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Westhampton, N.J. – Nearly four months after it’s originally scheduled date, the Delaware Valley Open (DVO) was finally contested at Deerwood Country Club on Tuesday, September 11. With a field consisting of nearly 80 players from across the Philadelphia PGA everyone playing in today’s event was happy to have a long enough break from the rainy weather to play golf.

Playing in the tournament’s first group, Mike Little (Lookaway Golf Club) got things started quickly after posting a score of 5-under (65). Little’s round got off to a slow start with a bogey in his opening hole but recovered quickly to post three birdies, making the turn at 2-under. As he played his way back to the clubhouse Little added four additional birdies against only one bogey to reach the 5-under number.

However, Little’s lead did not last long. Playing only four groups behind Little, Andrew Turner (Sunnybrook Golf Club) also carded a 5-under (65). Like Little, Turner got off to a slow start with bogeys on his first two holes. Fortunately for Turner that is where his troubles ended. Over his last sixteen holes, Turner posted seven birdies bringing his score to 5-under and joining Little at the top of the leaderboard.

Unfortunately for Little and Turner defending champion Steve Swartz (Out Door Country Club) has his sights set on another DVO title. After pars on his first three holes Swartz notched a birdie on the par-3 4^th hole. Swartz added two more birdies on the outward nine to make the turn at 3-under. Swartz also added three birdies on the back nine for a total of six, and was also one of only two players (Mike Wheeler) to play bogey-free, giving him an 18-hole score of 6-under (64). Not only did Swartz grab a one shot lead he also managed to tie the competitive course record at Deerwood Country Club at the same time.

Playing just behind Swartz, Eric Kennedy (Overbrook Golf Club) made a charge at the top spot but a late bogey proved too much to overcome. Kennedy was 5-under on the day as played Deerwood’s par-5 17^th hole. Kennedy had no blemishes on his card up to that point but an untimely bogey dropped him back to 4-under and despite a birdie on the closing hole he was still one shot short of Swartz’ 6-under score.

After Kennedy, no player in the field managed to get closer than two shots to Swartz and in the end he walked away with his second consecutive Delaware Valley Open crown. The first player to accomplish that feat since Dave Quinn did so in 2011-2012.

“I have been practicing my irons the last couple of weeks in preparation for next week’s Championship”, said Swartz on his round. “It is always nice to get a win considering the caliber of players we have in our Section. This will definitely give me some confidence heading into Concord CC and the Championship. I want to thank all of the sponsors for their support of today’s event.”

A pair of players shared the top spot in the tournament’s senior division. Dave McNabb (Applebrook Golf Club) and Greg Farrow (Deerwood Country Club) both carded scores of 4-under (66). Both players paired five birdies against one bogey en route to a shared senior title. The pair finished two shots ahead of Don Allen (Burlington Country Club) and Brian Kelly (Bucknell Golf Club) who finished with scores of 2-under (68).

Host Professional Greg Farrow also finished in the top spot in the tournament’s super senior division. Farrow’s 4-under number was one shot better than the 3-under (67) put up by Don DeAngelis (Center Square Golf Club).

The Section would like to thank our tournament sponsors Jack Jolly & Son, Golf Pride Grips, Morell Studios as well as the membership and staff of Deerwood Country Club. The Philadelphia PGA returns to action on Monday, September 17 with the Mariniello Tournament of Champions Pro-Am followed by the 97^th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship September 18-20.

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Plymouth Meeting, Pa. – The annual Lincoln Summer Pro-Lady Team Championship was held on an extremely hot and humid summer day at Sunnybrook Golf Club. Despite the challenging weather, 43 teams from across the Philadelphia PGA, featuring one PGA Professional and three female amateurs gathered at the beautiful Montgomery County golf course. The Lincoln Pro-Lady Team Championship featured both a Gross and Net competition.

Leading the way in the Net division was the team from Woodstone Country Club led by PGA Professional Ryan Shaughnessy and his partners Jane Moyer, Donna D’Amore, and Joy Wallace. Each member of the group contributed multiple birdies en route to a team net score of 16-under (56) good enough for a two shot victory over a pair of teams from the Philadelphia Cricket Club. The first Philadelphia Cricket Club team to reach 14-under was the first group out in the morning wave featuring PGA Professional Jim Smith, Jr and his partners Jean Fitzpatrick, Julie Kelly, and Kristen Fireman. However, they were joined late in the day by a second team from the Philadelphia Cricket with PGA Professional Michael Ferguson and partners Marji Goldman, Joanne Bidwell, and Becky Sanderson.

All was not lost for Ferguson and his partners as they did take the top spot in the tournament’s Gross Division. Although the team from Woodstone finished at 8-under (64) net, while Ferguson and partners finished at 7-under, tournament rules prevent them from winning in both divisions meaning Ferguson and partners claimed the top spot. Finishing one shot behind the team from the Philadelphia Cricket Club was a pair of teams who finished at 6-under (66). Eric Kennedy, PGA of Overbrook Golf Club and partners Kathy Wiley, Karen McFadden, and Joann Fisher reached the number in the morning wave while the team with PGA Professional Mark Parson (Harbor Pines Golf Club) and partners Kelly Parson, Linda Parson, and Stephanie Harris did so in the afternoon.

The Section thanks our tournament partners Lincoln Motor Company, SynLawn and Hole-in-One USA as well as the membership and staff of Sunnybrook Golf Club for their support of the Philadelphia PGA and the Pro-Lady Team Championship.

The Section now heads into a one week hiatus before returning to action for the Delaware Valley Open at Deerwood Concord Country Club on Tuesday, September 11.

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BLUE BELL, Pennsylvania – Cedarbrook Country Club hosted the 2018 PGA Jr. League Philadelphia Section Championship on Saturday, August 25, with eight All-Star teams of junior golfers ages 13 all looking for their chance to advance to next month’s Regional Championship at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania.

Eight All-Star teams arrived at Cedarbrook Country Club for their quarterfinal matches after advancing through a qualifying stage at either Newark Country Club or LedgeRock Golf Club on August 6. In the early morning the matches were sent out on both the front nine and back nine at Cedarbrook Country Club. The teams playing in the quarterfinals were the All-Star teams from (North Philadelphia vs Jersey Shore), (HVCC 1 vs Delaware 1), (Lancaster 1 vs York 2), and (Flourtown vs Penn State).

After the morning matches, all teams were treated to lunch before the four remaining teams (Jersey Shore vs  Delaware 1 and Lancaster 1 vs Penn State) headed back out for their semifinal matches. Unlike the quarterfinals, all semifinal matches were played on Cedarbrook Country Club’s front nine. Once again teams played outstanding matches but it was the Delaware 1 team (PGA Captain – Dave Seeman) and the Penn State team (PGA Captain – Steve Wager) that advanced to the final Championship round.

Special congratulations to Michael Maslanka of team Delaware 1 who aced the par-3 9^th hole at Cedarbrook Country Club after the tee shot with his 9-iron found the bottom of the cup on the 120 yards long hole during this 2^nd round.

After only a short break, the teams from Delaware 1 and Penn State were ready to get their Championship match underway. Throughout the course of the match, both All-Star teams showed why they deserved to be in the Championship round. However at the end of the day it was the All-Star team from Delaware 1 that came out on top.

The juniors that represented the team from Delaware 1 included Win Thomas (Hartefeld National GC), Nicholas Gross (Hartefeld National GC), Adrian Jordan (Hartefeld National GC), Mathew Normand (Hartefeld National GC), Henry Stone (Hartefeld National GC), Michael Maslanka (Rock Manor GC), Zac Antao (Rock Manor GC), Jack Homer (Wilmington CC), Drew Allen (Wilmington CC), and Jax Puskar (Kennett Square G&CC).

With their 7-5 victory over Penn State, Delaware 1 will now represent the Philadelphia PGA at the Regional Championship at LedgeRock Golf Club on September 15-16 where they will play for one of 12 spots in the 2018 PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental at Grayhawk Golf Club (Scottsdale, Arizona) November 16-19.

The PGA Jr. League Postseason presented by National Car Rental is designed to celebrate the regular recreational season held in April through July, as well as provide a fun and welcoming environment for the 20 percent of PGA Jr. League players who identify as competitive golfers. Following the regular season, 10-player All-Star teams were formed from a combination of players in each local league.

PGA Jr. League brings friends and families together around fun, coed team golf experiences, all with expert coaching and instruction from PGA and LPGA Professionals, who serve as Captains of the teams. A record 50,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Jr. League this year, growing from 42,000 players in 2017. For more information on PGA Jr. League, visit PGAJrLeague.com.

As the Official Partner of PGA Jr. League, National Car Rental is committed to growing future business leaders by growing junior golf. National Car Rental helps provide fun, engaging and welcoming experiences for PGA Jr. League golfers and their families all season and postseason long.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – On Monday, August 27th, the Philadelphia PGA returned to Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester for the second and final round of the 16^th annual Pro-Am for Wishes. After yesterday’s Pro-Am, which also counted as the first round of the 36-hole tournament, two players held a 1-shot lead over the rest of the field.

Both Alex Knoll (Bethlehem GC) and Mike Tobiason (Deerfield GC) shot an opening round 4-under-par (67) earning themselves the overnight lead and the last pairing in the final round with Andrew Turner (Sunnybrook GC) who stood one shot behind at 3-under 68. With an outstanding group of Professionals chasing them both Knoll and Tobiason knew that they had to maintain their play from their opening round to bring home the win.

As the scores started to come in Terry Hertzog (Country Club of York) put up a number that would threaten the leaders. Hertzog would birdie the first four holes to shoot 2- under-par 69 for a 137 total. His lead did not last long although he did pick up the senior win, as Tobiason continued his strong play by carding a 2-under-par (69) giving him a 36-hole score of 6-under-par (136). After his one eagle, birdie, and bogey yesterday, Tobiason was able to add two more birdies in today’s round to clinch the top prize for his first section win.

“It is truly an honor to win with all of the competition in this Section. These professionals in this Section have game, to win out here you have to go low. I’ve played in the Pro-Am for Wishes for the past three years it is a privilege to be in the winning circle finally”.
-Mike Tobiason

Next up for the Philadelphia PGA is the Summer Pro-Lady Team at Sunnybrook GC on Wednesday, August 29 in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. The Section would like to thank everyone involved in the Pro-Am for Wishes, including Penn Oaks Golf Club and all of the supporting sponsors.

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Horsham, Pa. – After a stretch of rainy days that flooded several parts of the Delaware Valley the weather finally cooperated as teams gathered at Commonwealth National Golf Club for the 2018 Pro-Scratch Championship. The Pro-Scratch Championship features two-man teams consisting of one PGA Professional and one amateur.

Playing late in the day, it was the team of Alex Knoll (Bethlehem Golf Club) and Mike Guro who managed to best the field with their team score of 5-under (66). Knoll and Guro combined for five team birdies, including four through their opening nine holes, while also playing bogey-free golf on their way to a one shot victory.

Finishing in solo second place, one shot shy of Knoll and Guro, was the team of Brendon Post (Univ. of Delaware) and his partner Blaine Lafferty. The duo combined for four birdies, two on each nine, while also playing bogey-free to take the second spot on the podium with a 4-under (67).

Rounding out the top three were a pair of teams that finished with a score of 3-under (68). The first team to get to the 3-under number featured Mike Moses (Concord Country Club) and his partner John Donnelly. The pair combined for three team birdies with each player contributing to the overall score. The second team to finish at 3-under was Chris Gardner (Bluestone Country Club) and partner Matt Graeff. Gardner and Graeff combined for seven birdies, most of any team in the field, but a couple of big numbers ultimately dropped them back to 3-under and a third place tie.

The Section would like to thank our sponsor for the Pro-Scratch Championship, PXG and local representatives Doug Huntsinger, Shannon, McKew and Steve Thomas. The Section also thanks the membership and staff of Commonwealth National Golf Club for hosting this year’s event.

The Philadelphia PGA will be back to play on Monday, August 20 for the first round of the Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship at White Manor Country Club.

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Villanova, Pa. – The 2018 edition of the Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Open was played on Thursday, August 2 at Radnor Valley Country Club. The tournament, named for the longtime PGA Professional, brought together some of the Section’s best Senior PGA Professionals as well as two senior amateur competitors for a one-day, 18-hole stroke play event.

Once again the competitors in the field were battling the hot, humid conditions that have settled into the Delaware Valley over the last couple of weeks. Additionally afternoon storms that were threatening the area hung over the field as everyone was hoping to finish before their arrival.

Playing early in the day, John Pillar (Country Club of Woodloch Springs) set the pace which ultimately proved too much to overcome. Early in his round, Pillar paired one birdie and one bogey. However, with a birdie on the par-5 7^th hole, Pillar began to make his move up the leaderboard. Pillar went on to make five straight birdies on holes 7-11 to get to 5-under. He added one additional birdie on the 13^th hole but a bogey on the 14^th dropped him back to 5-under which is where he finished.

As play continued, no one was able to match Pillar at the top of the leaderboard. The closest a fellow competitor managed to get was 3-under (67). Dave Quinn (Philmont Country Club), who carded five birdies against two bogeys to reach his 3-under finish, two shots behind Pillar, but good enough for a solo second place finish.

Rounding out the podium was Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) who finished three shots back after posting a 2-under (68). Ingraham carded six birdies; second to Pillar’s seven, en route to his final score. However it was a double bogey on the 18^th hole that ultimately dropped Ingraham into third place.

In the tournament’s Super Senior division, Mike Mack (Burlington Country Club) took home the top spot. Mack posted a 2-over (72) to finish one shot of host professional George Forster (Radnor Valley Country Club) and Bill Sautter (Philadelphia Cricket Club).

The Philadelphia PGA would like to thank the membership and staff of Radnor Valley Country as well as tournament sponsors Jani King Philadelphia and the PGA Tour. The next event of the Philadelphia PGA calendar is the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship at Laurel Creek Country Club on Monday, August 6.

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DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – With the calendar reading the last Friday in July that could only mean one thing, the Doylestown Open is here. The one-day stroke-play tournament is held annually at Doylestown Country Club. The event served as the ninth event in the race for the Omega Player of the Year presented by the Haverford Trust Company.

Playing early in the day, and fresh off f his victory at the Philadelphia Open, Billy Stewart (The ACE Club) posted a number for everyone to chase. Stewart did not get off to the start he wanted with a bogey and a double bogey on his front nine although two birdies helped Stewart to make the turn at 1-over. However, as Stewart made his way back to the clubhouse, his round began to take shape. Stewart played bogey-free while posting three birdies and an eagle to play his inward nine at 5-under bringing his 18-hole score to 4-under (68).

With weather threatening the area throughout the day the tournament faced its first delay which lasted a little over an hour. Unfortunately, that was not the last weather delay of the day.

As players resumed their rounds after the first weather delay it was Rich Steinmetz (Spring Ford Country Club) who was able to get things going in the right direction. Steinmetz paired two birdies and two bogeys on his outward nine to make the turn at even par. However, like Stewart, Steinmetz got his round going on his back nine. Steinmetz made four birdies, including one on the 18^th hole, to finish his round at 4-under (68) joining Stewart at the top of the leaderboard.

With all but one group finished the horns blew again as a line of severe storms approached the area. After waiting more than an hour the decision was made to call the event. Because the entire field was not able to finish their rounds the Section’s “75%” rule went into effect meaning the players who finished their rounds would be awarded prize money but no player of the year points would be posted.

Because the tournament was unable to be completed, Stewart and Steinmetz were declared co-champions of the 2018 Doylestown Open. Finishing just behind the champions at 3-under (69) was another pair of players, Michael Tobiason (Deerfield Golf Club) and Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) both ended tied for third.

Although Ingraham came up just one shot shy in the main tournament he did manage to take home the top spot in the tournament’s senior division. Ingraham’s 3-under (69) was good enough for a two shot victory over second place finisher John DiMarco (Laurel Creek Country Club) who carded a 1-under (70). Finishing in third place in the senior division was Gary Hardin (Northampton Country Club) who posted a 1-over (73).

Taking home the tournament’s low amateur spot was Doylestown Country Club member Russel Hartung who finished with a 1-over (73) after carding birdies on his final two holes.

The Section would like to thank the membership and staff of Doylestown Country Club for their support of this event.

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