Segal sees firsthand how his tournament helps

For the last 20 years, Jerry Segal has raised millions of dollars for Magee Rehabilitation Hospital through his popular golf tournament.

But when Segal needed Magee last spring for physical therapy and speech therapy after contracting encephalitis at his winter residence in Boca Raton, Fla., the impact of his work really hit home.

"It's the most euphoric feeling to see it," Segal said Wednesday. "It's a great feeling to know that in 21 years, we've progressed as much as we have using the equipment we helped pay for. When I go there and I walk around the gym, especially the spinal-cord gym, and I see patients using the equipment we were able to supply, I feel 10 feet tall."

Segal, 69, a Philadelphia lawyer, was introduced to Magee in 1988 after an error during neck surgery left him a quadriplegic. The Center City facility helped him regain the use of his legs and return to practice his first love - golf.

He founded the Jerry Segal Classic in 1990, and the event has raised about $9.4 million. The 21st edition of the event will be held Sept. 24 at two Lafayette Hill golf courses, Green Valley Country Club and the ACE Club.

Segal had to use Magee's services again beginning last April after his diagnosis.

"I had to relearn how to walk again," he said. "It affects your brain and spinal cord. You have thoughts in your head and you can't verbalize them, and it's very frustrating. I was there for about a month as an inpatient, and now I go three days a week for therapy."

Segal said he played golf only twice this summer and has made a few visits to the driving range. He has a special golf cart for next week, and he hopes to hit a few during his tournament with the likes of former 76ers coach Billy Cunningham and ex-Flyers goalie Bernie Parent.

"I'm not smart enough to quit," he said. "I keep swinging and falling down, but I'll keep getting up."

Despite the tough economy, Segal said, people have "stepped up to the plate." New sponsors have replaced others who needed to drop out. He said he would like to raise enough money this year to surpass the $10 million mark for the event's history.

A huge section. So many club professionals registered to play in this year's Philadelphia Section PGA Championship that officials considered looking for a second course for each of the first two rounds.

No such layout was available, so the field of 155 players will go out in foursomes starting Tuesday at Concord Country Club in Concordville for the first two rounds of the 54-hole event. That's to make sure everyone has enough time to finish before dark.

Section executive director Geoff Surrette said the turnout was the largest in at least 10 years. The normal entry list of close to 140 swelled, he said, because of new members of the PGA of America, or pros from other sections who took new jobs in the area.

"It's a great problem to have," he said.

The pros will be playing for a $60,000 purse and a chance to qualify for the 2011 PGA Professional National Championship in June at Hershey Country Club. The top 11 finishers not already eligible will make the field.

John Pillar, head pro at the Country Club of Woodloch Springs in Hawley, is the defending section champion. He is playing his first two rounds with the previous three champs - Dave Quinn of Links, Rich Steinmetz of Spring Ford, and Stu Ingraham of M-Golf.

Steinmetz, Ingraham, and Mark Sheftic of Merion already have qualified for next year's PNC.

Barbin honored. Andy Barbin, a Philadelphia section member and head professional at Chesapeake Bay Golf Club's two courses in North East and Rising Sun, Md., has been named winner of the President's Plaque by the PGA of America.

The award honors a PGA professional for outstanding support of the association's Play Golf America initiatives. Barbin will be recognized during the PGA's awards ceremony Jan. 27 in Orlando.