News

PGA of America Golf Professional Terry Hatch Wins 2024 Skee Riegel Senior Open

Blue Bell, Pa. (July 30, 2024) —PGA of America Golf Professional Terry Hatch of Royal Oaks Golf Course in Lebanon, Pa., turned in a 3-under-par 68 to win the 2024 Skee Riegel Senior Open at Blue Bell Country Club by one stroke over Mark Parson, Harbor Pines G.C., and John DiMarco, Legacy Club.

Hatch’s round was highlighted by his eagle on the ninth hole, a 522-yard par-5. He closed his round with consecutive birdies on hole Nos. 17 and 18, finishing the day strong.

Mark Parson and John DiMarco tied for second place at 2-under-par 69, followed by Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C., at 1-under-par. There was a three-way tie for fifth place at even-par 71: PGA Life Member George Forster; John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs; and Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.

Wayne Phillips, Lehigh C.C., took the Super Senior Division with a 2-under-par 69, topping Bill Sautter, Philadelphia Cricket Club, by one stroke. Jack Brennan, Mountain View C.C., finished in third place with an even-par 71.

To view the full 2024 Skee Riegel Senior Open leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Skee Riegel Senior Open is supported by Sunday Golf, Quaker Sales / Frank WittenbergJani-King, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Blue Bell Country Club, its members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.

About Robert Henry “Skee” Riegel, PGA
Skee Riegel was born in 1914 in New Bloomfield, Pa., and grew up in eastern Pennsylvania. Riegel served in the U.S. Air Corps as a flight instructor during World War II. After leaving the service he rose to the top of amateur golf, winning the U.S. Amateur in 1947, the Western Amateur in 1948 and the Trans-Mississippi Amateur in 1946 and 1948. Riegel also played on the U.S. Walker Cup teams in 1947 and 1949, remaining unbeaten in Walker Cup play. Riegel turned professional in 1950 and was one of the first golfers involved in strength training. In 1951, he nearly won the Masters, finishing in second place behind Ben Hogan. Riegel returned to Pennsylvania to become PGA Head Professional at Radnor Valley Country Club in 1954, where he continued his winning ways, claiming victory in the 1957 and 1959 Pennsylvania Opens and the 1960 Philadelphia Open. He left Radnor Valley at the end of 1961 for the opportunity to participate in the ownership of a new golf course, York Road G.C. in Bucks County, now known as the Bucks Club. For over 30 years, Riegel was a permanent member of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Tournament Committee and served as Rules Chair for every Section tournament. In 1975, he was given the Section’s PGA Professional Development Award for his many hours spent educating the golf professionals on the rules of golf. Riegel was inducted into the Philadelphia Section Hall of Fame in 1993.

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. Visit phillypga.com to learn more.

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