18th Francis B. Warner Cup Super Senior

Osborne captures second title

GLENSIDE, Pa. — You could say Greg Osborne is trick-or-treating in the neighborhood of GAP’s super-senior events. On Tuesday, he knocked on a familiar door.

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In the 18th Francis B. Warner Cup Super Senior at LuLu Country Club (par 71, 5,840 yards), the Overlook Golf Course member inked a bogey-free, 3-under-par 68 to add second Warner Cup title to his collection. His first came in 2022 at Bala Golf Club. 

“I almost hate to say this, but it might have been the best par putting round I’ve ever had.” Osborne, 72, of Lancaster, Pa., said. “I don’t play a ton, but I play enough to compete. I just love to play.”

In addition to the overall competition, the Warner Super Senior is split into two categories. The Super-Senior division is for players ages 65-69. The Legends division is reserved for players age 70 and older. 

Doug Fedoryshyn of Applecross Country Club took the the Super-Senior division by way of a USGA-suggested scorecard tiebreak. He finished regulation deadlocked at even-par 71 with Current GAP President Ken Phillips of Lancaster Country Club and Joe Roeder of Merion Golf Club. Osborne managed the day’s only under-par score.

Osborne’s presence on super-senior tee sheets isn’t something to ignore. Afterall, he’s a two-time Super-Senior Player of the Year (2024, 2022). In addition to his now two Warner Super-Senior titles, his resume includes a pair of Super-Senior Amateurs (2024, 2021) and a two Super-Senior Silver Cross awards (2024, 2022).. Most recently, he captured the Super-Senior Division of the Pennsylvania Golf Association’s George Dressler Memorial last month.  

The same championship mettle was on display Tuesday. 

A trio of birdies sparkled against a scenic scorecard full of pars. Osborne started on the right foot with a red figure on LuLu’s opener (par 5, 456 yards). After laying up to 60 yards with a 3-wood, he lifted a 56-degree wedge to seven feet. On No. 8 (par 4, 400 yards), he flighted a 7-iron from 135 yards to two feet. His final birdie came on No. 17 (par 5, 446 yards). He laid up with the 3-wood, this time to 30 yards, before chipping a 50-degree to seven feet.   

“I drove it pretty well overall. My iron play was mediocre, but I got up and down a bunch of times,” Osborne said. “Fun golf course to play. Great conditions.”

Osborne’s smooth looping swing has become a recognizable characteristic. He said getting off the tee with his driver is the most reliable part of his game. 

“My swing thought with every single drive is [to] turn,” Osborne said. “If I turn on it, it’s probably going to be pretty good.” 

Osborne has made a more recent discovery in his chipping and pitching game. 

“All day today around the green I took three wedges, and I hit all three of them,” Osborne said. “It depends on how you feel. It could be a 56 [degree], a 50 [degree] or a pitching wedge.”

The self-proclaimed competitor continues to show up for any game he can find. While there isn’t an outstanding title that haunts him, he keeps space in his trophy case for a special award in particular.

“There’s something about that (Super-Senior) Silver Cross. It’s a beautiful trophy,” Osborne said. “I focus on it because it’s a four-round event.”

If he continues to finish the way he did today, he’ll have no problem filling that space.

The next event on GAP’s Super-Senior schedule is the 21st Frank H. Chapman Memorial Cup – Super Senior June 2 at Cobblestone Creek Country Club.

Francis B. Warner of Philadelphia Cricket Club served as GAP secretary-treasurer for 18 years. After his death in 1933, the Association started the Francis B. Warner Cup as an ongoing tribute in his memory. To meet the needs of its members, GAP, in 2022, separated a Super-Senior Division from its traditional Warner Cup counterpart.

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 140,000 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.