89th Francis B. Warner Cup

Olde Homestead’s Hudson wins Warner Cup

Bernville, Pa. — As CEO of North American Operations for HB Leisure, a company that operates games of skill in more than 100 major theme parks and entertainment attractions worldwide, Jeff Hudson travels. A lot.

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The company’s recent growth — from 16 to 28 amusement properties, including 12 Six Flags locations — puts Hudson on the road 2-3 weeks a month. Hudson’s golf game, like his professional skillset, can travel. A lot.

The Olde Homestead Golf Club member carded a 2-under-par 68 to win the 89^th Francis B. Warner Cup at a chilly Heidelberg Country Club (par 70, 6,254 yards) Thursday. Lancaster Country Club’s John Barry, the 2021 Brewer Cup runner-up, and White Manor Country Club’s Don Donatoni, an eight-time GAP Super-Senior Player of the Year (2013-20), tied for second at even-par 70.

It marks Hudson’s third Senior title, in his third Pennsylvania county no less. Hudson won the 2020 Frank H. Chapman Cup at Yardley Country Club in Bucks County and the 2021 Chapman at Lehigh Country Club in Lehigh County.

Add Berks County to the list.

“I’d like to think I travel well,” Hudson, 58, of Center Valley, Pa., said. “Today was still a surprise. I didn’t know what to expect. I got out last night and hit some balls. I can’t say I’m striking it great. But I’m hitting it in the right place, and I putted well today. I made several five-footers to save par. You had to be putting up the hill. For me, the golf course played long. We’re not getting much roll, and it’s still 50 degrees.”

Hudson saw Heidelberg for the first time Thursday. It almost became a greet-and-go situation. His drive on No. 1 (par 4, 321 yards) screamed toward the right tree line. Provisional. Another prayer as the provisional follows the same route.

Fortunately for Hudson, his initial drive clipped a tree and remained visible/playable. He hit an 8-iron 138 yards to 15 feet for birdie. 

“I’m thinking I may be in the car. Never do that,” Hudson, who won the Senior Silver Cross Award in 2021, said. “I got away with [that birdie] obviously. That puts you in a good frame of mind.”

From near scare to nearly unstoppable. Hudson added a pair of birdies to turn in 3 under. On No. 3 (par 4, 325 yards), he knocked a gap wedge 110 yards to eight feet. Hudson’s hybrid from 185 yards on No. 6 (par 4, 414 yards) fell short of the green complex. A chip-in birdie followed.

Six holes, 3 under. “Try to get some more birdies” became the mindset. Leaving the Heidelberg property became a distant memory.

“That’s something I’ve gotten better with as I’ve got older. In my younger days, it was, ‘You get a couple under par. Oh my gosh. Hold on.’ Today it was, ‘Let’s see if we can make another birdie,’” Hudson said.

He did just that on No. 13 (par 4, 400 yards). After a textbook drive, Hudson drilled a 9-iron 130 yards to 15 feet and drained the downhiller. A pair of bogeys threatened to spoil an otherwise sweet Heidelberg orientation. Hudson missed an eight-foot comebacker on No. 14 (par 4, 357 yards). A “bad hybrid” from 203 yards on No. 15 (par 4, 435 yards) resulted in a missed green. Flop it on, leave with a 5. Accomplished. Pars therein stopped the bleeding.

Hudson posted the day’s lone subpar score. The field scoring average crested to 80.8.

Incorporate a meaningful Warner victory into a busy yet exciting time in Hudson’s life. In addition to his HB Leisure responsibilities (Hudson is heading to Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pa. tomorrow morning), Hudson’s son Lucas will graduate from Lehigh University in two weeks.

“Lots of reasons I’m happy for him,” a smiling Hudson said. “He’s going to go work for Bank of America in global equities and research. He interned this past summer for them. He worked hard to do this.”

With his performance Thursday, Hudson crosses a 2023 goal off his list: win a GAP event. There’s more.

“I want to contend for Senior Player of the Year. I want to try and win another Senior Silver Cross. I want to qualify for the U.S. Senior Amateur,” Hudson said.

The last one may be complicated. Tim Batstone, Chairman of HB Leisure, is expected to meet and travel with Hudson from July 20-31. GAP will administer U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying on July 31 at Kennett Square Golf & Country Club in Kennett Square, Pa.

So Hudson may need to travel (Connecticut, Virginia and West Virginia all possibilities) for qualifying. Go figure. 

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. It is the first Senior Major of the GAP tournament season.

To meet the needs of its members, GAP, in 2022, separated a Super-Senior Division from its traditional Warner Cup counterpart. The Warner Cup – Super Senior, set for May 31 at Medford Lakes Country Club, will feature two divisions: 65 years of age or older (Super Senior) and 70 years of age or older (Legends). It will be limited to 78 individuals.

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 340 Member Clubs and 100,000 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.