The 3rd BMW GAP Women’s Championship heads to Overbrook Golf Club June 24.
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BMW USA signs on for its first year as a sponsor for the Championship. For the past 10 years BMW has been the presenting sponsor of the BMW Philadelphia Amateur and the BMW GAP Team Matches.
This year the field expands to 60 players, up from 44 in 2023. The overall champion will be crowned from the Mid-Amateur or Amateur Divisions.
In last year’s edition, Anna Kittelson claimed the title by one shot over Rhianna Gooneratne and Bailey Davis. The format is 18 holes of stroke play with three divisions: Amateur, Mid-Amateur and Senior.
“I learned that you need to stay calm coming down the stretch to win a tournament,” Kittelson, of GAP Oaks Club, said. “I knew where I stood and knew what I needed to do. If I play my game and I win, that will be great. If not, then I will try again next year.”
The venerable Villanova, Pa. layout, designed by J.B. McGovern and X.G. Hassenplug most recently hosted the GAP Senior Amateur last September and the 2017 GAP Middle-Amateur. Overbrook is known for its legacy of accomplished golfers in the Philadelphia region.
Kittelson, GAP’s Manager of Adaptive Golf, will look to be the first to successfully defend the title.
“I have been practicing quite a bit the last few weeks,” Kittelson, 24, of Glen Mills, Pa., said. “Trying to defend the title is a little intimidating. Anything that I can do to feel more comfortable will help me. I’ve been focused a lot on my short game and wedges because if that part of your game is good, you should play well.”
The subtle nuances of Overbrook will give the competitors a full test. A series of elevation changes, firm and fast conditions as well as a challenging 4-4-4 finish await those looking to be holding the hardware at day’s end.
“I’ve never been to Overbrook before so I’ll have to rely on some members I know to get some information,” Kittelson said. “I like to make my own yardage book prior to the event, so I will definitely be scouting the course on Google Maps. I like to know where to miss.”
Aside from offering live scoring on its website, GAP will provide BMW GAP Women’s Championship updates via its social media channels. Follow @GAofPhilly on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok to join the interaction.
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 Association’s 345 Member Clubs and 110,000 individual members are spread across the Eastern half of Pennsylvania and parts of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
