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BOYLSTON, Mass. – The New England PGA is proud to announce the selection of Taylor McMath as the 2026 PGA WORKS Fellow for the PGA REACH New England Foundation. McMath, a North Attleboro native and graduating student-athlete from the University of Tennessee, will begin her eight-month fellowship this June, joining a premier program aimed at diversifying the golf industry’s workforce through immersive, hands-on leadership experience.
The PGA WORKS Fellowship serves as a high-level career launchpad, and McMath will spend her term supporting the foundation’s three core pillars: Inclusion, Veterans, and Youth Development. Shortly after her graduation, she will join the foundation team in early June and immediately hit the ground running with on-site experiences and events, touching each area of the foundation’s mission.
In her new role, Taylor will balance daily administrative tasks with on-site operations across the New England Section. Her primary duties involve facilitating Junior Golf initiatives to grow the game among the next generation, coordinating PGA HOPE programs to assist Veterans with disabilities, and organizing inclusion-based networking opportunities for women and underrepresented communities. Beyond program coordination, she will be responsible for tournament logistics, such as course setup for OPERATION: PlayDay, while leading marketing efforts through social media management and the production of the foundation’s monthly newsletter, The 411. Additionally, Taylor will assist with fundraising initiatives and sponsor activations to ensure the long-term financial health of the foundation’s diverse programming.
McMath joins the NEPGA team following her graduation from the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, where she earned a degree in Marketing with a collateral in Leadership. During her collegiate career, she was an active member of the American Marketing Association and demonstrated exceptional leadership as a four-year member and President of the university’s club lacrosse team. Her recent internship with Tennessee Athletics, focusing on fan experience, has prepared her to transition seamlessly into the professional sports landscape.
“I am incredibly honored to join the PGA REACH New England team and give back to the golf community in my home state. Golf has a unique power to bring people together, and I am eager to help expand that reach through our work with Veterans, junior golfers, and inclusion initiatives. I look forward to hitting the ground running this June and learning from the best in the business.” — Taylor McMath
“We are thrilled to welcome Taylor to the New England PGA family. Her background in marketing and her proven experience as a collegiate leader bring a fresh, dynamic energy to our team. Taylor’s passion for service and her professional drive will be instrumental in advancing our mission and ensuring the success of our foundation programs throughout the 2026 season.” — Michael Packard, PGA, Director of the PGA REACH New England Foundation
About PGA REACH New England Founded in 2016, PGA REACH New England has and will continually work to promote the game and improve the lives of thousands of children, Veterans and their families, as well as diverse populations through the creation and utilization of golf programming that supports education, health and wellness, and youth development.
About PGA WORKS PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. Funded by PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, and career explorations to inspire and engage talent from all backgrounds.
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.
Tournament Page
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.
