Teams Capture Inaugural Philadelphia PGA Doubles Golf Championships
Avondale, Pa. (October 11, 2021) — Five teams captured their respective divisions in the inaugural Philadelphia PGA Doubles Golf Am Championships at Hartefeld National Golf Club to earn berths in the 2021 United States Doubles Golf Am Championships at the Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Fla., on October 31 – November 2. Doubles Golf is a rebranding of golf’s two-player scramble, designed to make golf more relaxed and inclusive.
Amateurs Ryan Winslow, Manufacturers’ G. & C.C., and Joe Rueter, Sandy Run C.C., combined to win the men’s championship by four stokes with a team score of 7-under-par 65. Tina Thatcher, Saucon Valley C.C., and Mary Barkley, Stonewall, took the women’s championship with a 4-over-par 76, while Pickering Valley G.C.’s Brian Bomalaski and Megan Bomalaski took honors in the mixed championship at 2-over-par.
In the senior championship, Hartefeld National’s own Jim Kearns and John Colven finished with a one-stroke victory at 1-over par. Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort’s James Mack and Jason Mack won the parent-junior championship by one stroke with a 5-under-par 67.
The five winning teams now have the opportunity to play in the 2021 U.S. Doubles Golf Am Championships, beginning on Halloween in South Florida. The Philadelphia PGA Section, in coordination with its 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PGA REACH Philadelphia, plan to continue its Doubles Golf program in 2022. For more information, speak to your local PGA Professional or contact Devin McKinley via telephone at (770) 558-8437 or email at d.mckinley@leaguegolf.com.
To view the full 2021 Philadelphia PGA Doubles Golf Am Championships leaderboard, click here.
About Doubles Golf
Doubles Golf is a rebranding of golf’s two-player scramble, designed to make golf more relaxed and inclusive. Co-founded by Jack Nicklaus and the originators of Junior League Golf, Doubles Golf is the first format of its kind in the history of golf created in the United States. The format enhances 9-hole rounds which creates speedy play and the opportunity for evening events (tournaments and leagues) at PGA and LPGA member facilities. To learn more, visit doublesgolf.com.
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.
Contacts:
Courtney Curcio, PGA REACH Philadelphia Director, ccurcio@pgahq.com
Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
John Pillar is the PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., and has consistently been one of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s best players for years. Pillar won the 2009 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Concord Country Club, the 2014 Pennsylvania State Open at the Country Club of York, the Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship in 2019 and 2020 at Applebrook Golf Club and Concord Country Club, respectively, and the inaugural Pennsylvania Senior Open at Lehigh Country Club in 2021, in addition to over 20 other Section tournament wins. Pillar also qualified and competed in the 1997 U.S. Open, 2017 U.S. Senior Open, 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, 12 PGA Professional Championships and four Senior PGA Professional Championships. In 2004, he was named the Section’s Most Improved Player of the Year, and has also received several professional honors including being named the 2007 Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, 2020 Philadelphia PGA Patriot Award, four Philadelphia PGA Merchandiser of the Year awards in the Resort Category, and the 2019 Philadelphia PGA Patriot Award. Pillar served as Section President in 2013-2014, and current serves on the PGA of America’s Board of Directors representing District 2.
Mark Sheftic, the PGA Director of Instruction at Lookaway Golf Club in Buckingham, Pa., has also seen sustained success on the golf course throughout his career. In addition to his victory in the 2011 Pennsylvania Open at Moselem Springs Golf Club, Sheftic played on three U.S. PGA Cup teams, in 2009 at The Carrick on Loch Lomond in Scotland, where the U.S. won by nine points; in 2011 at CordeValle Golf Club, again winning by nine; and in 2013 at Slaley Hall in England, where the two teams tied. Furthermore, he has played in three PGA Championships, including in 2009 at Hazeltine National Golf Club, 2020 at Whistling Straits, and 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club. Sheftic also won the 2019 Philadelphia PGA F. Edward Debaufre Trophy, which awards the PGA Professional with the lowest season scoring average for their consistently stellar play. Sheftic was also honored in 2011 and 2013, being named the Philadelphia PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year.
Matthew Kowal, named a Philadelphia PGA Playing Legend posthumously, was elected to PGA Membership in 1937 and had a successful playing career in the eary portion of the Section’s history. Working as a PGA Professional at Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Kowal won the 1940 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Llanerch Country Club and the 1946 Philadelphia Open at his home club. He also finished in second place in the 1947 Philadelphia Inquirer Open at Cedarbrook Country Club, a former PGA Tour event. Kowal servedi in World War II with the Fourth Armored Division, but did compete and win Hawaii Service Championship and the third Army Championship. Following the war, Army Special Services sent Kowal, Lloyd Mangrum, Rod Munday and Horton Smith on a tour playing exhibitions for servicemen. In 1940, he was invited to compete in the Masters Tournament, but did not enter. In 1946, Kowal qualified for the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, but again chose not to compete.
Michael Little, Lookaway G.C. – Little has won two Section events in 2021: the TPD Championship at Little Mill C.C. and the Spring Meeting Pro-Pro at Rolling Green G.C., and has finished in the top 10 seven times. He was also one of 13 Philadelphia PGA Members to compete in the 2021 PGA Professional Championship at PGA G.C. in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in April. As the 2020 Section Player of the Year, Little will serve as Philadelphia PGA Captain for the 29th Philadelphia Challenge Matches.
Trevor Bensel, Overbrook G.C. – Bensel has racked up three Section wins in 2021, including the Philadelphia Players Championship at Lookaway G.C., the Pro-Scratch Championship at Saucon Valley C.C., and the Spring Pro-Pro Championship at West Shore C.C., as well as one Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization (PAO) victory. He is slated to compete in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, next April, thanks to his play in the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Aronimink G.C. and Applebrook G.C.
Brian Bergstol, Shawnee Inn & G.R. – In 2021, Bergstol captured three Section titles, including the TaylorMade Classic at French Creek G.C., the Conestoga Classic at Conestoga C.C., and the Spring Pro-Pro Championship at West Shore C.C., and took the top spot in the U.S. Open qualifier at the Steel Club. He also qualified for the 45th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship at PGA G.C. this November through his play in the National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Bergstol has also won two PAO tournaments and currently leads the race for the PAO Player of the Year.
George Forster, Philadelphia PGA – Forster is one of three senior members of the Section’s team, has one Senior Division victory in 2021, the Doylestown Open at Doylestown C.C., and has qualified in the 2022 PGA Professional National Championship via his play in the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. He has four top 10s in 2021 and an additional eight top in Senior Division competitions.
Mike Furey, Saucon Valley C.C. – Furey will have a “home-field advantage” for the 29th Philadelphia Challenge Matches as a PGA Assistant Professional at Saucon Valley. His play in 2021 has been consistent, with seven top 10 finishes in Section tournaments, including at the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, with his play leading to a first alternate position for the 2022 PGA Professional Championship.
Brian Kelly, Bucknell G.C. – Kelly is the second senior member of the Section’s team and has had a good year on the course. He won the 2021 Pro-Am for Wishes at Penn Oaks Golf Club and has finished in the top 10 in seven other events. On the Senior Division side, he has one victory, at the Philadelphia Players Championship. Kelly is currently in the second position in the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year race, and will compete in the 33rd Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA G.C. in October, thanks to his runner-up finish in the 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship.
Chris Krueger, Kings Creek C.C. – Krueger has finished in the top 10 six times, four of which were in the top five. His best finish in a Section event this year was a tie for second place in the Delaware Valley Open at Concord C.C.
Hugo Mazzalupi, Patriots Glen National G.C. – Mazzalupi’s, 2021 season has been consistently good if nothing else. In addition to his appearance in the 2021 Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale G.C., Mazzalupi qualified for the 2022 PGA Professional Championship via his play in the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship, following his play in this year’s championship. He has 10 top 10 finishes in Section events, and another 13 in Senior Division events, including a division win at the 2021 TaylorMade Classic.
Dave McNabb, Applebrook G.C. – McNabb currently leads the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year race, and already locked up the Section’s 2021 Senior Scoring Average title with an average of 70.93. He won the 2021 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship and will compete in this year’s Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA G.C. McNabb also took the top spot in the 2021 Skee Riegel Senior Open at Radnor Valley C.C., in addition to his Senior Division win in the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic at Huntingdon Valley C.C. He tied for fifth place in the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship and will play in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship in Texas. McNabb also competed in the 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Southern Hills C.C.
Zac Oakley, Bidermann G.C. – Oakley captured the 2021 Philadelphia PGA F. Edward Debaufre Trophy, which awards the PGA Professional with the lowest season scoring average for their consistently stellar play. Oakley’s 2021 scoring average of 68.93 over 14 rounds is the lowest scoring average since the trophy was commissioned in 1964. Additionally, Oakley’s father, Pete, previously won the award four times (1980, 1984, 1985, and 1999), making them the first father-son duo to win the DeBaufre title. He currently leads the 2021 Philadelphia PGA Player of the Year race, thanks in part to his two Section wins this season: the Doylestown Open and Conestoga Classic. His second place finishes in the 100th Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship and 2021 National Car Rental Philadelphia Assistant PGA Professional Championship earned him playing spots in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship and 2021 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship. This year, Oakley finished in the top ten 13 times in 19 events, six of which were second place finishes.
Braden Shattuck, Bidermann G.C. – Shattuck has four wins in 2021, including the Delaware Open, Burlington Classic, GALV Lehigh Valley Open, and Conestoga Classic. He has 10 top 10 finishes, six of which were top fives. Shattuck finished fourth in the DeBaufre Scoring Average at 70.31, and is currently second in the Section’s 2021 Player of the Year race.
Dustin Wallis, Honey Run G.C. – Wallis has accumulated four top 10 finishes in 2021, including his best finish, a tie for fourth place in the William Hyndman III Memorial Classic at Huntingdon Valley C.C.
Following his round in the event, Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del. officially captured the 2021 Philadelphia PGA F. Edward Debaufre Trophy, which awards the PGA Professional with the lowest season scoring average for their consistently stellar play. Oakley’s 2021 scoring average of 68.93 over 14 rounds is the lowest scoring average since the trophy was commissioned in 1964. Additionally, Oakley’s father, Pete, previously won the award four times (1980, 1984, 1985, and 1999), making them the first father-son duo to win the DeBaufre title.