CONTENTS
1921 E-PUB Vo l u m e 7, N o . 2
3 Major Support
Dave McNabb and Mike Molino play in front of hometown fans.
4 Best of the Best
A profile of 2021 Section Professional of the Year Sean Palmer.
6 Make Golf Your Thing
Meg Donohue helps two women learn the game on “Inside Golf.”
7 A Team Effort
A recap of the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship.
9 Philly’s Phantastic Youth Golfers
PWCC Youth Day was a hit with PGA Professionals and kids alike.
11 Beyond the Green
The PGA hosted PWCC competitors to discuss the golf industry.
13 Oakley in Oklahoma
Zac Oakley made his major championship debut in May.
14 Down the Shore Everything’s Alright
Henderson wins at the Section’s longstanding LPGA event.
17 Soaring Sales
A profile of 2021 Section Salesperson of the Year Jerry McGoey.
Pictured: Saucon Valley Country Club, host of the 2022 U.S. Senior Open.
Major Support T
wo Philadelphia PGA Members, Applebrook G.C.’s Dave McNabb, and C.C. of Scranton’s Mike Molino, competed in the U.S. Senior Open in June. The kicker? They were able to stay at home and play in front of their family, friends, neighbors, and members as the senior men’s major was hosted by Saucon Valley C.C. While McNabb and Molino did not quite make it to the weekend rounds, both had a wonderful time experiencing the local crowds and support. Way to go, Dave and Mike! •
Best of the Be S
ean Palmer, PGA, 2021 the Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year, and PGA Director of Golf for the Union League of Philadelphia, has spent the last seven years expanding the Union League’s presence in the local golf market. Through the creation of a golf coaching program, he helped establish a new culture for the club where PGA Professionals provide free lessons to each club member, resulting in over 11,000 new sessions. While Palmer continued to improve the operation at the Union League’s first property acquisition, Union League G.C. at Torresdale, he became more heavily involved when the club’s purchase of two properties, now known as Union League National G.C. and Union League Liberty Hill. Palmer has since moved into the PGA General Manager position for Liberty Hill, while doubling as the PGA Director of Golf for all the Union League’s three golf properties. “My goal is to mentor [PGA] Professionals, golf service team members, caddies, and our retail team by making them better at their tasks, work ethic, and character by the time they are ready
est to progress and move forward in their career,” says Palmer. Palmer has continued to serve the Section in many ways. PGA REACH Philadelphia has received an avalanche of support from Palmer through his member-veteran golf tournament, with Liberty Hill donating all of their event proceeds to the foundation, which administers the PGA HOPE Philadelphia program. Palmer is hoping to host this event annually to continue to show support for the U.S. military veterans and PGA HOPE. Additionally, he has helped the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour by serving as a mentor for their Diversity Scholarship recipients. He has been coaching scholarship recipient Brayden Mitchell (along with his grandfather), and secured a new set of golf clubs for Mitchell, with the assistance of the foundation. Palmer has continued to demonstrate his leadership, service and strong moral character by helping immerse those around him in the world of golf. His successful efforts have helped not only him, but the community around him, the Union League of Philadelphia, and has strengthened connections throughout the Section. •
Make Golf Your Thing T
he Philadelphia PGA Section has 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. Watch the latest segement in the video box to the right.•
A Team Effor T
he PGA of America was in town to stage the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC), considered the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, on April 30 - May 4. The series of events that were included in PWCC week directly and indirectly benefited PGA REACH Philadelphia, the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, and local golfers, via a significant donation from the PGA, educational programming, and increased media exposure. Formerly known as the PGA National Minority Collegiate Championship, the 54-hole tournament was played on courses donated by the Union League of Philadelphia – Union League Liberty Hill and the Union League Golf Club of Torresdale. In its 35th year, the annual championship is open to all minorityserving institutions with a focus on Historically Black Colleges
rt and Universities. The Philadelphia PGA Section and PGA REACH Philadelphia were engaged with PGA of America staff all week to host the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship Youth Day Presented by CastleOak Securities, and support the PGA WORKS Beyond the Green at the Comcast Technology Center, as well as the championship itself. PGA of America Secretary Don Rea presented the PGA REACH Philadelphia team with a donation of $200,000 to be used for the foundation’s Youth, Military, and Diversity programs, including PGA Jr. League, Golf in Schools, PGA HOPE Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships.•
Philly’s Phantastic Youth Golfers T
he Philadelphia PGA Section and PGA REACH Philadelphia worked in coordination with the PGA of America to host the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship Youth Day Presented by CastleOak Securities at Union League Philadelphia on April 30. At the PWCC Youth Day, nearly 100 youth golfers, primarily of diverse backgrounds from local organizations such as the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, Sigma Pi Phi, the Police Athletic Academy, Edu Sports Academy, and Delta Epsilon, visited Union League Liberty Hill to receive free golf instruction from PGA Members from the Philadelphia PGA Section and around the country. The kids were treated to appearances by the everpopular the Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot Phillie Phanatic, the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty, PGA Members Joanna Coe, Merion G.C.; and Gavin Parker, Salisbury C.C. They were treated to a performance by Miles College’s Purple Marching Machine brass band, and music from a local DJ. To view photos from Youth Day, click here; click on the image to the right to watch a brief video recap. •
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Beyond the Green H
eld in conjunction with the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, the PGA WORKS Beyond the Green career exploration event was designed to educate and inspire talent from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the business of golf and beyond. Beyond the Green strives to make a sustainable impact in our host championship markets by partnering with local community organizations to provide students access to industry leaders, executives and influencers to help inspire and engage them into our industry workforce. To learn about the five main takeaways from Beyond the Green event at the Comcast Technology Center, click here. •
Oakley in Oklahoma P
hiladelphia PGA Member Zac Oakley of Bidermann Golf Club in Wilmington, Del., tied for sixth in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship, securing his spot on the Team of 2022 to compete in the 2022 PGA Championship. Oakley made his major championship debut at the venerable Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. To learn a little more about how Zac got to the PGA Championship, watch the video on the left. •
Down the Shore Everything’s Alright he Philadelphia PGA Section staff, with help from a few PGA Professionals, helped partner Outlyr with the 2022 ShopRite LPGA Classic with official scoring, as well provided free swing tips to kids in the event’s vendor area. PGA Professionals and staff who provided the free lessons encouraged the golfers to visit PGA.com’s Find a PGA Coach directory to connect them with other Section PGA Members, as well as discussing the benefits of participating on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, local PGA Jr. League teams, and supporting PGA REACH Philadelphia. Thank you to all those who volunteered throughout the week! We thank Outlyr for the donation to PGA REACH Philadelphia. Number eight world-ranked Brooke Henderson turned in a final round 64, and eagled the first sudden-death playoff hole to win her 11th LPGA victory in dramatic fashion. •
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Domin at Me
nation erion T
he 42nd Curtis Cup was recently held at Merion Golf Club. While the United States Golf Association ran the event, PGA Head Professional Scott Nye and his professional team did a wonderful job planning for the event, and ensuring things ran smoothly onsite during event week. Additionally, PGA Director of Instruction Joanna Coe led a clinic for youth golfers who were on property during the Saturday round. Ultimately, the United States team dominated Great Britain & Ireland, retaining the cup with a score of 15.5to 4.5. •
Sales are Soa J
erry McGoey, a s for Titleist, has 2021 Philadelphia P the Year. Spending 2 golf industry, McG takes to work with a PGA Professiona and fitting operatio time with one of th and successful bran continued to implem have been respecte facilities. McGoey, been involved in s events, building cre established sales rep area. McGoey says he Professional and facilities as busine
aring
sales representative s been named the PGA Salesperson of 26 years within the Goey knows what it h and help improve al’s merchandising ons. Throughout his he most respected nds in golf, he has ment new ideas that ed by the Sections and Titleist, have sponsoring Section edibility as a wellpresentative in the
e views every PGA their respective ess partners, and
that he manages their business as his own. One of his initiatives includes including participants in Titleist University’s online modules. “I have always considered the Philadelphia PGA Section my home and it means the world to me that I am given this prestigious award in my first year returning back to Philadelphia. It was an extremely gratifying year to rekindle previous relationships and develop new ones with the Philadelphia PGA Professionals. By understanding your business needs and enhancing our partnership between Titleist and the PGA Professional, you have enabled me to successfully grow my territory in 2021. I am grateful for your partnership, this recognition, and I am excited to further grow together.”