FORE! Word | May 2024

May 2024

Golf News PCC Golf Committee Chair Bart Bastian Greens Chair Andrew McCloskey J. Wood Platt Erik Strid Tournaments & Traditions Charles Haub Pace of Play & Outside Operations Billy Keane Senior Golf Alex Hill Junior Golf Susan Chang Tuesday Ladies Susan Deakins, Chair Thursday Ladies Erika Craparo, Chair

Scott Reilly, PGA Head Golf Professional The golf staff is thrilled to announce that the 2024 golf season has begun. We had a productive winter using our simulators to help many of you enhance your skills. It's always exciting to align the tangible data from these sessions with your personal feel.

If you're interested in seeing real-time data as you practice outdoors, please reach out to us. We can arrange for a launch monitor session that will allow you to observe your performance metrics directly. Additionally, our professional staff is on hand for lessons and club fittings. The practice ranges are currently in excellent condition.

With warmer weather on the horizon, the Bermuda grass will begin to flourish, creating ideal conditions for making clean, straight-line divots. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining these standards as you enjoy the facilities. As a reminder the driving range hours are:

Handicaps Enrique Hervada 2026 US Am Kim Gradisek

For Your Information & Convenience Receptionist (610) 525-6000 Auto Attendant (610) 525-7788 Press one of the following extensions: 1 - Dining Rooms 6 - Fitness Center (To-Go) 7 - Business Office 2 - Events Office 8 - General Manager 3 - Golf 9 - Club Information 4 - Tennis “0” - for Operator 5 - Squash Or, press the extension of the person with whom you wish to speak.

Fax (610) 527-2832 Website www.philadelphiacc.net Address 1601 Spring Mill Road Gladwyne, PA 19035

Spring Restoration We are thrilled with the progress of the Spring Restoration and have thoroughly enjoyed sharing updates through our video series. Mike McNulty and I are eagerly anticipating the day we can invite you all to experience the course firsthand. One notable change you'll encounter is the center striping of the fairways, a necessary adjustment due to the limited space available for turning mowers between the fairways and bunkers. This method not only looks neat but also saves time. We're excited to hear your thoughts once you have the opportunity to play. Additionally, the Better Billy Bunkers have demonstrated remarkable resilience this winter, effectively handling multiple rainstorms without any issues. Looking ahead, construction on the Mill nine will commence in the first week of August. We're hoping for favorable fall weather to ensure that everything is completed both timely and efficiently. Please be aware that once open, the Spring nine will be closed on Mondays to allow for essential maintenance and recovery.

The Maintain the Course We kindly ask everyone, including your guests, to help maintain the quality of our courses. This involves repairing ball marks, replacing divots, and raking bunkers. Additionally, please use the golf cart paths as frequently as possible. As the rough begins to grow, it's crucial for all players to actively spot golf balls. Watching the ball's flight and identifying reference points can significantly aid in locating them quickly, which also helps maintain a good pace of play. Remember, there is a three-minute limit for searching for golf balls (USGA Rule 18.2). Our golf carts are equipped with GPS, which not only assists in monitoring your pace but also helps you stay aware of geofences to avoid getting too close to the greens. Taking care of the turf around the greens has significantly improved the conditions for chipping and pitching, so please continue to be mindful of these areas.

Weekend Tee Times Weekend tee times will tee times start at 7:10 am and allow for enough day light in the mornings to have the course prepped and ready. Please remember that the spouse tee time rule on weekends is set at 9:30 am. Additionally, each foursome may include one guest all day. During weekdays, morning tee times start at 8:00 am. On Tuesdays, the course is reserved exclusively for Ladies until 11:00 am, and on Thursdays, the 9-hole ladies group has preferred access to one of the nines until 10:30 am.

Golf Events If you're interested in participating in golf events, please check the club's website. The details for all scheduled golf events are now live, including registration times. Most events are available on a first-come, first-served basis, although a few larger events for men, such as The Invitational and Fall Classic, will be organized through a lottery system. Each event listing will provide information about the registration start time, price, and format. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact a member of our professional staff for assistance.

Pace of Play Maintaining a swift pace of play is essential to ensuring a great golfing experience at PCC. We ask all players to be conscious of their pace and arrive at the first tee on time, ready to play. The expected duration for a foursome to complete 18 holes is 4 hours. For the first four groups on weekends, the target time is reduced to 3 hours and 45 minutes. To help speed up your game, consider these tips: it's permissible for multiple balls to be in motion simultaneously, coordinate efficiently with your golf cart partner or shared caddie, practice continuous putting until the hole is finished, increase your walking pace, minimize conversations at tee boxes and when approaching your next shot, adhere to the 3-minute limit when searching for lost balls, and consider picking up your ball if you're struggling on a particular hole.

Sustainability In our ongoing effort to embrace sustainability, the Club will no longer distribute plastic water bottles bearing the PCC logo, instead, all members will receive a complimentary PCC refillable water bottle. We encourage you to bring this bottle each time you play to refill and stay hydrated. For guests, these bottles will be available for purchase at the golf shop for $2.00 each. Additionally, please note that our water fountains are stocked with ice daily to ensure that cool water is available throughout the course.

Golf Cars and Caddies As the official golf season commences, please remember that all rules established for the Spring Mill golf course during last fall's restoration period remain in effect for the Centennial/Mill course as well. We continue to collaborate with partner clubs in the area to offer reciprocal tee times when available. Golf cars or caddies are mandatory until 2:30 pm daily from Tuesday to Sunday. When booking your tee time, please specify your preference for either a golf car or a caddie. You can also make a specific caddie request in the comments section of the tee time booking. Ryan Plower and the assistant caddie masters are committed to accommodating all caddie requests. Note that all groups with two or more guests are required to take a forecaddie. After 2:30 pm, players have the option to walk and carry their own bags.

Monday Golf Please be aware that the golf shop and practice facilities are closed on Mondays. However, play on the courses begins at 12 pm, and it is still necessary to book tee times. Once the Spring nine opens, please note that it will be closed on Mondays. This closure allows the grass to recover from the week's play and enables ongoing maintenance practices to be carried out effectively.

Spring Mill Restoration Update

A. Bart Bastian Golf Chair Spring Mill Restoration Update Dear Members, I am pleased to announce that the newly restored Spring Nine will open for play on Saturday May 25th. This significant milestone would not have been possible without the hard work of our Grounds Superintendent Mike McNulty and his grounds maintenance crew. As you will see, the course is in prime condition and has been brought back to many of the original William Flynn design elements. I would also like to thank the Golf Task Force for managing and overseeing the restoration of the Spring Nine. But, most of all, I am grateful to our membership. Without your support none of this would have been possible.

It is also an appropriate time to remind you that we all need to be diligent in our efforts to take care of our golf course.

Specifically, we need to fix divots, fix ball marks on the greens, rake bunkers, pick up tees, and drive golf cars only where permitted. If our Members focus on these five key elements, our course will remain the William Flynn gem that it is.

Once the Spring Nine opens, the Centennial Nine will revert to its standard rules of play; walking and pull carts are permitted at any time. We will have 27 holes available until August 4th. On August 5th, the Mill Nine will close for construction and reopen in the late Spring of 2025. During that period, we will be playing Spring and Centennial as our 18 holes.

I hope you all can get out and enjoy the newly renovated Spring Nine over the next several weeks.

Best regards,

A.Bart Bastian, Golf Chair

Ladies Golf

Michael Hamilton, PGA First Assistant Golf Professional Tuesday and Thursday Ladies Golf Get ready for a calendar packed with a fun weekly events, season long tournaments, and social events designed to bring our members together. Highlights include our Member-Guest on Tuesday, June 4 and the Club Championship Finals on Saturday, July 13.

Upcoming Events: Thursday Ladies Thursday, May 23, 2024 Thursday Ladies' Weekly Event Thursday, May 30, 2024 Interclub | Home Gulph Mill Golf Club Tuesday Ladies Friday, May 17, 2024 Mixed Twilight 5pm Shotgun Sunday, May 19, 2024 Mixed Vare Cup11am-1pm Tee Times Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Weekly Event Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Club Closed - Memorial Day Wednesday, May 29, 2024 Play with the Pros Am Shotgun Friday, May 31, 2024 Better Ball of Partners Entry Deadline Friday, May 31, 2024 Handicap Championship Entry Deadline Friday, May 31, 2024 Club Championship & First Flight Rd 1 Deadline Upcoming May Clinics May 2024 21st Uneven Lies

Ladies Golf Tip from Michael Take relaxed practice swings, concentrating on creating a “whoosh” sound at the bottom of the swing. Stay relaxed, and let the club snap through with authority as it makes the sound.

Junior Golf

Brendan Mitchell, PGA Director of Player Development We are very thrilled to kick off another year of our Junior Golf Program here at PCC! For the 2024 season we will offer many different programs that will range from juniors aged 4-17. Under the Junior Golf tab on the PCC website you will find the full PCC Junior Program that will detail all of our offerings. Here is a direct link to all of our clinic offerings.

We had an excellent first month of the Junior Development Clinics. We are excited to roll out new programs like Spring Ball and Fall Ball this season. The May session of clinics will be kicking off soon and registration will remain open until May 1st.

We will also be kicking off our PGA Junior League season in May. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Director of Player Development, Brenden Mitchell or Assistant Golf Professional, Harrison Graham with any questions on how to get your junior involved in the Junior Golf Program!

Golf Instruction

Paul Oglesby, PGA Teaching Professional Getting Back To Basics Spring has arrived and most of will turn our attention to our golf games as the warmer weather has returned. For the majority of us who have not hit many Balls in the past few months, not is a great time to make sure our Fundamentals are correct as they serve as the Blueprint for what our swings look like.

Begin with a check of your Equipment as most players change their Grips once a year. Having the proper size grip, which is different for each golfer, and a grip that is comfortable goes a long way to helping us hit more solid shots.

Address: The foundation for our golf swings *Grip - Hand placement on the Club, *Posture - Bend from your Hips so your Arms hang naturally then flex your knees slightly *Stance - The weight in your Feet should be 50/50 for Full Shots, maybe 55% on your trail leg when swinging your Driver and keep the weight in the center of your feet *Alignment - Your Shoulder Alignment is more important than your Toe/Feet Ball Placement: *Sand Wedge thru 7 Iron in the center/under your nose *6 Iron/Hybrid thru Fairway Woods One Ball ahead of center/under your lead eye *Driver Two Balls ahead of center/in line with the inside of your lead heel Backswing: Make a Full Turn while maintaining your Posture. Your lead Shoulder should be under your chin and in line with the Ball. Your Hips also rotate, just not as much as your Shoulders and two thirds of your weight should be on the inside of your trail leg and more toward the heel. Picture your Hands and Club being in line/ directly above your trail Shoulder while keeping the Clubface Square.

Downswing: Your weight in your lower body will shift to your lead leg while your Arms and the Club fall. You only need Three Inches of shift and your Hips should be unwinding as your weight moves to your front leg. At Impact more weight will be on your lead leg, your Hands leading the to the Ball as your Arms begin to extend. Your head remains centered as your Arms extend fully and Rotate as you get to waist high in your follow through.

Finish: You want to be in balance on your lead leg with your center facing your Target and your trail heel off the ground. Your Arms and a hands should finish just above your lead Shoulder.

If you need any assistance/or have any questions about your game, please ask one of our Professionals as we are here to help you enjoy and play better golf. We offer Private Instruction, On Course Lessons, Group Lessons and Clinics all designed to help you get more out of your games.

PCC Golf Pro Shop Yeti Coolers & Maui Jim Sunglasses

Megan Ashley Pro Shop Manager Welcome to this exciting edition of our 'Foreword' section, where we shine a spotlight on the exceptional offerings at the Philadelphia Country Club Pro Shop! Spearheaded by our dedicated Pro Shop Manager, Megan Ashley, we are thrilled to introduce an array of exclusive specials tailored just for our members. Whether you're in search of the latest in golf apparel, top-tier golf clubs, high-performance golf balls, or the perfect gifts, our Pro Shop is your premier destination. Megan brings a wealth of expertise and a keen eye for quality, ensuring that every item in our shop meets the highest standards. Stay tuned for some fantastic deals that promise to enhance your game and style, only at the PCC Pro Shop.

2024 GOLF STAFF Scott Reilly, Head Golf Professional: Leading the golf team for his 13th season, Scott was born & raised outside Buffalo, NY & attended Methodist University where he received a Business Degree with a concentration in Professional Golf Management. A PGA Professional since 2006, Scott spent over 6 years in Boston, MA, working at The Country Club in Brookline as an Assistant Golf Professional. He & his wife Kim reside in Blue Bell with their sons, Bruce & Rhett. ($75/$140 per hour) Michael Hamilton, First Assistant Golf Professional: Michael is starting his 5th season this year at PCC. Originally from the UK, Michael started his golf career as a junior, competing in national & international tournaments. In 2012, he moved to Myrtle Beach, SC to pursue a professional playing career & taught at the Dyer Golf Academy, which ignited his passion for instruction. Michael relocated to the Philadelphia area with his wife, Jenna & they reside in Phoenixville with their Miniature Whoodle, Donald. Michael’s hobbies include attending live music, playing guitar, chess and golf. He is an avid Crystal Palace F.C, Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Phillies fan. ($60/ $110 per hour) Sean Hogan, Assistant Golf Professional: Sean is entering his 3rd year at PCC. Originally from DuBois, PA before moving to Zanesville, OH during his sophomore year of high school, Sean attended Morehead State University on a baseball scholarship & received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Upon graduation, Sean played professionally for the Chicago Cubs for 2 years before suffering a partial rotator cuff tear. Even though this injury ended his career, Sean furthered his education as a Graduate Assistant Baseball Coach at Barry University where he earned his Master of Science Sports Management degree. Sean is a Class A PGA Professional, training under & learning from golf professionals at Linville Ridge Country Club, The Club at Twin Eagles, The Old Collier Golf Club, Floridian, and Old Overton Club. ($50/ $90 per hour) Harrison Graham, Assistant Golf Professional: Harrison is starting his 2nd season at PCC after starting here in 2022 as an intern. He graduated from the Professional Golf Management Program at Campbell University & was elected to PGA membership in March of 2023. Harrison began working in golf at Riverwinds Golf and Tennis Club in South Jersey & has since interned at Snake River Sporting Club in Wyoming, Aronimink & Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. ($45/ $85 per hour)

Jack M. Scholz, Jr., Assistant Golf Professional: Jack will begin his 3rd season at PCC in a new role, as he is currently in the final stage of his PGA accreditation.

In the previous 2 seasons, he was a caddie & member of the Outside Operations. Prior to golf, Jack's work experience included public accounting, professional staffing & owning a service business. He graduated from Wagner College, in Staten Island, NY where he earned his MBA & BS Accounting. Jack enjoys watching his 2 sons Jack & Ryan play high school baseball. He & his wife Cathy reside in Philadelphia. ($45/$85 per hour)

Ryan Broderick, Assistant Golf Professional: Ryan is returning to PCC as a seasonal assistant after interning at PCC the past 2 summers. He just graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL with both a Major PGA Golf Management & Economics. Ryan grew up in the area & is looking forward to being back home.

Megan Kwortnik, Golf Shop Manager: Megan is returning for her 9th season here at PCC. She is a local, growing up & going to school in the Marple area & majoring in Fashion Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Business at Immaculata University. She started her retail career in stores such as DressBarn, Jewelbilee & Talbots. Recently married (as of March 1st), she & her husband reside in Royersford. After working at PCC for so long, Megan finally picked up a golf club & (occasionally) enjoys playing golf with her husband, reading & spoiling her nieces & nephews.

Paul Oglesby, Teaching Professional: Paul is starting his 13th summer season at PCC after spending his winter months at Grand Harbor Golf Club. He previously held positions at Merion Golf Club, Bent Creek Country Club & Hershey Country Club. Paul’s honors include being a PGA Quarter Century Member, winning the Haverford Trust Classic twice, playing in 2 US Amateur Championships, 2 US Open Championships & 1 British Open Championship. ($75/ $140 per hour)

Brenden Mitchell, Director of Player Development: Brenden is excited to return for his 2nd season at PCC. He is originally from Beverly, MA & a graduate of Methodist University, where he majored in Marketing with a concentration in Professional Golf Management. Brenden spent his 1st off-season with PCC teaching in the indoor golf simulators & preparing for the upcoming season. He & his wife Megan, have a son named Beau who is 1.5 years old & have a baby girl arriving in August. Brenden enjoys golf, ice hockey & spending time with friends & family. ($75/ $140 per hour)

Ryan Plower, Caddie Master: Ryan is starting his 4th season here at PCC. He was previously Caddie Master at Waynesborough Country Club. He resides in Lafayette Hill with his wife Kelly & their two sons, Ryan and Brady. In his free time, Ryan enjoys pumping iron at the gym.

Nate McIntyre, Assistant Caddie Master: Nate is entering his 3rd season at PCC. He was born & raised in Simsbury, CT & attended Central Connecticut State University, graduating with a B.S. in Management Information Systems with a concentration in Business Analytics. He currently lives in Wynnewood with his girlfriend, who is a nurse at Bryn Mawr Hospital. In his free time, Nate enjoys learning & reading about golf course architecture & spending time with friends & family.

Chris Hoyle, Assistant Caddie Master: Chris joins the outside staff this season with over 20 years’ experience in the golf business. He has held positions most recently at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, PA & Bidermann Golf Club in Greenville, DE. He resides in Havertown with his wife Julia & their 5 children.

Jesse Strine, Intern: Jesse grew up right outside of Harrisburg, Pa and is currently attending Penn State University, in their Professional Golf Management Program. He loves all types of sports such as football, baseball, basketball, and obviously golf!

JP Devinney, Intern: JP is a first year student at Florida Gulf Coast University studying golf management. He is another local, living in Springfield with his parents & sister, a junior up at Penn State. Outside of golf he likes to do anything outdoors such as tennis, & fishing & watching Philly sports specifically the Phillies & Eagles.

Hank Adams, Intern: Hank grew up in Point of Rocks, MD and attends Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. He has a twin brother who is also a golfer, playing club golf at UMD. Some of his hobbies include playing tennis, poker, and backpacking.

Clayton Roynan, Intern: Clayton is a local, going to school at Perkiomen Valley High School. He is now at Penn State studying Professional Golf Management and Business. He is a huge fan of all Philly sports, especially the Eagles. His other passion, besides golf is travelling with his family.

Bryce Fisher, Intern: Bryce is from Cincinnati, Ohio, currently finishing his junior year at Eastern Kentucky University pursuing a Marketing degree with a specialization in Professional Golf Management. In his free time he enjoys spending time with friends & improving his golf game.

Golf Fitness

Joel Baker Fitness Center Manager Elevate Your Golf Game with Joel Baker at Philadelphia Country Club We are excited to introduce Joel Baker, our Fitness Center Manager and TPI Certified professional at Philadelphia Country Club. TPI, the leading organization in golf-related fitness, focuses on the Body-Swing Connection™, helping golfers swing more efficiently and prevent injuries.

Joel's TPI certification means our members have access to specialized fitness programs that enhance golf performance.

Whether you're improving your swing, recovering from injury, or boosting your power on the course, Joel’s expertise can help you achieve your golfing goals efficiently and safely.

Visit Joel at our fitness center or schedule a personalized consultation to discuss how his training can specifically benefit your game. Contact Joel directly at jbaker@philadelphiacc.net and start transforming your approach to golf fitness today!

Golf Grounds

Mike McNulty Grounds Superintendent

Join us on May 24th as we walk the ‘Spring’ nine with Jim Nagle at 6pm.

Please meet at the practice putting green where we’ll provide lite bites and drinks by member signature

We are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated launch of the 'Spring' nine holes at Philadelphia Country Club. This completion marks a significant milestone in our comprehensive golf course redesign, aimed at enhancing the playing experience for every member. Mike has meticulously overseen every detail of this project, from the strategic layout to the selection of turf, ensuring that each hole challenges and delights players of all levels. Join us as we celebrate this exciting new chapter in our club’s history, and experience the unparalleled beauty and innovation that the 'Spring' nine holes have to offer.

Golf Events & Pics

GAP Updates

Michael Hamilton, PGA First Assistant Golf Professional WGAP Team Matches Our Ladies’ WGAP season has almost wrapped up. In our final week PCC (1) Played hosted to Huntingdon Valley and took an emphatic win 7-0. PCC (2) travelled to Waynesborough CC winning away 5-2. Our third team travelled to Merchantville and also won 5-2. It was a great day for our WGAP teams! Congratulations to everyone on their great play. Thank you to everyone who participated in our team matches this year, we certainly appreciate you dedicating your time to representing the Club. We have one more match for our PCC second team who will be playing LuLu in a Super Jump Match at Overbrook on May 21st. Good luck to our Ladies!

Also a very big thank you to our WGAP captains Mrs. Laura Martin and Mrs. Lisa Figge for all their efforts in making another successful WGAP season. We hope to see everyone play again next year!

Sean Hogan, PGA Assistant Golf Professional GAP Team Matches First I’d like to thank all of you for making yourselves available to represent PCC in the GAP Team Matches this year. We had a great showing and had a successful season. I’d also like to thank Sean Hogan on the golf staff for helping to coordinate everything with the other clubs that we played each week.

Congratulations to our 2nd Team on an excellent season, winning their section and moving up a Division to D. They had a tough loss against Pitman week 2, but rallied this past week against Bala in the rain securing enough points to take first place in the section with 112.5 points to Pitman’s 93 points.

Despite big wins against Overbrook in Week 1 and Merion in week 3, Aronimink swept all 3 matches and won the section meaning the first team will need to wait until 2025 to try to win our way out of the C Division.

Thank you all again and hope everyone has an excellent 2024 golf season.

Matt & Robbie Craven

Men’s Golf Calendar

May Golf Calendar

June Golf Calendar