Ardmore, Pa. (October 2, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del., defeated Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley C.C. in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., 6 and 5 to win the 2024 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship on his favorite course, Merion Golf Club’s famed East Course

“I knew Dave [Pagett] was going to be a tough match,” Oakley said following his round. “He took out our Section’s best player this year (Braden Shattuck, PGA), so I knew he was going to be hard to beat.

“I hit the ball solidly today, hitting greens and fairways. My speed on the greens was good, and my caddie, Steve, gave me a few good reads too.”

Oakley, who received a first-round bye, survived six rounds of matches against 120 of his fellow PGA Professionals in the season-long format. He bettered Anthony Hoffman, John F. Byrne G.C.; Pat Butkus, Whitford C.C.; Matthew Durham, Merion G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; and Pagett en route to his victory today.

Oakley was due to play against Merion G.C.’s Joanna Coe, and Pagett was to see Sunnybrook G.C.’s Mark Sheftic in the semi-finals, but both Coe and Sheftic conceded due scheduling conflicts.

This is Oakley’s third Match Play victory, having previously won in 2021 at the Steel Club and 2019 at Lookaway Golf Club.

“I love match play,” Oakley continued. “It takes the anxiety and tension out on each hole; there’s always the next hole. Using momentum to your advantage is important in match play, and I think I did a pretty good job of keeping my momentum going today.”

Oakley went on to thank Merion Golf Club, their PGA Head Golf Professional Scott Nye, the club’s entire staff, the Section, and Dave Pagett.

To view the full 2024 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship results, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia PGA Match Play Championship is supported by Rolex and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Merion Golf 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 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