn Oaks. To view the full leaderboard, click here.
The Pro-Am for Wishes has been held annually at Penn Oaks Golf Club since 2011 (the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) to benefit Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley.
The 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes is supported by Otto’s BMW, Smart from the Start Childcare, Crothall Healthcare, Exelon Corporation, and T.Lad & Kristin Webb. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Penn Oaks G.C., its membership, management, 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.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com