I was deeply saddened to hear Philmont Country Club PGA director of golf Justin Riegel recently passed away in a tragic accident at the club. A great man and friend was lost.
Justin worked as a PGA assistant professional at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, and Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia. He became a PGA head professional at French Creek in Chester County before moving on to Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley. Very involved with the Philadelphia PGA Section, in 2015 he was selected as the Section PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Philmont is one of the earliest golf clubs in the country. I wrote about my experience there in Global Traveler in November 2019.
On a personal level, he greeted us and made us feel like VIP guests. He gifted me the club’s 100-year centennial book, Philmont Country Club, The First Hundred Years, which I read cover to cover, and a great PCC hat and logo golf balls. He escorted us to lunch and told the team there to treat us well … which they did. He was a nice guy, and I could tell all the members thought highly of him.
Once, he met us on the 18th hole as we finished the first nine (we teed off on 10 to start). I was struggling on that hole, but he gave me encouragement for the next nine and beyond. It was a great day at Philmont, and oddly enough, it started stormy and windy but cleared up for our round last June (the weather was like fall, not summer). He loved golf, his job and the people with whom he came in contact.
GT photographer Chris Ottaunick added, “Very sad to hear; he was a very nice man and a great host at the club. As Fran said, he treated us like VIPs, giving us all a gift bag with a fabulous book on the 100 years of the club, a sleeve of PCC balls and a PCC logo hat that I will wear the next time I’m on the golf course.”
It’s a sad day, indeed. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and loved ones.
— Francis X. Gallagher, publisher
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedNovember 2024
Nov 5, 2024Set Off on a Tour of Extraordinary Mechanical Clocks Around the World
It’s approaching 3 o’clock in the afternoon in Bern. Jutting slightly into view at the end of the uneven stone street in the Swiss city’s historic heart stands a medieval tower adorned with the famous 15th-century “time bell,” Zytglogge. A small gathering forms at the tower’s base as the clock prepares to announce the hour — an event heralded by the crowing of a golden rooster, music and a dance of mechanical figures that include an assortment of jolly bears.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines First to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel for ORD
Chicago O’Hare International Airport will soon receive sustainable aviation fuel, all thanks to United Airlines, which became the first airline to purchase SAF for use at the airport, one of the largest in the United States. Neste, a producer of SAF, will provide up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first supply arrived in August.
Daily
Nov 5, 2024Arlo Washington DC to Debut Nov. 18
Arlo Hotels is slated to make its Washington, D.C., debut. Arlo Washington DC will open its doors in the heart of downtown D.C. on Nov. 18. Situated in the city’s oldest surviving apartment building, the property boasts 445 rooms, plus a 12-story addition.
Daily
Nov 5, 2024AlUla Designated as Gulf Cooperation Council’s First-Ever Dark Sky Park
AlUla, Saudi Arabia, is officially the first destination in Gulf Cooperation Council’s to be designated a Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International. This destination continues to commit to minimizing light pollution, preserving and protecting the nighttime environment, and ensuring its skies remain crystal clear for stargazers.
Sponsored Content
Pick Your Paradise: Experience Bali at 3 Incredible Hotels
Bali is a name synonymous with island bliss. But there is more than just one side to this incredible place. Get a sense for the variety of experiences Bali offers by learning about three hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with distinctive opportunities for adventure and relaxation. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, earn points for free nights at each of these properties.
Daily
Nov 4, 2024Have an Autumn Wine Soiree The SLO Way in San Luis Obispo
Yes, it’s harvest time — and that means great fall wine festivals, including the third annual Autumn Soirée The SLO Way Nov. 9 on California’s Central Coast. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Garden Courtyard at luxury boutique Hotel San Luis Obispo, recognized as a MICHELIN Guide One Key property.
7 Hotel Restaurants Worth the Travel
Daily
Nov 4, 20248 Must-Have (and Must-Pack) Perfumes for 2025
Daily
Nov 4, 2024New Boutique Hotel Collection Comes to Tulum
Hotels
Nov 3, 2024November 2024
Nov 1, 2024A Helping Hand
As we edge our way toward winter, I want to remind you how lucky we have been and how we can help those who have not been as fortunate. Please continue to donate to the American Red Cross, which stands ready in any disaster to provide items people need such as water, clothing, food and other supplies.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Relaunches Direct Casablanca–Beijing Route, Debuts Toronto Flight
As part of its international network expansion, Royal Air Maroc will reinstate the direct Casablanca–Beijing route initially launched in January 2020 and suspended just a few weeks later due to the health crisis.
Daily
Nov 1, 2024Embark on Chile’s Lakes & Volcanoes Route
While Patagonia, the Atacama Desert and Torres del Paine are already well-known Chilean destinations for U.S. adventure travelers, the more recently established Lakes & Volcanoes Route is an up-and-coming circuit distinct for its breathtaking fusion of landscapes shaped by active volcanoes and glacial lakes.
ShareThis