July 2016 Month In Review

July 2016

Month In Review Presented By:

DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT—LOCAL QUALIFIER AT SUNNYBROOK GOLF CLUB

Sunnybrook Golf Club

2nd Place (95) - Emily Luu

Drive, Chip and Putt Results

3rd Place (85) - Emilie Wright

July 5, 2016

Boys 14-15 1st Place (130) - August Blatney 2nd Place (114) - Ryan Mccabe 3rd Place (114) - Robert Wilson

Boys 12-13 1st Place (130) - Matthew Wilson 2nd Place (115) - Matthew Normand 3rd Place (110) - Darren Nolan

Boys 10-11 1st Place (124) - Jack Dare 2nd Place (118) - Shaun Mazzalupi 3rd Place (106) - Tiger Li

Boys 7-9 1st Place (77) - Carson Deringer 2nd Place (75) - Ian Palmer 3rd Place (69) - Colby Komancheck

Girls 14-15 1st Place (116) - Morgan Sohosky

Girls 12-13 1st Place (111) - Riley Mazzalupi 2nd Place (105) - Evelyn Wong 3rd Place (90) - Nimah Narinesingh-Smith

Girls 10-11 1st Place (92) - Sarah Koh 2nd Place (80) - Ryan Matt 3rd Place (76) - Phoenix Baker

Girls 7-9 1st Place (63) - Kayley Roberts 2nd Place (56) - Alexandra Engart 3rd Place (46) - Vivian Pernock Click here to view full results

Pennsauken Country Club

Boys 16-18 1st Place (69) - Jacob Calamaro 2nd Place (70) - Noah Schwartz T-3nd Place (71) - Liam Ward T-3rd Place (71) - Jack Melville Boys 13-15 1st Place (72) - Stephen Lorenzo 2nd Place (72) - AJ Aivazoglou T-3rd Place (74) - Akhil Giri T-3rd Place (74) - Richard Kline III Girls 16-18 1st Place (103) - Elise Glauser 2nd Place (120) - Kate Lupica Girls 13-15 1st Place (77) - Elizabeth Beek 2nd Place (78) - Maya Torpey 3rd Place (84) - Sunshine Gu 12 & Under 1st Place (37) - Win Thomas 2nd Place (38) - Evan Barbin 3rd Place (42) - Jack Davis Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS— PENNSAUKEN COUNTRY CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Philadelphia PGA Central Counties Chapter Junior Championship

July 5, 2016

July 6-7, 2016 Boys 16-18 1st Place (67-76-143) - J.T. Spina 2nd Place (73-73-146) - Zachary Fails 3rd Place (77-72-149) - Alex Golland Boys 13-15 1st Place (72-75-147) - Richard Kline III 2nd Place (75-76-151) - Akhil Giri 3rd Place (76-76-152) - TY Brinker Girls 13-15 1st Place (78-86-164) - Kara Kniezewski Mens 17-24 1st Place (78-72-150) - Matt Smith 2nd Place (79-80-159) - Phillip Held Womens 17-24 1st Place (78-88-166) - Emily Gilbert 2nd Place (79-91-170) - Megan Kimmel T-3rd Place (81-91-172) - Lacey Bensing T-3rd Place (82-90-172) - Emily McGarrigle Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Avalon GC

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—HERSHEY COUNTRY CLUB

Hershey Country Club

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Blue Bell CC

July 8, 2016 12 & Under 1st Place (37) - Evan Barbin 2nd Place (38) - Henry Fish 3rd Place (40) - Joshua Ryan Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—MOORESTOWN FIELD CLUB

Moorestown Field Club

LuLu Country Club July 11, 2016 Girls 13-18 1st Place (76-69-145) - Christine Shao 2nd Place (71-80-151) - Esther Park T-3rd Place (76-77-153) - Samantha Yao T-3rd Place (74-79-153) - Kaitlyn Lees T-3rd Place (75-78-153) - Camille O’Halloran T-3rd Place (76-77-153) - Gabriella Kim 12 & Under 1st Place (75) - Win Thomas T-2nd Place (77) - William Pabst T-2nd Place ( 77) - Joshua Ryan Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Hickory Valley GC

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—PHILLY JR. PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AT LULU COUNTRY CLUB

Philly Jr. PGA Championship

Philly Jr. PGA Championship

July 11, 2016 Boys 13-18 1st Place (71-69-140) - Kyle Vance 2nd Place (75-69-144) - Jack Melville 3rd Place (75-72-147) - Nicky Marrollo Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—PHILLY JR. PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AT WHITFORD COUNTRY CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Ba GC

Whitford Country Club

Indian Valley Country Club

Boys 16-18 1st Place (76) - Caleb Ryan 2nd Place (78) - John Cooper T-3rd Place (79) - Joseph Centeno T-3rd Place (79 ) - Corbin Babyak Boys 13-15 1st Place (75) - Robert Beck 2nd Place (78) - Davis Flannery 3rd Place (80) - Andrew Wallace Girls 16-18 1st Place (100) - Allison McFarland Girls 13-15 1st Place (94) - Kathleen Mark 2nd Place (95) - Jessica McClellan 3rd Place (97) - Michelle Cox 12 & Under 1st Place (37) - Joshua Ryan 2nd Place (45) - Kevin Lafond 3rd Place (47) - Maceo Giampietro Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - SPRING HOLLOW GC

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—INDIAN VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB

July 12, 2016

Mill Race Golf & Camping Resort Girls 12-13

July 14, 2016

1st Place (83) - Kyleen Mccance

Boys 14-15

2nd Place (78) - Amanda Schuebel

1st Place (101) - Michael Myrthel

3rd Place (76) - Audrey Schuebel

2nd Place (101) - Christopher George

Girls 10-11

3rd Place (89) - Johnathan Rivington

1st Place (82) - Ava Pabst

Boys 12-13

2nd Place (73) - Abi Gail Newell

1st Place (109) - William Pabst

3rd Place (57) - Lisa Lewis

2nd Place (76) - Connor Gherghel

Girls 7-9

3rd Place (70) - James Flickinger

1st Place (52) - Alyssa Schuebel

Boys 10-11

2nd Place (49) - Reese Walizer

1st Place (109) - Tyler Barton

3rd Place (46) - Harley Shreve

2nd Place (103) - Michael Maslanka

Click here to view full results

3rd Place (73) - Joshua Schriver

Boys 7-9 1st Place (51) - Mason Wolf 2nd Place (48) - Thomas Luu 3rd Place (48) - Carter Girton

Girls 14-15 1st Place (53) - Taylor Swingle

DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT—LOCAL QUALIFIER AT MILL RACE GOLF & CAMPING RESORT

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Cripple Creek G &CC

Drive, Chip and Putt Results

July 14, 2016 Boys 16-18 1st Place (73) - Andrew Forjan 2nd Place (77) - Luke Hoffnagle T-3rd Place (78) - Mason Staub T-3rd Place (78) - Kohltin Bartlow Boys 13-15 1st Place (79) - Morgan Lofland T-2nd Place (82) - Jun Lee T-2nd Place (82) - Roy Anderson Girls 16-18 1st Place (85) - Kendel Abrams 2nd Place (92) - Alexandra Lowder 3rd Place (98) - Elise Glauser Girls 13-15 1st Place (99) - Victoria Kim Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Bear Trap Dunes

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—HANOVER COUNTRY CLUB

Hanover Country Club

2nd Place (62) - Sophie Orsulak

Drive, Chip and Putt Results

3rd Place (49) - Blakeley Kostjal

July 15, 2016

Boys 14-15 1st Place (115) Brandon Shirk 2nd Place (106) - Gregory Gipe 3rd Place (104) - Isaac Nunez

Boys 12-13 1st Place (124) - Garrett Engle 2nd Place (122) - Luke Thompson 3rd Place (100) - Luke Barbour

Boys 10-11 1st Place (118) - Argyle Downes 2nd Place (92) - Caden Blanchette 3rd Place (86) - Jesse Shue

Boys 7-9 1st Place (73) - Adam Wiekrykas 2nd Place (66) - Nicholas Yagnik 3rd Place (65) - Chase Mitstifer

Girls 14-15 1st Place (83) - McKylie Boreman

Girls 12-13 1st Place (89) - Lillian McNally 2nd Place (88) - Corinne Orsulak 3rd Place (85) - Stefania Fedun

Girls 10-11 1st Place (57) - Hannah Barrett 2nd Place (56) - Meadow Gambacurta 3rd Place (44) - Callie Will

Girls 7-9 1st Place (58) - Charli Troxell 2nd Place (45) - Paige Blanchette 3rd Place (38) - Reaghan Condon Click here to view full results

DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT LOCAL QUALIFIER—CARLISLE COUNTRY CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Bayside Resort

Carlisle Country Club

July 18 2016 Boys 16-18 1st Place (75) - Jacob Macinanti 2nd Place (76) - Patrick Sheehan 2nd Place (77) - Jacob Liberman

Boys 13-15 1st Place (73) - Hayden Moffat 2nd Place (74) - Jonathan Lumley 2nd Place (79) - Mac Costin

Girls 16-18 1st Place (92) - Grace Hickey 2nd Place (95) - Natalie Jacobs 2nd Place (100) - Alexandra Mercader

Girls 13-15 1st Place (84) - Elizabeth Beek 2nd Place (84) - Maya Torpey 2nd Place (85) - Kara Kniezewski

12 & Under 1st Place (46) - Darren Nolan 2nd Place (53) - Jack Romeo T-3rd Place (55) - Brendan Burke T-3rd Place (55) - Connor Gherghel T-3rd Place (55) William Huntley

Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS - Bagboy Flourtown CC

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—MEADOWLANDS COUNTRY CLUB

Meadowlands Country Club

The Springhaven Club

Boys 16-18 1st Place (70) - Michael Sydnes 2nd Place (73) - Ryan Tall 3rd Place (76) - Joe Del Franco

Boys 13-15 1st Place (71) - Samuel Walker 2nd Place (74) - AJ Aivazoglou 3rd Place (76) - Ryan McCabe

Girls 16-18 1st Place (95) - Gabriella Morganti

Girls 13-15 1st Place (92) - Lily Yang 2nd Place (118) - Amanda Schuebel 3rd Place (123) - Audrey Schuebel

12 & Under 1st Place (43) - Catherine Civitella 2nd Place (43) - Kristof Kopecky T-3rd Place (45) - Chase Stephano T-3rd Place (45) - Jack Davis

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TOURNAMENT RESULTS—THE SPRINGHAVEN CLUB

July 18, 2016

Laurel Creek Country Club

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—LAUREL CREEK COUNTRY CLUB

July 19, 2016 Boys 16-18 1st Place (70) - Buddy Hansen IV T-2nd Place (73) - Andrew Gallagher T-2nd Place (73) - Fredrick Hammer

Boys 13-15 1st Place (72) - Alec Ryden 2nd Place (73) - Akhil Giri 3rd Place (77) - Maxwell Rubin

Girls 16-18 1st Place (80) - Camille O’Halloran 2nd Place (112) - Rose Litt 3rd Place (126) - Megan Duman

Girls 13-15 1st Place (82) - Taylor Oberparleiter 2nd Place (91) - Christina Carroll 3rd Place (98) - Grace Wang

12 and Under 1st Place (40) - Joshua Ryan T-2nd Place (49) - Matthew Normand T-2nd Place (49) - Chase Cristella

Click here to view full results

July 19, 2016 Boys 16-18 1st Place (81) - Ryan Tall T-2nd Place (81) - R.J. VanTash T-2nd Place (81) - Cal Buonocore

Boys 13-15 1st Place (68) - Richard Kline III 2nd Place (73) - Peter Garno T-3rd Place (75) - Ryan D’Ariano T-3rd Place (75) - Jaden Weisman

Girls 16-18 1st Place (86) - Casey Oppenheimer 2nd Place (91) - Elise Glauser 3rd Place (114) - Sera McClintock

Girls 13-15 1st Place (87) - Victoria Kim 2nd Place (99) - Lily Byrne 3rd Place (114) - Kathleen Mark

12 & Under 1st Place (43) - Win Thomas 2nd Place (43) - Benjamin Saggers 3rd Place (44) - Jack Davis

Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—KENNETT SQUARE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—CHISEL CREEK GOLF CLUB

Kennett Square Golf and Country Club

Skippack Golf Course

Boys 16-18 1st Place (70) - Buddy Hansen IV T-2nd Place (71) - Evan Salamone T-3rd Place (72) - Thomas Schaffer T-3rd Place (72) - Matthew Davis

Boys 13-15 1st Place (69) - Jonathan Lumley T-2nd Place (76) - Griffin Foll T-2rd Place (76) - Nate Trout

Girls 16-18 1st Place (81)- Casey Oppenheimer 2nd Place (84) - Natalie Jacobs 3rd Place (87) - Grace Hickey

Girls 13-15 1st Place (87) - Michelle Cox 2nd Place (92) - Maya Torpey 3rd Place (96) - Kathleen Mark

12 and Under 1st Place (38) - Nicholas Gross T-2nd Place (41) - Joshua Ryan T-2nd Place (41) - William Huntley

Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—LEBANON COUNTRY CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—SKIPPACK GOLF COURSE

July 20, 2016

2nd Place (88) - Caitlyn Haggerty

Drive, Chip and Putt Results

3rd Place (86) - Christina Carroll

July 20, 2016

Boys 14-15 1st Place (126) - Nikita Romanov 2nd Place (118) - Alex Mulrooney 3rd Place (117) - Daniel Mccall

Boys 12-13 1st Place (136) - Benjamin Saggers 2nd Place (125) - Ryan D’Ariano 3rd Place (106) - Jeffrey Homer

Boys 10-11 1st Place (112) - Davin Lysik 2nd Place (109) - Tyler Sikorski 3rd Place (107) - Xander Sehgal

Boys 7-9 1st Place (86) - Christian Bennett 2nd Place (86) - Trevor Sikorski 3rd Place (67) - Beckett Huber

Girls 14-15 1st Place (114) - Charlotte Scully

Girls 12-13 1st Place (97) - Erica Honadel 2nd Place (86) - Kiera Bartholomew 3rd Place (83) - Ava Svindland

Girls 10-11 1st Place (115) - Angelina Tolentino 2nd Place (107) - Kennedy Kelleher 3rd Place (91) - Curstan Bunch

Girls 7-9 1st Place (92) - Zoey Smith 2nd Place (90) - Kaitlynne Simmons 3rd Place (73) - Reagan Falconi Click here to view full results

DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT—LOCAL QUALIFIER AT WHITE CLAY CREEK COUNTRY CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—DOWNINGTOWN COUNTRY CLUB

White Clay Creek Country Club

LedgeRock Golf Club

Boys 16-18 1st Place (73) - Ryan Tall T-2nd Place (75) - Jacob Macinanti T-2nd Place (77) - Dylan Audi

Boys 13-15 1st Place (76) - Alex Seelig 2nd Place (77) - Logan Hess 3rd Place (78) - Jonathan Lumley

Girls 16-18 1st Place (102) - Gianna Ward

Girls 13-15 1st Place (99) - Grace Wang

12 & Under 1st Place (42) - John Olsen

Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—TURTLE CREEK GOLF CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—LEDGEROCK GOLF CLUB

July 25, 2016

Wilmington Country Club Boys 16-18 1st Place (76) - Reed Winkler 2nd Place (78) - Jackson Cecchett T-3rd Place (81) - Michael Fiorile T-3rd Place (81) - Luke Shevlin T-3rd Place (81) - Jimmy Gillespie T-3rd Place (81) - Liam Ward T-3rd Place (81) - Kaden Kinard T-3rd Place (81) - Ryan Wagner Boys 13-15 1st Place (74) - Nikita Romanov 2nd Place (75) - Jaden Weisman T-3rd Place (76) - Hunter King T-3rd Place (76) - Richard Kline III Girls 16-18 1st Place (87*) - Casey Oppenheimer 2nd Place (87) - Caprian Kan 3rd Place (92) - Elise Glauser Girls 13-15 1st Place (90) - Maya Torpey 2nd Place (93) - Victoria Kim 3rd Place (95) - Christina Carroll 12 and Under 1st Place (40) - Henry Fish 2nd Place (41) - Hannah Lydic 3rd Place (42) - Jack Davis Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—WILMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB

July 25, 2016

Makefield Highlands Golf Course

Men 17-24 1st Place (78-74-152) - Nick Beckish

Women 17-24 1st Place (78-69-147) - Madeline Sager 2nd Place (81-83-164) - Hannah Fireman 3rd Place (83-96-179) - Annalia Kostow

Boys 16-18 1st Place (71-70-141) - Tommy Lewis 2nd Place (72-70-142) - Andrew Gallagher 3rd Place (73-70-143) - Fredrick Hammer

Boys 13-15 1st Place (73-68-141) - Alec Ryden 2nd Place (78-70-148) - Akhil Giri 3rd Place (78-73-151) - Stephen Lorenzo

Girls 16-18 1st Place (93-85-178) - Chloe Niu

Girls 13-15 1st Place (99) - Lauren Golden 2nd Place (101) - Cecilia Priolo 3rd Place (125) - Caitlyn Hagerty

Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—TURTLE CREEK GOLF CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—MAKEFIELD HIGHLANDS GC

July 26-27, 2016

Mountain View Country Club

Boys 16-18 1st Place (71) - Luke Hoffnagle 2nd Place (72) - Mason Staub 3rd Place (77) - Gavin Geiger

Boys 13-15 1st Place (74*) - Carson Bacha 2nd Place (74) - Grant Gronka 3rd Place (105) - Ethan Hardyk

Girls 13-15 1st Place (121) - Sophia Mochan

12 and Under 1st Place (49) - John Olsen

Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTRY CLUB

July 27, 2016

Toftrees Golf Resort

Boys 16-18 1st Place (72) - Connor Welles 2nd Place (74) - Kohltin Bartlow 3rd Place (75) - Garrett Barilar

Boys 13-15 1st Place (72) - Carson Bacha 2nd Place (79) - Grant Gronka 3rd Place (95) - Ethan Hardyk

Girls 16-18 1st Place (76) - Kendal Abrams

Girls 13-15 1st Place (92) - Amanda Gerrish

12 & Under 1st Place (42) - John Olsen

Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—TURTLE CREEK GOLF CLUB

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—TOFTREES GOLF RESORT

June 28, 2016

Penn State Golf Course—Blue

Boys 16-18 1st Place (72) - Kohltin Bartlow 2nd Place (73) - Garrett Barilar T-3rd Place (76) - Jacob Suder T-3rd Place (76) - Michael Robinson

Boys 13-15 1st Place (73) - Carson Bacha 2nd Place (77) - Grant Gronka T-3rd Place (91) - Derek Lewis T-3rd Place (91) - Ethan Hardyk T-3rd Place (91) - Joshua Brauer

Girls 16-18 1st Place (75) - Kendal Abrams 2nd Place (86) - Natalie Jacobs 3rd Place (91) - Alexis Wyandt

Girls 13-15 1st Place (86) - Lily Byrne 2nd Place (95) - Amanda Gerrish 3rd Place (116) - Sophia Mochan

12 and Under 1st Place (42) - Maxwell Wager 2nd Place (45) - John Olsen

Click here to view Full Press Release

TOURNAMENT RESULTS—PENN STATE GOLF COURSE—BLUE

July 29, 2016

PJT on the Road

Philadelphia Junior Tour on the Road The month of July was a busy one for the Philadelphia Junior Tour as over 20 tournaments were played during the past few weeks. The PJT also took to the road to host two different travel series during the month visiting Hershey and State College, PA. The Precision Pro Elite Tour event at Hershey Country Club took place on July 6 -7 and was played on Hershey CC’s East course. Situated just a few miles from Hershey park and the Chocolate Factory, the East course was a great setting to host some of the PJT’s most elite players.

J.T. Spina won the Boys 16-18 Division with rounds of 67-76143 while Richard Kline III won the Boys 13-15 with rounds of 72-75-147. Kara Kniezewski won the Girls 13-15 Division, shooting 78-86-164. The Hershey CC event also was host to some of the PJT’s college series players. Matt Smith won the Mens 17-24 Division with rounds of 78-72-150. Emily Gilbert took the Womens 17-24 with a score of 78-88-166.

Fast forward to the end of July and the PJT put the rubber to the road again for its second travel series of the month. Stretching to the far west of the Philadelphia Section, the PJT hosted its State College Series on July 27-29. The series took place at Mountain View Country Club, Toftrees Golf Resort and the Blue Course at Penn State.

Luke Hoffnagle was the winner at Mountain View CC in the Boys 16-18 Division with a round of 71 while Carson Bacha took the Boys 13-15 Division with a round of 74. Hoffnagle and Bacha both would get themselves in a good posi-

The series continued on to Toftrees Golf Resort where Connor Welles would emerge victorious with a round of 72 in the Boys 16-18 Division. Carson Bacha claimed his second title in two days also with a round of 72 in the Boys 13-15. Kendal Abrams won the Girls 16-18 Division with a round of 76 and Amanda Gerrish won the Girls 13-15 Division with a round of 92. John Olsen took his second medal of the week in the 12 and Under Division with a round of 42.

The series came to an end at Penn State Golf Courses where 34 players took to the Blue Course to finish out the week. Kohltin Bartlow captured the win in the Boys 16-18 with a round of 72. Collecting his third win of the week in the Boys 13-15 was Carson Bacha with a round of 73.

Kendal Abrams went back-to-back in the Girls 1618 Division with a round of 75 to pick up her second win. Lily Byrne put up a round of 86 to win the Girls 13-15 Division and Maxwell Wager won the 12 and Under with a round of 42.

The overall series winners for the State College Series were Luke Hoffnagle (Boys 16-18), Carson Bacha (Boys 13-15) and John Olsen (12 and Under).

PJT on the Road (cont.)

tion to win the 3-day series with wins early. Sophia Mochan won the Girls 13-15 and John Olsen won the 12 and Under Division.

Have You Thanked Your Pro?

Have You Thanked Your Pro? Whether you have been playing the game all your life, or just began, you probably have been influenced by a PGA Professional. They are the experts in the game of golf, understanding both the game and the business.

They know how to help; they want to help.

Golfers, including junior players, share a common goal – the desire to improve. Many seek a PGA professional for lessons. Most PGA Professionals will tell you they are not in the business of selling lessons, but rather, improving golf games. As members on the Philadelphia Junior Tour, players are either already involved with a PGA professional, or are introduced to one at the many prestigious locations on the Junior Tour schedule.

A recent PGA of America initiative is #ThxPGAPro, giving players, amateur and professional, an opportunity to thank the PGA Professional(s) that have made an influence on his or her life or golf game. This initiative comes during the PGA’s Centennial celebration throughout the 2016 year.

The PGA wants to know what your PGA Professional means to you. It does not have to be golf related. Sometimes, the lessons a PGA member can provide players extend far beyond the course, lessons that players will hold on to for years to come.

PGA professionals wear many hats. Yes, they have job descriptions. Yes, they are paid. But, seldom in a job description do you see the term mentor, coach, idol, role model or inspirer. However, this is what PGA professionals become. They adopt these roles voluntarily, because it’s the nature of their business, and it’s the nature of our game.

Have You Thanked Your Pro? (cont.)

While they may hear it some, they perhaps don’t here it often enough.

The PGA of America has started an initiative to help you thank them. #ThxPGAPro is your opportunity – now is your chance.

A Rules of Golf Reminder: Rule 23

A Rules of Golf Reminder: Rule 23: Loose Impediments Many times throughout a round of golf, a player may come across items on the golf course that could possibly interfere with the players’ ball, swing or lie. Certain items that lie on the ground that are usually small and can be moved easily are most often defined as loose impediments. According to the Rules of Golf, a loose impediment is a natural object that may include, but is not limited to: stones, leaves, twigs, branches, dung, worms, insects and the casts and heaps made by them. A loose impediment is not something that is fixed or growing, solidly embedded or adhering to the ball.

There are certain objects that can be classified as loose impediments only on certain parts of the golf course.

For instance, sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green, but not elsewhere. Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments at the option of the player (USGA, 2016). However, dew and frost are not loose impediments according to the rules of golf definition.

In section 1 of rule 23, the Rules of Golf discuss relief of loose impediments and where they may be removed from. Any loose impediment may be removed without penalty except when both the loose impediment and ball lie in or touch the same hazard.

Let’s look a scenario where rule 23 may come into effect: Jimmy hits his ball down the rough during a round of golf. When he walks over to his ball, he notices that there are leaves and pine needles surrounding his ball

Alex hits his ball into a greenside bunker during his round. When he gets into the bunker, he notices that there are leaves next to his ball in the bunker and he casually throws the leaves out of the bunker. Under rule 23, Alex is given a penalty of two strokes because the leaves lie in the same hazard as his ball.

When on the putting green, if the ball or marker is accidentally moved because of removal of loose impediments, the ball or marker must be replaced to the original position or as close as possible. There is no penalty as long as the movement was directly caused by the removal of the loose impediment. If this is not the case, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke under rule 18-2 (ball at rest moved, by player, caddie or equipment) and the ball must be replaced.

When a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might influence the movement of the ball must not be removed.

A Rules of Golf Reminder: Rule 23 (cont.)

in the fairway. According to rule 23 and the definition of loose impediments in the rule book, Jimmy is allowed to remove the leaves and pine needles without any penalty. Now let’s look at another scenario.

Hole No. 13—LedgeRock GC

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