Allentown, Pa. (October 8, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section’s team of 12 PGA of America Golf Professionals defeated the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s amateur team 12 points to 6 points to capture the 33rd Challenge Matches at Lehigh Country Club.

It was a close battle all day with many of the matches coming down to the final few holes. While the Golf Association of Philadelphia has seen improved results in recent years, the Philadelphia PGA Section retains the better overall record, now, at 28-5.

The team of Philadelphia PGA Professionals was led by Captain Zach Barbin, Chesapeake Bay G.C.; Austin Barbin, Chesapeake Bay G.C.; Trevor Bensel, Lulu C.C.; Ross Brown, Fox Hill C.C.; Andrew Cornish, Green Valley C.C.; Kyle Early, Waynesborough C.C.; Michael Little, Clubhouse 54; Joe Kogelman, GOLFTEC- Moorestown; Hugo Mazzalupi, Radnor Golf Foundation; Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C.; Stephen Swartz, Carlisle C.C.; Riley Wheeldon, Aronimink G.C.

The GAP team included Charlie Barrickman, Radley Run C.C.; Stephen Cerbara, Huntingdon Valley C.C.; Zak Drescher, Bent Creek C.C.; Chris Fieger, Sr., Heidelberg C.C.; Jeff Frazier, C.C.; Jack Irons, Medford Lakes C.C.; Patrick Isztwan, Huntingdon Valley C.C.; Scott Kalamar, Green Pond C.C.; Mark Miller, Philadelphia Cricket Club; Drue Nicholas, Galloway National G.C.; Joseph Tigani, Fieldstone G.C.; Troy Vannucci, Little Mill C.C.

In the single matches, Captain Zach Barbin defeated his opponent Scott Kalamar; Swartz topped Fraizer; Mazzalupi beat Fieger 5&3; Bensel, Wheeldon, Cornish, Little and Kogelman all defeated their opponents 3&2; and Oakley won big over Isztwan with a score of 6&5. The amateurs fought hard in their matches as well with Troy Vannucci, Jack Irons and Joseph Tigani all defeating their opponents Austin Barbin, Kyle Early and Ross Brown, respectfully, 3&2.

In the Four-Ball matches, the PGA Professionals split the matches with the amateurs with both sides winning three matches. PGA Members Swartz and Mazzalupi defeated Frazier and Fieger; Bensel and Wheeldon won 3&2 over Nicholas and Cerbara; and Oakley and Kogelman won 2&1 over Isztwan and Barrickman. For the amateurs Vannucci and Kalamar won 3&2 over the Barbin brothers; Drescher and Miller defeated Cornish and Little 2&1; and Tigani and Irons claimed victory over Brown and Early.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches would not be possible without the support and energy of Robin McCool. McCool was instrumental in getting the matches started 33 years ago and revitalizing them by bringing in support from Jim Wilson of Ping, Jim Ravina of Donald Ross, and our host facility, Lehigh 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 33rd Philadelphia Challenge Matches leaderboard, click here.

The 33rd 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, Lehigh 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