To learn more and apply for the Philadelphia PGA Section communications internship, click here.
To learn more and apply for the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour tournament internship, click here.
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of PGA Life Member Bernie Haas; he was 88. Haas won the 1961 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship at Philadelphia Country Club.
There will be no services observed at this time. A memorial service will be held at a future date and will be announced by the Freay Funeral Home. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point, Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. To read his full obituary, 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.
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (November 10, 2022) — The FDS Winter Tour has officially rebranded itself as the Johnny C Winter Tour, paying tribute to longtime tour supporter and competitor John “Johnny C” Carpineta, PGA, of Bensalem (Pa.) Township Country Club.
The tour can trace its roots back to 1990 when PGA Members Bob Sheppard and Gary Deetscreek hosted a few events in the fall and winter months. In 1991, Jamie Shaffer, PGA, launched a winter golf tour, ultimately naming it after his parents, Floyd and Dorsey: the FDS Winter Tour.
“Nobody is better than Johnny C,” Shaffer said, following the tour’s rebranding announcement. “We think it is the perfect time to rename the tour for Johnny, as he’s still competing in our events.”
John Carpineta, PGA, was named the 2019 Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest annual honor given to a Philadelphia PGA Professional, awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the Philadelphia PGA Section and the game of golf. Carpineta also was awarded the Philadelphia PGA Patriot Award three times, bestowing special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates an unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected our country. He is a military veteran himself and earned his PGA Membership in 2003. Along with serving on the Section’s Player Development and PGA REACH Philadelphia Committees, Carpineta co-chairs the PGA HOPE Philadelphia (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, along with the Wounded Warriors Project and Philly VA Amputee Swing endeavor.
To view the full 2022-23 Johnny C Winter Tour schedule, click here. For more information, contact Jamie Shaffer, PGA, at shaffer004@aol.com.
Andy Miller, PGA, a Philadelphia PGA Section Member and PGA Director of Instruction at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, is the 2021 PGA Youth Player Development Award winner. The honor is given to a PGA Member who has made extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of youth player development. He boasts an impressive record of serving his fellow PGA Members currently in the role of Section Chairman of Instruction and contributing to numerous committees, including Player Development. Miller is well known in his community for working with local businesses, charities and schools to grow the game of golf. He was an early adopter of PGA Jr. League and was Mid-Atlantic Captain of the Year in 2013. Miller has a passion for sharing his expertise with others, which he displayed on a large scale by presenting on junior golf at the CMAA World Conference in San Francisco back in 2018. He has received several awards from the Philadelphia PGA Section, including Teacher & Coach of the Year Award (2020); Youth Player Development Award (2013, 2018, 2019,); 5-Time Golf Range Magazine Growth of the Game Award, and one of Golf Digest “Best in PA” 2017-2022. Miller is a US Kids Master Coach and a certified PGA Coach.
Full Press Release: Orlando, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2022) – PGA Golf Professional of the Year Tom Wildenhaus, PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year Jamie Mulligan and PGA Golf Executive of the Year Joe Assell headline the PGA of America’s National Awards for 2021.
The 13 winners were unveiled during the 2022 PGA Show’s Opening Ceremony today at the Orange County Convention Center.
“This year’s outstanding class of National Awards recipients are inspiring those involved with the game of golf and the advancement of PGA Professionals throughout our industry,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “The PGA of America is proud to recognize their accomplishments, as they reflect the incredible expertise and talent throughout our Association. From nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals, these 13 recipients are at the forefront, reflecting a standard of success for all of us to emulate and admire.”
2021 PGA of America National Awards Recipients
PGA Golf Professional of the Year
Tom Wildenhaus, PGA – Olde Florida Golf Club – Naples, Fla.
PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year
Jamie Mulligan, PGA – Virginia Country Club – Long Beach, Calif.
PGA Golf Executive of the Year
Joe Assell, PGA – GOLFTEC – Englewood, Colo.
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Tim Beckwith, PGA (posthumous) – Sarasota National Golf Club – Sarasota, Fla.
PGA Professional Development Award
Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA – Sam Houston State PGA Golf Management University Program –
Huntsville, Texas
Deacon Palmer Award
Bryan DeMarco, PGA – Pine Barrens Golf Club – Jackson, N.J.
Patriot Award
Joe Grohman, PGA – Old Ranch Country Club/PGA Hope National Trainer – Seal Beach, Calif.
PGA Player Development Award
Thomas Yost, PGA – First Tee – Four Corners – Kirtland, N.M.
PGA Youth Player Development Award
Andrew Miller, PGA – LedgeRock Golf Club – Mohnton, Pa.
Herb Graffis Award
Carolinas PGA Section
PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category
Caroline Basarab, PGA – Reynolds Lake Oconee – Greensboro, Ga.
PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category
Brian Tolnar, PGA – Mill Creek Park Golf Course – Canfield, Ohio
PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category
Ian Brown, PGA – Butterfield Country Club – Oakbrook, Ill.
For bios and information on all of the PGA of America National Award winners, click here.
The 2021 PGA of America National Awards are scheduled to be presented on Nov. 1, as part of the 2022 PGA Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Herb Graffis Award will be presented during the Annual Meeting content that week as well.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Contacts
Michael Abramowitz, PGA of America 561-389-4647 mabramowitz@pgahq.com
Jared Minski, Mastro Communications 732-469-5700 jared@mastrocomm.com
The Philadelphia PGA Section is pleased to invite you to our Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet on Sunday, December 11 at Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pa., to honor our 2021 Awards Class, led by Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year Sean Palmer, and 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee, Charles Genter.
Guests are welcome to join our PGA Professionals! The banquet is $65 per person, which includes dinner and drinks. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., with the program and dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m.
To register, 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.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (September 28, 2022) — The Philadelphia PGA Section and its Hall of Fame Committee has inducted PGA Member Charles Genter into its Hall of Fame as the class of 2022. He is the 46th member of the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame.
Genter, born in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1940, was elected to PGA Membership in 1966, and worked as the PGA head professional at Tavistock (N.J.) Country Club for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2000. Working at one facility for decades is generally a rarity in the golf industry in the present-day.
“This honor belongs to my family,” Genter humbly said after receiving the news of his induction.
Prior to earning his PGA Membership, Genter worked as an assistant professional at various clubs in Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey, before serving in the U.S. Army for two years. While in the Army, he managed the Cole Park Golf Club on the Fort Campbell military installation on the Kentucky-Tennessee state border. Following his service, Genter worked in Indianapolis, and in New Jersey, before accepting his position at Tavistock. Two of his students went on to have successful playing careers, including Betsy Haag Manderino and Leslie Smith, winning 15 total club championships, five South Jersey Ladies Amateurs, and two Philadelphia Ladies Amateurs. In his own right, Genter qualified for the 1969 U.S. Open at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. Genter went on to earn his PGA Master Professional status, becoming the Section’s third PGA Master Professional in 1990.
Throughout his career, Genter served the Philadelphia PGA Section, and the PGA of America, in various capacities, including in senior leadership positions: Section president, 1990-92; Section Secretary, 1989; Section secretary, 1985-88; and Section District Director. In addition to his role as a Section officer, Genter served on the PGA’s national Membership Committee, taught PGA education in their then Business Schools I and II, and was a member of the PGA’s Membership Task Force, and the PGA of America Presidents Society. He was also a member of the Section’s Nominating and Long-Range committees, and served as the Long-Range Committee chair.
Furthermore, Genter was enlisted by Tavistock members to design a nine-hole executive golf course in Cape Hatteras, N.C., named Ocean Acres.
Outside of his official PGA duties, Genter was a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts’ Troop 65, worked with blind golfers and students with Down Syndrome on their games, and worked to improve and promote the International Four-Ball Tournament, and West Jersey Hospital Foundation Tournament.
“We take great pride in welcoming Mr. Genter to our Hall of Fame,” said Philadelphia PGA Section Executive Director Geoffrey Surrette, PGA. “Our Section would not be as successful, or well respected, without his leadership and dedication to the game and fellow PGA Professionals.”
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.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour’s FUNdamental Tour is now open to all age divisions so that at no matter what age, people can grow with their golf game. This new tour is aimed at beginner golfers who are not quite at the level to compete on our junior tour and offers shorter yardages and the opportunity to have a caddie. The goal is to provide the tools necessary to aid our beginner golfers with the improvement of their games and the building of their confidence. The emphasis is on having fun and encouraging our golfers to grow their love for the game.
To learn more about the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour’s FUNdamental Tour, click here.
