138 PGA professionals to compete for $100,000 winner’s check at Haverford Trust-sponsored event
RADNOR, PA – MAY 16, 2018 – With the largest first place prize available from any event held across the PGA of America’s 41 sections, the 22nd annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic returns to Sunnybrook Golf Club in Plymouth Meeting, PA, on May 29. A field of 138 PGA Professionals from the Philadelphia section will vie for the first-place $100,000 prize.
The invitational tournament, originally conceived by Founder and current Director of The Haverford Trust Company, George Connell, has emerged as a keystone event on the Philadelphia PGA calendar, and is revered by PGA sections around the country. The tournament launched with a first place purse of $10,000, which Mr. Connell has increased over the years to encourage sportsmanship and competition.
“Thanks to Mr. Connell and Haverford Trust, our Philadelphia PGA members are presented an opportunity that is unprecedented, which makes this tournament so special,” said Geoff Surrette, Executive Director, Philadelphia Section PGA. “With a $100,000 first place prize, they are getting a tour-like experience and that’s pretty cool.”
“Our entire team at Haverford Trust is thrilled to support this annual tournament to inspire healthy competition among our region’s PGA professionals,” said Joe McLaughlin, Chairman & CEO of Haverford Trust. “We recognize the valuable role PGA Professionals play every day in growing the game and managing the business of golf around the country, and we appreciate their passion for a sport that is played by tens of millions of men, women, and children alike.”
Last year’s tournament saw Sunnybrook’s own Assistant PGA Professional, Andrew Turner, claim first place, finishing at 4-under par with a score of 68. Turner made an exciting finish, holding off a late charge from runner-up, Jake Gerney of Trump National Philadelphia, who finished 2 shots back. Nine others finished at 1-under par, to claim a joint tie for third place. Prior to his $100,000 first place prize, Turner’s largest golf purse was $6,000. The 33-year old defending Champion is a former professional mini-tour player and member of Liberty University’s golf team.
The 2018 tournament marks the 2nd year of Haverford’s partnership with the Philadelphia PGA Helping Our Patriots Everywhere (HOPE). PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. To honor this partnership, Army CPL Kevin McCloskey, will be hitting the ceremonial tee shot.
For more information on the 22nd annual Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic, visit philadelphia.pga.com/tournaments.
TOURNAMENT FACTS:
Tournament Name – The Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic
Sponsor – The Haverford Trust Company
Venue – Sunnybrook Golf Club – Plymouth Meeting, Pa / Yardage – 6,893 Par 72
Host Professional – Mr. Eric Schultz, PGA
Total Purse – $117,600 / 1st Place Prize – $100,000
2017 Champion – Andrew Turner (Sunnybrook GC) Score – 4 under par (68)
2017 Runner Up – Jake Gerney (Trump National Philadelphia) Score – 2 under par (70)
Field – 150 (138 Professionals / 12 Amateurs)
PAST CHAMPIONS IN FIELD:
Dave Quinn, PGA – 2001, 2005 Billy Stewart – 2013
George Forster, PGA – 2008 Rusty Harbold, PGA – 2014
Hugh Reilly, PGA – 2011 Dave McNabb, PGA – 2016
Scott Reilly, PGA – 2012 Andrew Turner, PGA – 2017
SOCIAL MEDIA: #haverfordclassic
About The Philadelphia Section PGA
The Philadelphia Section PGA (PPGA) is one of 41 geographical sections of The PGA of America. Composed of PGA Professionals who serve as the “Experts in the Game & Business of Golf,” the PPGA encompasses Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey (Trenton – south), Delaware and parts of Northern Maryland. Since the 1920s, the PPGA has been the voice and face of golf throughout the region backed by over 850 PGA Professionals and Apprentices who promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf, and who are at the forefront of programming/events at more than 300 public and private golf facilities, including some of the country’s most acclaimed golf courses. PPGA members collectively impact over 2 million rounds of golf annually, encompassing over 100,000 club members, hundreds of thousands of public course golfers, business leaders and one of the country’s strongest stable of junior golfers. The PPGA is further complemented by its charitable arm, the Philadelphia Foundation, which was created to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf. For more information about the Philadelphia Section PGA, visit philadelphia.pga.com.
About Haverford
Haverford, comprised of The Haverford Trust Company and Haverford Financial Services, provides equity and fixed income portfolio management, trust and estate administration, banking services, financial planning, nonprofit solutions and retirement plan services. Founded on Philadelphia’s landmark Rittenhouse Square in 1979, the Company has more than $8.0 billion in assets under management or consultation as of 12/29/2017. The Haverford Quality Investing® philosophy is committed to maximizing returns while minimizing risk throughout the entire market cycle. Quality Investing focuses solely on “A” rated equities that deliver consistent earnings and dividend growth, and investment grade fixed income securities that seek to protect both principal and income, over the long term. The company is based in Radnor, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit HaverfordQuality.com.
Contact:
Joe Monforto
(215) 481-9086
jmonforto@pgahq.com
Jason Rocker
(215) 564-3200 x110
jrocker@gobraithwaite.com
