News
PGA of America Accepting Applications for PGA LEAD Cohort IX
Do you have the desire and passion to share your diverse ideas, be involved on committees at the Chapter, Section, and National levels of the Association, run for office, or become a volunteer leader within PGA of America governance? Do you want to learn about enhancing and elevating your personal brand, how to facilitate an effective board meeting, or how to serve on a committee successfully?
If so, then PGA LEAD may be the leadership development program for you and we encourage you to apply on PGA.org on the Inclusion Hub. Applications must be submitted by December 18, 2023.
Eligibility & Application
While PGA LEAD is designed to drive a diverse demographic of participants with consideration given to gender, age, race/color, national origin/ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and Veteran status, the program is open to all Class A PGA Members.
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PGA Members who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply for PGA LEAD. (PGA of America employees are not eligible to apply)
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Class A PGA Member for at least one year and in good standing.
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Aspires to serve as a national volunteer leader within Association governance.
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Is committed to actively participating in monthly virtual meetings and completing related assignments.
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Is committed to participating in PGA LEAD for one 1.5 year (2024-2025) including PGA LEAD activities at the two PGA events during the term.
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Is committed to making a PGA LEAD presentation at a PGA Section Meeting upon completion of the program as an inspiration to others.
Any questions? Please contact Chris Noble, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lead at cnoble@pgahq.com.
Philadelphia PGA Members Jeff Kiddie and John Carpineta Honored by PGA of America
During the PGA of America’s Annual Meeting Week at the Association’s new home in Frisco, Texas, Aronimink Golf Club PGA Head Professional Jeff Kiddie, PGA, and Bensalem Township Country Club PGA Professional and PGA HOPE Bensalem Chapter Lead John Carpineta received their national honors, the PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, and the PGA Patriot Award, respectively. Kiddie is the Section’s first-ever national PGA Golf Professional of the Year, while Carpineta, known affectionately as “Johnny C,” is the Section’s first national PGA Patriot Award recipient.
Prior to being interviewed by David Marr III in front of the Annual Meeting delegates, PGA Membership, industry leaders, friends, and family, the PGA debuted short videos highlighting each award recipient and the hard work they have put into their careers, facilities, Section and Association. To watch the videos, click on the below video screens.
Congratulations to both Jeff and Johnny! Both PGA Members have made our Section proud, and will no doubt continue to improve the game, Association, initiatives, and facilities going forward!
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
PGA of America Honors the Late Dick Smith, PGA, With Video Tribute at Annual Meeting
During the PGA of America’s Annual Meeting Week at the Association’s new home in Frisco, Texas, the late PGA Past President Dick Smith Sr. was honored with a moving video tribute. The feature highlight’s Smith’s impressive career here in the Philadelphia PGA Section and his involvement at the national level, as well as the impact he had on his family, friends, and peers. To watch the video, click here.
Michael Loeper, PGA, and Gene Stricker Team to Win 2023 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Superintendent Championship
Bethlehem, Pa. (November 3, 2023) — The 1912 Club’s PGA Head Professional Michael Loeper and Golf Course Superintendent Gene Stricker teamed to win the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Superintendent Championship‘s Net Division on Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course.
This is the event’s second year; it was created to show support not just for our PGA Members and Associates, but for the superintendents who take care of our sports’ fields of play so well.
On a cool, but sunny autumn day, the winning duo finished their round at 4-under-par, bettering the team from Trenton Country Club, Eli Reid, PGA, and Peter Daly by one stroke. The victors made six net birdies and two net bogeys in the one Better Ball of two format on the course that has hosted multiple major championships.
There was a three-way tie for third place at 2-under-par: John F. Byrne Golf Course’s Anthony Hoffman and Joseph Diacovo; Pine Meadows Golf Complex’s Andy Signor, PGA, and Tom Kintzer; and Paxon Hollow Country Club’s Daniel Malley, PGA, and Steve Stephens.
Whitemarsh Valley Country Club’s Dave Pagett, PGA, and Darren Farrar tied for the Gross Division title with GOLFTEC-Malvern’s Anthony Napoletano, PGA, and Mike Caber; both teams finished with even-par 71s. The teams from Trenton C.C., Pine Meadows, and Paxon Hollow, two behind.
To view the full results of the 2023 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Superintendent Championship, click here.
The 2023 Philadelphia PGA Professional-Superintendent Championship is supported by Golf Cart Services / E-Z-GO, Modern Brands, and SOX Erosion Solutions. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our host, Saucon Valley 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.
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
Chip Richter Elected as 45th Philadelphia PGA Section President
Huntingdon Valley, Pa. (October 29, 2023) — PGA Member Chip Richter of the Country Club of Harrisburg in Harrisburg, Pa., was elected 45th Philadelphia PGA President at the Section’s 2023 Fall Membership Meeting at Philmont Country Club.
Bob Hennefer of Laurel Creek Country Club in Mount Laurel, N.J., and Eric Kennedy of Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa., will join Richter as Section officers, being elected as vice president, and secretary, respectively. Patrick Shine of Doylestown (Pa.) Country Club, moves to the role of honorary president following his two-year stint as president.
The membership also selected Dustin McCormick of Glen Brook G.C., as director of tournaments, and Anthony Malizia, Bidermann G.C., as director of Section affairs. Section Districts 1, 3 and 5 also elected new directors, with Curtis Kirkpatrick, Indian Spring C.C., Jeff Breiner, C.C. of Harrisburg, and Tom Michaels, Berkshire C.C., taking those roles. The board of directors and Executive Director Geoff Surrette also thanked outgoing directors Kevin Duffy, Commonwealth National G.C., Jason Gebhart, the Bridges G.C., and Brett Nelson, Moselem Springs G.C., for their service.
During the meeting, Richter formally announced the Section’s 2023 class of Playing Legends: Ted McKenzie and Jerry Pisano; Pisano will be inducted posthumously. Established in 1991, the Section’s Playing Legends honorary program recognizes individuals based on criteria set forth by the Philadelphia PGA’s Hall of Fame Committee. One of the main criteria is that individuals must have had success in major events locally or nationally, something that each 2023 inductee has accomplished consistently throughout their careers. To learn more about the 2023 Playing Legends class, click here.
The Section’s playing awards were also formally announced during the meeting and included:
- Rolex Haverford Trust Player of the Year:
Braden Shattuck, PGA, Rolling Green G.C. - Women’s Player of the Year:
Joanna Coe, PGA, Merion G.C. - Rolex Robert “Skee” Riegel Senior Player of the Year:
Rich Steinmetz, PGA, Spring Ford C.C. - Super Senior Player of the Year:
Brian Kelly, PGA Life Member - F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy for Scoring Average:
Trevor Bensel, PGA, Sandy Run C.C. - Comeback Player of the Year:
Dave Quinn, PGA, Laurel Creek C.C. - Ike Turner Most Improved Player:
Brad Sanders, PGA, Sunnybrook G.C. - Philadelphia Assistants’ Organization Player of the Year:
Anthony Sebastianelli, Rolling Green G.C. - Central Counties Chapter Player of the Year:
Brian Bergstol, PGA, Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
The Section was honored to host PGA of America Chief Operating Officer Craig Kessler as a special guest to the meeting. Kessler took part in a town hall discussion with the Philadelphia PGA Professionals in attendance, and spoke about the Association’s strategic focus and plans for the future.
The Section also acknowledged the first-ever recipients of the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship: PGA Associates Victoria Petrosky of Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter, Pa.; and Gregory Rhoads of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa. The scholarship was developed by the Jennings family to honor Bud Jennings, a lifelong golfer and longtime Chester Valley Golf Club member. Given Bud’s love for the game of golf, and his willingness to give back and help others, the Jennings family says that this award is the perfect way to remember his legacy. To learn more about the scholarship and the 2023 recipients, click here.
Following the meeting, 114 of the nearly 200 PGA Professionals in attendance teed it up in the Fall Meeting’s two-person scramble, with Rolling Green G.C.’s Braden Shattuck and Anthony Sebastianelli tying Joanna Coe, Merion G.C., and Tessa Teachman, Aroninink G.C.; and Gulph Mills G.C.’s Tom Gilbert and Louis Kelly; atop the leaderboard at 9-under-par. Four teams tied for fourth place.
One the the highlights of the tournament was Parks Price, C.C. of York, making a hole-in-one on No. 17. Price used a 6-iron from 184 yards. Well played, Parks!
To view the full 2023 Philadelphia PGA Fall Meeting leaderboard, click here.
The 2023 Philadelphia PGA Fall Meeting is supported by Cobra Golf, Evolve Golf, Signature Golf, StickX, and Maui Jim. The Philadelphia PGA Section and its PGA Professionals thank our partners, Philmont Country Club, its membership, management, and host PGA Professionals, and staff, as the event would not be 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 Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Philadelphia PGA Section Announces Class of 2023 Playing Legends
Established in 1991, the Section’s Playing Legends honorary program recognizes individuals based on criteria set forth by the Philadelphia PGA’s Hall of Fame Committee. One of the main criteria is that individuals must have had success in major events locally or nationally, something that each 2023 inductee has accomplished consistently throughout their careers.
Ted McKenzie, now retired, has a remarkable résumé for both playing professional accomplishments. He was the longtime PGA Professional at Waynesborough Country Club in Paoli, Pa., and later helped found the famed Stonewall Links in Elverson, Pa. During his career, he worked his way through the ranks of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s Board of Directors, ultimately serving as the Section’s president, and also served as the Section’s tournament chair. For over 20 years, McKenzie was one of the leading players in the Section. His two biggest wins within the Section included the 1971 Philadelphia Open and the 1979 Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. He earned the Player of the Year title in 1975, and also earned the F. Edward DeBaufre Trophy for Scoring Average the same year. Throughout his career, he qualified for two U.S. Opens, seven PGA Professional Championships and a Senior PGA Professional Championship. In the first 13 years of the Challenge Cup Matches against the Middle Atlantic PGA Section, McKenzie qualified for the team 11 times and he earned a berth on the team a total of 12 times. In 1984, he was honored as the Section’s PGA Golf Professional of the Year and was inducted into the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Jerry Pisano, named a Philadelphia PGA Playing Legend posthumously, worked as the PGA Professional at several facilities, including Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa., Locust Valley in Coopersburg, Pa., Radnor Valley Country Club in Villanova, Pa., and Edgmont Country Club in Newtown Square, Pa. Pisano won the Philadelphia Open three times, in 1957, 1962, and 1965, in addition to the 1964 Pennsylvania Open. Over the course of his career, Pisano competed in five major championships, including three PGA Championships (1961, 1962, and 1963), and two U.S. Opens (1962 and 1963).
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.
Dave McNabb, Rich Steinmetz Qualify for 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
Please join us in congratulating PGA Members Dave McNabb of Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa., and Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford Country Club in Royersford, Pa., for qualifying for the Corebridge Financial PGA Team at the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, May 23-26, at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich.! Both qualified via their play in last week’s Senior PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., where the top 35 finishers earn exemptions into the major in May.
Steinmetz, the two-time Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Champion, and a past PGA Championship competitor, made his senior men’s major championship debut at this year’s Senior PGA Championship. McNabb has played several major championships, including in this year’s Senior PGA, where he made the first-ever competitive hole-in-one at PGA Frisco in Texas.
In last week’s Senior PGA Professional Championship, both McNabb and Steinmetz tied for 20th place at 2-over-par. McNabb finished with rounds of 70-75-75-69–289, while Steinmetz went 69-72-76-72–289.
To learn more about the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, 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
PGA REACH Philadelphia’s Fourth Annual Pro-Am a Success
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (November 1, 2023) — In mid-October, PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s charitable foundation, raised over $67,000 from its fourth annual pro-am championship at Galloway (N.J.) National Golf Club, which featured teams comprised of one PGA Professional and three amateur golfers. The event’s proceeds will help support the foundation’s Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion initiatives.
The foundation launched the annual event in 2020 to help support its Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion programming, and to spread the word about its mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf.
“We are thrilled that our fourth pro-am championship resulted in another great success,” said PGA REACH Philadelphia Director Courtney Curcio. “The support shown by our partners and supporters helped secure the funding we need to continue our programming across the Section.”
The 2023 pro-am’s premier partner is the Union League of Philadelphia; its presenting partners are American Floors Inc., Creative Financial Group, Ocean Casino Resort, Parx Casino, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, Visit Delco, William E. Howe & Co., and the Zisman Family Foundation. Its supporting partners included the AGS Tour and Holman. The pro-am’s gift partners included Ahead, Winston Collection, Bushnell, Casamigos, and Pairings Cigar Bar.
PGA REACH Philadelphia offers several programs to support local youth golfers, U.S. military veterans, and inclusion initiatives, including PGA Jr. League, Golf in Schools, PGA HOPE, the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship, Diversity Scholars Mentor Program, and PGA WORKS Fellowships.
On a picture-perfect autumn day down the shore, the team representing Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, Mike Bowman, Jake Markezin, Charlie Bowman, and Todd Kiebort, took the top prize with their net score of 15-under-par 56. The event also featured participants from the foundation’s PGA HOPE Philadelphia, PGA Jr. League, and Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship programs, who were stationed around the course to speak with golfers about their experiences and how the foundation has helped improve their lives.
To watch a short “sizzle reel” recap of the event, click here.
To support PGA REACH
About PGA REACH Philadelphia
PGA REACH 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
For more information on PGA REACH Philadelphia and its mission to positively impact lives through golf, visit https://www.pgareach.
Contacts:
Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
Courtney Curcio, Director, PGA REACH
Philadelphia PGA Section Announces Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship Recipients
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (October 20, 2023) — The Philadelphia PGA Section is excited to announce the first-ever recipients of the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship: PGA Associates Victoria Petrosky of Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter, Pa.; and Gregory Rhoads of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa. The scholarship was developed by the Jennings family to honor Bud Jennings, a lifelong golfer and longtime Chester Valley Golf Club member. Given Bud’s love for the game of golf, and his willingness to give back and help others, the Jennings family says that this award is the perfect way to remember his legacy.
“Kathryn and I are thrilled to announce the inaugural winners of the Bud Jennings PGM Scholarship to Victoria Petrosky and Gregory Rhoads,” said Chris Jennings. “Both are deserving candidates and we are very happy to be honoring my father’s memory while also giving back to the golf community in Philadelphia.”
The $3,000 scholarships will be awarded annually to both one male and one female Philadelphia PGA Associate aspiring to be elected to PGA Membership. Scholarship recipients will possess the skills, drive, and character it takes to become a first-class PGA Member. The recipients must show demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership; demonstration of strong moral character; ability to maintain a substantial record of service to the Philadelphia PGA Section, PGA of America, and the game of golf; well-regarded as a model PGA Associate.
Victoria Petrosky currently serves as the director of instruction at Fox Hill Country Club in northeastern Pennsylvania, following stints working as assistant professional at the club, as well as at Irem Country Club. She says having passion for her career makes her an outstanding PGA Associate. Prior to her work in the golf industry, she earned a degree in nursing, but decided to become a PGA Professional because she has a true passion for the game of golf, as well as helping others find the same passion for the sport. Petrosky also played on the Section’s Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour as a junior. In the future, she hopes to create instructional programs for underprivileged youth golfers, helping to improve their lives.
“To be able to work in a field that you are passionate about is a privilege,” says Petrosky. “I am able to do what I love with the support of the Philadelphia PGA Section, and the generosity of those such as the Jennings family. I am very honored to receive this award, and to be able to help fulfill Mr. Jennings’ legacy of spreading the love of golf. I would like to give a special thanks to Fox Hill Country Club, and it’s members for giving me the opportunities that it has, and for supporting me in my journey to becoming a Class A PGA Member.”
Greg Rhoads has been an assistant professional at Rolling Green Golf Club near Philadelphia since the spring of 2022, following stints working as an assistant at Lebanon (Pa.) Country Club and the River Club in South Carolina, in addition to coaching at the GOLFTEC in Malvern, Pa. Rhoads says that showing others that golf is not only a fun game to play but also a tool to develop critical life skills that enhance a person’s sense of purpose, connection and fulfillment should be the overwhelming goal of every PGA Professional. While at Rolling Green, he has been active in recruiting caddies, and helping them earn scholarships through the J. Wood Platt Trust. He also administers summer-long youth golf camps, the club’s PGA Jr. League team, and assists in managing the golf staff. In the future, he hopes to serve on various Section committees and on the board of directors.
“I am incredibly honored to be selected as one of the first recipients of the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship,” says Rhoads. “I want to thank the Jennings family for their generous contributions and support, a continuation of Mr. Bud Jennings’ willingness to give back and his love for the game of golf. I also want to express my thanks to the Philadelphia PGA Section for developing this new opportunity, in collaboration with the Jennings family, to assist PGA Associates towards their goal of becoming PGA Members. I look forward to realizing the goal of being elected to PGA Membership early next year thanks to the Bud Jennings PGA Golf Management Scholarship.”
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, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com