USGA Scholarship Announces New Scholarship Program

The United States Golf Association and Chevron have announced a new scholarship program for qualified high school seniors who are pursuing college careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. The scholarships are available to students who plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university as a full-time student with a focus in STEM-related courses. Applicants must also possess a demonstrated interest in golf. The application process will close after they receive 500 applications. Deadline to get in applications is March 12, 2014. Click here to read the official announcement. Click here to view the application.

Down and Out

Kirby and Pleczkowski are out, and the PGA Winter Championships end for New England

Port St. Lucie -

The Semi Finals have begun in the PGA Winter Match Play Championships in Port St. Lucie, FL, and for the first time there will be no NEPGA Professionals taking to the tee this afternoon. Jake Pleczkowski, PGA and Ed Kirby, PGA have lost and they will now make the trip back to New England with 2014 on their mind. 

Jake Pleczkowski, PGA of Sankaty Head Golf Club was ousted in the round of 16 by Patrick Steffes, PGA of Milwaukee Country Club in River Hills, WI by a score of 3&2. The loss for Pleckowski comes off the heels of two decisive victories in the opening rounds, most noteably a 4&2 victory over 2013 NEPGA Champion Shawn Warren, PGA. Pleczkowski will now finish out his winter at Seminole Golf Club in North Palm Beach, and then make his way back to the island of Nantucket for the summer. Pleczkowski’s strong finish in the PGA Winter Championships leave him in good spirits heading into the 2014 NEPGA Season.

 Ed Kirby, PGA of  Alpine Country Club was making a definitive run toward the PGA Winter Match Play title on the back of some strong play in the Sunshine state. Kirby had advanced to the Quarter Finals (Round of 8) with back to back 4&3 victories over Mark Faulkner, PGA of the Port Charlotte Golf Club and Tim Puetz, PGA of Huntington Country Club in Huntington, NY. Kirby then went to battle with Dwanye Randall, PGA of Peek n’ Peak Golf Club in Findley Lake, NY in the round of 8, but was defeated on the 17^th green by a score of 2 &1. The loss is upsetting for Kirby who is never satisfied without holding the trophy at the end. He will still take home a piece of the purse and heading into 2014 looking to take home another NEPGA Championship.

 Coverage of the final 8 in the PGA Winter Match Play Championships presented Premier Golf, United Rentals and Golf Advisor can be seen at the PGA Winter Match Play Championships Website.

16 Remain

Kirby and Pleczkowski march to the round of 16

Port St. Lucie -

The third round of the PGA Winter Match Play Championships is underway and two New England PGA Professionals remain. Alpine County Club’s Ed Kirby, PGA began the event as the #2 overall seed and is playing like the Kirby that has lead the way for New England Golf in the past 3 seasons. Sankaty Head’s Jake Pleczkowski, PGA began the round of 64 as the #22 Seed and the highest New England PGA seed, but after 2 decisive victories in the opening rounds, Pleczkowski is just one win away from the Elite 8.

Moving On Up

3 NEPGA Professionals advance to the Round of 32

Port St. Lucie -

The New England PGA boasted 5 professionals in the opening round of 64 of the PGA’s Winter Match Play Championships in Port St. Lucie, FL. After a grueling day one, the field has been cut down to 32 remaining professionals, and 3 of the remaining 32 will be New England PGA Professionals.

 After securing the #2 seed, Ed Kirby, PGA of Alpine Country Club was paired with the #63 seed Mike Docktor, PGA of Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, NJ. Docktor was able to keep the match close against the #2 seed, but eventually Kirby would close out the match on the 17^th Green with a 2&1 victory and a ticket to the round of 32. Kirby will face Mark Faulkner, PGA of the Port Charlotte Golf Club who defeated the 2012 New England Open Champion Rob Corcoran, PGA (1up) in Round 1.