Same song and dance for Glenmaura National Golf Club.
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In eight (2013-16, 2018, 2021-23) of the last 10 editions of the BMW GAP Team Matches, Glenmaura National entered Week Three with a 2–0 record. Playoff or bust.
Unfortunately for Glenmaura National, it’s been difficult to cross the finish line. In 2017, it reached the Playoff and finished fourth. A year ago, Glenmaura National tied Merion Golf Club, 27–27, in Week Three, but lost on an overall points tiebreaker for a Playoff spot.
Here it goes again. Glenmaura National (2–0, 78.5 points) defeated Tavistock Country Club (0–2, 34.5 points), 33.5–20.5, in Week Three of the 122nd BMW GAP Team Matches. Now it will face defending champion Huntingdon Valley Country Club (2–0, 78.5 points) in Week Three.
Playoff or bust.
“We put ourselves in a better position than last year because we were losing in points to Merion, and we tied them [in Week Three]. This year we don’t have that problem, so it’s basically win or go home,” Matthew Dougherty, Glenmaura National’s captain, said. “We know what to expect. Huntingdon Valley is a great team. Everybody knows that. We have a lot of veterans who have played in these matches. I don’t think anyone on our team is going to be standing on the tee nervous. We’re going to go out and play the way we can play.”
At a high level, given the returns thus far.
Glenmaura National opened with a commanding 45–9 win over Philadelphia Cricket Club 2 (0–2, 24.5 points) in Week One. Will equally imposed over Tavistock, despite a last-minute scratch. John Barone, arguably Glenmaura National’s top player, couldn’t play. Dougherty scrambled for a substitution, shuffled the lineup and saw the team’s depth surface stupendously.
“We have a strong team up and down the list, so we were confident that without John and with our home-course advantage that we could overcome it. All of our guys are playing pretty well right now,” Dougherty, 45, of Dalton, Pa., said.
Week Two, Dougherty said, can prove more challenging and nerve-wracking as teams attempt to avoid the Challenges. A Week Two win typically assures a Division AA return. In Glenmaura National’s case, it’s been the getup before the letdown.
Perhaps a reversal of fortune awaits.
“Hopefully we get one to fall our way one of these years,” Dougherty said. “We wouldn’t be in this situation if we didn’t have guys who were capable of competing. We feel like we can compete with everyone in GAP.”
LedgeRock Golf Club (2–0, 70.5 points) is also on the Playoff precipice, although its background is a bit different. In two of the last three years, LedgeRock entered Week Three knowing that a Challenge Match occupied the schedule.
Following a 39–15 victory over Llanerch Country Club (0–2, 37.5 points) in Week Two, the proverbial script flipped.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that you have a 50/50 chance of playing [in the Playoff] the day before Mother’s Day. It’s a good 50/50, not a bad 50/50,” Larry Schultz, LedgeRock’s captain, said. “The Challenges are hard. It’s nice to not [be in that position]. We’ll do the best we can, and that’s all you can hope.”
LedgeRock limited Llanerch to single-digits both home and away. It happily welcomed the return of nine-time GAP Senior Player of the Year Chip Lutz to the lineup. Lutz, fresh of a Top-5 finish in the George L. Coleman Invitational at Seminole Golf Club, flew into Llanerch Sunday and fetched three singles points and 2.5 better-ball points alongside Chris Storck.
In Week Three, LedgeRock will take flight against fellow unbeaten LuLu Country Club 1 (2–0, 70.5 points), a team that’s gained the postseason each of the last four renditions.
“I think we have a very solid team. We’ll see on Sunday how solid we are,” Schultz, 63, of Sinking Spring, Pa., said. “We’re going to do the best we can. We know they have great players. They seem to add more great players every year. Whoever wins is very deserving. Looking at what they’ve done the last five years, they’re going to be difficult to beat.”
LuLu Country Club is on the verge of a special BMW GAP Team Matches feat. It can become only the second club to place two teams in the Playoff. Philadelphia Cricket Club turned the task in 2018.
In Week Two, LuLu Country Club 1 defeated The 1912 Club (0–2, 37.5 points). LuLu Country Club 2 (2–0, 82.5 points) triumphed over Aronimink Golf Club (1–1, 47 points), 37–17.
“Jon (Rusk) and I got off the golf course, and we lost 8.5–1.5 so we certainly were despondent. But down the line from there, of our 24 guys, I was the only one who got zero points. All the way through, it was an incredible showing,” Jim Sullivan, Jr., LuLu’s captain, said. “The 1912 Club is very good, so to start out with the Nos. 1 and guys at home not doing too much, and to win by 24 points is incredible. Aronimink obviously proved to be strong by beating Merion last week. Talking to the guys I was able to talk to or hearing about the results, the second team has played great these past two weeks. Up and down the lineups, we’ve had two great weeks, but both teams have a lot of work to do this week. I wouldn’t take anything for granted at all.”
Philadelphia Cricket Club 1(2–0, 75.5 points) is on the verge of securing its fourth straight Playoff appearance. It edged Overbrook Golf Club (0.5–1.5, 50 points), in Week Two.
“It was a tough match. Winning by eight points at home was a pretty close margin, and I knew Overbrook is a tough place to get points with some of their veterans. I was proud to see the team tie at Overbrook and keep us ahead. It was a great team win,” Conrad Von Borsig, Philadelphia Cricket’s captain, said. “Texting with the guys, it was a nervy finish at Overbrook. I’m just glad to see us come out on top.”
Philadelphia Cricket Club 1 opposes Whitemarsh Valley Country Club (0.5–1.5, 45.5 points) in Week Three.
BMW GAP Team Matches
The genesis of GAP’s founding in 1897, the BMW GAP Team Matches started with Belmont Golf Association (Aronimink Golf Club today), Merion Cricket Club, Philadelphia Country Club and Philadelphia Cricket fielding a first and second team with six players per side. Merion Cricket’s top squad earned the traditional winner’s wooden plaque. First known as the Interclub Team Matches, the event changed to the Suburban League Matches in 1915 before adopting its current moniker in 1997. BMW has served as the event’s presenting sponsor since 2015. The BMW GAP Team Matches has been contested annually since 1897, save World War II (1943-45), a severe ice storm (1994) and the COVID-19 pandemic (2020).
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 345 Member Clubs and 110,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
