Trevor Bensel, PGA, Captures 2022 National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship
Bensel led recently-crowned Philadelphia PGA Professional Champion and 2017 Section Assistant Champion Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Shawnee on Delaware, Pa.; and Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C. in Wilmington, Del.; by two strokes after his 3-under-par opening round of 67.
Play was suspended at 4:32 p.m. ET due to severe weather, and the Section’s Tournament Committee ultimately cancelled the final round and shortened the championship to 18 holes, as storms threatened as darkness approached.
Our 2022 champion started with a double bogey on his first hole of the day, followed by a bogey on No. 5, but finished strongly with birdies on Nos. 8 and 9, and four more in the last five holes, including three in a row on Nos. 14-16.
“My first tee shot went [out of bounds], which was not the best way to start,” Bensel said of his round. “I figured I had plenty of holes left to get it done. I tried to keep the ball in front of me and made a few good putts coming down the stretch.
“It was fun to play with Brian and Zac,” he continued. “They are good friends of mine, and we feed off each other when we’re all playing well.”
Bensel went on to thank the Sandy Run membership for their constant support, Titleist, FootJoy, Holderness & Bourne, and Makefield Putters.
In addition to having his name engraved on the perpetual George Izett Memorial Trophy, and the winner’s check, Bensel will be joined at the 2022 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship in Florida, by Bergstol, Oakley, Alex Knoll, Glen Brook G.C. in Strousburg, Pa.; Andrew Turner, Berkshire C.C. in Reading, Pa.; and Jeff Fick, Moselem Springs G.C. in Fleetwood, Pa.; Turner and Fick earned their spots via a sudden death playoff after the severe weather moved through the area. Bergstol had previously secured his spot at PGA G.C. via his second place finish in the 2021 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship.
Steve Sanderson, Pine Valley (N.J.) G.C.; and Jacob Woodman, Aronimink G.C. in Newtown Square, Pa.; will be the first and second alternates, followed by Rocco Sgrillo, John F. Byrne G.C. in Philadelphia.
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 the 2023 PGA Professional Championship, April 30 – May 3, at Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Pueblo Golf Clubs in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.
The 2022 Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship is hosted by Dick Smith Sr., PGA, presented by National Car Rental, and supported by Srixon, Cleveland Golf, XXIO, Asics, the PGA Tour, and Ohana Farm LLC. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Heidelberg Country Club, its members, management, host PGA Professionals, and staff, as well as our partners, as the event would not have been possible without their support.
To view the full 2022 Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship leaderboard, click here.
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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.