Allentown, Pa. – On Tuesday, May 21 Lehigh Country Club hosted the first Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship. Teams consisted of one PGA Professional with three female amateur partners with the classic William Flynn-designed golf course providing a spectacular backdrop for the day’s action to unfold.
Early in the day it looked as though the hometown team of Chris Wegner (Lehigh Country Club) and his amateur partners Diane Adams, Patty Cox, and MaryAnn Meehan who posted ten birdies and two eagles en route to a 12-under (58) would be the team to beat. The score was a product of a total team effort as each member contributed on multiple holes. However, with the majority of the field yet to post scores they had a long wait to see if their score was good enough.
As the afternoon progressed a second team was able to join the leaders with a matching score of 12-under (58). Tom Koenig (Penn Oaks Golf Club) and his partners Dawn Capriotti, Donna Dalusio, and Tina Landis posted twelve team birdies without a single blemish to join the team from Lehigh at the top of the leaderboard.
Late in the day a third team managed to join the teams at 12-under (58) after posting three net eagles and six birdies against only one bogey. Jeff Breiner (Country Club of Harrisburg) and his amateur partners Kitty Campbell, Leigh McBride, and Pam Troutman overcame an early bogey and finished strong with two net eagles on the inward nine.
Unfortunately for the teams at 12-under the group from Woodstone Country Club had their own idea for the tournament. Professional Gregg Meyer and his partners Donna D’Amore, Cookie Felchock, and Joy Wallace carded an impressive four net eagles to go along with seven net birdies to finish with a final team score of 15-under (55) and a solo first place finish.
In the tournament’s gross division, a pair of teams tied for the top spot after finishing with matching scores of 2-under (68). The first team to post that number played in the tournament’s first pairing and featured PGA Professional Jim Smith, Jr. (Philadelphia Cricket Club) and his partners Joanne Bidwell, Kristen Fireman, and Courtney Schultz. They were joined late in the day by the team of Cameron Small (Aronimink Golf Club) and his partners Lynne Jones, Casey Reiss, and Jeanne Waldron to share the tournament’s top spot.
The Section thanks our tournament partners Lincoln Motor Company, Skechers Golf, Belle Monde Luggage and the SVS Wealth Management Team at Morgan Stanley. The Philadelphia PGA resumes tournament action on Tuesday, May 28 at Sunnybrook Golf Club for the annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic.
When the 80th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club gets underway on Thursday, the field will feature 35 players who are PGA Club Professionals that qualified at the 2018 Senior PGA Professional Championship. Among the group of PGA Professionals will be two Philadelphia PGA Professional include current Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Champion Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club and Brian Kelly of Bucknell Golf Club.
Both McNabb and Kelly will be on the course early on Thursday with McNabb’s opening round starting at 7:20 AM and Kelly getting underway not much later at 7:35 AM. For Friday’s second round, McNabb’s will start at 12:30 PM and Kelly at 12:45 PM.
Greenville, Del. – The second event of the young Philadelphia PGA season, the Spring Pro-Pro Championship, was played Monday, May 6 at Fieldstone Golf Club. The Pro-Pro brings together two PGA Professionals partnered in a four-ball competition (better of ball of partners). Despite a chilly start the fifty-four teams that teed it up in the tournament were eventually treated to near perfect weather as the clouds made way for afternoon sunshine.
The pace early in the day was set by the team of Mike Moses and Branden Shattuck of Concord Country Club. As a team the pair played bogey-free carding seven birdies along the way to finish with a 7-under (64) total and an early clubhouse lead. However, with most of the field still on the course the pair needed to watch the leaderboard throughout the afternoon.
Playing in the tournament’s final group, the team of Chris Kopelcheck of Gulph Mills Golf Club and Brandon Kuzmich of Merion Golf Club managed to climb the leaderboard and matched Moses and Shattuck at 7-under (64). The pair posted three birdies on the front nine and posted an additional four birdies as they made their way back to the clubhouse.
Unfortunately for the teams at 7-under the team of Scott Chisholm from Rolling Green Golf Club and Nathalie Filler of the Philadelphia Cricket Club had their own idea. After playing the opening nine holes at 3-under the pair continued their good fortune on their inward nine. Chisholm and Filler posted five additional birdies including a pair of birdies on the final two holes to finish with a team score of 8-under (63) and a one-shot victory.
The Section thanks our Spring Pro-Pro Championship partners Ahead, All-Star Pro Golf, 2UNDR, the SVS Wealth Management Team at Morgan Stanley, and the PGA Tour. The Section also thanks the membership and staff of Fieldstone Golf Club for their hospitality in hosting this event.
The Philadelphia PGA will be back in action on Monday, May 13 returning to Radley Run Country Club for the first time in more than a decade for the season’s second points event, the Delaware Valley Open. For more information on the Philadelphia PGA and our tournament program visit www.phillypga.com or you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PhiladelphiaPGA.
The 2019 edition of the PGA Professional Championship will be played at Belfair in Bluffton, SC from Sunday, April 28 – Wednesday, May 1.Among the 312 PGA Professionals from across the country will be 12 representatives of the Philadelphia PGA. We will provide updates on all of our Professionals throughout the tournament so check back frequently for updates.
Name | Club | Player Profiles | Scorecard | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Mark Anderson | Philadelphia Cricket Club | Anderson Profile | Anderson Scorecard |
![]() | Ashley Grier | Overbrook Golf Club | Grier Profile | Grier Scorecard |
![]() | Rusty Harbold | Philadelphia Cricket Club | Harbold Profile | Harbold Scorecard |
![]() | Terry Hertzog | Country Club of York | Hertzog Profile | Hertzog Scorecard |
![]() | Brian Hollins | Links Golf Club | Hollins Profile | Hollins Scorecard |
![]() | Stu Ingraham | M Golf Range | Ingraham Profile | Ingraham Scorecard |
![]() | Alex Knoll | Blue Shamrock Golf Club | Knoll Profile | Knoll Scorecard |
![]() | Mike Ladden | Whitford Country Club | Ladden Profile | Ladden Scorecard |
![]() | Michael Little | Lookaway Golf Club | Little Profile | Little Scorecard |
![]() | Mark Sheftic | Merion Golf Club | Sheftic Profile | Sheftic Scorecard |
![]() | Rich Steinmetz | Spring Ford Country Club | Steinmetz Profile | Steinmetz Scorecard |
![]() | Billy Stewart | The ACE Club | Stewart Profile | Stewart Scorecard |
Lafayette Hill, Pa. – The 2019 Philadelphia PGA Callaway Golf TPD Championship, the season’s first points event, was played on Monday, April 22 at Green Valley Country Club. Featuring nearly 140 Section Professionals, the Callaway Golf TPD Championship was played as a modified stableford tournament with players earning 1 point for any par, 3 points for birdies, 6 points for eagles, 9 points for double eagles, and -1 point for any bogey or worse.
Playing early in the day, Michael Tobiason of Deerfield Golf Club posted an impressive 28 points giving the rest of the field a target number as the made their way around the William Flynn designed course. Tobiason’s round was highlighted by five birdies including a stretch of three consecutive on holes 11-13. At the end of the morning wave Tobiason found himself six shots clear of his closest competitors but with the afternoon wave still to play there were plenty of players looking to make a run at the leader.
As the afternoon scores began to get posted it did not take long for someone to join Tobiason at the top of the leaderboard. Brian Bergstol of Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort quickly matched Tobiason’s 28 points after carding seven birdies helping to make up for a lone bogey. After trading a birdie and bogey on his opening nine holes Bergstol made his run as he made his way back to the clubhouse. Bergstol posted five birdies for a total of 19 points on his inward nine and a total of 28 points.
Unfortunately for both Tobiason and Bergstol they did not end the day in the tournament’s top spot. Playing late in the day, Alex Knoll of Blue Shamrock Golf Club had the tournament’s best round leading to 32 stableford points. Starting his round on the back nine at Green Valley Country Club Knoll posted three birdies before adding an additional four birdie over his final nine holes finishing with seven total and a three-point stableford win.
“I haven’t played a lot of competitive rounds recently but I have had some good practice sessions leading up to the tournament so I had a good mindset heading into the TPD,” said Knoll of his round. “It’s also good to get your season off to a great start and I’m hoping to take some of this momentum with me to South Carolina for the PGA Professional National Championship.”
Knoll is one of twelve Philadelphia PGA Professionals competing in next week’s 52nd PGA Professional Championship at Belfair in Bluffton, SC. The tournament will be played Sunday, April 28 – Wednesday, May 1 with the top 20 finishers advancing to the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black later next month.
“I want to thank Callaway Golf especially Laura (Manchester) and Kevin (Martin) for supporting this event. Also thanks to John Cooper and the staff at Green Valley for an outstanding venue.”
In the senior division, John Pillar of CC at Woodloch Springs and Dave Quinn of Laurel Creek Country Club finished in a tie for first place after each posted a stableford score of 16 points. The duo finished two shots ahead of third place finishers Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club and Mark Anderson of the Philadelphia Cricket Club who both posted 14 points.
A pair of super seniors shared the top spot after finishing the Callaway Golf TPD Championship with 12 total points. Earning points as the event’s top super senior were Don DeAngelis of Spring Ford CC and Greg Farrow of Deerwood CC while Jeb Boyle of Centre Hills CC finished in third place. Players age 60 years of age or older are eligible for thsuper senior division.
The Philadelphia PGA would like to thank our title sponsor Callaway Golf as well as our Section representatives Laura Manchester and Kevin Martin and our presenting sponsor the PGA Tour for their support of today’s event. The next event on the tournament schedule is the Spring Pro-Pro Championship at Fieldstone Golf Club on Monday, May 6.
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Callaway Golf TPD ChampionshipApr 22, 2019 |
1 Alex Knoll Blue Shamrock GC 32-32--64 (32) T2 Mike Tobiason Deerfield GC 35-31--66 (28) T2 Brian Bergstol Shawnee Inn and GR 31-35--66 (28) 4 Rusty Harbold Philadelphia Cricket Club 35-32--67 (26) T5 Andrew Turner Sunnybrook GC 36-33--69 (22) T5 Rich Steinmetz Spring Ford CC 35-34--69 (22) T5 Peter Lovenguth Applecross CC 34-35--69 (22) T5 Braden Shattuck Concord CC 36-33--69 (22) T9 Mike Ladden Whitford CC 35-35--70 (20) T9 Michael Little Lookaway GC 36-34--70 (20) T9 Steve Swartz Out Door CC 35-35--70 (20) T12 Greg Matthias Tavistock CC 38-33--71 (18) T12 Shawn Matthews Squires GC 36-35--71 (18) T12 Parks Price CC of York 38-33--71 (18) T12 Jesse Williams The Peninsula 35-36--71 (18) 16 Chris Duckett Saucon Valley CC 36-36--72 (17) T17 Jordan Shuey West Shore CC 36-36--72 (16) T17 Dan Marz Crossgates 36-36--72 (16) T17 Jason Calhoun U of Penn 37-35--72 (16) T17 Eric Kennedy Overbrook GC 34-38--72 (16) T17 John Pillar CC at Woodloch Springs 36-36--72 (16) T17 Trevor Bensel Overbrook GC 37-35--72 (16) T17 Dave Quinn Laurel Creek CC 36-36--72 (16) T24 Matt Episcopo Pine Valley GC 37-36--73 (14) T24 Dave McNabb Applebrook GC 36-37--73 (14) T24 Kyle Early Waynesborough CC 34-39--73 (14) T24 John Cooper Green Valley CC 37-36--73 (14) T24 John Rudolph Fieldstone GC 38-35--73 (14) T24 Bill Walker Riverton CC 38-35--73 (14) T24 Adam Brigham Waynesborough CC 36-37--73 (14) T24 Mark Anderson Philadelphia Cricket Club 36-37--73 (14) T24 Tom Cooper Pine Valley GC 36-37--73 (14) T33 Ben Debski The Springhaven Club 37-37--74 (12) T33 Robert Farnham Lebanon CC 38-36--74 (12) T33 Joe Kogelman GolfTEC Moorestown 38-36--74 (12) T33 Mark Sheftic Merion GC 38-36--74 (12) T33 Jakob Gerney Trump National GC- Philly 38-36--74 (12) T33 Dave Pagett Whitemarsh Valley CC 37-37--74 (12) T33 Don DeAngelis Spring Ford CC 38-36--74 (12) T33 John Allen Huntingdon Valley CC 38-36--74 (12) T33 Greg Farrow Deerwood CC 36-38--74 (12) T33 Andrew Diesel Manufacturers GCC 36-38--74 (12) T33 Ashley Grier Overbrook GC 38-36--74 (12) T33 Chris Miller Scranton Golf Center 38-36--74 (12) T33 Curtis Kirkpatrick Indian Springs GC 39-35--74 (12) T33 Matthew Deckert Pennsauken Country Club 38-36--74 (12) T33 Stu Ingraham M Golf Range 35-39--74 (12) T33 Dave Fields Brookside CC 37-37--74 (12) T33 Dustin Wallis Dustin Wallis 36-38--74 (12)
55-Year PGA Member and PGA Master Professional, Harry Hammond, To Serve as Board Chairman;
New Foundation Provides Golf Programming & Grants Focused on 3 Core Pillars: Youth, Military and Diverse Populations
Lower Gwynedd Township, PA., April 16, 2019 … PGA REACH Philadelphia, the charitable arm of the Philadelphia Section PGA (PPGA), announced its first Board of Directors for the newly formed 501(c)3 non-profit foundation, whose mission is to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf, with a focus on 3 core pillars: youth, military and diverse populations. The inaugural foundation board members, who will each serve a three-year term, include:
Serving as Chairman of the newly formed board will be Harry Hammond, a distinguished 55-year PGA Member, PGA Master Professional, past president of the Philadelphia Section PGA and a 2001 inductee into the Section’s Hall of Fame. In addition to his role as Partner and Director of Golf at Penn Oaks Golf Club, as well as part-owner of the Golf Zone Learning Center in Downingtown, PA, Hammond is renowned for his commitment to volunteerism highlighted by positions on both the Philadelphia PGA Junior Golf Committee and the National “Youth Growth of the Game Committee” for the PGA of America. In fact, he is a four-time recipient of the Philadelphia Section PGA’s “Junior Golf Leader” Award, and in 1999 he was recognized by the PGA of America as their “National Award” winner for Junior Golf, among a host of other awards and accolades.
“We are extremely proud to have such a distinct group of golf ambassadors and accomplished business executives come together to establish the first board of directors for PGA REACH Philadelphia,” said Leila Mackie, Foundation Director, PGA REACH Philadelphia. “This collection of leaders, coming from various sectors in golf and business, will enable us to push forward in our mission to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf.”
Today, under the guidance of the PPGA’s more than 880 PGA Professionals and Assistants located in Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey (Trenton – south), Delaware and parts of Northern Maryland, who are at the forefront of golf programming and initiatives that grow the game of golf at more than 300 public and private golf facilities, PGA REACH Philadelphia’s goal is to grow the game by providing financial assistance, instruction, instructional materials, mentoring, equipment and scholarships to individuals and organizations throughout the region.
Among the key programs offered by PGA REACH Philadelphia is PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere). The PGA of America’s flagship military program, PGA HOPE provides weekly golf clinics to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. As golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation process for many Veterans with disabilities, PGA HOPE is truly making a difference in their lives. PGA REACH Philadelphia is working with facilities and VA hospitals to identify golf courses to host five-week golf programs led by trained PGA Professionals that provide Veterans with golf instruction, course access, and adaptive equipment where needed. Prior to the official debut of PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA HOPE program served over 100 veterans through their 2 chapters in Bensalem, PA and Burlington, NJ. Learning and playing the game of golf is a proven activity that has helped thousands of military Veterans assimilate back into their communities, and under the direction of the new foundation, PGA HOPE is expected to grow substantially in 2019 by adding a chapter in Harrisburg, PA, and continue impacting the lives of Veterans across the region.
Another key foundation program is their flagship youth initiative, PGA Jr. League, golf’s version of Little League baseball, which provides a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls, ages 13 and under, to learn and play the game of golf, alongside their friends, in a popular “team” scramble format. Each team is coached by a PGA or LPGA Professional, and all players wear team uniforms with player numbers on the back. More than 1,800 kids participated throughout the Philadelphia PGA region in 2018, encompassing over 130 teams, playing in 31 Leagues at 86 public, private and First Tee facilities. In 2019, under the direction of the foundation, the goal for PGA Jr. League is to grow this number and provide opportunities for children to play the game without barriers by providing scholarships to fund those in need of financial assistance.
Another featured initiative under the of PGA REACH Philadelphia youth pillar is the Golf in Schools Program. In collaboration with the Golf Association of Philadelphia, a comprehensive curriculum developed by PGA Professionals, is designed to introduce the game to students of all skill levels through their physical education classes in school. PGA REACH Philadelphia provides each school with an allotment of developmentally appropriate equipment that allows golf to be learned and played in non-traditional venues, such as a school gymnasium and limited-space outdoor areas as the program focuses on the basic fundamentals of the game as well as the mental and physical health benefits that the lifelong sport provides. The goal of the foundation is to expand the program by activating dozens of new schools while working closely with PGA Professionals and educators to enhance the program curriculum.
PGA REACH Philadelphia also offers scholarships to individuals from diverse backgrounds providing opportunities to participate on the elite Philadelphia Junior Tour (PJT) for kids ages 18 and under. The scholarships fund recipient’s member dues and tournament fees each season until the participant is no longer eligible. The Philadelphia Section PGA Junior Tour is proud to help in developing social skills, self-esteem, and inspire youth in our community by providing scholarships to individuals from diverse backgrounds. For more information visit: http://philadelphia.pga.com/pgareachphiladelphia/
About PGA REACH Philadelphia
The PGA Reach Philadelphia Foundation is the 501c3 charitable arm of the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America (PPGA), which encompasses Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey (Trenton – south), Delaware and parts of Northern Maryland. The Foundation was created to support the PGA of America’s national PGA REACH program, whose mission is to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf, with a focus on 3 core pillars: Youth, Military and Diversity. Under the guidance of more than 850 PGA Professionals and Assistants from the PPGA, the Foundation hosts a dynamic line-up of dynamic golf programming that provides access for individuals from all backgrounds to experience golf in a welcoming environment.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Joe Monforto at (215) 481-9086 or jmonforto@pgahq.com
Jared Minski/Mastro Communications at (732) 469-5700 or jared@mastrocomm.com
Lafayette Hill, Pa. – In a sure sign that the new golf season is upon us, more than 270 Philadelphia PGA Professionals gathered at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club for the Section’s annual Spring Meeting on Monday, April 8. The meeting is a chance for all professionals to shake off the dust from a long off-season as well as reconnect old colleagues as they get their 2019 season’s underway.
With a full year under his belt, Section President John Rogers was ready to lead his fellow PGA Professionals through the day’s agenda. As always, the Spring Meeting is a chance for the officers of the Philadelphia PGA to update the membership at large on Section operations as well as highlighting the events of the upcoming season.
In addition to the addresses from Section officers, the meeting was also highlighted by presentations from Philadelphia PGA partners SCNS Foods, Signature Golf, SKYiGOLF, and TCM Bank who spoke about the Philadelphia PGA’s new credit card program. A guest speaker from Morgan Stanley, Prashantha Challa, spoke to the attendees about the dangers of Cyber Security and how everyone needs to take precautions to keep their information secure. As well as District 2 Director Tom Henderson, PGA who spoke on the various PGA of America initiatives as well as updated the attendees on the programs affecting each Section.
Throughout the Spring Meeting, the most recent Philadelphia PGA special award winners were recognized in front of their peers. The special award winners had previously been honored at a special awards dinner held at the Manor House at Commonwealth National on March 10.
After the meeting more than 170 Professionals turned their attention to the Section’s opening event, the Spring Pro-Pro Scramble. Played as a two-man scramble, the tournament was held at both Whitemarsh Valley Country Club and The ACE Club.
At host facility Whitemarsh Valley Country Club it was the team of Joe Kogelman (GolfTEC – Moorestown) and Trevor Bensel (Overbrook Golf Club) who came out victorious. The pair carded a team score of 10-under par (62) and finished one shot ahead of five teams in the season’s opening event.
At The ACE Club the formidable duo of Dave Quinn (Laurel Creek Country Club) and Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) combined to post a team score of 12-under par (60) finishing one shot ahead of a pair of teams at 11-under par (61). The first of the teams to reach that number was Pat Butkus (Tavistock Country Club) and Jeff Herb (Waynesborough Country Club) who were quickly joined by Michael Shank (Wilmington Country Club) and Bob Lennon (Wilmington Country Club).
At Bluestone Country Club, the teams of Anthony Napoletano (GolfTEC – King of Prussia) and Eric McNamee (Golf Galaxy) and Rick Gibney (Colonial Country Club) and Steve Swartz (Out Door Country Club) finished tied for first with score of 10-under par (61). Five teams finished one shot back in a tie for third with scores of 9-under par (62).
The Section’s Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) will hold their Spring Meeting on Monday, April 15 at Whitford Country Club (Exton, Pa.).
For more information on the Philadelphia PGA – philadelphia.pga.com.