Mattapoisett, Mass. – The New England PGA concluded the 105th New England PGA Section Championship on Thursday, Sept. 4, with the final round contested at The Bay Club in Mattapoisett, Mass. Sixty-one players who made the cut competed on the Bay Club’s immaculate fairways and greens, each looking to hoist the Thomas Mahan Trophy. In addition to the title, competitors battled for 14 qualifying spots (excluding exempt player Rich Berberian, Jr.) in the 2026 PGA Professional Championship, scheduled for April 26–29, 2026, at Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Oregon.
Ed Kirby, PGA (The Aquidneck Club) climbed the leaderboard through the final round to win his third NEGPA Section Championship. He previously claimed the title in 2012 and most recently in 2024.
“Both golf courses were in terrific shape, but very difficult,” said Kirby. “I told myself to have patience…I knew the scores wouldn’t be low so I needed to stick to my gameplan. If you’ve won the event before you have it in the back of your head that you can do it again. Thank you to the members and my club and my friends and family”.
The final round quickly became a back-nine battle, with tough conditions and numerous shifts on the leaderboard. Kevin Franey, PGA (Meadow Brook Golf Club), who entered the day tied for the lead after a 69 in Round 2, went 2-over on the front. Meanwhile, David Jankowski, PGA (Golf Garage VT), posted a strong front nine at 1-under.
Greg Kelly, PGA, stayed in contention after a birdie on the 15th hole. He and Kirby tied the top of the leaderboard after the hole. They both parred the 16th and bogeyed 17th, remaining deadlocked.
Kirby held steady on the 18th, carding a par. Kelly’s par attempt narrowly missed, giving Kirby his third New England PGA Section title.
Rich Berberian Jr., PGA (Vesper Country Club), and Kelly both finished tied for second at 4-over (217). Brian Spitz, PGA (PGA Tour Superstore), David Jankowski, PGA (Golf Garage VT), and Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston Golf Club) finished tied for fourth place, finishing at 5-over, (218).
The 4th NEPGA Women’s Championship wrapped up on Wednesday with Seul-Ki Hawley, PGA (Winchester Country Club), winning her third consecutive title. Hawley also competed in the third round of the Section Championship, finishing tied for sixth and earning a spot in the PGA Professional Championship.
The 14 qualifying spots for the 2026 PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes (excluding Berberian, who is exempt) were awarded following the conclusion of the championship.
QUALIFIERS
1 Ed Kirby (The Aquidneck Club)
2 Greg Kelly (Bay Club at Mattapoisett)
T3 Brian Spitz (PGA Tour Superstore – Braintree)
T3 Jeff Martin (Wollaston Golf Club)
T3 David Jankowski (Golf Garage VT)
T6 Robert Tramonti (Triggs Memorial Golf Course)
T6 Dave Einstein (Hyannisport Club)
T6 Jake Etherton (Manchester Country Club)
T6 Nick Lombardi (Salem Country Club)
T6 John Hickson (Northport Golf Club)
T6 Kevin Franey (Meadow Brook Golf Club)
T12 Liam Friedman (Wollaston Golf Club)
T12 Dale Abraham (Cape Arundel Golf Club)
T12 Eric Barlow (Winchester Country Club)
ALTERNATES – IN ORDER
1 Shawn Warren Bates College
2 Malcolm Oliver Weston GC
4 James Burke Ponkapoag GC
3 Robert Bruso Worcester CC
5 Mark Gammons Black Rock CC
The NEPGA Section is thrilled to announce that the 106th New England PGA Section Championship will take place at Portland Country Club and The Woodlands Club in Falmouth, Maine from August 31-September 2, 2026.
A wonderful thank you to The Kittansett Club Head Golf Professional, J.P. Connelly, PGA, The Bay Club Head Golf Professional, Ben Egan, PGA, and the entire Kittansett and Bay Club staff for serving as hosts of the 105th NEPGA Section Championship.
The 105th Section Championship was 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.