Telford, Pa. – The 2017 Delaware Valley Open (DVO) was played on Monday, May 1 at Indian Valley Country Club. The DVO featured nearly 120 Philadelphia PGA Professionals and served as a dual event with the Philadelphia PGA’s Assistant’s Organization (PAO).

As the calendar turned to May, players competing in the DVO were treated to unseasonably warm temperatures however the warm weather came with blustery conditions that made for a difficult test throughout the day.

Playing early in the day Steve Swartz (Regents Glen CC) carded a score that would prove to be the number to chase. Swartz made his way around the par72 6800 yards long golf course at 1-under (71). Swartz posted six birdies, the most of any player in the field, against five bogeys to reach red numbers. However, Swartz would have to wait more than six hours to find out if his score would hold up.

With players coming close to Swartz’s number throughout the day no one was able to match Swartz at 1-under until Stu Ingraham (M Golf Range) finished tied for first. Ingraham paired four birdies, two per side, against three bogeys to finish tied atop the leaderboard. Unfortunately for Ingraham, a prior commitment prevented him from being available for a playoff.

Before was all said and done one more player was able to join the party at 1-under (71). Curtis Kirkpatrick (Indian Spring GC) got off to a hot start with four birdies on his opening nine holes. As Kirkpatrick made the turn he was not able to get the birdie train going again and an untimely bogey on his closing hole dropped him into a tie for first.

With no other players matching the 1-under number Swartz and Kirkpatrick headed back out to the first hole for the start of a sudden death playoff. After both players failed to find the green in regulation it was a sand save that proved to seal the win for Swartz. Finding the greenside bunker Swartz managed to hit his bunker shot to 6 feet before making his par putt to secure his first Philadelphia PGA tournament win.

“I really had no expectation heading into today’s event but I knew that this course would favor a long hitter so that played into my game”, said Swartz on his round. “I’m hoping I can build off of this win and carry some momentum with me through the rest of the season. This is the perfect way to start the week as I begin the next chapter of my PGA career tomorrow at Regent’s Glen CC.”

Although he was unable to compete in the tournament’s playoff Ingraham did manage to walk away with a title on the day. Ingraham’s 1-under (71) was good enough for a two-shot victory over Dave Quinn (Centerton GC) in the tournament’s senior division.

Like the tournament proper the PAO DVO event also finished with a tie at the top of the leaderboard. Kevin Kraft (Bumble Bee Hollow) and defending champion Michael Little (Lookaway GC) both finished at even par (72). Unfortunately for Kraft, he was unable to make it back to Indian Valley giving Little the PAO DVO title for the second consecutive year.

The Section would like to thank our tournament sponsors Jack Jolly & Son, Golf Pride Grips, Morell Studios, and the PGA Tour. The Philadelphia PGA will return to tournament action on Monday, May 8 at Concord Country Club for the TaylorMade Classic.

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