Kittansett, Mass. – The 105th New England PGA Section Championship officially got underway today, with competition spanning two of New England’s premier venues: The Kittansett Club in Marion, Massachusetts and The Bay Club in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Over 200 New England PGA of America Golf Professionals are competing in the Section’s most prestigious event of the season. Ideal late-summer conditions welcomed the field, with mild temperatures, light winds, and partly cloudy skies setting the stage for an exciting week of championship golf along the Massachusetts shoreline.
The Bay Club and The Kittansett Club introduce our NEPGA Professionals to some of the finest fairways and greens in New England. While The Bay Club are annual hosts to our Pro-Assistant Championship and The Kittansett Club was the site of the 2022 US Senior Amateur and the 1953 Walker Cup, both clubs are proud to be hosting the New England PGA Championship for the first time in their rich history.
LEADERBOARD | ROUND 1 KITTANSETT PHOTOS | ROUND 1 BAY CLUB PHOTOS
Rich Berberian Jr., PGA (Vesper CC) holds the solo lead after round 1, shooting an impressive 69 (-2), at the Kittansett Club. Back to back bogeys on holes 3 and 4 was all the fire Berberian needed, as he went three straight birdies on holes 5, 6, and 7 to shoot 1-under on the front nine. A couple more birdies on 13 and 15 fueled his performance to take the top spot in the pool.
Five NEPGA Professionals tied for second place spanning both courses at even par (71); The Bay Club and The Kittansett Club are par-71 courses. James Burke, PGA (Ponkapoag GC), Ed Kirby, PGA (The Aquidneck Club), David Jankowski, PGA (Golf Garage VT), and Dave Einstein, PGA (Hyannisport Club) all shot even at Kittansett. Curt Goldsberry, PGA (The Quechee Club) was the sole golfer at the Bay Club to accomplish the feat, and included an eagle on the par-5 6th hole during his performance.
Today’s round saw four NEPGA Professionals shoot five birdies in their rounds: Berberian, Einstein, Christopher Houston, PGA (Laconia CC), and Matt Alwin (Sakonnet GC).
Seul-Ki Hawley, PGA (Winchester Country Club) and Kristen MacDonald, PGA (Thomson CC) are tied for first place following the first round of the 5th NEPGA Women’s Championship, shooting a 78 (+7). Hawley and MacDonald played their opening rounds at The Kittansett Club in the same group, exchanging leads back and forth throughout the day. MacDonald carded 3 birdies on the front nine to bring her to 2-over at the turn, while Hawley shot +2 on the back to end her round strong with a final birdie on hole 18. Susan Fasoldt, PGA (Dorset Field Club) sits in solo 3rd place with an 11-over, 82. All golfers participating in the NEPGA Women’s Championship field played their first round at The Kittansett Club, and will conclude the 36-hole Championship event on Day 2 at The Bay Club.
The 105th Section Championship is supported both nationally & locally by Corebridge Financial, Rolex, Club Car, Golf Channel, Gallagher, Titleist/FootJoy, TaylorMade, Nike, Callaway, Stracka Line, BayState Financial, Ahead, ShipSticks, Stanley, Superior Communications & the PGA Tour. Their commitment is greatly represented and valued by the entire New England Section.
The tournament offers 14 qualifying spots (not including Rich Berberian, Jr. who is exempt) in the 2026 PGA Professional Championship which will be held from April 26-29, 2026 at Bandon Dunes in Bandon, OR.