Pillar’s $100,000 Come True
John Pillar, PGA of C.C. at Woodloch Springs won the 26th Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic and the $100,000 grand prize in a dramatic sudden death playoff. Pillar’s $100,000 winner’s check is the largest first-place prize available from any event across the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections. Pillar defeated Kyle Early from Waynesborough C.C. on the third playoff hole by sinking a 10-foot birdie putt.
“Winning the Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic is a life changer, to be honest,” Pillar said during the trophy presentation. “I did not know when I was going to win again. At 57 years old, it’s overwhelming, and I am so grateful.”
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Matt Keller, PGA Earns PGA Master Professional Designation
Matt Keller, PGA, Owner of York Indoor Golf & Training Center in York, Pennsylvania, and Lancaster Indoor Golf & Training Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain. Among the more than 30,000 that comprise the PGA of America, Keller, a Member of the Philadelphia PGA Section, joins a special group as the 444th to earn Master Professional status. He achieved his designation in Teaching & Coaching. To read more about his accomplishment, click here.
David Messina
Annie Borah
Zac Zerbo
New Full-Time Faces
The Philadelphia Section is pleased to welcome three new full-time tournament coordinators. David Messina is a graduate of Central Michigan University and is a native of Macomb, Michigan. Annie Borah is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and studied at Baldwin Wallace University. The third new member is Zac Zerbo, out of Fairfax, Virginia, and he went to school at West Virginia Univeristy. All three are excited to bring new ideas and perspectives to the team as they work both junior and professional events. Be sure to say hello when you them at an upcoming tournament!
Meet Our Summer Interns!
The Philadelphia Section is excited to bring on three interns to help out during the busy summer season. Grace McLaughlin is our communications intern who is currently a Junior and Business Analytics major at Notre Dame University. The other two interns which will be assisting the the tournament team are Tyler Beam and Ryan Conroy. Tyler is going into his junior year at the University of Pittsburgh where he is studying marketing. Ryan is a senior at the University of Delaware where he is majoring in Sports Business. Be sure to say hello when you them at an upcoming tournament!
Grace McLaughlin
Tyler Beam
Ryan Conroy
John Pillar Captures Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship
John Pillar of C.C. at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa., captured the 2024 Philadelphia Senior PGA Professional Championship at Sandy Run Country Club on, finishing with rounds of 72-68–140, 4-under-par. “I had three phrases I leaned on during today’s round: belief, be present, and be patient,” Pillar said following the conclusion of play. “It was a really solid day. Sandy Run is a great golf course, and it presented tough conditions, which is what our championship should be.”
Pillar will lead five other Philadelphia PGA Members to compete in the 2024 Senior PGA Professional Championship at Sunriver (Ore.) Resort on September 2629, including: Rich Steinmetz, Brian Kelly, Eric Kennedy, Chris Krueger, and George Forster. To read more, click here.
2024 PGA Championship
HOPE Continues to
Our Spring PGA HOPE Clinics have wrapped up for the summer our host sites for generously hosting this wonderful program. hundreds of veterans across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware powerful benefits of golf. We are looking forward to continuing to grow chapters opening up and would like to express graditutue to all of the up their time to teach at a clinic. To keep supporting our mission of
to Grow!
summer and we are thankful to all 12 of program. This spring we were able to reach Delaware and expose them to the grow in the fall with several new the PGA Professionals who gave of helping Veterans, click here.
Aronimink Golf Club Off Countdown to PGA Championship
Several section staff members attended Aronimink Golf Club’s Kickoff event celebrating the preparations they are going to begin making for the 2026 PGA Championship. Click below to watch a recap of this exciting night!
Club Kicks to the 2026 Championship
The Shore Hosts The LPGA
The Bay Course at Seaview Golf Club in Galloway, N.J. was the perfect backdrop for some of the world’s best female golf professionals to compete at the LPGA Shoprite Classic presented by Acer. This annual event took place from June 7-9, giving families several opporutnities to make it out in support of women’s golf. Several section staff members and PGA of America Golf professionals were present as volunteers in the scoring tents on holes 9 and 18. We would love to commend the LPGA for another great event!
Photo: USGA Fred Vuich
Photo: USGA Russell Kirk
Exceptional Talent Showcased Locally
The Philadelphia PGA was pleased to have two major championships held within their section boundaries. The first was the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball that was held at The Philadelphia Cricket Club from May 25-29. It was a great opportunity for the greater Philadelphia area to watch the world’s best amatuer golfers and showcase one of the more exlcusive clubs within the section.
Lancaster Country Club hosted the U.S. Women’s Open on May 27-June 2. We were very honored to have a premier women’s golf event held within our section. As an added bonus, Head professional, Rich Gibson, and Matt Goudie, Director of Instruction recieved the incredible opportunity to interact with players one on one. Goudie was recruited by Allisen Corpuz, the reining champion, to assist her and with her putting during the practice round. Gibson was asked by In Gee Chun to caddy for her during Saturday’s round.