Category: PPGA
Leading the Way Forward
The PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia is leveraging golf recent success to positively impact the lives of youth, veteran, and diverse golfers. As the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) foundation, we know that the game of golf is more important than ever, particularly for the communities we serve, including youth golfers, military veterans, and diverse communities.
To learn more about PGA REACH Philadelphia’s work in 2024, and our plans for the future, click the below button or the on various stories below. To donate to PGA REACH Philadelphia, click here.
Read the Report.From the Director’s Desk
A message from Foundation Director Courtney Curcio…Read
Youth: Golf in Schools…Read
Youth: PGA Jr. League…Read
Military: PGA HOPE
(Helping Our Patriots Everywhere)…Read
Military: Meet Aaron Ojard
PGA HOPE Philadelphia Ambassador…Read
Diversity: Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships…Read
Diversity: PGA of America Golf Professional Mentors…Read
Diversity: PGA WORKS Fellowship…Read
Drive, Chip & Putt: Aronimink Hosts Regional Qualifier…Read
Community Impact…Read
Foundation Partners…Read
Foundation Supporters…Read
About PGA REACH Philadelphia
PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 as the charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the 41 Sections within the PGA of America. PGA REACH Philadelphia is committed to serving our communities and growing the game of golf through our three pillars: Youth, Military, and Diversity.
For more information on PGA REACH Philadelphia and its mission to positively impact lives through golf, visit pgareachphiladelphia.com
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: Courtney Curcio, Director, ccurcio@
ShopRite LPGA Classic Seeking PGA of America Golf Professional Volunteers for Official Scoring
The 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer is seeking PGA of America Golf Professional volunteers to work the scoring areas at Seaview on Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8.
Philadelphia PGA Members and Associates will be stationed in the scoring tents on hole Nos. 9 and 18 to review, verify, and record each LPGA Tour member’s official scorecards. This is a great opportunity to build your resume and interact with some of the world’s most elite players. PDR credits will also be provided to those who volunteer.
If you are interested in becoming a scoring volunteer for this year’s ShopRite LPGA Classic, please click on the button below and complete the form. A tournament representative or Section staffer will contact selected volunteers as the event nears.
VolunteerAbout 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 300 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Chris Brosius, PGA, Leads Maple Dale Country Club Team to Victory in 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am
Pinehurst, N.C. (March 14, 2025) — PGA of America Golf Professional Chris Brosius of Maple Dale Country Club in Dover, Del., led his team of amateurs, Rich Karolczak, Art Giangrant, and Scott Ogden, to victory in the 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.
The group finished with a team score of 37-under-par, 391, in the 54-hole one gross and one net competition, making it an impressive four-stroke victory over the team from Applebrook Golf Club: Dave McNabb, PGA, Chuck Lawson, Bob Dougherty, and Jeff Shapiro. Two teams from the Peninsula Golf & Country Club finished in a tie for third place, alongside PGA Professional Rick McCall’s team from Rehoboth Beach Country Club: PGA Associate Greyson Rossi, Richard Hogarth, Mike Polise, and Dan Bittle; PGA Associate Michael Chanaud, Rich Gilman, Wayne Creeden, and Bobby Gross; and Rick McCall, PGA, Blake Micholas, Gary Cecchett, and Sean Mercer.
A special congratulations to PGA Member Lee Gardenhour, Chambersburg C.C., on making a hole-in-one on the Cradle, Pinehurst’s short course!
The annual pro-am has become a staple on the Section’s tournament schedule each spring, and quickly sells out each season. This year, the field played Pinehurst’s Nos., 2, 4, and 10 courses, in addition to a practice round on Pinehurst’s No. 5 course, and a separate event on the resort’s Cradle short course. The highlight of the event each year is the round on No. 2; built in 1907 by renowned golf course architect Donald Ross, and restored in 2010 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the course has hosted several major golf competitions, including a PGA Championship, a Ryder Cup, four men’s U.S. Opens, and a U.S. Women’s Open, with several more tournaments scheduled in the future.
To view the full 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am leaderboard, click here. To view photos from the event, click here.
The 2025 Philadelphia PGA Pinehurst Pro-Am is supported by Ship Sticks and Stroke & Distance. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Pinehurst Resort, their 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 300 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Introducing Team Pennsylvania
In alignment with the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) initiative created by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the state of Pennsylvania is creating a state junior team expanding the channels for elite junior golfers in the state. Team Pennsylvania will be administrated by GAP, the Pennsylvania Golf Association, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association, the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America as well as the Tri-State PGA Section, following USGA guidelines.
Team Pennsylvania will be represented by 12 junior boys and 12 junior girls. Eight of the team boys and girls members will be selected by a points-based system with the remaining four members selected by the Team Pennsylvania Committee at-large using the points as a reference. Team members will earn benefits for the calendar year in which they are selected. Players will need to earn a spot on the team each year.
To be eligible to compete on the team in 2026, a player must be a U.S. Citizen and the athlete’s parents/guardians must be a resident of Pennsylvania and file personal taxes in the state. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-26 school year.
A Handicap Index® is also required. Players must be a member of one of the listed organizations with an established Handicap Index®, having entered all eligible scores to be considered for Team Pennsylvania.
In order to be eligible to receive points, players must compete in at least two (2) events from the points system as outlined in the Selection Criteria.
The Pennsylvania Committee will evaluate eligible athletes who it may consider for the four selection spots on Team Pennsylvania for each gender based on the following factors:
- Points Distribution List – The Committee will use the Team Pennsylvania Points Distribution List as a guide in the decision making of the final four spots.
- Rankings – The Committee will consider the current and previous rankings (within the last 12-24 months) of athletes from various publicly available rankings, which may include, but is not limited to, Junior Golf Scoreboard, Rolex American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Rankings, World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), and applicable state rankings and/or head-to-head rankings.
- Scoring – The Committee will consider factors related to the athlete’s scoring ability and scoring history, which may include, but is not limited to, scoring average, scoring consistency, ability to post low scores and hole-by-hole patterns.
- Results – The Committee will review the athlete’s competitive play results, including, but not limited to, finish positions, difficulty of schedule, golf course length, and head-to-head results in any high-level competitions or events.
Team Pennsylvania will be named in fall 2025 with team members receiving benefits as a member of the USNDP through 2026. The USNDP will provide benefits and recognition to Team Pennsylvania participants. These benefits may include recognition on the USGA/USNDP website and social media, streamlined USNDP grant applications, exemptions into local AJGA events, and access to the official USNDP statistical platform and athlete development resources. Pennsylvania will provide at least two days of athletic development and coaching at a Pennsylvania facility.
Scott Nye, who retired in 2023 as Merion Golf Club’s Director of Championships for close to 25 years, will serve as Team Pennsylvania’s captain.
QUESTIONS
For questions related to Team Pennsylvania, please contact:
Grant Morse – GAP Tournament Director (gmorse@gapgolf.org)
Introducing Team Delaware
In alignment with the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) initiative created by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the state of Delaware is creating a state junior team expanding the channels for elite golfers in the state. Team Delaware will be administered by GAP and the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America following USGA guidelines.
Team Delaware will be represented by two junior boys and two junior girls. The team members will be selected by a points-based system with the other one member of each gender selected by the Team Delaware Committee at-large using the points as a reference. Team members will earn benefits for the calendar year in which they are on the team. Players will need to earn a spot on the team each year.
To be eligible to compete on the team in 2026, a player must be a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Delaware and the athlete’s parents/guardians must file personal taxes in the state. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-26 school year.
A Handicap Index® is also required. Players must be a member of one of the listed organizations with an established Handicap Index®, having entered all eligible scores to be considered for Team Delaware.
In order to be eligible to receive points, players must compete in at least one (1) event from the points system as outlined in the Selection Criteria.
Team Delaware will be named in the fall 2025 with team members receiving benefits as a member of the USNDP through 2026. The USNDP will provide benefits and recognition to Team Delaware participants. These benefits may include recognition on the USGA/USNDP website and social media, streamlined USNDP grant applications, exemptions into local AJGA events, and access to the official USNDP statistical platform and athlete development resources. Delaware will provide at least two days of athletic development and coaching at a Delaware facility.
Team Delaware’s captain is to be determined.
QUESTIONS
For questions related to Team Delaware, please contact:
Grant Morse – GAP Tournament Director (gmorse@gapgolf.org)
Philadelphia PGA Section Names Luke Montalbano as Tournament Director
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (February 17, 2025) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is pleased to announce the appointment of Luke Montalbano as its new tournament director. Montalbano brings his experience in tournament administration and a passion for the game of golf to the Section. He is also currently working towards PGA of America Membership through the PGA’s Associate program.
A Rhode Island native, Montalbano has spent the last two years serving as the tournament director for the Sun Country PGA Section. He holds a Master’s Degree in Mass Communications/Media Studies from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor’s Degree in the same field from Emory & Henry University.
“After a thorough search, we are delighted to have found Luke to lead our tournament program,” says Philadelphia PGA Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong work ethic, and we believe he is the ideal person to serve our PGA Professionals and grow our tournament offerings.”
“I am very excited to be a part of the Philadelphia PGA Section,” said Montalbano. “I want to thank everyone in Sun Country for the last three years for giving me the chance to break into the golf industry and help me develop as a professional. I will always be grateful to Sun Country for taking a chance on me. With that being said, I am looking forward to the tournament season getting started and meeting all the PGA Professionals in the Philadelphia PGA Section. I will work hard every day to serve the Philadelphia Section’s PGA Members and Associates. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at events and a great 2025 season.”
To send Luke a welcome email, click here, or direct your note to lmontalbano@pgahq.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 of America Members and Associates who are employed at over 300 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Grow the Game, Your Lessonbook, and Earn PDRs! Volunteer at the North Coast Golf Show
The Philadelphia PGA Section is seeking PGA of America Golf Professional volunteers to provide free 10-minute lessons to amateur attendees at the North Coast Golf Show, Friday, January 31 – February 2, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa.
PGA Professionals who volunteer their time will receive Professional Development Requirement (PDR) credits, and will have the ability to meet potential new students and market their coaching business to the golfers.
To volunteer, click here.
Available Shifts:
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Friday, January 31
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 1
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 2
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 2
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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 300 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com