Marblehead, Mass. – The 104th New England PGA Section Championship kicked off on the Tuesday after Labor Day, September 3, 2024, at Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead, Mass. and Ferncroft Country Club in Middleton, Mass. 172 New England PGA of America Golf Professionals came out to compete in the Section’s premier event of the season. The temperatures were perfect for a round of golf, staying in the mid-70s with clear blue skies and warm sun throughout the round.
Tedesco & Ferncroft are both no stranger to hosting the New England PGA Section Championship. In 2020, Tedesco was the co-host alongside the storied Myopia Hunt Club. Ferncroft has a long history with this event, now a 9-time Championship host. However, this is the New England PGA Championship’s first visit since 1982.
Greg Kelly, PGA (Myopia Hunt Club) took the lead after round 1, shooting 72 (E), through his opening 18 holes at Ferncroft Country Club. After starting the round with three bogeys, Kelly posted an eagle on the par-5, 486-yard 9th hole, to make the turn at 1-over. Two more birdies on holes 12 and 15 helped lift him to the final even par-72 to hold the first-place spot.
Seven NEPGA Professionals finished the day in a tie for second place, at 1-over across both courses; Tedesco being a par-70 course and Ferncroft being a par-72 course. Three NEPGA Professionals shot 71 (+1) at Tedesco including: James Burke, PGA (Ponkapoag GC), Jason Calhoun, PGA (Brown University), and Andrew Stolze, PGA (The Club at New Seabury). 2022 Section Champion, Liam Friedman, PGA (Wollaston GC), 2023 Section Champion, Rich Berberian, Jr., PGA (Vesper CC), Boomer Erik, PGA (Boston Golf Club), and Matt Arvanitis, PGA (SNHU) all competed at Ferncroft for round 1 and claimed a share of second place, shooting 73 (+1).
The round at Tedesco was also highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-3, 8th hole, made by Zach Girouard, PGA (Old Sandwich GC).
After round 1 of the NEPGA Women’s Section Championship, Seul-Ki Hawley, PGA (Winchester Country Club) is the front-runner. Hawley played at the par-72, Ferncroft CC today and posted a 2-over, 74 to take the lead. She made the turn at 1-under with three birdies on her scorecard, including one on the par-5, 486-yard, 9th hole. After a bumpy start to the back nine, Hawley carded one more birdie on another par-5, the 15th hole, and closed out the round at 2-over, 74. Kristen Macdonald, PGA (Thomson CC) sits in 2nd place in the Women’s Section Championship at 5-over, 77 through round 1 at Ferncroft CC. She carded one birdie on the day, on the par-5 9th hole.
The 104th Section Championship is supported both nationally & locally by Corebridge Financial, Rolex, Club Car, Golf Channel, Gallagher, Titleist/FootJoy, TaylorMade, Nike, Callaway, Mohegan Sun, Avidia Bank, Branded Bills, Superior Communications & the PGA Tour. Their commitment underscores the importance of this event in the golfing landscape.
The tournament offers 13 qualifying spots (not including Rich Berberian, Jr. who is exempt) in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship which will be held from April 27-30, 2025 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL.