CONTENTS
1921 E-PUB Vo l u m e 7, N o . 1
3 Zac Oakley: Major Player
Philadelphia PGA Member Zac Oakley will make his major championship debut at the PGA Championship.
4 The Gold Standards
The Section recently announced its 2021 Awards Class.
5 Standing with Ukraine
Philadelphia PGA Members have been busy helping to raise funds and gather donations for the Ukrainian people.
6 Union League to Host PWCC
The Union League of Philadelphia will host the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship in May.
7 Rea Attends Spring Meeting
PGA Secretary Don Rea attended the Section’s first full in-person membership meeting in three years.
8 Patriot Golf Days: Staying Local
For the first time, money raised during Patriot Golf Days will stay in the Philadelphia PGA Section.
10 Make Golf Your Thing
The Section has teamed up with Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board to create a new Inside Golf TV segment.
11 Finalist at Augusta
Philadelphia-area local Katelyn Burks was a finalist in this year’s Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals.
12 The Benefits of Lifelong Learning
Hear how PGA Master Professional John Dunigan has improved his career with PGA of America education.
Pictured: Southern Hills Country Club will host Zac Oakley, PGA, and 19 other PGA Club Professionals for the next men’s major championship of 2022.
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Zac Oakley: Major Player Z
ac Oakley, a PGA Assistant Professional at Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del., has punched his ticket to compete in his first major championship in May. Oakley turned in rounds of 69-7265-75–281 in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship, leaving him at 2-under-par, good enough for a T6 finish, securing his spot on the Team of 20. The Team of 20 represents the top 20 finishers in the PGA’s premier member championship, which took place at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, in April. The Team of 20 PGA Professionals will compete in the 2022 PGA Championship, scheduled for May 16-22 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. The Philadelphia PGA Section wishes nothing but the best for Zac as he tees it up in his major championship debut. •
2020 AWARDS
The Gold S
Earlier in the year, the Philadelphia PGA Section annou Professional of the Year Sean Palmer, the PGA Director of G nominations were received for the 2021 Awards Class, of w winners for 2021, including:
Dean Kandle, PGA
David Zimmaro, PGA
PGA Golf Professional of the Year
PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year
Jeff Kidd
Bill Strau Aw
Christopher Young, PGA
Mike Wood, PGA
Eddie Perrino, PGA
PGA Youth Player Development Award
PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Private Category
PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category
Standards
unced its 2021 award winners, highlighted by PGA Golf Golf for the Union League of Philadelphia. Over 100 award which the Philadelphia PGA Awards Committee chose 11
die, PGA
usbaugh ward
Lou Guzzi, PGA
Justin Rinas, PGA
PGA Professional Development Award
PGA Player Development Award
Jeff Breiner, PGA
Jeremy Marino, PGA
Jerry McGoey, PGA
PGA Patriot Award
Justin Riegel PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Salesperson of the Year
Standing with Ukraine A
s we looked back on our history during our centennial season in 2021, it was apparent that the Philadelphia PGA has always been eager to help those in need; from World War II to COVID-19, the Section has been at the forefront of assistance, and the Russian war in Ukraine is no different. The Section spearheaded a drive for supplies to be donated to the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee (UUARC), and our PGA Professionals delivered in a big way. Led by Jamie Komancheck, PGA, and his team at RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve helped the Section provide over two utility vans full of supplies that were delivered directly to the Ukrainian people last month. Not to be outdone, Brian Feldschneider, PGA, helped organize a golf outing at Rancocas Golf Club with over 130 participants that raised over $30,000 for Revived Soldiers Ukraine. The organization was so impressed with their donation, their president sent in a video message (right) to thank them for the support. Additionally, the golf industry as a whole rallied behind the hashtag #GolfersForUkraine to raise money for UNICEF. As of this writing, the campaign has raised over $800,000. •
Union League to WORKS Collegiat
he PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC), the mo hosts student-athletes enrolled in Historically Black Colleg Minority-Serving Educational Institutions. The 2022 PWCC will League Golf Club at Torresdale in Philadelphia, Pa. In addtion to the PWCC, the Section, in coordination with the April 30 at Union League Liberty Hill. We are seeking PGA Coac instruction to kids, and will receive MSRs for their time. To volun
T
Host PGA te Championship
ost culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, annually ges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and other l be played May 2-4 at Union League Liberty Hill and The Union
e PGA of America, is hosting the PWCC Youth Day on Saturday, ches to volunteer to coach, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., to provide golf nteer, click here. •
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Rea Attends Spring Meeti T
he Section recently held its first full in-person membership
unseasonably cool temperatures kept us off the course, the PGA of America Secretary Don Rea. Rea provided updates on th and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to be hosted by sponsored by Evolve Golf, Next Round Golf, Precision Pro Golf, a for their support. •
ing
p meeting in three years at Union League Liberty Hill. Although e meeting was a success, and was highlighted by keynote speaker, he Association, its new headquarters in Texas, member benefits, the Union League of Philadelphia next month. The meeting was and Signature Golf. The Section thanks Mr. Rea and our partners
Patriot Golf Days: Staying Local P
lease consider registering for this year’s Patriot Golf Days, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30, as a way to support our nation’s heroes. All the money raised from Patriot Golf Days will be used locally either through PGA HOPE chapters or educational scholarships, provided by the Folds of Honor foundation to spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members within the Section. To register, click here. To learn more about helping with PGA HOPE clinics, contact foundation director Courtney Curcio at ccurcio@ pgahq.com. •
Make Golf Your Thing T
his spring, the Philadelphia PGA Section teamed with Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board and Inside Golf to bring a new segment to the popular golf TV show: Make Golf Your Thing. ‘Make Golf Your Thing’ is a collaborative effort across the golf industry to ensure the future of golf is open to everyone, working to invite more people to the sport from all backgrounds to enjoy the game of a lifetime – their way. PGA Member Meg Donohue will be giving televised lessons to Valley Forge’s Megan Tomlinson and WMMR’s Marisa Magnatta at Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club to promote the initiative. Keep a lookout for these special segements on NBC Sports Philadelphia in the coming weeks.•
Finalist at Augusta P
aoli, Pa., resident Katelyn Burks, 8, competed in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, finishing fourth in her division. Her journey started at local qualifying at our very own Schuylkill Country Club. Burks is a student of Nick Iacono, PGA. Way to go, Katelyn! •
The Benefits of Lifelong Learning U
tilizing the PGA of America’s lifelong learning programs can help improve you and your business. Please take a moment to listen to hear how earning his certifications and ultimately the designation of PGA Master Professional has helped John Dunigan by clicking on the below image. •