West Chester, Pa. (May 24, 2021) — Deerfield Head Professional and PGA Associate Michael Tobiason turned in a score of 2-under-par 70 to win the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship at Radley Run Country Club. The Connelly Cup is named in honor of Jack Connelly, a Past President of both the PGA of America (2001-02) and Philadelphia PGA Section (1983-84).

Tobiason, who made one eagle and 17 pars, won the event by one stroke over a trio of PGA Professionals: Michael Little, Lookaway G.C.; Dustin Moser, Toftrees Resort G.C.; and John DiMarco, Woodcrest C.C. Peter Clarke, Manufacturers’ G. & C.C., finished in fifth place at even par.

“Radley Run is a great golf course, and it played as difficult today as I’ve personally seen it,” said Tobiason. “I hit the ball well, and even though I could have made more putts, I’m happy with how I played. I give lots of credit to my caddie Jerry too.”

Tobiason’s eagle on the 345-yard par-4 15th was the highlight of his round; his tee shot landed hole-high, and his approximate 25-yard pitch found the bottom of the cup.

In the Senior Division, John DiMarco came out on top, winning by two strokes over George Forster. Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C.; and Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C.; finished tied for third place.

To view the full 2021 Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.

The 2021 Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship is supported by Bridgestone Golf, Hole-In-One U.S.A., Jim Ravina Golf Sales, and Scott & Karen Hutchinson. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Radley Run C.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

Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (May 10, 2021) —PGA REACH Philadelphia, the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, is proud to announce its 2021 Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship recipients: Sophia Blair, Williamstown, N.J.; Hannah Kopac, State College, Pa.; Gabriella Magno, Delran, N.J.; Isabella Magno, Delran, N.J.; and Kasim Narinesingh-Smith, Kennett Square, Pa.

PGA REACH Philadelphia created the scholarship program to provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, an elite circuit for youth golfers ages 18 and under. The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships provide recipients annual tour membership dues and tournament event fees (up to seven tournaments per year until the recipient turns 18 years old). The foundation will also connect recipients to PGA Professional mentors for golf instruction / coaching and clubfitting. Additionally, new for 2021, thanks to a partnership with the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s 1854 Foundation, the scholarship recipients will receive new golf bags, and additional equipment, based on their PGA Professional mentor’s recommendations.

“PGA REACH Philadelphia is delighted to provide scholarships that will inspire youth in our community by providing access to programs designed to promote social skills, self-esteem, leadership, and athleticism through the game of golf,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Leila Mackie. “This year’s scholarship recipients were chosen among dozens of youth golfers who applied, and were selected based on their academic success, passion for the game, and references from PGA Professionals, coaches and teachers.”

Sophia Blair is a 13-year-old hailing from Williamstown, N.J. In her scholarship application essay, Blair recognizes that while she lives in a diverse community and attends a school with kids from many backgrounds, there is much room for improvement when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She also recently wrote a school paper arguing that women professional golfers should be paid the same winnings as male professionals. Blair also plans to play competitive golf in high school, and believes that her membership on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour will help her improve her game, while also providing her access to golf courses that she may not otherwise be able to play.

Hannah Kopac is 14 years old, lives in State College, Pa., and hopes to become a collegiate golfer while studying for a career in the medical field. To help prepare for competitive golf, and now the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, Kopac has been working with Penn State University G.C. PGA Professional Dan Merrell on her golf swing and course management strategies.

Gabriella Magno, 11, resides in Delran, N.J., with her sister Isabella, also a 2021 scholarship recipient. In her application essay, Magno wrote “golf is not just a game because it provides me with constant life skills that I can use in my every day life which can always can be improved.” In the future, Magno hopes qualify for the annual Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National G.C. and play competitive golf at both the high school and college levels.

Isabella Magno is 14, and like her sister Gabriella, lives in Delran, N.J. She started playing golf when she was just four years old and has worked on her game since to prove that girls can be just as good as boy golfers.

“This scholarship will allow me to experience golf in so many various settings,” said Magno. “I cannot wait to see how my golf skills respond to a variety of golf clubs.”

Kasim Narinesingh-Smith, 15, is from Kennett Square, Pa. He says that winning this scholarship means a lot to him and will allow him to establish friendships through the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour. His father introduced him to the game, and Kasim hopes to play on a Division I golf team, following in his sister’s footsteps.

The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship program is one of many programs and initiatives managed by PGA REACH Philadelphia and is the foundation’s flagship program under its Diversity pillar, helping to positively impact lives through the game of golf. PGA REACH Philadelphia’s goal is to grow the game by providing financial assistance, coaching, instructional materials, mentoring, equipment and scholarships to individuals and organizations throughout the region, with the help of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 800 PGA Professionals, who work at more than 300 public and private golf facilities in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware and northeastern Maryland.

The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour leads the region in competitive youth golf with over 90 events held seasonally at many of the area’s top facilities, covering all of the Section’s geographic areas.* In addition, the tour hosts four major championships throughout the season, including nationally ranked events that provide exposure for youth golfers looking to play competitively. With opportunities to learn, grow, and compete, many tour members graduate to play at the college level and beyond.

The 1854 Foundation’s mission is to support of local, regional, national, and international amateur sports competition; preservation and maintenance of public facilities and artifacts related to amateur athletics; and enhancing the local community’s environmental health, beautification, and stabilization.

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.

Contacts:

Leila Mackie, PGA
Director, PGA REACH Philadelphia
lmackie@pgahq.com

Courtney Curcio
Coordinator, PGA REACH Philadelphia
ccurcio@pgahq.com

Matt Frey, PGA
Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section
mfrey@pgahq.com
*The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour’s 2020 season has been shortened due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Chester County, Pa. (May 17, 2021) — Philadelphia PGA Member Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, fired a 3-under-par 68 at French Creek Golf Club to win the 2021 TaylorMade Classic by one stroke over a trio of his peers.

Bergtsol’s round, which included five birdies and two bogies, was made even more impressive by the fact that today’s round was his first at French Creek.

“I had a solid round today,” said Bergstol. “I had a couple of three putts and missed a two-footer, but overall, it was pretty solid; it was my first time here.”

Bergstol’s win today continues his good play as he also won the Philadelphia PGA Section’s team event last week, the Spring Pro-Pro Championship, alongside Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C.

PGA Professionals tying for second place included Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C.; Mark Sheftic, Lookaway G.C.; and Parks Price, C.C. of York.

Hugo Mazzalupi won the Senior Division by two strokes over Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C., who finished at even par. There was a four-way tie for third place in the Senior Division. In the Super Senior Division, Don DeAngelis, Spring Ford C.C.; topped Joe Ambrose, Saucon Valley C.C. with a even par 71.

Bergstol also won the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) event by two strokes over Oakley,  Bensel, who both finished with 1-under-par 70s.

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex Player of the Year tournament on the schedule is the Burlington Classic Pro-Am on June 6-7 at Burlington C.C.

To view the full 2021 TaylorMade Classic leaderboard, click here.

The 2021 TaylorMade Classic, a Rolex Player of the Year event, is supported by the TaylorMade Golf Company, Kevin McClellan Golf Sales, Ohana Farm LLC, Jani-King, and Rolex. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank French Creek 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

Camp Hill, Pa. (May 10, 2021) — Philadelphia PGA Professionals Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C., and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, teamed to win the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship at West Shore Country Club.

Bensel and Bergstol combined for eight birdies to finish with a team score of 8-under-par 64 to win by four strokes over Dustin Wallis, Honey Run G.C., and Steve Swartz, West Shore C.C. Teams tying for third place at 3-under-par included Pine Valley G.C.’s Matt Episcopo and Chad Ferguson; Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., and Jordan Shuey, West Shore C.C.; and Rob Rohrbach, Foxchase G.C., and Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C.

Bergstol won the 2020 edition of the event, with Alex Knoll, PGA, who did not participate at West Shore.

Glen Brook G.C.’s Dustin McCormick, who serves as the Section’s District 4 Director, made a hole-in-one on the 177-yard 18th hole, with a five iron; it was his 23rd ace.

To view the full 2021 Spring Pro-Pro Championship leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the tournament, click here.

The 2021 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Pro Championship is supported by Doc Murphy, Golf Max, L2 Brands, Trinity Flavors, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank West Shore C.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

West Chester, Pa. (May 3, 2021) — Philadelphia PGA Member Mark Anderson, St. Davids G.C., won the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Delaware Valley Open in dramatic fashion, scoring an eagle on the first playoff hole at Concord Country Club.

Anderson was first in the clubhouse with a 3-under-par 67, and was matched by defending champion Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C; and Chris Krueger, Kings Creek C.C. As daylight waned and a period of heavy rain moved through the golf course, the threesome teed off on the 520-yard par-5 18th hole for a sudden death playoff.

In what he described as the best shot of his life, Anderson hit his approach from 230 yards with a 5-wood, and not only hit the green, but nearly holed it for an albatross, lipping out. His golf ball finished less than three feet away, leaving a relatively stress-free eagle putt, which he holed, securing him the victory. Making Anderson’s win even more special, his son Ryan was on his bag as a caddie. This was Anderson’s second Philadelphia PGA Section stroke play win, and his first-ever Philadelphia PGA Rolex Player of the Year tournament victory.

Anderson’s 3-under-par 67 allowed him to take the Senior Division by two strokes, bettering five PGA Professionals: Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C.; Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C.; Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C.; Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.; and Brendan Post, Univ. of Delaware. Kelly won the Super Senior Division by two strokes over Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club.

Bensel won the Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) event by one stroke over Andrew Turner, while Noah Firestone, Galloway National G.C., finished third at even-par.

The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex Player of the Year tournament on the schedule is the TaylorMade Classic on May 17 at French Creek G.C.

To view the full 2021 Delaware Valley Open Championship leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the tournament, click here.

The 2021 Philadelphia PGA Delaware Valley Open, a Rolex Player of the Year event, is supported by Jack Jolly & Son, Ohana Farm LLC, Mizuno, Jani-King, Kevin McClellan Golf Sales, and Rolex. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank Concord C.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

Philadelphia PGA Member and Sunnybrook Golf Club PGA Assistant Professional Brett Walker finished tied for 10th place in the 2021 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to qualify for the 2021 PGA Championship. Walker will join 19 other PGA Club Professionals to play in his first major championship at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in May. Congratulations, Brett! Keep up the great play!

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 28, 2021) 一 Omar Uresti of Austin, Texas, who won the 2021 PGA Professional Championship on Wednesday, will lead the Team of 20 PGA Professionals to the 2021 PGA Championship, May 20-23, at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island (South Carolina) Golf Resort.

A 52-year-old PGA Life Member, Uresti will be playing in the PGA Championship for the fifth time, but first since a four-year run from 2015-18.

Danny Balin of Rockville, Maryland, and Rob Labritz of Pound Ridge, New York, will be the most experienced of the 20 PGA Professionals at Kiawah Island. Both will be participating in their eighth career PGA Championship. Balin will be making his fourth straight appearance, while Labritz will appear in his third consecutive PGA Championship.

Frank Bensel, Jr., a PGA Assistant Professional from Purchase, New York, will be making his third career PGA Championship appearance in as many decades (2004, 2012, 2021).

Balin and Bensel were both in the PGA Championship field in 2012, when it was last played at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

Mark Geddes of Coronado, California; Greg Koch of Orlando, Florida; Patrick Rada of Jupiter, Florida; and PGA Life Member Sonny Skinner of Sylvester, Georgia, claimed the final four PGA Championship spots available this week as they emerged from a five-players-for-four-spots playoff.

Ten of the 20 PGA Club Professionals at The Ocean Course in May will be making their PGA Championship debuts, while four others return for consecutive trips after playing in last year’s PGA Championship at Harding Park (California).