The 124th Joseph H. Patterson Cup, presented by Provident Bank, heads to Tavistock Country Club Aug. 5-6.
| History | The Final3 w/ Dougie Ergood |
The Haddonfield, N.J. venue previously served as a host site in 2014. Then Philadelphia Cricket Club member Cole Berman took the title. Tavistock also twice served as a co-host site: in 2004 alongside Laurel Creek Country Club and in 1993 alongside Riverton Country Club.
In 2009, the Joseph H. Patterson Cup changed from a one-day, 36-hole event at two sites to a two-day, 36-hole affair. In 2024, GAP expanded the Joseph H. Patterson Cup from 36 holes to 54 holes. The event is listed on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and is eligible for points.
“The course is going to showcase really well,” Mike Meisenzahl, Tavistock’s head professional of two years, said. “We have great turf conditions right now. I think the players are going to expect a really fun, but also a test of golf where, coming down the stretch, we’re hoping to have some really high-quality golf shots players have to hit in order to walk away with a trophy.”
Designed by Alexander Findlay, Tavistock opened for play on June 22, 1921. High-profile names such as Bobby Jones and Ken Venturi, New York Yankees legends Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle and comedian Buddy Hackett have graced the grounds since.
Hosting a high-profile event in the Patterson Cup is embraced by the club.
“Our membership is incredibly hospitable,” Meisenzahl, 38, of Berlin, N.J., said. “They really enjoy hosting championship events here. We have a history of that. We try to exceed all expectations.”
The field of 144 will be cut to the low 40 scores and ties after Round One. For Rounds Two and Three, players will be paired in twosomes. Repairing will not occur before the final round.
The Silver Cross Award, presented to the player with the lowest aggregate score in the qualifying rounds of the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship and the Joseph H. Patterson Cup, will also be determined. Drue Nicholas of Merion Golf Club holds a one-stroke lead over Cael Ropietski of Huntsville Golf Club.
Nicholas tees off at 12:35 p.m. off No. 1, and Ropietski tees off at 8:50 a.m. off No. 10 in Round One on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
In last year’s Patterson Cup at Waynesborough Country Club, Nicholas fell to Hunter Stetson of Aronimink Golf Club in a sudden-death playoff that went three holes. Stetson returns to defend his title at Tavistock.
“I think last year meant a lot to get that big of a win because it was my first big amateur win,” Stetson, 20, of Newtown Square, Pa., said. “I had a little success in junior golf, but I hadn’t had any great results since I got to college. To win the Patterson Cup with all the amazing names on the trophy, including R. Jay Sigel, is pretty special.”
Stetson arrives at Tavistock with renewed confidence. His recent play, including a win in the 75th Delaware Amateur Championship at Rehoboth Beach Country Club, earned him an exemption into the U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club. Philadelphia Country Club will play as the stroke-play co-host for the Amateur. He also had success in the 122nd Open Championship at Lancaster Country Club, where he finished in solo third.
“What’s really working with my game right now is more of the mental and course‑management side,” Stetson said. “After a rough start to the season, I realized I wasn’t doing a good enough job on the mental side. I reworked that and immediately found success. My putter’s starting to get better too, so if I putt well, I definitely have a good chance to compete for a title again.”
A title defense brings its own challenges, but the North Carolina State junior isn’t treating the week as anything more than a chance to play competitive golf.
“I’m just open‑minded and ready to play. It’s another opportunity to compete, and it’s a great chance to get ready for the U.S. Amateur,” Stetson said. “You always want to defend a title, but at the end of the day it is just another tournament. You don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself. I feel a lot of confidence right now, and I think I’ve created a system to play well every round or at least control the bad days.”
Stetson tees off for Round One at 12:35 pm off No. 1 alongside Nicholas and Patrick Isztwan of Huntingdon Valley Country Club.
The Joseph H. Patterson Cup is GAP’s fourth and final Major of the championship schedule. It is Philadelphia’s premier stroke-play championship and GAP’s second-oldest tournament. Provident Bank returns for a sixth year as the event’s presenting sponsor.
There are five former Patterson Cup champions in the field: Stetson (2025), Troy Vannucci of Little Mill Country Club (2024), Logan Paczewski of Huntsville Golf Club (2023), Nicholas (2022) and Brad McFadden of Merion Golf Club (1992).
GAP Magazine highlighted the history of the Joseph H. Patterson Cup in its Summer 2022 edition. The tournament honors a man who championed golf in its infancy at Philadelphia Cricket Club. Friends of Patterson donated the Cup, designed by the esteemed J.E. Caldwell & Co., to the Association in 1900.
Spectators and media are welcome to attend.
Live scoring will be available on gapgolf.org. Stay up to date with tournament news via GAP social media channels by following @gaofphilly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube.
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 130,000 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.
Provident Bank
Founded in Jersey City in 1839, Provident Bank is the oldest community-focused financial institution based in New Jersey and is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS). With assets of $25.20 billion as of March 31, 2026, Provident Bank offers a wide range of customized financial solutions for businesses and consumers with an exceptional customer experience delivered through its convenient network of more than 140 branches across New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania, via mobile and online banking, and from its customer contact center. The bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company, and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus, Inc. To learn more about Provident Bank, go to www.provident.bank or call our customer contact center at 800.448.7768.
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.
