Marcus Manley overcame an early double-bogey with four front nine birdies and chalked up his first victory in two years, capturing the APGA Tour Valley Forge Championship Wednesday at Bluestone Country Club in Montgomery County, just west of Philadelphia.

The triumph was worth $7,500 from the $25,000 purse and put Manley in the driver’s seat in the bonus pool points race for the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Fall Series, a newly-minted lineup of three events capping the tour’s landmark 2021 season. 

Another $15,000 will be awarded to the players with the most points through the series, which continues Oct.17-19 with the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Atlanta Championship ($25,000 purse) at White Oak Golf Club at the Clubs of Peachtree City. 

The final event is Nov. 7-9, the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Fall Series Finale ($30,000 purse), at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles.

Amidst near-ideal conditions on the par-71, 6,455-yard Bluestone Country Club course, Manley lost part of his four-stroke lead on the second hole, carding a double-bogey six following a first-hole birdie four.  

He recovered with birdies on six, seven, and nine and never was threatened the rest of the way, despite shooting three-over on the back.  He finished with a one-over 72 for a five-stroke victory over Trey Valentine of Melbourne, Florida, who shot a second consecutive even-par 71 for a total of 142. 

In third place were Davin White of Locust Grove, Georgia, whose two-under 69 was the round of the day, and Patrick Newcomb of Jacksonville, Florida, both another stroke back at 143.  Rovonta Young of Huntsville, Alabama, rounded out the top five with a 72-72-144.

“There are always nerves,” stated Manley, who last won on the APGA Tour in 2019. “But with the birdie on the first hole, I figured I’d calmed down.  I changed my strategy on the back nine and focused on making par.”  The 37-year-old Washington D.C. native now living in Kissimmee, Florida, concluded, “The goal was to win and I accomplished the goal.  It’s been a while, so it feels good.” Manley plans to play the final two events of the Farmers Insurance Fall Series in pursuit of the bonus pool payday while continuing to chase his dream via Monday qualifiers and mini-tour competitions.

The Philadelphia region players had mixed results in their first APGA Tour event.  Louis Kelly, the assistant pro at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson Township, NJ, finished in 14th place at 73-76-149.  Zach Juhasz, of Bethlehem, finished in tie for 20^th with a 73-78-151. 

Matt Vital, the 15-year-old from Bethlehem who broke Sam Snead’s course record at Reading (PA) Country Club earlier this year, shot a two-over 73 Wednesday, finishing in 22^nd place at 79-73-152. Jon Ortiz finished in 39^th place at 83-79-162.

APGA Tour Valley Forge was hosted by the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, which promotes the Montgomery County region’s 50-plus golf courses as part of its Monto Golf initiative.

APGA Tour Valley Forge week kicked off Sunday with an Advocates Foundation Farmers Insurance Youth Program event at Walnut Lane Golf Club in Philadelphia, where The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia brought over 40 youths to interact with APGA Tour officials and players. 

The daylong schedule included golf clinic activities plus health and wellness discussions and raffle prizes for participants.

Same day scoring detail for APGA Tour Valley Forge here. APGA Tour Valley Forge was conducted under health/safety guidelines in conjunction with regional authorities.

Montgomery County is always ready for golf!