Malvern, Pa. (July 29, 2024) — PGA of America Golf Professional Zach Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club in Rising Sun, Md., captured the 2024 National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship at White Manor Country Club in dramatic fashion, birdieing three of his final four holes to better Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C., by one stroke.

The championship honors the late Dick Smith Sr., PGA, who served as president for both the PGA of America and the Philadelphia PGA Section. Srixon | Cleveland Golf | Asics, Ohana Farm LLC, Payntr Golf, and the PGA Tour also support the 2024 National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship.

Barbin fired impressive scores of 68-66–134, 8-under-par in the 36-hole stroke play event. He made 12 birdies during the tournament, including seven in his final round, and five on his final nine holes.

“You want to enjoy the moments you have in competition,” Barbin said following the completion of play. “That’s why we play the game. You want to make a putt when it matters.

“I was pretty calm over my final putt,” he continued. “I was actually thinking of Brian [Bergstol] before I hit it, because he made a similar length putt to beat me at Tavistock earlier this season.”

He went on to thank God for the work and playing opportunities, his wife Olivia for all of her love and support, his family, the Section staff, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club, White Manor Country Club, and all of the championship’s partners.

In addition to having his name engraved on the perpetual George Izett Memorial Trophy, Barbin receives the $2,089 winner’s check.

Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, finished in third place, two behind Barbin. Rolling Green G.C.’s Anthony Sebastianelli finished in fourth place at 1-under-par, followed by the  Peninsula G. & C.C.’s Michael Chanaud at even-par.

Zac Oakley will lead five fellow Section PGA Members to compete in the 2024 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship, November 14-17, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida: Brian Bergstol; Robert Fenton, Sunnybrook G.C.; Rusty Harbold, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C., and Andrew Turner, Whitford C.C. Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C., is first alternate, while Kyle Early,  is second alternate.

(1) Barbin, (4) Sebastianelli, and (5) Chanaud, (6) Ryan Rucinski, Wilmington C.C.; (T7) Rocco Sgrillo, John F. Byrne G.C.; (T7) Zach Miller, Sunnybrook G.C.; are PGA Associates and are not eligible to compete in Florida.

The National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship brings together a field of 132 contestants representing the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections. All rounds will be played on the Wanamaker Course. A cut after 36 holes of play to the low 70 scorers and ties will be made.

Begun in 1977, the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship is modeled after the PGA Professional Championship, with a field of PGA Professionals and PGA Associates who advanced through 41 Section Championships conducted from May through October this year.

If eligibility is met and maintained, the champion earns a berth in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship, April 27-30, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

To view the full 2024 National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.

The 2024 Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship honors the late Dick Smith Sr., PGA, is presented by National Car Rental, and supported by Srixon | Cleveland Golf | Asics, Ohana Farm LLC, Payntr Golf, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA of America Golf Professionals thank our partners, White Manor Country Club, its membership, management, staff, and host PGA of America Golf Professionals, 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