As part of its continued outreach to female golfers, the Golf Association of Philadelphia will offer more playing opportunities than before for the 2018 season.
“We’re always looking to expand Association services for all golfers in the Delaware Valley, regardless of gender,” Martin D. Emeno, Jr., the Association’s Director of Operations, said. “We are exploring a systematic approach to provide more opportunities for our female members.”
The most recent change came in the popular Winter Series. The Association added a Women’s Division as well a Player of the Year race (Gross and Net).
Women were already eligible to participate in the organization’s Tee It Forward events (Spring Net and Fall Net Championships). Given the Tee It Forward parameters, both events will offer three sets of tee options for those who drive the ball between 150 and 200 yards. Additionally, women ages 50 and over can compete in the Francis B. Warner Cup (Net) and Frank H. Chapman Memorial Cup (Net). The Deeg Sezna, a mentoring event, encourages female participation as well. Women golfers can invite a Junior girl or boy to compete in a team format. Junior girls are eligible for the Francis X. Hussey Memorial, Jock MacKenzie Memorial and both Pre-Junior tournaments. All events include girls-only divisions.
In 2018, the Association will administer five USGA qualifying events for the following championships: U.S. Girls’ Junior, U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, U.S. Senior Women’s Open, U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball and U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.
| Event | Date | Venue |
| Winter Series event | March 14 | Sandy Run Country Club |
| Winter Series event | March 20 | Berkshire Country Club |
| Winter Series event | March 27 | Honeybrook Golf Club |
| Winter Series event | April 3 | French Creek Golf Club |
| Winter Series event | April 10 | Plymouth Country Club |
| Francis B. Warner Cup (Net) | May 29 | White Manor Country Club |
| Tee It Forward — Spring Net Championship | June 7 | Coatesville Country Club |
| U.S. Senior Women’s Open Qualifier | June 18 | Northampton Country Club |
| U.S. Girls’ Junior Qualifier | June 19 | Steel Club |
| Francis X. Hussey Memorial | July 9 | Rolling Green Golf Club |
| Jock MacKenzie Memorial | July 16 | Sandy Run Country Club |
| The Deeg Sezna | Aug. 6 | Radley Run Country Club |
| U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifier | Aug. 21 | Brookside Country Club of Allentown |
| Tee It Forward — Fall Net Championship | Aug. 23 | Brookside Country Club |
| Frank H. Chapman Memorial Cup (Net) | Aug. 29 | Medford Lakes Country Club |
| U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifier | Sept. 13 | Schuylkill Country Club |
| U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier | Sept. 25 | Kennett Square Golf & Country Club |
As always, women are welcome to participate in GAP Member Play Days and Parent/Child League events. GAP Member Play Days offer a chance to experience area golf courses in a relaxed, enjoyable environment. Moms and grandmothers can join their Junior golfers for a round thanks to the Association’s Parent/Child League events.
Volunteer opportunities for all events are also available to women. Those seeking more information can click here.
“We need to let women know they are members of GAP and always have been. I don’t think they ever realized that,” Noreen Mohler, a GAP Executive Committee member, said. “They can play, they can compete and they can volunteer.”
Golf Association of Philadelphia
Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) 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 200 Full Member Clubs and 70,000 individual members are spread across Eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. As Philadelphia’s Most Trusted Source of Golf Information, the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
