Bethlehem, Pa. (October 15, 2024) — The Philadelphia PGA Section’s team of 12 PGA of America Golf Professionals defeated the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s amateur team 12.5 points to 6.5 points to capture the 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches at Saucon Valley Country Club.

The Philadelphia PGA Professionals battled all day, with momentum changing seemingly with each hole, but finished well, winning 8.5 of the 12 Singles points and 4 of the six Four-Ball points. While the Golf Association of Philadelphia has seen improved results in recent years, the Philadelphia PGA Section retains the better overall record, now, at 27-5.

The team of Philadelphia PGA Professionals was led by Captain Braden Shattuck, Rolling Green G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Sandy Run C.C.; Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort; Brian Kelly, Titleist Fit Crew; Danny Lewis, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Michael Little, Clubhouse 54; Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; John Pillar, C.C. at Woodloch Springs; Dave Quinn, Laurel Creek C.C.; Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C.; Mark Sheftic, Sunnybrook G.C.; and Brett Walker, Chester Valley G.C.

The GAP team included Troy Vannucci, Little Mill C.C.; Andy Butler, Huntingdon Valley C.C.; Jon Rusk, LuLu C.C.; Jake Haberstumpf, LedgeRock G.C.; Aaron Fricke, LuLu C.C.; Mark Miller, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Michael Brown Jr., LuLu C.C.; Ryan Tall, LuLu C.C.; John Lalley, Llanerch C.C.; William Howard, Applebrook G.C.; Jeff Frazier, Carlisle C.C.; and Chris Fieger Sr., Heidelberg C.C.

Captain Braden Shattuck, PGA, won the final two holes to top Troy Vannucci 1-up in their Singles match. Other Section victories in Singles included: Brian Bergstol def. Jake Haberstumpf 2 and 1; Anthony Sebastianelli def. Aaron Fricke 2-up; Daniel Lewis def. Mark Miller 2 and 1; Brett Walker def. Michael Brown Jr. 2-up; Mark Sheftic def. Ryan Tall 4 and 2; Michael Little def. William Howard 3 and 2; and John Pillar def. Chris Fieger Sr. 1-up. Amateurs Andy Butler, Jon Rusk, and Jeff Frazier def. Zac Oakley 1-up, Trevor Bensel 2 and 1, and Brian Kelly 5 and 4, respectively.

In the Four-Ball matches, Vannucci and Butler defeated Shattuck and Oakley 2 and 1, and Frazier and Fieger bettered Kelly and Pillar 2 and 1. Bensel / Bergstol def. Rusk / Haberstumpf 2 and 1, Sebastianelli / Lewis def. Fricke / Miller 5 and 4, Walker / Sheftic def. Brown / Tall 5 and 4, and Quinn / Little def. Lalley / Howard 3 and 2.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches would not be possible without the support and energy of Robin McCool. McCool was instrumental in getting the matches started 32 years ago and revitalizing them by bringing in support from Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and our host facility, Saucon Valley C.C. McCool serves as the honorary captain for the GAP team and serves as honorary chair of the event. Everyone owes Robin a debt of gratitude for all of his efforts.

To view the full 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches leaderboard, click here.

The 32nd Philadelphia Challenge Matches is supported by Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and Kevin McClellan of KM Golf Sales. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Saucon 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.

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