The Professional - Volume VII, Issue III

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Letter From The President

MAPGA Members and Associates,

As we all look forward to the off-season, we need to not only finish strong, but make our plans for how we are going to improve ourselves over the winter. As we reflect on this year and the years that shaped the present, we have so much to be proud of in the MAPGA. We have a legendary past that has built the strong foundation on which our present leadership stands today. We can now look into the exciting future filled with endless possibilities.

Andy Weissinger, PGA Section President

Our history is one that dates back to March 2, 1925, when leaders from the three major golf associations of the region got together and formed the Middle Atlantic PGA to strengthen golf and to sustain the game and business of golf for future generations. That mission was not lost on the great men and women who came after them. Our section boasts three past National PGA Presidents, Max Elbin (1966-1968), Bill Clarke (19731974) and Allen Wronowski (2011-2012), each of whom have a legacy that has helped to shape the association we love and support today. These leaders, along with MAPGA Hall of Famers, Past Presidents and other outspoken servants of the game have blazed a trail for all of us to follow with a responsibility to keep the MAPGA flag always moving forward.

The large weight of this responsibility is not lost on the Officers and Board of Directors serving the Middle Atlantic PGA and its Members today. They work hard each day to help better the MAPGA Member and Associate professionally and personally. Jobs may come and go, but one thing remains…the Middle Atlantic PGA. As we all strive to do better, we must realize that this will only happen when we work together. All the decisions we make, events we produce, education we offer and directions we lead are launched on the foundation laid by those before us and done with the intent to positively affect the Middle Atlantic PGA Member and Associate.

The Professional Volume VII, Issue III Editor: Ben Smith

Contributing Writers: Ben Smith Chris Lang PGA of America Jon Guhl

As we look to the future we need your help, we need your feedback, and we need your service. If we are going to achieve great things we need as many points of view as there are classifications of membership. No one knows your business better than you, don’t settle for someone else to tell your story. Get involved and make the business better for PGA Professionals who will follow in your footsteps. We have large shoes to fill but I am confident that we can do it; and we can do it well.

Please do all you can to make yourself better this off-season. Better at your craft, better at your job, better with your family, better with your self-talk…it will all make you a stronger person…and that is a good thing. We have tools provided by the PGA for several of these areas. Keep up the hard work and please let us know if you need help in anything.

Thank you for all you do!

Serving Proudly, Andy Weissinger, PGA President, Middle Atlantic PGA

O L F & L I F E S T Y L E A P P A R E L

M I T H A N D Q U I N N . C O M

S A L E S @ S M I T H A N D Q U I N N . C O M @ S M I T H A N D Q U I N N

Dear MAPGA Professional,

Before we get to the tournament theme for this issue, I do want to again recognize and thank you all for your service to our game. We have continued to see amazing growth in rounds, number of lessons, and number of new people coming into the game. While that is great for the industry and our collective future, it has been your sweat equity that has maintained this success. While I hope and pray that you are able to take some time for yourself and your family during these busy times, I know that in many cases, you are not. Let me say again, we all appreciate you and your efforts for our game and your facility. Let’s make sure it leads to increased compensation in one way or another.

In this issue, we celebrate some of our tournament winners. Hopefully some of that time taken for yourself will allow you to play and practice this great game!

You will have noticed by now that our Fall Meeting will be virtual. Your Board of Directors concluded that this was the best way to serve our members. This will allow you to get virtually caught up on Section matters, and get some great education from the comfort of your own home or office in the Fall. Dan Bubany, PGA, of RGX (Will Robins) will present "From Burnout to Balance in 12 Weeks - How to Double Your Hourly Income and Guarantee 25% Off Your Players' Handicap While Working 40% Less.” Then, you are strongly encouraged to attend the big, in-person get together (Super Meeting) to kick off the spring each year.

From The ED

Jon Guhl Executive Director

So, this is one of many reminders that we are having our “Super Meeting” at Lansdowne Resort from February 19-21, 2023. We will have our HOF/Awards Banquet on Sunday night, Feb 19 (induction Glenn Brown and Bob Dolan into our MAPGA HOF). New this year, we will offer a Vendor Showcase all day on Monday (Feb 20), so you can come and visit some of your local reps and get some of your buying done! The Teaching Summit will start early on Monday morning and run all-day Tuesday (Feb 21). We will pause the Teaching Summit and Vendor Showcase from 3-5 pm to hold our Section Spring Meeting. Then we will resume activities at the showcase with a reception and give away lots of prizes (must be present to win). We hope this collection of activities will attract you to come stay for a few days, share in the camaraderie of our Section, and both honor award winners and learn a little about teaching along the way. Please save these dates on your calendar!

Lastly, we held our first big PGA REACH Middle Atlantic Pro-AM fundraiser at Baltimore Country Club in May. It was a spectacular success, raising over $40,000! This is our primary vehicle to raise funds for our PGA HOPE, PGA WORKS and other charitable programs. I hope you will participate in some way next year. Next year’s event will be at TPC Potomac on Monday, June 5th. Mark your calendars and recruit your team now!

Again, I can see and feel how busy you all are at your facilities. I humbly ask that you MAKE THE TIME for yourself (play golf, you deserve it) and your family. It is important to keep your mind and body right and have balance in your life in these unique times. We know that your Association is further down the list of your priorities, but keep us in mind, too. I hope you have a strong finish to your season and please continue to do your part for your Association and our game!

Sincerely, Jon Guhl Executive Director

The Middle Atlantic PGA Major Championships: Assistant Championship, Section Championship, and Senior Championship are the biggest tournaments of the year. The 2022 Championships did not disappoint when it came to excitement. Two of the three championships were decided by one shot. The one that didn’t (Section Championship) had eleven professionals within 2 shots of the lead going into the final round.

All three champions were first-time winners in their respective championships and Travis Johnson won his first MAPGA major title. There were also some other

notable accomplishments from the other two champions. Dick Mast became the oldest player to win the Middle Atlantic PGA Section Championship and David Hutsell became just the fourteenth MAPGA member to win the Senior and Section Championships in their career.

These championships also had national qualifier spots up for grabs. A total of 24 MAPGA members punched their ticket to the PGA National Championships (6 Assistant Championship, 13 Professional Championship, 5 Senior Championship).

Aldie, VA – PGA Life Member Dick Mast made history with his win in the Middle Atlantic PGA Section Championship. The 71-year-old became the oldest winner in the event’s 97-year history. With rounds of 71-70-70, he shot his age or better in all three rounds of the event to win by three shots.

“This year, out of 23 competitive rounds, I’ve shot my age or better at 21 of them,” said Mast. It’s been a great year for him, finishing in the top-7 in all of the MAPGA events he’s played in (with two wins), a top25 in the State Open of Virginia, and an appearance on the Champions Tour.

The Story

The Club at Creighton Farms hosted the event and proved to be a tough test of golf. Only three players finished under par on the 7,000-yard course and the Sunday/Monday rain made the course play even longer.

114 players teed off in the first round on Monday and half the field didn’t finish until Tuesday morning due to inclement weather. David Hutsell (Pine Ridge GC) and Billy Hoffman (Westwood CC) had the good tee time draw and were able to finish their first rounds on Monday. They took advantage and were tied at the top after each shot 3-under 69. Kyle Fuller (CC of Virginia), Rick Schuller (Stonehenge GC), and Chris Abbott (Kinloch GC) were only 1 shot back with their 2-under 70s.

The second round began late Tuesday morning after the first round was completed. Abbott and Ian McConnell (Robert Trent Jones GC) were the first to get to three under. Abbott bogeyed his first hole but birdied holes three and four while McConnell birdied two of his first three to get into a share of the lead at 3-under. However, neither player was able to separate themselves. McConnell made two bogies coming in to shoot even-par 72 and Abbott struggled early on the back nine but saved himself by making three birdies

coming in to shoot one-under 71 and finish at 3-under.

Travis Johnson (Kinloch GC) also made his move in the second round. The MAPGA Assistant Champion shot even par 72 in the first round and shot 2-under 70 in the second round to get to one shot back. Mast didn’t tee off in the second round until 4:05pm off the tenth hole. He got off to a great start, going out in twounder 34 and adding another birdie on the second hole to grab the solo lead at 4-under. He parred the next two holes before play was suspended due to darkness. When play resumed Wednesday morning, Mast made four pars and a bogey to shoot 2-under 70 to tie Abbott at the top of the 2nd round leaderboard at 3-under par.

After the second round, the field was cut to the top 46 and ties for the final round. Mast, Abbott, and Johnson were in the final group. The leaderboard was tight with 9 players within two shots of the lead. McConnell made the early move by making birdie on the 2nd and 3rd holes to get a share of the lead. Abbott also got off to a great start by birdieing the first hole. Johnson and Mast did not get off to the start they were looking for. Johnson made double bogey on the 1st hole and Mast made bogies on 2 and 3. Johnson was unable to get things going after the bad start, but Mast turned it on from there. He made long birdie putts on 5, 7, 8, and 9 to take over the lead through nine holes. It was a two-man race from there between Mast and Abbott. However, Abbott was not able to keep up with the hot putter of Mast. “I felt the momentum, you know it’s a funny thing [momentum], you feel it and I felt it,” said Mast. He kept the momentum going with three more birdies on the back nine and got to the eighteenth tee with a six-shot lead. The 71-year-old struggled down 18, making a triple bogey but was still able to become the oldest MAPGA Section Champion by three shots.

A total of 13 MAPGA Professionals qualified for the 2023 PGA Professional Championship that will be held April 30 – May 3 of next year. It will be played at Twin Warriors Golf Club and Santa Ana Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. Nine of the thirteen qualified from their finish in the MAPGA Section Championship: Chris Abbott, Kyle Fuller, Jay Newcomb (The Suburban Club), Geoff Montross (Farmington CC), Josh Speight (The Club at Viniterra), John O’Leary (Trump National GC – DC), Rick Schuller, Billy Hoffman, and Ryan Fellows (The Club at Creighton Farms). Four qualified from other events: Ian McConnell (top-20 in 2021 PNC), David Hutsell (past champion – 2011), Ashley Grier (PGA Cup), and Larkin Gross (PGA Cup).

Thank you to our sponsors Cadillac, Club Car, Rolex, Titleist, TaylorMade, and Callaway and The Club at Creighton Farms for hosting!

Owings Mills, MD – Travis Johnson (Kinloch Golf Club) came into the 2022 National Car Rental MAPGA Assistant Championship playing great golf. He won the Stroke Play Championship a few weeks prior and got off to a great start in the first round at Green Spring Valley Hunt Club.

He birdied the short par-4 2nd hole and played clean golf through the front nine, shooting one-under 34. The back nine at Green Spring Valley played easier throughout the tournament, with only one par-3 and par being 37. Johnson took advantage, making four birdies to one bogey to finish with a 4-under 68. That put him in a tie at the top with Ryan Shuck (Kinloch Golf Club) with one round to go.

The two at the top had a lot of competition behind them. There were five other players within two shots heading into the final round. Johnson got off to another steady start, parring the first eleven holes. Johnson made

bogey on the 385-yard par 4 12th and the leaderboard started tightening up. Jay Newcomb (The Suburban Club of Baltimore) and Keith Cooper (Princess Anne Country Club) hung around and started making their move on the back nine. Newcomb made birdies on 11, 12, and 14 to bounce back from a tough front nine and to within one of the lead. Cooper played steady golf, playing the front nine even par and birdieing the 10th hole to get within a shot of Johnson. Newcomb and Cooper each birdied the par-5 16th to tie the lead with Johnson playing behind them. Johnson hit it left off the tee on 16 but made an incredible recovery shot. A low running hook under a tree got him back in the fairway only 50 yards from the green. A great approach to 4 feet set him up for birdie and what would be the tournament clinching putt. He made par on 17 and 18 to win by one shot over Newcomb and Cooper.

Six MAPGA Professionals punched their ticket to the National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship in November. Travis Johnson, Jay Newcomb, Keith Cooper, and Tim Ritter (Army/Navy Country Club) earned their spot by finishing in the top-4. Ritter beat Steve Delmar (Columbia Country Club) on the 8th playoff hole to decide the 4th position. Larkin Gross (Springfield Golf & Country Club) and Ashley Grier (Yinglings Golf Center) were exempt into the national event for playing on the PGA Cup team.

Thank you to Mike Adkins and his staff at Green Spring Valley Hunt Club for being gracious hosts!

Baltimore, MD – Winning both the Middle Atlantic PGA Section Championship and the MAPGA Senior Championship is no small feat. It requires great play for many years in a game that can come and go like the ocean’s tide. There have only been 14 MAPGA Professionals that have done it previously.

This year’s event was hosted at The Elkridge Club. The 6,400-yard Par-71 was a tough test with greens that were rolling like glass. After the first round, it seemed like Jim Estes (Jim Estes Golf) would run away with it. But, these major championships always seem to tighten up at the end.

Jim Estes was by far and away the best player in the first round. His first birdie of the day came at the par-5 3rd hole but was quickly wiped out by a bogey at the downhill Par-3 4th. Estes didn’t let that slow him down. He made three birdies in a row on 7, 8, and 9 to go out in 3-under 33. He played steady through 15, making

all pars. His birdie on the par-4 16th got him to four under. When he got to the tee at the par-5 18th, he was looking to add to his 2-shot advantage. His second shot finished 20 feet behind the hole, setting him up with a slick eagle putt. He walked it with dying speed and finished the day at 6-under and four shots ahead of the closest competitors.

There were four players that shot 2-under 69 in round one and had a shot at Estes: David Hutsell (Pine Ridge Golf Course), Ricky Touma (Burning Tree Club), Dick Mast (PGA Life Member), and Brendan McGrath (Hidden Creek Country Club). They knew they would have to play mistake-free golf in the final round to have a chance at catching Estes.

McGrath and Mast made the early move, each making two birdies in their first five holes to get to 4-under par. With Estes making bogey on the p ar-4 2nd hole, the lead was quickly down to one shot. Estes bounced back

at the par-5 3rd, after almost holing out for double eagle he made an easy two-putt birdie to get back to where he started.

Mast struggled to keep pace from there, making three double bogies on holes 6, 10, and 13. In the end, he finished strong by birdieing four of the last five to qualify for the Senior PGA Professional Championship.

Hutsell, playing in the final group with Estes, also got his name in the mix with birdies on 5 and 7. Estes made three straight bogies on 6, 7, and 8. McGrath, playing in the second to last group, took advantage and took the lead with a birdie on the Par-3 8th. From there, it was a two-man race between Hutsell and McGrath to see who would win their first MAPGA Senior Championship.

Hutsell joined McGrath at 5-under par when he hit his approach shot to tap in range on the 10th hole. He took the lead for the first time at the 11th with a stellar approach out of the rough to 6 feet that he converted for birdie. A bogey for Hutsell on the 14th hole had them tied again at the top. McGrath drove his ball into the left rough on the long Par-4 15th. His approach left him a tricky chip that he was not able to get on the green. Another chip and two putts added up to a double bogey. Hutsell also struggled on the 15th, hitting his approach shot short. He was not able to get up and down and also gave one back, although he now had a one-shot lead. Hutsell made par on the 16th but three-putted on 17 to bring McGrath back into a tie. McGrath was unable to make birdie at the par-5 last hole, so Hutsell knew he needed a birdie to win. He hit the fairway with his drive and laid up to the perfect number. His third shot hit 20 feet short of the hole, took one big bounce, and checked about 3 feet from the hole. He made the birdie putt to become the 14th MAPGA Member to win both the Senior and Section Championships.

In the 60-69 Division and Quarter Century 60+, John Metzger (PGA Life Member) birdied the last 3 holes of regulation as well as the first playoff hole to beat Glenn McCloskey (Loudoun Golf & Country Club) in a playoff after both tied at +3 after 36 holes.

Brendan McGrath won the Quarter Century 50+ and Roger Hatcher won the 70+ division.

We had 6 players qualify for the Senior PGA Professional Championship that will take place at Twin Warriors & Santa Anna Golf Clubs on October 13-16: David Hutsell, Brendan McGrath, Jeff Combe (Woodmont Country Club), Dick Mast, Rick Schuller (Stonehenge Golf & Country Club) and Jim Estes.

Thank you to Joe Franz and his staff at The Elkridge Club for hosting!

Leaderboard

BRITT SLOAN (301) 529-7888 sloangolf3@gmail.com

2022 MAPGA

RD DINTAMAN (804) 306-3907 rdgolfva@gmail.com

WINNERS

Capitol Golf Cars Bobby Gorin Pro-Junior

Rockville, MD – The inaugural Capitol Golf Cars Bobby Gorin Pro-Junior was hosted at the beautiful Woodmont Country Club – North Course. Middle Atlantic PGA professionals teamed up with a junior that was 19 years old or younger. They played 18 holes of net fourball stroke play.

Jeff Rosenberg, PGA (The Country Club at Woodmore) and his son Cameron Vachon were in the first group of the day. They set the pace early with a 9-under 63. Rosenberg carried the team early, going out in 3-under 33 on his own ball. Cameron, a 14-handicap, made a real difference for the team starting on the 9th hole. His par on the 400-yard par-4 9th hole led to a net birdie for the team and he followed that up with a birdie, net eagle on the 505-yard par-5 10th. Another par, net birdie for Cameron on the 17th hole brought the team to 9-under.

That number was not challenged until the end of the day. Steve Delmar, PGA (Columbia Country Club) and James Gardner got to within one shot after Gardiner made a birdie, net eagle on the 17th hole. Delmar had a chance to tie the lead but missed a 12-foot birdie putt

giving Rosenberg and Vachon the win.

Thank you to David Dorn, PGA and his staff at Woodmont for hosting the event and Capitol Golf Cars and Eaglebank for sponsoring.

MAPGA Stroke Play Championship #2

Keswick, VA - Yong Joo (TopGolf - Loudoun) shot 5-under 66 at a rainy Keswick Club to win the MAPGA Stroke Play Championship #2.

Joo got off to a good start on his first nine holes, making 3 birdies in his first eight holes before his first bogey on the Par-4 9th hole. He reeled off 3 birdies in a row to start his back nine. A birdie on the eighteenth hole proved to be the deciding factor as he won by one shot over John O’Leary (Trump National - DC) and Ashley Grier (Yinglings Golf Center).

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Matt Miskelly & Co. MAPGA Head Professional Championship

Keswick, VA - Grant Strawoet (Woodmont Country Club) and Daniel Bengtson (Bethesda Country Club) tied for the Matt Miskelly & Co. MAPGA Head Professional Championship also held at Keswick Club.

Neither got off to a very good start, each bogeying three of their first six holes. However, Strawoet responded with four birdies in a five hole stretch from holes 9-13 to get in with an even par 71. Bengtson made back-to-back birdies on 8 and 9 and a hole out eagle on 13 but a bogey on 17 had him one back with the 18th hole to play. A drive in the fair way set him up for a nice approach to 15 feet and he was able to make the putt to tie Strawoet at the top.

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WHY HOST A TRADE-IN EVENT

Fall Chapter Pro-Pros

Northern Chapter Southern Chapter

Jeff Mann (Fountain Head CC) and Mike Adkins (Green Spring Valley HC) shot 6-under 66 in the four-ball format at Prospect Bay G&CC to win by two shots.

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Geoff Montross (Farmington CC) and Hunter Brown (Birdwood GC) shot 7-under 65 at Lake Chesdin Golf Club to win by one shot.

Yong Joo (Topgolf Loudoun) and Joe Lussier (1757 GC) shot 8-under 64 at Montgomery CC to win the Central Chapter Fall Pro-Pro.

Central Chapter

Ricky Touma teamed up with Assistants Eli Mireles and Jeremy Pell and tied the Central Chapter Fall ProAssistant. Both teams shot 8-under 64.

Rick Schuller wins 17th Senior Open of Virginia

make it back to the fairway, leaving him a tricky lie in Independence’s sticky Bermuda rough. Serrao hit his approach to six feet, pressuring Schuller to hit a great shot out of the rough. He did just that, and his approach settled three feet from the hole. “So good,” said Serrao, who was standing on the green as Schuller’s approach landed.

FIRST-ROUND LEADER: Serrao posted a 7-under 65 on Monday.

NOTE: The Senior Open of Virginia is conducted jointly by the VSGA and Middle Atlantic PGA.

QUOTABLE

WrittenbyChrisLang

MIDLOTHIAN — Rick Schuller, a PGA professional at Richmond’s Stonehenge G&CC, made a clutch up and down for par on the final hole on Tuesday to win the 17th Senior Open of Virginia, held at Independence Golf Club. Schuller shot a two-day aggregate total of 10-under-par 134 to win his second title in the event, his first coming in 2013 at Country Club of Virginia’s Westhampton Course.

Schuller finished one shot clear of Midlothian amateur Steve Serrao (Willow Oaks CC), who posted a two-day aggregate total of 9-under 135.

A REAL ROLLER COASTER: Serrao opened Tuesday’s second round with a three-shot lead, made a double bogey on No. 2 and another on No. 7 (in between he made three straight birdies), and was behind by as many as four strokes. Serrao made an eagle on No. 13 and eventually tied Schuller on the 15th hole before making another bogey on 16.

STUNNER: Schuller made a long birdie putt from off the green on No. 17, one that hit the flagstick and dropped home. Serrao, admittedly a bit rattled, missed his birdie putt, allowing Schuller to head to the 36th hole with a two-shot lead.

TURNING POINT: Serrao drove to the middle of the fairway on 18. Schuller’s drive slipped left into a fairway bunker. He escaped the bunker but couldn’t

Schuller on the time between his two victories (nine years):

“There’s been some strong amateur play in that time. We have a really strong contingent of amateurs in the state of Virginia. I’m honored again to hold the title.”

Schuller on the approach on 18

“My tee ball kind of left me on the back nine. I aimed for the bunker and ended up hitting the bunker on 18. I had a really difficult lie on the second shot, and I knew Steve was in great position to make a birdie. I was doing everything I could to take a stance and make clean contact with the ball. Unfortunately, it hit the lip, and that left me with the hardest shot I’ve had all week. I can’t believe I got that ball as close as I did. It turns out Steve made his putt so I had to make

that to cap it off. What a grind.”

Schuller on his putt on 17

“I hit a poor tee ball, and I laid up nicely but was stuck in between yardages with that back pin. I know that swale is over there on the left. He had hit another really good shot to put the pressure on me to hit a decent shot. Stuck in between, I went with a pitching wedge instead of my gap wedge, tried to flight it, and it got up on the hill and rolled back down the hill into a little collection area. It was a weird situation.

I don’t know if it was from a divot or if it was a piece of turf, but my ball rolled onto it where the turf was in a U shape on either side of the ball. Wedge, putter, whatever I hit with, the grass was going to be stuck between the ball and the club face. I told myself not to leave it short, because it could easily come back to my feet. I hit it a little too hard, and it was going really hard, but it was dead center on the pin. I thought it was going to deflect out but it fell in. I think that kind of stunned Steve.”

Serrao on Tuesday’s rough start

“I was playing great, but my nerves kind of got to me. I lost my tempo. I lost my swing. I made some dumb mistakes. But I knew I was playing well, so I just hung in there and hoped to get hot, and I did.”

Serrao on the bogey on 16

“I thought I hit a decent drive, but I ended up in the bunker. He made a great par there. He made a great

birdie on 17. And you saw the shot he hit on 18. I did the best I could at the end. I’m just disappointed in how I started off.”

Serrao on the mood swings of the tournament

“He played great. He started off well, cool and calm. I did not. I don’t know. I hung in there, made some birdies, got that eagle on 13. I guess I’m semi-happy. I wanted to win that badly. But I came back, so I guess that’s OK.”

FUN FACTS

• Schuller became the second straight professional to win the Senior Open after a four-year run in which amateurs won the event. Brendan McGrath won last year at Independence.

• Schuller’s first victory in 2013 came over amateur John Cuomo by two strokes.

• Schuller also won the State Open of Virginia in 1998.

• Schuller has been runner-up twice in the Senior Open (2017-18) and was low professional in 2015.

• Serrao was the only player to make two eagles in the tournament.

• 1757 GC professional Roger Hatcher made a hole-inone on the par-3 11th hole in Tuesday’s second round.

• Amateur Scott Shingler (Dominion Valley CC) finished third at 8-under 136. He started the tournament with a rough front nine on Monday, carding a 2-over 38. He played the rest of the championship at 10-under.

• Amateur Jon Hurst (Fredericksburg CC) was fourth at 7-under 137.

• Professionals Sean English (The Elkridge Club) and Frank Ferguson (Washington G&CC) tied for fifth at 4-under 140.

• Schuller, Shingler and amateur Nicholas Crowe (Williamsburg GC) all posted 6-under rounds of 66 on Tuesday. Crowe rallied from a Monday 75 to finish tied for seventh at 3-under 141.

• Past champions Matt Sughrue and Buck Brittain finished tied for 10th at 2-under 142 with past State Open of Virginia champion Craig Gunn.

Schuller celebrates after making an improbable putt on 17.

STAFF UPDATE

Claire Jansa has been hired by PGAHQ to help run PGA HOPE at the national level. Claire has been helping MAPGA professionals for 4 years as our Player Development Coordinator. We are excited for her next step, but will definitely miss her!

Caleb Kolb will take over for Claire as our Player Development Coordinator!

He has been with us for two seasons as an intern and will be a vital part of our team moving forward.

Caleb graduated from St. John Fisher University in the spring with a degree in Sport Management.

Hoffman/Speight Win Their 2nd MAPGA Club Car Team Championship

Wintergreen, VA – The Club Car MAPGA Team Championship is one of the favorite events of the year among our MAPGA professionals. The unique team format is unlike any other event they play in. Played over two days, the two-person teams play 27 holes each day. Each nine holes has a different format: four-ball, alternate shot, and scramble.

Wintergreen Resort hosted this year’s event for the first time. The wind was up both days, making for tough scoring conditions for the majority of the teams.

Billy Hoffman (Westwood Country Club) and Josh Speight (The Club at Viniterra) had no trouble with the wind during the first round. The shotgun start had them begin on the 6th hole of the Four-ball nine. They got off to a steady start, making one birdie before they went to the scramble nine. That is where Hoffman and Speight got it going. They made 6 birdies and no

bogies and went to the alternate shot nine at 7-underpar with thirteen holes completed. The alternate shot is usually the most difficult format, with teams trying to get through around even par. Hoffman and Speight blew that out of the water, making six birdies and no bogies to match their scramble nine with a 6-under 30. They finished up on the four-ball nine, making 3 more birdies to finish off their 27 holes without any bogies. Their 16-under-par 92 total put them 6 shots clear of Larkin Gross (Springfield Golf & Country Club) and Paige Church (The Club at Creighton Farms).

Carey Hodsden (Lynnhaven Golf Park) and Jon Corliss (Heron Ridge Golf Club) finished the first round at 8-under and 8 shots behind the leaders. They had to think they would be playing for second place in round 2. That would be until they shot a tournament-best 6-under 30 on the four-ball nine that included five birdies in a row. Hoffman and Speight shot even par on

their first nine of the second round, putting Hodsden and Corliss only 2 shots off the lead with 18 holes to play. They kept it going on the scramble nine, making three consecutive birdies to bring their birdie streak to 8 in a row. However, they didn’t make any more birdies in the scramble format while Hoffman and Speight shot 6-under 30 on their scramble nine. Hoffman and Speight then went into the final format of alternate shot with a 5-shot lead. Hodsden and Corliss weren’t able to mount a comeback and Hoffman and Speight won the Club Car MAPGA Team Championship by five strokes.

This is Hoffman and Speight’s second MAPGA Team Championship win as a team (2020).

Thank you to Club Car for sponsoring and PGA Director of Golf Geoff Redgrave and his staff at Wintergreen Resort for hosting!

United States Wins the 30th PGA Cup 15.5-10.5

Larkin Gross Shines In PGA Cup Debut Going 3-1-1

It was a day for the history books for the United States PGA Cup Team and Captain Suzy Whaley, as they captured the 30th PGA Cup for their first overseas victory since 2009; won a second consecutive Llandudno International Trophy; and earned their 19th win in the series against Great Britain & Ireland, dating back to 1973.

PGA Honorary President Whaley of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is the first woman to both Captain in the men’s PGA Cup and win it, too. She was also Captain of the victorious United States Women’s PGA Cup Team in its inaugural event in 2019.

“I have been able to do a lot of amazing things in my career, and this ranks right at the very top,” said Whaley. In the opening Singles match of the final day of the 30th PGA Cup at Foxhills Resort & Club in Surrey, England, both the United States and Great Britain & Ireland’s teams wanted to set a winning tone.

With the U.S. up 9.5-6.5 entering Sunday Singles, GB&I’s Ashley Mansell raced out to a seemingly insurmountable 4-up lead over America’s Michael Block after 12 holes.

Amazingly, Block, PGA Head Professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, in Mission Viejo, California—who loves to write “Why Not?” on his golf balls for inspiration—proceeded to birdie five of the six final holes, including two lengthy birdie putts on Nos. 15 and 17. He then reached the par-5 18th hole in two shots, two putted for birdie, and won the match.

The stunning 1-up win immediately flipped the script and made a statement that Sunday was perhaps the United States’ day to win the PGA Cup.

“It really set the tone for everybody else,” said Whaley, who followed Block across the back nine. “He fought so hard, and he earned us that first point. That first point is so crucial for the rest of the team. I have never seen anyone fight so hard for a point.”

Following two matches that ended in ties and secured a half-point for both squads, Ryan Vermeer, the 2018 PGA Professional Champion and PGA Director of Instruction at Happy Hollow Club in Omaha, Nebraska, earned a commanding 4 &3 win over GB&I’s Simon Thorton to put the United States in position to cascade.

Yet, Great Britain & Ireland won three straight Singles points to tighten the gap to 12.5-10.5.

First GB&I’s Adam Keough knocked off America’s Frank Bensel Jr. 2 & 1. Daniel Whitby-Smith followed suit by winning 3 & 2 over Wyatt Worthington II. And then Greig Hutcheon would add another win over Jared Jones, 4 & 3.

Suddenly, it was a two-point margin, with three matches still in progress.

But it was a day for America’s PGA Cup veterans, with Ryan Vermeer, Alex Beach, Uresti and Block earning key points, while Wyoming’s Ben Polland secured an important half-point against GB&I’s stalwart Matthew Cort.

“This team has something special,” said Block, the 2014 PGA Professional Champion, who has played in four PGA Championships and three U.S. Opens. “It was really fun doing this in front of Suzy.”

PGA Life Member and Austin, Texas-native Omar Uresti, a two-time PGA Professional Champion, earned the clinching point for the United States, 4 & 3 over Great Britain & Ireland’s Simon Lilly, to help secure a 15.5-10.5 road win.

“Obviously, we were in a good position going into the day,” said Vermeer, a 4 & 3 winner over Simon Thorton. “It will be an experience for myself on the golf course I will remember forever.”

Uresti would then clinch the winning point for the Americans.

For Uresti, who was on the other end of the ledger in both 2015 and 2017, the clinching point was sweet glory.

“It means a lot,” said Uresti. “It feels great to finally come over here and win. As they say, ‘Third times a charm.’ I am a little bit more emotional than I expected. It feels great….Excitement, joy, almost tearful joy.”

It was also a second consecutive PGA Cup win for the United States Team, who now hold a 19-7-4 advantage in a series that dates back nearly 50 years. The U.S. won in 2019 at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, on a miraculous final day rally.

“It’s been a fantastic experience for all of us,” said Great Britain & Ireland Captain David Russell. “I have no complaints other than the result.”

Jesse Mueller, of Phoenix, the 2022 PGA Professional Champion, gave the U.S. a further edge, winning his match 2 &1 over Paul McKechnie.

Beach, the 2019 PGA Professional Champion and PGA Assistant Professional at Westchester Country Club

in Rye, New York, earned the Americans another full point, as he secured a 1-up win over David Higgins.

“It started to get a little dicey,” admitted Whaley. “But in the end, we got it done.”

Ashley Grier Making 2nd Appearance for Team USA in Women’s PGA Cup

Event Held October 27-29 at Twin Warriors Golf Club

Written by PGA of America

PGA Professionals Joanna Coe and Ashley Grier return to anchor a United States Team looking to defend the Cup at the 2022 Women’s PGA Cup. The premier international competition for women PGA Club Professionals will be held at Twin Warriors Golf Club at Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, October 27-29, 2022.

“The opportunity to captain our U.S. Women’s PGA Cup team will be one of the highlights of my career,” said Richerson. “This talented team of PGA Professionals representing their respective PGA Sections and home facilities get to take part in an international showcase of their peers and defend the Cup. I’m looking forward to being at the forefront as we continue momentum in growing women’s professional golf.”

The U.S. Team was determined following a point system that concluded with the 2022 LPGA Professionals National Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Currently there are representatives from five PGA Associations that will be part of the field: Australia, Canada, Great Britain & Ireland, Sweden and the United States. The Women’s PGA Cup is conducted as a 54-hole, stroke-play event, with each team’s lowest three scores counted after each round. The winning country will be the team with the lowest 54-hole aggregate total.

The U.S. team won the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup by four shots in October 2019 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa/Foothills Course in Austin, Texas.

PGA of America President Jim Richerson will captain the U.S. Team. Richerson, a PGA Member, is General Manager of The Riviera Country Club & The Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades, California. Elected President at the 104th PGA Annual Meeting in 2020, he is the first Wisconsin PGA Member to hold a National Office.

Coe and Grier are the two veterans returning from that inaugural championship team. Coe is the Director of Instruction at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania: She is among the first women to hold the position of head professional or director of instruction at one of the nation’s top 10 private golf facilities. Grier is an LPGA/PGA Professional and a PGA Assistant Professional at Yingling’s Golf Center in Hagerstown, Maryland: She earned the Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year honors in 2020 and has played in four PGA Professional Championships—2016, '19, '21 and '22.

Each national team in the Women’s PGA Cup will compose five players and one Captain, who may be a playing captain at the option of the respective country.

ADAM RELAN LEADS TEAM VIRGINIA TO VICTORY IN CAPITAL CUP

The 2022 Capital Cup was hosted at The Country Club of Virginia. Team Virginia was captained by Adam Relan and Team Maryland by Jeff Maynor. This was the first time for each coach to captain their respective state.

The Capital Cup features the best junior golfers in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. They have to qualify for their respective teams through qualifiers that are held throughout the season. The event is held over two days and has 3 different formats. Day one is four-ball and foursome matches and day two is singles matches.

The Ryder Cup style event was dominated by Team Virginia. They led the morning four-ball matches 4.51.5 and added to their lead in the afternoon foursomes 8-4. They kept it going in the singles matches, winning the Cup back from Maryland with a 17-7 victory.

The Capital Cup began in 2009, Maryland leads the alltime series 7-6.

Team

Team

MAPGA

Talton Cherry

Collin Elphic

Caleb Kolb

Natalie

Ben Smith

Morgan Nadaline