2026 Net Championship: Philmont

Cabrera, Carruti take overall titles

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. – Luca Cabrera came to golf within the year. On Monday, he made his GAP debut at the 5th Net Championship at Philmont Country Club (par 70, 6,209 yards).

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The newly minted golf competitor arrived on property asking questions about Golf Genius mobile scoring. Golf Genius is GAP’s tournament management software partner. Mobile scoring is a feature where players input their scores after each hole to contribute to a live scoring leaderboard.

Don’t worry, after some explanation, the USGA/GAP GC member quickly got the hang of things after downloading the required smartphone application. By day’s end, Cabrera’s efforts, both on the golf course and on the Golf Genius app, resulted in his own name shining atop of the leaderboard. He carded a 2-under-par 68 to take the Men’s Overall title. 

Cabrera tied in regulation with Christ Turner of USGA/GAP GC. The USGA-suggested method of matching scorecards was used to determine the champion. The method compares back nine scores first. Cabrera finished a 33, Turner at 35.

The event deviated from it’s traditional net Stableford format this year. Individual net stroke play was the selected format Monday.

“It’s awesome. I didn’t expect it,” Cabrera, 23, of Exeter, Pa., said. “We were drinking a beer last night and talking about the event. [Winning] didn’t even cross my mind.”

Cabrera, who started on Philmont’s back nine, got to work right away. The aforementioned outward 35 included five net birdies and three net bogeys. 

The real spectacle of his round was a net eagle on No. 6 (par 4, 356 yards). After laying up to 50 yards off the tee, Cabrera hit a 58-degree wedge to three feet. He gingerly tapped in the ensuing putt. A net dot melted three into two.

“The driver was driving, that’s for sure,” Cabrera said. “I found myself in some trouble, but I got out of it alright.”  

Cabrera has always been a sports kid. Growing up, he enjoyed baseball, volleyball and snowboarding. Golf provides the competitive fix these days. He enjoys getting to see new courses, but he plays a majority of his golf at Reading Country Club near his home. 

“I just got fitted for my clubs. Before that, I was playing with a rinky-dink set from DICK’s,” Cabrera said. “Here I am four months later. I definitely grind.”  

A career as a commercial and industrial electrician makes getting out during the week difficult. He works on the game hard each weekend. 

Cabrera joined brother-in-law Brandon Unterkoefler also of USGA/GAP GC for Monday’s tournament round. Cabrera said the spent PTO was well worth it.

“I came across the registration email,” Cabrera said. “I saw the opportunity to play a nice course and I jumped on it.”

Cabrera said that after Monday’s performance, more tournament rounds are likely in the near future.

Women’s Division

Lena Cerruti and her group were unfamiliar with Philmont’s layout. On a few occasions, the trio needed to retrace their steps in order to find the next hole. Uncalibrated golf distance-measuring devices added to the confusion. 

The Westover Golf Club member didn’t need a map to find her way through the event’s women’s field though. In her first loop around the Willie Park, Jr. design, she carded a 4-under-par 70 to take Women’s Overall (par 70, 5,579 yards) title.

“Winning is very nice,” Cerruti, 74, of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. said. “There’s always a first for everything.”

A net eagle on Cerruti’s last hole, No. 9 (par 5, 509 yards), catapulted her to the top of the leaderboard. She managed a 3-hybrid from 138 yards to three feet and made the cleanup for par. A pair of net dots forged the par into an eagle. Cerruti says she’s recently placed a focus on practicing her tee shots and her putting. She’s been putting into practice some tips she’s picked up from instructional programs on Golf Channel. 

“My short game is what I need a lot of help with,” Cerruti said. “[I used to struggle] from 120 yards and in. Now, it’s getting a lot better.” 

Despite the Net Championship being Cerruti’s second GAP event, she’s kept the competitive candle lit through other means. She currently plays in women’s leagues at Bella Vista Golf Course, Lederach Golf Club and Westover. In fact, she’s playing in a better-ball of partners event at Westover Tuesday.

Hopefully Monday’s victory puts her in the right frame of mind for a strong performance tomorrow.

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.