1921 E-Pub: Volume 9, No. 4

Contents 2

A Drive For A Dream

3

Record-Breaking Rounds

4

Meet Aaron Ojard: PGA HOPE Ambassador

An update on the Local Drive, Chip & Putt Qualifiers

Three PGA of America Golf Professionals go low

PGA HOPE gained a new spokesperson

5

A Reflection of Triumph

6

Philadelphia PGA: We Love This Jawn

David Nevatt, PGA, reminisces on a big victory

The Section is selling t-shirts to support PGA REACH Philadelphia

7

Playing Through S1E6

8

A New Season of HOPE

9

Save The Date!

Andy Watters, PGA, is interviewed

Fall HOPE Registration Opens Soon

PGA REACH Philadelphia’s Pro-Am is on September 30

1921 E-Pub

Volume 9, No. 4

A Drive For A Dream

E

ach summer thoursands of junior golfers aged 6-15 travel to local courses in our area for a chance to compete at one of the most beautiful, yet presitgous courses in the world, Augusta National Golf Club, home to the National Drive, Chip & Putt Finals.

Last year, the dreams of four local junior golfers became reality as they secured a place in this renowned event, gaining unforgettable memories and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As the competition season unfolds in the Philadelphia Section, we have already witnessed exceptional talent emerging on the course. The ongoing showcase of skill and determination sets the stage for our upcoming subregional qualifiers, coming up in early August. With each round, the anticipation and stakes grow higher, promising thrilling moments and inspiring performances from our young athletes. With a lot of shots still left to be played, our staff members anxiously await in anticipation to see who is next for their dreams to come true.

A Drive For A Dream

E

ach summer thoursands of junior golfers aged 6-15 travel to local courses in our area for a chance to compete at one of the most beautiful, yet presitgous courses in the world, Augusta National Golf Club, home to the National Drive, Chip & Putt Finals.

Last year, the dreams of four local junior golfers became reality as they secured a place in this renowned event, gaining unforgettable memories and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As the competition season unfolds in the Philadelphia Section, we have already witnessed exceptional talent emerging on the course. The ongoing showcase of skill and determination sets the stage for our upcoming subregional qualifiers, coming up in early August. With each round, the anticipation and stakes grow higher, promising thrilling moments and inspiring performances from our young athletes. With a lot of shots still left to be played, our staff members anxiously await in anticipation to see who is next for their dreams to come true.

I

Record Breaking Rounds

t has been an exciting tournament season so far for the Philadelphia PGA Section with three different PGA of America golf professionals having record setting rounds. The first instance was at the Taylormade Classic at Tavistock G.C. on May 6, where Brian Bergstol tied the course record of 64 en route to his victory. Braden Shattuck was the next to make history at Bellewood Country Club on May 20 where he set a new course record of 63. His oustanding play was a contiuation of his celebratory weekend of making the cut and earing Low-Professional Honors at the PGA Championship. Most recently, Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley C.C. broke the low score at Brookside Country Club in Macungie. He shot a 65 in the second round of the GALV Lehigh Valley Open to do so. With the players heating up more and more every week, only one question is left: who is next?

I

Record Breaking Rounds

t has been an exciting tournament season so far for the Philadelphia PGA Section with three different PGA of America golf professionals having record setting rounds. The first instance was at the Taylormade Classic at Tavistock G.C. on May 6, where Brian Bergstol tied the course record of 64 en route to his victory. Braden Shattuck was the next to make history at Bellewood Country Club on May 20 where he set a new course record of 63. His oustanding play was a contiuation of his celebratory weekend of making the cut and earing Low-Professional Honors at the PGA Championship. Most recently, Dave Pagett of Whitemarsh Valley C.C. broke the low score at Brookside Country Club in Macungie. He shot a 65 in the second round of the GALV Lehigh Valley Open to do so. With the players heating up more and more every week, only one question is left: who is next?

Meet Aaron Ojard: PGA HOPE Ambassador

P

GA REACH Philadelphia is pleased to introduce Aaron Ojard as one of the new PGA HOPE Ambassadors. Out of the 41 sections who nominate veternans, only 20 are selected for this honorary position. Ambassadors are the spokespersons for PGA HOPE and work to attract new veterans to the program by attending community events and networking. Aaron is one of our section’s Squad Leaders for the HOPE Chapter at Union League National. His leadership qualities, passion and drive for helping others is what will make him a great ambassador. He will kick off his ambassadorship at Congressional Country Club later this year where he will attend a conference with the other representatives of PGA HOPE. “PGA HOPE is an opportunity for veterans to get involved with the game of golf, from learning the very basics to honing golf skills to make them a better competitive golfer,” said Aaron. “ I love seeing the looks on brothers and sisters faces as they become more comfortable/confident standing over a ball.

One member exclaimed during a scramble tournament that he made his first birdie ever...the pure joy he experienced is what keeps vets away from the bottle or worse.”

To learn more about Aaron’s experiences with the Military and PGA HOPE, click here.

Meet Aaron Ojard: PGA HOPE Ambassador

P

GA REACH Philadelphia is pleased to introduce Aaron Ojard as one of the new PGA HOPE Ambassadors. Out of the 41 sections who nominate veternans, only 20 are selected for this honorary position. Ambassadors are the spokespersons for PGA HOPE and work to attract new veterans to the program by attending community events and networking. Aaron is one of our section’s Squad Leaders for the HOPE Chapter at Union League National. His leadership qualities, passion and drive for helping others is what will make him a great ambassador. He will kick off his ambassadorship at Congressional Country Club later this year where he will attend a conference with the other representatives of PGA HOPE. “PGA HOPE is an opportunity for veterans to get involved with the game of golf, from learning the very basics to honing golf skills to make them a better competitive golfer,” said Aaron. “ I love seeing the looks on brothers and sisters faces as they become more comfortable/confident standing over a ball.

One member exclaimed during a scramble tournament that he made his first birdie ever...the pure joy he experienced is what keeps vets away from the bottle or worse.”

To learn more about Aaron’s experiences with the Military and PGA HOPE, click here.

A Reflection of Triumph The membership of Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn., recently invited PGA of America Life Member David Nevatt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his victory in the 1974 United States Junior Amateur Championship. Before he makes the trip later this month, we invited David to our Section office to sit down and reflect on his big win and his career in the golf industry. You can watch the interview below.

A Reflection of Triumph The membership of Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn., recently invited PGA of America Life Member David Nevatt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his victory in the 1974 United States Junior Amateur Championship. Before he makes the trip later this month, we invited David to our Section office to sit down and reflect on his big win and his career in the golf industry. You can watch the interview below.

Philadelphia PGA: We Love this Jawn To celebrate our new Philadelphia PGA Section logo, and the PGA of America’s new tagline, “We Love this Game,” we commissioned L2 Brands to create t-shirts that feature Philly’s unique colloquialism. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will benefit the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, and its Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion programming.

T-shirts will be available at Section events for $30 each on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at the Doylestown Open on Friday, July 26 at Doylestown (Pa.) C.C. Online orders and shipping are not available.

Philadelphia PGA: We Love this Jawn To celebrate our new Philadelphia PGA Section logo, and the PGA of America’s new tagline, “We Love this Game,” we commissioned L2 Brands to create t-shirts that feature Philly’s unique colloquialism. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will benefit the Section’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia, and its Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion programming.

T-shirts will be available at Section events for $30 each on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at the Doylestown Open on Friday, July 26 at Doylestown (Pa.) C.C. Online orders and shipping are not available.

Playing Through: Andy Watters, S1E6

W

elcome to the latest episode of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s new web series, “Playing Through,” where PGA of America Golf Professionals, Section staff, Section partners, and other industry professionals are asked 18 questions about their lives and careers.

This episode features PGA of America Member Andy Watters, the PGA head golf professional at Talamore Country Club in Ambler, Pa. Watters grew up competing on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, and has played in Section events every year since. To watch the episode, click on the video below.

Playing Through: Andy Watters, S1E6

W

elcome to the latest episode of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s new web series, “Playing Through,” where PGA of America Golf Professionals, Section staff, Section partners, and other industry professionals are asked 18 questions about their lives and careers.

This episode features PGA of America Member Andy Watters, the PGA head golf professional at Talamore Country Club in Ambler, Pa. Watters grew up competing on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, and has played in Section events every year since. To watch the episode, click on the video below.

O

A New Season of HOPE

ur foundation is calling all HOPE-trained PGA Professionals to join us in supporting the Fall PGA HOPE clinics. This fall, we are excited to introduce several new programs and are eager to make a meaningful difference in the lives of more veterans.

To volunteer for a HOPE Chapter, you can register here.

Thank you for your commitment to this important cause!

O

A New Season of HOPE

ur foundation is calling all HOPE-trained PGA Professionals to join us in supporting the Fall PGA HOPE clinics. This fall, we are excited to introduce several new programs and are eager to make a meaningful difference in the lives of more veterans.

To volunteer for a HOPE Chapter, you can register here.

Thank you for your commitment to this important cause!

Save The Date!

For our 2024 PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia Pro-Am

The event will take place at Laurel Creek Country Club on September 30th.

Register Here!

Save The Date!

For our 2024 PGA of America REACH Foundation Philadelphia Pro-Am

The event will take place at Laurel Creek Country Club on September 30th.

Register Here!