May
June
On The TEE
PGA HOPE Ambassador Ron Gionta to Throw Out
First Pitch at Pirates Game
Friday, May 23, 2025 | Tri-State PGA
Ronald E. Gionta, COL. (Retired) USAF and PGA HOPE Ambassador, TriState Section PGA
We’re proud to share that Ron Gionta, a PGA HOPE Ambassador representing the Tri-State Section PGA, will be recognized at the Pittsburgh Pirates game this Saturday, May 24th. As a guest of RE/MAX Select Realty of Cranberry Township, Ron will throw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the 4:05 PM start against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ron is a distinguished graduate of the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program and has completed ambassador training to help expand its reach in our community. PGA HOPE is the flagship military initiative of PGA REACH, introducing golf to Veterans and Active-Duty Military Personnel as a way to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Keep an eye out for Ron on the mound and the big screen a little after 3:00 PM we’re excited to see him represent the mission and spirit of PGA HOPE on such a grand stage!
After 165 years, Sewickley Cemetery continues to offer pristine setting
Thursday, May 22, 2025
| Michael Divittorio
Gulf War veteran Ron Gionta, right, and William J. Russo plant national flags on graves at Sewickley Cemetery on May 13.
Bill Russo of Ohio Township has spent the better part of two decades ensuring the graves of military veterans have new flags in time for Memorial Day.
A handful of other former soldiers with the same mindset have assisted the Vietnam veteran for most of those years. One such helper is retired U.S. Air Force Col. Ronald Gionta, who lives in the same township retirement community as Russo, Traditions of America at Summer Seat. Gionta, 71, served in the military for 32 years, including 30 as an officer. He enlisted in 1980. Services included deployment in Operation Desert Storm, Air National Guard Crisis Action Team member at Andrews Air Force Base, and with the Army National Guard as an air liaison officer at the Joint Operations Center.
This Memorial Day weekend, join us in our powerful mission to uplift the families of veterans and first responders through the game of golf. We're teaming up with PGA of America Golf Professionals across the Tri-State Section to not only raise awareness but also generate vital funds that will support our nation's heroes and their loved ones.
Now is the time to make a difference!
From May 24 to 26, you can play a part in this meaningful initiative.
Click the link �� below to discover how you can help honor and support those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
PGA Family Golf || Wednesday, May 28, 2025 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EST
Interested in hosting PGA Family Golf at your facility? Join PGA Professionals Meg Stem and Ali Beam and co-hosts, Kim Shafer, PGA, LPGA, and Stacey Rice Dorman, PGA as they share practical tips and best practices for creating meaningful, fun experiences for families at your course.
PGA Family Golf is a team-based playing experience that brings families together on the course in a relaxed, welcoming format. It’s designed for all skill levels and encourages participation from parents, grandparents, and kids—making the game more inclusive and engaging.
Adding PGA Family Golf to your programming:
Drives incremental revenue by bringing in more participants
Strengthens relationships with families already involved in your PGA Jr. League
Encourages retention by creating memorable, shared experiences
Builds a stronger sense of community around your facility
Can’t attend live? Register anyway to receive the recording.
DEADLINE: MAY29,2025
PGA MEMBER SURVEY
The Annual Member Survey is now live!
PGA Members should have received an email signed by PGA of America Chief Member Officer John Easterbrook at the end of March.
Need-to-Know Info
Who is eligible: All members (non-associates, students, A-3, or HMs) are eligible.
Member Benefit: Earn up to two PDRs and help us shape how we approach the offerings that we provide our members on a yearly basis.
Call to Action: Click the link in your email from PGA of America with the subject line "Share Your Opinion on PGA of America
Member Offerings" or click on the "The the Survey" link on your dashboard/PGA App "Your survey link is unique to you. Please do not share it with others."
Celebrate 10 years of Walk for Children's with us at Schenley Park or a location of your choice with family and friends!
VOLUNTEER WITH THE SECTION STAFF
- Contact the TSPGA Office.
TRI-STATE
Sunnehanna Pro-3 Am
Monday, May 12, 2025
Congratulations to our Sunnehanna Champions!
Mike Van Sickle continued his impressive run with his 3rd consecutive victory, while professional Mike Papson led his amateur team to victory.
This year's Sunnehanna Pro-Am at Sunnehanna Country Club was a tremendous success. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible!
Steve Pirring of ASHER Premium Golf Apparel, who presented ASHER gloves and polos designed to help you look good, feel good, and play even better. And to host PGA Professional John Klinchock—thank you for the elite-level hospitality, beautiful grounds, top-notch golf shop, and amazing F&B service.
JIM
PRO-AM TEAM
MIKE PAPSON (P)
BERQUIST, THOM HAMMOND, VINNIE COLELLI
MONDAY MAY 12 2025
Sunnehanna Pro-3 Am
MONDAY, MAY 12, 2025
TRI-STATE Sunnehanna Country Club
Tri-State Amateur Championship
Wednesday,May14,2025
Congratulations to our 2025 Amateur Champions!
The unique and glorious championship courses at Nemacolin set the stage for the Dick's Sporing Goods Tri-State Amateur Championship. Despite lightning and rain shortening the 36hole event, the competition was intense among the talented field of amateur players.
This year, we crown J.F. Aber and Garrett Schlick as overall co-champions, and Sean Knapp is the senior amateur champion.
Thank you to our Presenting Partner, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Executive Chairman Edward W. Stack for his unwavering support and dedication to growing the game of golf. We also appreciate Nemacolin's Director of Golf, Chris Anderson, for providing a world-class setting and experience.
OVERALL 69 (-3) T1
J.F. ABER & GARRETT SCHLICK
CHAMPION
SENIOR AMATEUR 71 (-1)
TRI-STATE
Jim Ferree Classic
Monday-Tuesday, May 19-20, 2025
Congratulations to the Champions of the Jim Ferree Classic!
PGA Associate Justin Moose emerged victorious as the 2025 Overall Champion, holding onto his first-round lead. Joe Boros, John Aber, and Brett Carman finished T1 for a share of the Senior championship, and Carmen Costa is the Srixon/Cleveland Golf Division champion.
This special event, honoring former Westmoreland Golf Professional Jim Ferree, continues to be a Tri-State PGA favorite—hosted at the beautiful Westmoreland Country Club, with thanks to Zachary Turek and Matt Bobinc for a top-notch experience.
Huge thanks to our presenting partner, E-Z-GO, and supporting partners, Greyson, Golf Max, Club Prophet, and Srixon/Cleveland Golf. Special appreciation to Tim Zimmerman, John Rutecki, and Johan Smit for their on-site presence. John presented Greyson quarter-zips to the professionals, and Johan ran his demo on the range.
JimFerreeClassic
Justin Moose 142 (E)
Jim Ferree Classic
SENIOR
Joe Boros
John Aber
Brett Carman
DIVISION
Carmen Costa
Jim Ferree Classic
WESTMORELA
MAY 19-20, 2
Jim Ferree Classic
Jim Ferree Classic
WESTMORELAND CC
MAY 19-20, 2025
Monday-Tuesday, May 19-20, 2025
WESTMORELAND COUNTRY CLUB
The Tri-State PGA Team Golf League is carded, and "The Iron 9" sits in first place after the first competition hosted at Westmoreland Country Club as part of the Jim Ferree Classic. Congratulations to team captain Brett Carman and his squad.
Thank you to our collaborative partner, Pool Party Gaming (PPG), for the great scoring, rankings, and graphics work.
Thank you to Desert Fox Golf and Scott Kovesdy for presenting branded Can Coolers to the team captains. We will have more team-specific branded golf accessories; stay tuned.
Pool Party Gaming is dedicated to driving customer and audience engagement & growth through the world of sports and entertainment. Whether sponsoring a main event site-wide pool, hosting a Community Pool, or finding a new way to collaborate, Pool Party is a versatile social platform to boost your branding & grow your community.
Desert Fox Golf designs and builds cool, unique golf accessories for golfers of all levels.
TRI-STATE
Happy Birthday Wishes to our TSPGA Members, Associates, and Staff.
3-DREW HERCHKO
5-DANIEL BRAUN
6-SCOTT DAVIS
6-STEPHEN CROMEENES
7-SARAH COLE
7-JEFF JOYCE
8-BILL RUTTER
8-MATTHEW SWARTZ
9-NICHOLAS PENROD
10-DANIEL MCMILLEN
12-ROBERT SALERA
13-WILLIAM WOODS
14-KEVIN ELLIS
15-CAMERON LANG
15-SCOTT GLASS
18-GERALD COLEMAN
18-JOSHUA KOKOSKA
21-MARTY RINKER
22-RICK GRUBB
22-RONALD LUCAS
24-TERRY MCGRATH
24-ADAM CHESNUT
24-ANDREW WOOD
27-SCOTT POLLOCK
28-GAVIN LENNOX
29-RONALD POVICK
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
Featuring special guest DAVE KENDALL
Rich is joined by PGA Professional Dave Kendall to discuss his list of accomplishments, his new lease on life after a cancer diagnosis, and more.
Section Connection
Are you actively engaged with the section?
Take a moment to visit our website's homepage —it's your essential hub for important updates on national and section initiatives and upcoming deadlines.
Stay informed and connected to make the most of your opportunities!
