News
Playing Through: Peter Clarke, PGA (S2E5)
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 Peter Clarke, the PGA head golf professional at Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington, Pa.
If you are interested in appearing in a future episode, please complete this form by clicking here. To watch past episodes, click here.
Philadelphia PGA Section Accepting Award Nominations
Nominations for the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 2025 awards class are now being accepted by the Section’s Awards Committee. To nominate a PGA of America Golf Professional for one of the awards listed below, please complete the form by clicking the below button. The nomination deadline is August 24.
- Golf Professional of the Year
- Teacher & Coach of the Year
- Professional Development Award
- Bill Strausbaugh Award
- Player Development Award
- Youth Player Development Award
- Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category
- Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category
- Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category
- Justin Riegel Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
- Patriot Award
- Deacon Palmer Award
- Golf Salesperson of the Year
Descriptions for each award are listed below. Any questions about the awards nomination process should be directed to Section Membership Director Sue Unger at sunger@pgahq.com or (215) 886-7742.
Submit Nominations- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate has developed the image , reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members as a PGA Professional;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the Association and game of golf, as well as helping to further educate and train their fellow PGA Professionals;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game of golf.
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis on teaching and coaching;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the game of golf, as well as helping to further educate their fellow PGA professionals with an emphasis on teaching and coaching;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game;
- Candidate must have attended or conducted a minimum combined total of 10 national teaching workshops, teaching / coaching summits or Section teaching workshops or teaching / coaching summits within the last 15 years.
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of education and training PGA Professionals;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America and the game of golf to further educate and train fellow PGA Members, Associates, and industry stakeholders;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service and promotion toward the growth of the game;
- Candidate must be one of the following: Master Professional, Certified Professional, served as an Associate Subject Matter Expert (SME), adjunct PGA faculty member, or have conducted and/or taught at a minimum combined total of 10 national education programs / workshops (to include PGA PGM) or Section education programs / workshops within the last 10 years.
their work performance, and become the PGA Member that they aspire to be.” Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America in the effort to further the careers of fellow PGA Professionals as a mentor, counselor, teacher and advisor;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of leadership and service to the Association, individual PGA Professionals, and the community at-large;
- Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry within the specific area of employment and club relations.
- Candidate must currently be a Class A PGA Member in good standing and involved in player development as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America, Section, facility, and golf industry in the area of player development;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of player development;
- Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry in the effort to grow meaningful participation in the game.
- Candidate must currently be a Class A PGA Member in good standing and involved in youth player development efforts as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum of 10 years;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America, Section, facility, and golf industry in the area of youth player development;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of youth player development; Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service, promotion of the game of golf, as well as a proven interest and ability to provide opportunities and experiences for youth to learn, play and participate in the game.
Justin Riegel Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: The Assistant Golf Professional of the Year award recognizes an PGA of America Assistant Golf Professional who displays extraordinary service and commitment at their facility and within the industry. The award considers a professionals focus on facility operations, section and/or community service and growth of the game. Minimum criteria:
- Candidate must be a PGA of America Member in good standing;
- Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA Member;
- Demonstration and acknowledgement as an individual of outstanding leadership and strong moral character.
- Candidate must currently by a Class A Member in good standing and involved in military programming efforts as either a PGA Member or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of contribution and support to the United States Armed Forces and Active Duty and Reserved personnel and veterans;
- Candidate must have displayed proven interest, concern, and ability to provide opportunities and experience for active duty, reservists, and veterans to learn and play golf;
- Candidate must have shown an ability to inspire fellow PGA Members with an emphasis in the area of service to the military;
- Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service, promotion of the game of golf, and proven interest and ability to provide opportunities and experiences for military personnel to learn, play and participate in the game.
- Candidate must have been a Class A PGA Member in good standing and/or Associate for a minimum total of 10 years combined;
- Candidate must be well regarded as a model PGA Member, demonstrating outstanding leadership traits, and strong moral character;
- Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire, empower, and encourage success and achievement in individuals regardless of obstacles, disabilities, and personal challenges or otherwise;
- Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to be PGA of America, fellow PGA Professionals, their facility, and the community in the effort to enhance and improve the quality of life for all individuals;
- Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry.
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: Sue Unger, Membership Director, sunger@pgahq.com
Michael Strain Wins Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Golf Professional Championship
Medford, N.J. (June 9, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Michael Strain of Concord Country Club in West Chester, Pa., outmatched Mike Meisenzahl of Tavistock (N.J.) Country Club, in a sudden-death playoff that went four holes to win the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Golf Professional Championship at Medford Village Country Club. It is Strain’s first Philadelphia PGA Section victory.
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). Connelly was also inducted into the Section’s Hall of Fame in 2000, and PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2005.
Strain battled the cool and damp conditions to finish his round with a 2-under-par 70, good enough to tie Meisenzahl and force a playoff. He kept his round in regulation steady, making three birdies and a lone bogey.
“I hit it really well today,” Strain said after being presented the trophy. “Having [my wife and PGA Member] Tori [Newbury] on the bag today helped a lot.”
Strain said his best shot of the day came on the first playoff hole, having hit a low hook among the left trees and ending about six feet from the hole. Meisenzahl drained his 30-plus-foot birdie to continue the playoff.
Ultimatley, Strain walked away victorious after going 3-4-4-4 in the playoff.
Strain went on to thank his wife Tori, his family, all of the members at Concord Country Club, Medford Village Country Club for hosting, and the Section staff.
There was a four-way tie for third place, two strokes behind the leaders: Andy Hewitt, Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club; Michael Little, Clubhouse 54; Bob Hennefer, Laurel Creek Country Club; and Anthony Hoffman, John F. Byrne Golf Course.
Green Valley Country Club’s John Cooper, PGA, took the top prize in the Senior Division with his 2-over-par 74. He bettered George Frake, Moorestown Field Club; and Dave McNabb, Applebrook Golf Club; by two strokes. George Forster, Radnor Valley Country Club, finished in fourth place at 5-over-par. Darryl Lock, Skippack Golf Club, and John Allen, Squires Golf Club tied for fifth place at 7-over.
View the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Golf Professional Championship leaderboard by clicking here.
The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Golf Professional Championship is supported by Bushnell Golf, Wilson, Earth Networks, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, Medford Village Country Club, its membership, management, and staff, 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 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
PGA of America Golf Professional Anthony Sebastianelli Wins 39th Burlington Classic Presented by WSFS Bank in Sudden-Death Playoff
Westampton, N.J. (June 2, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Anthony Sebastianelli of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., won the 39th Burlington Classic Presented by WSFS Bank at Burlington Country Club, following a sudden-death playoff with Radnor Golf Foundation’s Hugo Mazzalupi, PGA.
Sebastianelli turned in rounds of 67-68–135 to finish his tournament at 5-under-par. He made par to Mazzalupi’s bogey on the first playoff hole to win. Terry Hatch, Royal Oaks Golf Course, shot a 5-under-par 65, good enough to finish in third place. Jeff Herb, Waynesborough Country Club, Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club, and Austin Barbin, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club, tied for fourth place, four strokes behind the champion.
“This is an event I have wanted to win since 2023, when I lost in a playoff,” said Sebastianelli following play. “I actually got a little emotional on 18, because I really wanted to win it that bad.”
He said his game plan for the final round was to play “boring golf,” fairways and greens, which he said he did well.
“Golf is hard,” continued Sebastianelli. “After I made double bogey on 17, I told myself that golf is hard, which helps me reset.”
He birdied his final hole to secure his place in the playoff.
Sebastianelli went on to thank Burlington Country Club, PGA Member Mike Mack, Tournament Chair John Hanuscin, WSFS Bank, Rolling Green Golf Club, and his wife Emily.
Hugo Mazzalupi took the top prize in the Senior Division, finishing ahead of Hatch by one stroke, and two stokes clear of Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club. John Pillar, Country Club at Woodloch Springs, and Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford Country Club, tied for fourth place at even-par.
Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter, PGA, finished atop the Super Senior Division with rounds of 76-71–147, bettering Wayne Phillips, Lehigh Country Club, and Greg Farrow, Deerwood Country Club, by three strokes.
Corey Katzen recorded rounds of 74-68–142 to finish as low amateur and win the Marotto Medal by six strokes over Kyle Raudenbush and Pete D’Angelo.
Following the final round, Burlington Country Club presented Philadelphia PGA Section Executive Director a $1,000 donation to PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Section’s 510(c)(3) charitable foundation.
View the full 39th Burlington Classic Pro-Am leaderboard by clicking here.
The 39th Burlington Classic Pro-Am is presented and hosted by Burlington Country Club and is supported by WSFS Bank. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank its membership, management, staff, host PGA of America Golf Professional Mike Mack, Tournament Chair John M. Hanuscin, and the entire 2025 Burlington Classic Pro-Am Committee, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
The next Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament is the Conestoga Classic on Monday, June 16, at Conestoga Country Club in Lancaster, Pa.
About the Burlington Classic
The Burlington Classic Pro-Am was founded in 1986 by Mike Mack, PGA, Joe Fattorini, Leroy Peacock, Rex McWilliams, Chip Miller, George Hilt, and Donald “Butch” Eckman. The event quickly became one of the most popular events on the Philadelphia PGA Section’s tournament calendar, and is now a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year Points Event.
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
PGA of America Golf Professionals Fick, Rohrbach Lead Parris, Devaney, and Schillinger to Victory in the 39th Burlington Classic Pro-Am Presented by WSFS Bank
Westampton, N.J. (June 1, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professionals Jeff Fick of Moselem Springs Golf Club in Fleetwood, Pa., and Rob Rohrbach led their team of amateurs, Ryan Parris, Conner Devaney, and Jake Schillinger, to victory in the 39th Burlington Classic Pro-Am Presented by WSFS Bank at Burlington Country Club on a unseasonably cool day.
The winning team finished with a team score of 25-under-par in the Two Best of Five format, one stroke ahead of host PGA Member Mike Mack, Burlington Country Club, Retired PGA Member Mike Thompson, Tim Irons Sr., Dave Reilley, and Gary Smith; and Medford Village Country Club’s Nicholas Lemieux, LuLu Country Club’s Mike Dynda, Pat Little, Pat Haas, and Tom Gee. Two teams tied for third place at 23-under-par: John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club, and Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford Country Club, Anthony Maffia, Anthony Bianco, and Glen Ikeda; and Dave McNabb, Applebrook Golf Club, and Michael Ferguson, Riverton Country Club, P.J. Elstone, Paul Elstone, and Richard Curl.
The individual PGA Professional event will conclude on Monday, June 2, Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook Golf Club, leads the field following his 5-under-par round of 65. Radnor Golf Foundation’s Hugo Mazzalupi, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club’s Austin Barbin, and Bidermann Golf Club’s Zac Oakley find themselves in a tie for second place at 4-under-par. Two PGA Professionals are tied for fifth place, two strokes behind Sheftic: Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green Golf Club, and Ross Brown, Fox Hill Country Club.
Sheftic is also leading the Senior Division, one clear of Mazzalupi, three over McNabb, and four clear of Dom DiJulia, DiJulia School of Golf, and Jason Wilson, Bidermann Golf Club.
There is a tie for the lead at 2-over-par in the Super Senior Division following the first round: Greg Farrow, Deerwood Country Club; and Rob Shuey, P.O.Y. Golf. Wayne Phillips, Lehigh Country Club, is in third place, three strokes behind the leaders, followed by Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, at 6-over-par.
Five amateurs from the first round advanced to the final round to compete for low amateur honors and the Marotto Medal on Monday, alongside the PGA Professional field: Tom Byrne, 1-under-par; Pete D’Angelo, 2-over-par; Corey Katzen, 4-over-par; Kyle Raudenbush, 4-over-par; and Carl Sornson, 4-over-par.
View the full 39th Burlington Classic Pro-Am leaderboard by clicking here.
The 39th Burlington Classic Pro-Am is presented and hosted by Burlington Country Club and is supported by WSFS Bank. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank its membership, management, staff, host PGA of America Golf Professional Mike Mack, Tournament Chair John M. Hanuscin, and the entire 2025 Burlington Classic Pro-Am Committee, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
About the Burlington Classic Pro-Am
The Burlington Classic Pro-Am was founded in 1986 by Mike Mack, PGA, Joe Fattorini, Leroy Peacock, Rex McWilliams, Chip Miller, George Hilt, and Donald “Butch” Eckman. The event quickly became one of the most popular events on the Philadelphia PGA Section’s tournament calendar, and is now a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year Points Event.
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
PGA of America Announces Inaugural PGA NCCGA Pinehurst Open Held December 6-7, 2025
Editors: For photos, click here.
FRISCO, Texas (May 28, 2025) – The PGA of America announced today the inaugural PGA NCCGA (National Collegiate Club Golf Association) Pinehurst Open hosted Dec. 6-7, 2025, on the No. 6 and No. 9 courses. The December tournament will be held on the No. 6 and No. 9 courses in 2025 and 2026, followed by the No. 6 and No. 8 courses in 2027.
“The PGA NCCGA Pinehurst Open was established to offer an unparalleled experience at a prestigious venue, welcoming all NCCGA players,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr., PGA Master Professional and Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club (Arizona). “The mission of the PGA NCCGA is to provide every golfer with the opportunity to compete during their college years, and this tournament is a testament to that vision, embodying its true purpose.”
The PGA NCCGA Pinehurst Open is designed to be inclusive of all collegiate club golf teams, and it is open to the first 25 club teams who sign up when registration launches later this year. Each team will consist of up to eight individuals and the top five scores will count towards each day’s team score. The team with the lowest 36-hole total score will capture the title.
“We’re excited to welcome the PGA NCCGA back to Pinehurst, and we are looking forward to hosting these great players and teams in the years to come,” says Matt Barksdale, Pinehurst Resort’s Vice President of Golf. “Pinehurst has always been a home for great amateur golf events, and the PGA NCCGA Pinehurst Open provides a great opportunity to compete on some of Pinehurst’s best courses.”
As the national governing body for collegiate club golf, the PGA NCCGA operates multiple 36-hole tournaments in each of its 27 regions across the country. All tournaments are co-ed and open to active college students of all skill levels. Individual students can represent their schools if they don’t have the required five students to form a team.
The top teams and individuals in the country, as well as two teams from the Pinehurst Open, will receive an automatic bid to the Spring Championship. The 2025 PGA NCCGA Spring Championship was recently held at Mission Resort + Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, April 26-27. The Golf Club at North Carolina State University claimed its second national title in a wire-to-wire finish.
About the PGA National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA)
The PGA NCCGA is the national governing body of collegiate club golf and is operated by the PGA of America. With more than 300 schools and 5,000 members, the NCCGA makes college golf a reality for any student. For more information about the PGA NCCGA, visit NCCGA.org and follow on Instagram.
About Pinehurst Resort & Country Club
Established in 1895 in the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst Resort & Country Club is a 2,200-acre property featuring 10 outstanding golf courses, The Cradle nine-hole par-3 short course, 75,000 square-foot putting course (Thistle Dhu), 16 clay tennis courts, an award-winning spa, other recreation and social activities for families, and elegant accommodations across one hotel, two inns, villas and condos. Widely known as the Cradle of American Golf, Pinehurst hosted more single golf championships – including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup and PGA TOUR Championship – than any other site in North America. Golfers enjoy layouts designed by the game’s greatest architects, including Donald Ross, Gil Hanse, Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones, Tom Fazio and Ellis Maples. Pinehurst Resort, in concert with the United States Golf Association (USGA), was recently selected as the first U.S. Open Anchor Site and will host the championship in 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047. The resort is slightly more than an hour from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 90 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and only a half-day drive from many East Coast cities. To book tee times and golf packages: www.pinehurst.com, 855.235.8507.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Contacts
Alan Cox, PGA of America, acox@pgahq.com
Hayley Wilson, Alday Public Relations, hayley@aldaypr.com