News

25th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic Returns to Sunnybrook Golf Club on May 30 with Nation’s Largest First Place Prize for Any PGA Section Member Tournament

Radnor, Pa. (May 17, 2023)  With the largest first-place prize available from any event across the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide sections, the 25th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic returns to Sunnybrook Golf Club in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., on May 30. One-hundred-thirty-two PGA Professionals will vie for the $150,000 first-place prize money, a 50 percent increase in first-place prize money since the tournament was last held in 2021.

“Our entire team at Haverford is thrilled to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic, and to sponsor and honor the positive impact PGA Members have on the game of golf throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region,” said Joe McLaughlin, Chairman & CEO of Haverford Trust. “PGA Professionals play such an integral role in growing and managing the game and business of golf, and we appreciate their passion for a sport played by tens of millions of men, women and children of all ages.”

“The Philadelphia PGA Section thanks Mr. George Connell and Haverford Trust for the opportunity to bring together PGA Professionals to compete for a $150,000 first place prize,” said Geoff Surrette, Philadelphia PGA Section Executive Director. “Year after year, our participants get a tour-level experience at this legendary event, and that’s incredible.”

The tournament was last won in 2021 by Parks Price, PGA Professional from the Country Club of York in York, Pa., and first-time Haverford PGA Classic attendee. The tournament resumes after being postponed in 2022 due to inclement weather. Price won a three-man playoff in dramatic fashion by draining a long birdie putt on the first sudden death playoff hole, besting Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club and Brett Walker of Sunnybrook Golf Club. Price’s 25-foot birdie putt on No. 18 topped Oakley’s 20-foot birdie that came up short and Walker’s 12-footer that slid left. Price, Oakley and Bidermann all finished regulation at 4-under-par with an overall score of 68 in a pool made up of 132 players (120 PGA Professionals and 12 Amateurs).

For more information on the 25th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic, click here.

Haverford Trust Company Chairman & CEO Joe McLaughlin (left); President Binney Wietlisbach (second from left); and Founder & Director George Connell (right) present the 24th Annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic winner’s trophy and $100,000 first-place check to PGA Member Parks Price (second from right) of the Country Club of York in York, Pa.

Tournament Facts
Tournament Name: The Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic
Sponsor: The Haverford Trust Company
Date: Monday, May 30, 2023
Venue: Sunnybrook Golf Club, 398 Stenton Ave., Plymouth Meeting, Pa., 19462
Course Yardage: 6,893
Course Par: 72
Host PGA Professional: Mr. Gregory W. Wingate, PGA
Total Purse: $167,600
First Place Prize: $150,000
Defending Champion: Parks Price, PGA, Country Club of York; 4-under-par 68, won in playoff, No. 18, birdie 3
2021 Runners Up: Zac Oakley, PGA, Bidermann Golf Club; Brett Walker, PGA, Sunnybrook Golf Club; 4-under-par 68, lost in playoff, No. 18, par 4
Field: 148 (132 PGA Professionals, 16 amateurs)

Past Champions Eligible to Play
Dave Quinn, PGA – 2001, 2005
Dave Roberts, PGA – 2002
George Forster, PGA – 2008, 2019
Hugh Reilly, PGA – 2011
Scott Reilly, PGA – 2012
Billy Stewart – 2013
Rusty Harbold, PGA – 2014
Dave McNabb, PGA – 2016
Andrew Turner, PGA – 2017
Mark Parson, PGA – 2018
Parks Price, PGA – 2021

Social Media Hashtag#haverfordclassic

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. For more information about the Philadelphia Section PGA, visit www.philadelphia.pga.com.

About The Haverford Trust Company
The Haverford Trust Company was founded in 1979 on Philadelphia’s landmark Rittenhouse Square. Since our founding, one thing has remained unchanged…our commitment to quality. Haverford has prospered for more than 40 years in a finance industry dominated by giants through our passion and adaptability. With 120+ employees and $13.0 billion* in assets, our size is our advantage. We focus on the essentials: the Quality Investing philosophy whose goal is to provide our clients with the right mix of stability and growth across the market cycle. For more information, visit haverfordquality.com.

*Including assets under management or consultation for The Haverford Trust Company and Haverford Financial Services as of 3/31/2023.

Stonewall, DuPont Claim Victory in 2023 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino®

Allentown, Pa. (May 16, 2023) — PGA Professionals Ryan Lagergren of Stonewall Links in Elverson, Pa., and Mike Caldwell of DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del., led their respective teams to victory in the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship Presented by Parx Casino® on a beautiful spring day at Lehigh Country Club. The event, part of the Section’s pro-am series presented by Parx Casino®, was also supported by the AGS Tour and Ohana Farm LLC.

Each team consisted of one PGA Professional and three women amateurs. Stonewall’s team, Deirdre Barnes, Denise Moran, and Kiersten Seufer, claimed a three-stroke victory in the Net Division with their net team score of 15-under-par 55. A team representing the host facility, Lehigh C.C., Bryan Saxon, Debra Benavage, Amy Scalici, and Priscilla Gigler, finished tied for second place with Aronimink G.C.’s Ryan Boitz, PGA, Katie McGeary, Jeanne Waldron, and Rhonda Mordy. Overbrook G.C.’s Sam Harman, PGA, Paige Devine, Kory Tyron, and Becca O’Donnell, tied for fourth with Yardley C.C.’s J.T. Wambold, Karen Klemp, Wendy Kursman, and Barbara Browne at 11-under-par.

Caldwell and his DuPont team, Laura Ford, Jane Sassaman, and Katie Sahm, finished with a gross team score of 7-under-par 63, topping Eric Kennedy, PGA, Tina Aberant, Danielle Dehoratius, and Mary Cagliuso, of Overbrook G.C., by two strokes. Lehigh C.C.’s Wayne Phillips, PGA, Patty Cox, Mo Bryan, and Debbie Hawk, finished in fourth place at 4-under-par. Berkshire C.C.’s Andrew Turner, PGA, Lori Derr, Michele Albright, and Sharon Heck, finished in a tie for fifth at 2-under with Wambold’s Yardley team.

To view the full 2023 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Philadelphia PGA Spring Pro-Lady Team Championship is presented by Parx Casino®, and supported by the AGS Tour, and Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Lehigh Country Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, 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

Root for Philadelphia PGA Member Braden Shattuck at This Week’s PGA Championship

Philadelphia PGA Member and Rolling Green Golf Club PGA Director of Instruction Braden Shattuck, who won the 2023 PGA Professional Championship earlier this month, will lead the Corebridge Financial PGA Team at the 2023 PGA Championship, May 15-21, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. The team comprises the 20 low scorers from the PGA Professional Championship. The 28-year old Shattuck, who just became a PGA Professional in 2022 and was playing in his first PGA Professional Championship, will make his PGA Championship debut.

We hope you will help us root Braden on as he competes in his first major championship. If you are unable to attend the championship, we have listed the television broadcast times below. Good luck, Braden!

How To Watch: 2023 PGA Championship

Thursday, May 18
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on ESPN

Friday, May 19
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on ESPN

Saturday, May 20
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on ESPN+
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on CBS

Sunday, May 21
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on ESPN+
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on CBS

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

Brendon Post, PGA, Wins 2023 TaylorMade Classic in Four-Person Playoff

Lafayette Hill, Pa. (May 15, 2023) — PGA Member Brendon Post of the University of Delaware in Newark, Del., won the 2023 TaylorMade Classic at Green Valley Country Club by making a birdie three on the first sudden-death playoff hole.

Post was tied for first place at 2-under-par following the conclusion of the 18-hole round with John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Billy Stewart, Union League Liberty Hill; and Jeff Herb, Waynesborough Country Club. Post had made a 50-plus-minute drive back to Green Valley to compete in the playoff, and due to time constraints, was not able to warm-up prior to the playoff beginning. It didn’t seem to affect him, however, as he hit his approach to approximately five feet and drained the birdie putt to win.

The event is a Philadelphia PGA Rolex / The Haverford Trust Company Player of the Year tournament and the first Silvercrest Cup qualifier of the year. Returning for the second year, the Silvercrest Cup series will include four qualifying events for Philadelphia PGA Professionals, and will culminate in a $30,000 Silvercrest Cup final, hosted at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa. For more information on the season-long race to the Silvercrest Cup, click here. In addition to receiving the winner’s share of the purse, Post also took home an additional $2,500 from the Silvercrest Cup qualifier bonus pool.

There was a tie for first place in the Senior Division, with both John Spina, Philadelphia Cricket Club, and Brendon Post, University of Delaware, finishing with rounds of 2-under-par 69. Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C., finished in third place, three behind the champions, followed by Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C., and Bill Walker, Riverton C.C., at 2-over-par.

Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Bill Sautter, PGA, secured a victory in the Super Senior Division, with his even-par 71 topping three PGA Professionals by three strokes: PGA Life Member Brian Kelly; John DiMarco, Legacy Club at Woodcrest; and Rob Shuey, Colonial Golf & Tennis Club. Don Allan, Burlington C.C., finished in fifth place at 5-over-par.

The Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) held an event concurrently with the TaylorMade Classic, with two tying for first place at 1-under-par: Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C. Andrew Cornish, Cedarbrook C.C., and Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C., finished one behind the winners, with six PGA Professionals tying for fifth place at 1-over-par.

To view the full 2023 TaylorMade Classic leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 TaylorMade Classic is presented by TaylorMade Golf, and supported by Jani-KingOhana Farm LLCSilvercrest Asset Management GroupSterling Cut Glass and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Green Valley Country Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as well as our partners, 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 and Silvercrest Cup qualifier on the schedule is the Delaware Valley Open at Radley Run Country Club in West Chester, Pa., on Monday, May 22.

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

Veterans Tee it Up in PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup Before the 2023 PGA Championship

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (May 16, 2023) – The 8th PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at Penfield Country Club was a celebration of 48 military Veterans from across America and their shared love of the game of golf.

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of PGA REACH, is a
rehabilitative golf program that introduces golf to Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. PGA HOPE offers golf through a developmental, six- to eight-week curriculum taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans.

For Monday’s main event, 12 teams from across the country, consisting of one PGA Professional and four military Veterans who have participated in the PGA HOPE program, competed in a spirited 9-hole match, as part of 2023 PGA Championship Community Relations activities for PGA REACH.

“The camaraderie and energy out here at Penfield Country Club is amazing, it’s really incredible,” said PGA President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing in Lansing, Michigan. “I love that after every shot, no matter where the ball lands, you’ll hear cheers, and see high fives and fist bumps. That’s what PGA HOPE is all about. To see the real impact this program has on so many Veterans’ lives is emotional, and it’s why we continue to invest in growing PGA HOPE.”

PGA HOPE is currently being offered at more than 341 program locations in the U.S. today, across 47 States and 40 PGA Sections. In 2022, the program positively impacted 7,500 Veterans. This year, the program is on pace to positively impact more than 11,000 Veterans.

“Using golf as a form of therapy is saving lives, and it’s incredible to see the PGA of America continue to lean in to support our Veteran Community,” said PGA HOPE Military & Veteran Liaison Chris Nowak during the Opening Ceremonies.

Led by PGA Lifetime Member and U.S. Army Veteran Joel Williamson, PGA HOPE Northern Texas Captured the 2023 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at 5-under par. Williamson, who has served as an instructor for the PGA HOPE Program in Northern Texas (Killeen chapter) for the past 3 years, led the winning team of U.S. Army Veterans Mark Anderson, Antonio Sanchez, Louis Whidbee and Chris Ryan.

“Making the trip to Rochester and having the opportunity to meet and share stories with fellow Veterans from across the country was the victory,” said Williamson. “This is a brotherhood, and we lean on each other when all is going well, and more importantly, show unconditional support if someone is having a tough day.”

PGA HOPE New England captured the inaugural The Journey Award, recognizing the importance of the overall journey. Jo-Anna Krupa, a PGA Professional at Belmont Country Club in Massachusetts, who serves as an instructor for the PGA HOPE Program in the New England PGA Section, participated alongside the first-ever team consisting of all-women Veterans: Nancy O’Reilly (Navy); Sue Hall (Army); Megan Sullivan (Army); Liseth Velez (Air Force).

As part of the overall experience, all teams arrived in Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday, May 13, participated in practice rounds on Sunday and played in the Secretary’s Cup on Monday. The Veterans will also attend a PGA Championship practice round at Oak Hill.

PGA Sections in the 2023 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup:
  • PGA HOPE Western New York (3 teams)
  • PGA HOPE Kentucky
  • PGA HOPE Carolinas
  • PGA HOPE New England
  • PGA HOPE Gateway
  • PGA HOPE South Central
  • PGA HOPE Middle Atlantic
  • PGA HOPE Northern California
  • PGA HOPE Northern Texas
  • PGA HOPE Philadelphia

Several PGA WORKS Fellows from across the country served as standard bearers for the teams including: Karena Ballard, Tyler Bealke, Kyra Cox, Rachel Goetz, Haleigh Gray, Destany Hall, Cristina Hidalgo, Taylor Hunter, Hannah Randolph, Caroline Riggs, Bryce Walker, Gerrick Walker and Sloane Withers.

About PGA REACH
PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to Impact Lives Through Golf. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Twitter and Instagram, and find us on Facebook.

Media Contact:
Jesse Dodson  PGA of America             801-995-0684 jdodson@pgahq.com
Ari Edelman  Mastro Communications  908-313-7861 aedelman@mastrcomm.com

Register Your Facility to Support Patriot Golf Day

The PGA of America will again support Folds of Honor and Patriot Golf Days, which is held over Memorial Day weekend. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to support families of American military members and first responders who were disabled or killed serving our country and communities.

PGA of America members and the golfers and facilities that we serve can have a life-changing impact on these spouses and children by participating in Patriot Golf Days.

Here’s how you can get involved:

  1. Leverage your tee sheet by asking for a simple donation from your player base

  2. Engage a small committee to organize and host a golf tournament (tournaments do not have to be played over Memorial Day weekend)

  3. Play in a Golf Marathon to support PGA HOPE Philadelphia…click here to learn more

Regardless of how you choose to participate, be sure to register your facility today.

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 https://www.pgareach.org/philadelphia. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, please click here.

Contacts:

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

Hole-in-One Propels Andy Hewitt to Victory in 2023 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship

Blue Bell, Pa. (May 9, 2023) — PGA Member Andy Hewitt of Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club in Dagsboro, Del., won the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship at Bluestone Country Club, thanks in part to a hole-in-one on the club’s 12th hole. Hewitt made his first competitive ace with an 8-iron from 165 yards.

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.

Hewitt finished with a 3-under-par round of 68, topping runner-up Michael Little, Clubhouse 54, by two strokes. While his hole-in-one was surely the highlight of his round, Hewitt also made an eagle on the par-4 seventh hole, along with birdies on Nos. 4, 8, and 15.

Michael Caldwell, DuPont C.C., finished in third place at 1-over-par, followed by fourth place finisher Pat Sams, Lake Naomi Timber Trails G.C., at 2-over-par. Three PGA Professionals tied for fifth place at 4-over: Michael Meisenzahl, Little Mill C.C.; Kyle Quagliero, Medford Lakes C.C.; and Michael Rushin, Bear Trap Dunes.

Lehigh C.C.’s Wayne Phillips finished atop the Senior Division with a round of 7-over-par 78, one stroke better than PGA Life Member George Forster’s 79. George Frake, Moorestown Field Club, finished in a tie for third place three behind Phillips, with Dan Mrozinski, Commonwealth National G.C. Mike Mack, Burlington C.C., rounded out the top five at 12-over-par.

To view the full 2023 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2023 Philadelphia PGA Connelly Cup Head Professional Championship is supported by Earth NetworksJim Ravina Golf SalesStrackaLineWilson Golf, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Bluestone Country Club, their members, management, host PGA Professionals, 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

Submit Philadelphia PGA Board Nominations

The Philadelphia PGA Section is seeking nominations for our Board of Directors, including officers, Director of Section affairs, and District Directors in Districts 1, 3, and 5. The election is scheduled to take place at our Fall Membership Meeting on October 30, 2023, at Philmont Country Club.
  • President
  • Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Director of Section Affairs
  • Director of Tournaments
  • District 1 Director
    New Jersey, south of 40th parallel / Trenton C. C
  • District 3 Director
    Pa Counties: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry and York
  • District 5 Director
    Pa Counties: Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks (north of Route 202)

Nominees must be a PGA Member in good standing. District Directors must also be from the District they are nominated to serve. PGA Members may only nominate one candidate for each position.

The nomination deadline is Monday, August 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. To submit nominations, click here.

The membership, officers, and board would like to thank District Directors Kevin Duffy, Jason Gebhart, and Brett Nelson for their service on the board.  They would also like to thank Curtis Kirkpatrick for finishing out the term as District 1 director. As an added note, Kirkpatrick remains eligible to be nominated as District 1 director.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com

Braden Shattuck Wins 2023 PGA Professional Championship

Reining Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year and Rolling Green Golf Club PGA Director of Instruction Braden Shattuck won the 2023 PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors Golf Club and Santa Ana Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, by dramatically making a 10-foot par putt on the 72nd hole.

In addition to winning the Walter Hagen Cup and the $60,000 winning prize, Shattuck earned a berth into this month’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, leading the Corebridge PGA Team of 20; it will be his first major championship appearance. He is also the second champion from the Philadelphia PGA Section, following Section Hall of Fame Member and Playing Legend Ed Dougherty (1985).

To read the full press release from the PGA of America, click here or see below.

Photo: Darren Carroll / PGA of America

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Braden Shattuck Clinches One-Shot Victory at 2023 PGA Professional Championship; Becomes 11th player in Championship history to win in first appearance

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, New Mexico (May 3, 2023) ー Braden Shattuck became a PGA Member on May 3, 2022.

Exactly one year later, he added another special title to his name: PGA Professional Champion.

The PGA Director of Instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., shot a steady 2-under-par 70 on Wednesday to finish at 9-under-par 279 and win the 2023 PGA Professional Championship by one shot.

Shattuck is the 11th player in the Championship’s history, and first since 2016, to win in his first appearance. He is also the second champion from the Philadelphia PGA Section (Ed Dougherty – 1985).

“It feels incredible,” said Shattuck. “I couldn’t imagine being here right now. This is my first PGA Professional Championship so I didn’t really know what to expect. It means the world, though. I can’t believe it.”

Matt Cahill (4-under-par 68) and Michael Block (3-under-par 69) finished T-2 at 8-under-par 280. Kenny Pigman (3-under-par 69), Gabe Reynolds (1-under-par 71) and John Somers (1-over-par 73) tied for fourth at 6-under 282.

The low 20 scorers earned exemptions into the 2023 PGA Championship and a position on the 2023 Corebridge Financial PGA Team, May 15-21, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

Shattuck entered the day tied for the lead with Somers, but quickly made a strong start with a birdie on the par-5, 550-yard 1st hole. Following five consecutive pars, he posted his lone bogey of the day at the par-4, 486-yard 7th. After pars on holes 8 through 11,  he collected birdies at the par-5, 552-yard 12th and par-5, 647-yard 16th holes.

The 28-year-old holed two critical putts down the stretch, including a downhill 20-footer for birdie on 16 and a 10-footer for par on 18. Back-to-back pars on the 17th and 18th holes clinched the one-shot victory.

Shattuck admitted to peeking at the scoreboard throughout Wednesday’s finale.

“I would take a look just to make sure nobody was getting away from me and I didn’t have to change up the game plan,” said Shattuck. “I like to play a little bit more on the conservative side. I was able to stick to that conservative game plan and not deviate, which was nice.”

Cahill, PGA Head Golf Professional at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla., caught fire after ending his first nine in Tuesday’s third round with a triple bogey and bogey. The 31-year-old was 8 under par over his final 27 holes.

“You know, through nine holes yesterday I was struggling,” said Cahill. “I just said ‘Let’s just play 27 really solid holes.’ I had a caddie and a family behind me that were just rooting me on. Let’s just play 27 really good holes, and dang it, 8 under the last 27 is pretty good.”

Block, PGA Head Professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, Calif., relied on past experience from his eight previous PGA Professional Championships as he posted rounds of 71-71-69-69.

“It’s fun to be in this position now and be comfortable with it,” said Block. “That really makes it a lot easier for me coming down the stretch to be able to succeed rather than deflate and lose it and not be able to get in that top 20. I’m excited to go to the PGA Championship and represent the PGA.”

Russell Grove, Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Jeremy Wells, PGA Director of Player Development at Cypress Lake Golf Club in Fort Myers, Florida, both recorded 6-under-par 66s on Wednesday to match the third-lowest fourth-round score in Championship history.

About PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contacts
Greg Dillard, PGA of America, 561-308-8013, gdillard@pgahq.com
Alan Cox, PGA of America, 972-214-8274, acox@pgahq.com
Matt Frey, PGA, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com

Shattuck Tied for Lead After Three Rounds of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship

Philadelphia PGA Member and Rolling Green Golf Club PGA Director of Instruction Braden Shattuck is currently tied for the lead entering the final round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship in New Mexico. In addition to the Walter Hagen Cup, the winner will also receive $60,000, and entry into this month’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

Merion Golf Club PGA Director of Instruction Joanna Coe and Union League Liberty Hill PGA Golf Instructor Billy Stewart will also compete in the final round, and are tied for 29th and 43rd place, respectively.

The final round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship will be broadcast live on Golf Channel on Wednesday, May 3 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. EDT. Join us in rooting on Braden, Joanna, and Billy! To learn more, the PGA of America’s press release is included below.

Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico (May 2, 2023) ー It was a clash of two red-hot players—John Somers and Braden Shattuck—during Tuesday’s third round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors Golf Club.

Somers and Shattuck, playing in the same group, waged a back-and-forth battle that ended in a tie atop the leaderboard. Both shot 4-under-par 68 and are 7-under-par 209 through 54 holes.

Chris Sanger (3-under-par 69) is in third at 6-under-par 210, followed by Gabe Reynolds (7-under-par 65), Ben Kern (1-over-par 73) and Michael Block (3-under-par 69) tied for fourth at 5-under-par 211.

Somers, PGA Head Professional at Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville, Fla., tallied five birdies including at the par-5 573-yard 1st; par-4, 463-yard 5th; par-4, 488-yard 10th; par-3, 185-yard 13th; and par-5, 651-yard 16th hole.

He also had an eagle on the par-5, 554-yard 12th after a “smoked” tee shot pushed slightly left followed by a 150-yard pitching wedge left him a short putt.

“It’s pretty generous off the tee out here,” said Somers. “As long as you can keep it in the fairways it’s a pretty easy game. I’m rolling it great. I think it’s going to be a good time tomorrow.”

It’s been a whirlwind week for the 31-year-old from New Port Richey, Florida. Somers and his wife, Catherine, welcomed their first baby girl—Colbie Jean Somers—last Wednesday, April 26. He spent two days with his family before departing for New Mexico and the PGA Professional Championship, where he finds himself tied for the lead heading into the final day.

“Baby and mom are healthy so I don’t have to worry about missing the birth or anything like that,” said Somers. “Knowing that they’re in good hands takes a huge weight off my shoulders. I’m just out here playing golf.”

Shattuck, PGA Director of Instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa., called his third round “steady” while he tried to stay patient after some early putts wouldn’t fall. A pair of clutch putts on the 16th and 17th holes helped him end the round on a high note.

“I made a long putt on 16 up the tier, probably about 50 feet,” said Shattuck. “Then I made probably a 20-footer on 17. So it felt like justice after missing all the shorter putts throughout the day.”

Shattuck enjoyed the friendly competition in his group with Somers and Cory Schneider (2-over-par 74).

“I think we all fed off each other,” said Shattuck. “Those guys took off early. I was kind of late to the party. I kind of backdoored it a little bit.”

Currently in 3rd by himself, Sanger, PGA Head Professional at Woodstock Golf Club in Woodstock, N.Y., caught fire midway through his third round by birdieing five of six holes: the par-5, 588-yard 8th; par-4, 488-yard 10th; par-4, 332-yard 11th; par-5, 554-yard 12th; and par-3, 185-yard 13th.

“I couldn’t have struck it any better,” said Sanger. “I made a lot of clutch four- or five-footers for par to kind of keep my round together in the beginning. I hit it right where I was looking most times. Hopefully it continues tomorrow.”

Reynolds, PGA Director of Instruction at TopGolf Dallas, approached the first tee on Tuesday at T-58 and eight strokes off the lead. Things changed quickly as the 43-year-old from Dallas, Texas, skyrocketed 54 spots up the leaderboard with his 65, which ties for the second-lowest third-round score and matches the third-best 18-hole score in the Championship’s history.

After being disappointed with his putting through the first two rounds, Reynolds ditched the putter he had used the past several years.

“I literally took the plastic off this putter and today’s the first time it’s ever seen the golf course,” said Reynolds. “I made a couple bonus putts, which obviously helps take the good to a little better.”

Reynolds recorded eagles on the par-5, 588-yard 8th and par-5, 554-yard 12th holes. On No. 8, he hit 5-iron into the green and sunk his longest putt of the day, 40 feet.

Alex Beach, a PGA Assistant Professional at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y., registered a 6-under-par 66 and is T-10 at 3-under-par 213.

The Championship conducted a 54-hole cut Tuesday to the low 70 scorers and ties. The final round will be contested at Twin Warriors beginning at 6:55 am MDT.

The final round of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship will be broadcast live on Golf Channel on Wednesday, May 3 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. EDT

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Media Contacts
Greg Dillard, PGA of America, 561-308-8013, gdillard@pgahq.com
Alan Cox, PGA of America, 972-214-8274, acox@pgahq.com