RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER
YEAR IN REVIEW
A Note From the President Jason Howard, PGA
Fellow Rhode Island Chapter Members,
In this season of gratitude, the holidays always make me pause and take stock of not only the year behind us, but of the people and places that gave it meaning. So it feels natural to start with some sincere thanks. Thank you to our sponsors, to Nate Adelson for his steady leadership and the strong base he leaves us, to our board and the NEPGA staff for their commitment, and to each of you for the relationships that keep this chapter special I am also grateful to my home club, Kirkbrae Country Club , and to clubs like it across Rhode Island that enrich our golf community and help carry forward the RIPGA mission.
As we wrap up another successful season, the work for next year begins now. The offseason is when we can take real steps to drive growth, at our individual clubs and for our chapter as a whole. Let’s use this time to share ideas, build momentum, and make new connections that will carry us through 2026.
I am genuinely excited and grateful for the chance to serve as your president. Here is what you can expect from me: I will personally reach out to you. My goal is to listen, bring input forward, and lead the charge in elevating chapter participation over the next two years. We have a real opportunity to show up in numbers, strengthen our camaraderie and networking, and level up our tournaments. Our fall meeting was one of the best attended in years, and I want to keep that energy going.
Please join me in this. Picture the chapter that you want to stay part of five years from now. Think of one idea that gets us there and give me a call or send me a text about it. I look forward to hearing from you.
With
gratitude, Jason Howard, PGA
Rhode
Island Chapter President
Champions Corner
CHAPTER CHAMPION
ED KIRBY, PGA
Ed Kirby captured his third Chapter Championship in the last five years, and his fifth overall championship Kirby carded a 1-over 71 at Fall River CC beating Nick Petracca by a single shot
MATCH PLAY CHAMPION ED KIRBY, PGA
After going back-to-back with his Chapter Championship & Section Championship victories, Kirby made it a trifecta by winning his second consecutive Match Play Championship He defeated two-time Match Play Champion, Brendon Ray, in the final match.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ED KIRBY, PGA
After winning both Chapter majors, it is no surprise the your 2025 Les Kennedy Player of the Year is Ed Kirby! Congratulations to Ed and thank you to the 15 Golf Club and Brad Sherman, PGA for serving as the presenting partner of our player of the year race
EVENT CHAMPIONS
Sakonnet Pro-Pro
T1- Matt Hillier, PGA & Ed Kirby, PGA
T1- Dave Tiedemann, PGA & Tyler O’Connor, PGA
Agawam Hunt Pro-Am
Indy Pro
T1- Rob Bradley, PGA
T1- Scott Hickey, PGA Team
Brockton CC- Rob Bradley, PGA
2025 Award Winners
MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR
RYAN TRAIN, PGA
TEDESCO COUNTRY CLUB
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
JOE ROCHA, PGA GOLF COUNTRY
YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
ANDY LANE, PGA
WORCESTER COUNTRY CLUB
YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWAD
JASON HOWARD, PGA
KIRKBRAE COUNTRY CLUB
Thank You to Our Partners
15th Golf Club
Presenting Partner, Player of the Year
Owner: Brad Sherman, PGA brad@15thgolfclub.com (774) 678-0711
Callaway Golf
Supporting Partner, Sakonnet Pro-Pro Rep: Derek Travers derek travers@callawaygolfcom (860) 384-3210
Comparion Insurance Agency
Presenting Partner, Chapter Champ Rep: Nicole Vaughn Nicolevaughn@comparioninsurance com (617 571-2744
Flash Weather AI
Supporting Partner, Fall Meeting Rep: Nicole LoBiondo nlobiondo@flashweather ai (610) 842-4361
RJ Shepherd
Supporting Partner, Spring Meeting Rep: Jeff DiBona jsdibona@gmail com (860) 729-5170
Tournament Solutions
Supporting Partner, Chapter Champ
Managing Director: John Lawrenece john@tournamentsolutions com 1-800 896-1230
Branded Bills
Supporting Partner, Chapter Champ Rep: Jeff DiBona jsdibona@gmail com (860) 729-5170
Cobra Puma Golf
Supporting Partner, Chapter Champ Rep: Bryan Leskowitz bryan leskowitz@cobrapuma com (978 273-7963
Five Star Golf Cars
Supporting Partner, Chapter Champ Rep: Matthew Burke matthewb@fivestargolfcars com (508) 688-1850
Jolly Golf
Supporting Partner, Sakonnet Pro-Pro Owner: Paul Czerwinski paul@goodfellowgolfcom (312) 813-1382
Tee Commerce
Supporting Partner, Fall Meeting Partner: Jeff Piltch jeff@teecommerceco.com (339) 222-3142
Wilson
Supporting Partner, Agawam Hunt ProAm
Rep: John Fagan john.fagan@wilson.com (860) 869-7528