76th Junior-Junior Boys’ Championship

Gilbert goes back-to-back at Philadelphia Cricket

CHESTNUT HILL, Pa. — Jack Gilbert dropped his towel on No. 1. He forgot his wedge on No. 9. He did not, however, forget how to play championship golf on his way to a victory in the 76^th Junior-Junior Boys’ Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club’s St. Martins Course (par 70, 5,352 yards).

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The Gulph Mills Golf Club member carded an even-par 70, two shots clear of Michael Perry of GAP Youth on Course. Gilbert is one of six individuals to win the Junior-Junior Boys’ Championship in consecutive years. Scott Larsen of Whitford Country Club last turned the feat in 1988-89.

“It’s fantastic to win back‑to‑back,” Gilbert, 13, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., said. “The course was in such good condition, the greens were rolling great, and having that title is amazing. I won’t play in this again [due to age eligibility], so it’s an honor.”

A title defense felt cloudy, however, given a poor driving range session.

“I wasn’t feeling too great before the round, but if you’re mentally still good during the round, that’s most important,” Gilbert said.

The defending champion built his day around three first-nine birdies. He followed the hot start with clean approach shots and calm putting, the same formula that carried him to the title last year, when he carded a round of 5-over-par 75 to win by a stroke.

On No. 1 (par 4, 353 yards), Gilbert striped a drive down the left side and hit a wedge from 95 yards to five feet for an opening birdie. On No. 8 (par 4, 325 yards), he nearly drove the green and clipped a wedge to four feet. And on No. 9 (par 4, 306 yards), he launched a 3-wood through the green and cozied a 25-footer to an inch for his third birdie of the side.

The only real scare came at No. 7 (par 4, 368 yards), when his ball was briefly missing.

“I knew it didn’t go out of bounds,” Gilbert, an incoming 8th grader at St. Aloysius Academy, said. “I got a ruling I liked, and it turned out fine. I just made par.” Another competitor mistakenly picked up Gilbert’s ball, allowing Gilbert to replace it.

Gilbert stayed steady through most of the second nine until bogeys on Nos. 15 (par 4, 317 yards), 17 (par 4, 325 yards) and 18 (par 4, 306 yards). He had built himself a big enough lead where all he needed to do was play double-bogey-free golf down the stretch.

“I just needed to play smart golf at the end, especially on this course,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert credited the people around him, including his father Tom Gilbert, head golf professional at Gulph Mills, and Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Director of Golf Jim Smith, Jr., who brought Jack out to the St. Martins course a few times this summer.

“My dad is a great help every day,” Gilbert said. “And Mr. Smith letting me come out here before the event has been great.”

Gilbert’s improvement showed throughout the round. Last year, he made more birdies but also more big numbers. This year, he kept the double and triple bogeys off the card. Furthemore, Gilbert relied on his offseason distance improvement and more controlled putting.

He leaves the event with confidence in his game and a second trophy, a fitting finish to his Junior-Junior career.

The Junior-Junior Boys’ Championship returned in 2024 following a two-year hiatus. It is an 18-hole stroke play event, a change from its previous match-play format. The Junior-Junior Boys’ Championship is open to members of GAP Member Clubs who are 10 to 13 years of age.

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.