PGA Member Braden Shattuck Wins 2023 GALV Lehigh Valley Open
Shattuck, the reigning PGA Professional Champion, entered the final day of play tied for the lead with fellow PGA Member Kyle Early, Waynesborough C.C., and fended off several charging PGA Professionals, including Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, both of whom finished tied for second place at 7-under-par.
“I played fairly conservative,” Shattuck said after his win. “I hit the driver when I needed to be aggressive, but kept it in play and capitalized on the par-5s.”
While he had never seen Berkleigh prior to this week, he complimented the course, saying that the layout has really good bones, and features a lot of beautiful holes.
The 29-year-old Shattuck went on to thank the Rolling Green G.C. members, the club’s staff and PGA Head Professional Scott Chisholm, Titleist, Nike, the Section staff, and the host facility, Berkleigh.
In addition to his win today, Shattuck also increased his lead in the Rolex / Haverford Trust Company Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year standings, thanks in part to his national PGA Professional Championship win in May, and his other first place finishes in the Philadelphia Open Championship, and the Section’s Tournament Players Division Championship.
Gulph Mills G.C.’s Louis Kelly finished in fourth place, four behind Shattuck, followed by Terry Hertzog, Bent Creek C.C., at 2-under-par.
James Boburka, Bethlehem, Pa., earned low amateur honors, going 75-75–150, topping Tom Soares, Emmaus, Pa., by five strokes. David Palumbo, Breinigsville Pa., finished in third place at 13-over-par, while Matt Crilley, Allentown Pa., and Jeff Wiedecke, Easton Pa., rounded out the top five at 14 and 15-over-par.
With his final score at 2-under-par, Terry Hertzog, took top honors in the Senior Division. Mike Molino, PGA, finished in second place, one stroke behind, followed by and Rich Steinmetz, Spring Ford C.C. PGA Life Member Brian Kelly and Royal Oaks G.C.’s Terry Hatch tied for fourth place.
Brian Kelly took the Super Senior Division by one stroke over Rob Shuey, Colonial Golf & Tennis Club, followed by third place finishers Jeb Boyle, PGA, and George Forster, PGA, four strokes behind. John Allen, Squires G.C., finished in fifth place at 8-over-par, tied with Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club.
The Philadelphia PGA Section’s Central Counties Chapter hosted an event concurrently with the Lehigh Valley Open, and Brian Bergstol ran away with the win, topping Mike Molino by six strokes. Parks Price, C.C. of York, finished in third place at even par, while Terry Hatch and Brian Kelly finished in a tie for fourth.
To view the full 2023 GAV Lehigh Valley Open leaderboard, click here.
The 2023 GAV Lehigh Valley Open is supported by the Golf Association of the Lehigh Valley, Payntr Golf, Wilson, Jani-King, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Berkleigh Golf 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.