MATTAPOISETT, Massachusetts – The New England PGA concluded the 105th New England PGA Section Championship on Sept. 4, with the final round contested at the par 71, 6,618-yard 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 in the 2026 PGA Professional Championship, scheduled for April 26–29, 2026, at Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Oregon.
Ed Kirby, of 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. Kirby fired a final round 2-over, 73, good enough to edge Rich Berberian (Vesper) and Greg Kelly (Bay Club) by one, and pocket the first-place check for $12,500.
“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, (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, (Golf Garage VT), posted a strong front nine at 1-under.
Greg Kelly, 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., (Vesper Country Club), and Kelly both finished tied for second at 4-over (217). Brian Spitz, (PGA Tour Superstore), David Jankowski, (Golf Garage VT), and Jeff Martin, (Wollaston Golf Club) finished tied for fourth place, finishing at 5-over, (218).
The 4th NEPGA Women’s Championship wrapped up on September 3 with Seul-Ki Hawley, (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)
FINAL RESULTS
1 Ed Kirby The Aquidneck Club 70-73-73–216 +3
T2 Rich Berberian Vesper Country Club 69-74-74–217 +4
T2 Greg Kelly Bay Club at Mattapoisett 71-71-75–217 +4
T4 Brian Spitz PGA Tour Superstore – Braintree 73-72-73–218 +5
T4 Jeff Martin Wollaston Golf Club 71-73-74–218 +5
T4 David Jankowski Golf Garage VT 70-72-76–218 +5
T7 Kirk Hanefeld Salem Country Club 73-75-71–219 +6
T7 Robert Tramonti Triggs Memorial Golf Course 74-73-72–219 +6
T7 Dave Einstein Hyannisport Club 70-74-75–219 +6
T7 Jake Etherton Manchester Country Club 73-71-75–219 +6
T7 Nick Lombardi Salem Country Club 71-73-75–219 +6
T7 John Hickson Northport Golf Club 71-73-75–219 +6
T7 Kevin Franey Meadow Brook Golf Club 73-69-77–219 +6
T14 Malcolm Oliver Weston Golf Club 72-76-72–220 +7
T14 Eric Barlow Winchester Country Club 71-74-75–220 +7
T14 Dale Abraham Cape Arundel Golf Club 75-70-75–220 +7
T14 Shawn Warren Bates College 74-72-74–220 +7
T14 Liam Friedman Wollaston Golf Club 72-73-75–220 +7
https://nepga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/nepga25/event/nepga2581/contest/9/leaderboard.htm
PHOTO ALBUM
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Submitted by Laura Neilan, New England PGA Marketing & Communications Director. She can be reached at lneilan@pgahq.com
