BOYLSTON, Mass. — The New England PGA Section is proud to announce that 15 of its PGA Professionals are headed to the Oregon coast to compete in the 2026 PGA Professional Championship (PPC). The championship will be held at the world-renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort from April 26–29.

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The group is headlined by Rich Berberian Jr., PGA (Vesper Country Club), a past National Champion who is exempt from qualifying. He is joined by 14 of the Section’s top players who earned their way into the field during a historic NEPGA Section Championship this past fall.

These elite professionals will compete against a national field of 312 players for the Walter Hagen Cup and, more importantly, for one of 20 available spots in the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club this May.

The New England field features a blend of veteran competitors and rising stars within the Section:

  • Rich Berberian Jr., PGA (Vesper CC)

  • Ed Kirby, PGA (The Aquidneck Club)

  • Greg Kelly, PGA (Bay Club at Mattapoisett)

  • Brian Spitz, PGA (PGA TOUR Superstore – Braintree)

  • Jeff Martin, PGA (Wollaston Golf Club)

  • David Jankowski, PGA (Golf Garage VT)

  • Robert Tramonti, PGA (Triggs Memorial Golf Course)

  • Dave Einstein, PGA (Hyannisport Club)

  • Jake Etherton, PGA (Manchester Country Club)

  • Nick Lombardi, PGA (Salem Country Club)

  • John Hickson, PGA (Northport Golf Club)

  • Kevin Franey, PGA (Meadow Brook Golf Club)

  • Liam Friedman, PGA (Wollaston Golf Club)

  • Dale Abraham, PGA (Cape Arundel Golf Club)

  • Eric Barlow, PGA (Winchester Country Club)

The New England Section has a storied history of success on the national stage. Led by the experienced Berberian—who famously won the National Championship in 2016—and two-time Section Champion & two-time Senior NEPGA Champion,  Ed Kirby. This year’s delegation is one of the strongest in recent memory. These professionals balance their daily roles as expert coaches and leaders at their respective clubs with the grit and skill required for high-level competitive play.

The 2026 PGA Professional Championship will be broadcast on Golf Channel, with live scoring available throughout the week on PGA.com.

Fans can also catch “The Road to Bandon” this Sunday, April 26, at 2:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sports, featuring an inside look at the journey PGA Professionals take to reach this prestigious national championship.