A GAME WE NEVER STOPPED PLAYING.
Scroll down to view milestones in Delaware’s legacy.
The Delaware State Golf Association is created
Representatives from eight clubs (Wilmington Country Club, Hercules Country Club, Brandywine Country Club, DuPont Country Club, Rock Manor Golf Club, Maple Dale Country Club and Seaford Golf Club) met at DuPont to organize the Delaware State Golf Association. Al Dollins of Newark Country Club was elected as the DSGA’s first president. Dollins was also the first Delaware Amateur champion the same year.
Ed “Porky” Oliver, Jr. claims final PGA TOUR title
Oliver, a Wilmington, Del. native who got his start in golf as a caddie at DuPont and Wilmington, is one of two Delawareans to win on the PGA TOUR. He claimed his final title in the 1958 Houston Open. He finished second in the PGA Championship (1946) The Masters (1953) and U.S. Open (1952). He shared first in the 1945 Delaware Open. Oliver played on three Ryder Cup Teams (1947, 1951, 1953). He served his country for five years during World War II. Oliver was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Caddie Hall of Fame in 2022. Ed Oliver Golf Club in Delaware is named in his honor.
Wilmington sets new USGA mark
Wilmington Country Club became the first club to host concurrent USGA championships. It hosted the U.S. Junior Amateur on its South Course and the U.S. Girls’ Junior on its North Course. Both events were played simultaneously.
Delaware Legends battle for Philadelphia Amateur Crown.
Chris Anderson and Blaise Giroso faced each other in an all-Delaware Philadelphia Amateur Final at Wilmington Country Club (South). It was the only time two players from Delaware reached the Philadelphia Amateur Final. Ironically both Giroso and Anderson, a University of Virginia graduate, unknowingly dressed exactly alike in orange pants and a white shirt. Anderson would defeat his contemporary, 2&1, for his second consecutive title.
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Delaware Junior Scholarship Fund
The DSGA created its 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm in the DSGA Junior Golf Scholarship Fund. The fund’s mission is to award a handful of deserving applicants a four-year college scholarship. Recipients are those with exceptional academics, community involvement and love for the game of golf. The fund has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships since its inception.
McDonald’s Championship begins nearly two-decade run at DuPont
The LPGA Tour began its 17-year run (1987-2004) in Delaware with the McDonald’s Championship at DuPont Country Club. It operated as one of the LPGA’s Major Championships from 1994-2004. Winners of the McDonald’s Championship included Julie Inkster, Betsy King, Beth Daniel, Laura Davies, Se Ri Pak, Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb claimed titles at DuPont. The event is now the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Betsy Rawls, a four-time U.S. Women’s Open champion and Delaware native, was the tournament director for the duration of the event at DuPont.
First full-time staff member
J. Curtis Riley, a longtime DSGA volunteer, was named the DSGA’s first Executive Director in 1990, signaling a transition from a working board of volunteers to a staff-led organization. At the outset, his duties included communication between the DSGA’s Executive Committee, clubs and coordinating DSGA championships. He would remain at the helm until 2008 when he became the general manager of Garrisons Lake Golf Course.
Giroso secures final Delaware Amateur title.
The blond haired, well-dressed titan grabbed his final Delaware Amateur title at Wilmington Country Club and put the stamp on his legendary Delaware career. Giroso, who learned the game at Rock Manor Golf Club, won his first title in 1979. His Delaware resume also included a victory in the 1984 Delaware Open at Penn Oaks Golf Club. In GAP, he reached the Philadelphia Amateur Final four of five years (1981, 1983-85), claimed the Joseph H. Patterson Cup twice (1983, 1990) and secured three Silver Cross Awards (1983, 1985-86). His illustrious career also included three USGA appearances: two U.S. Amateurs (1981, 1989) and one U.S. Mid-Amateur (1984). He was inducted into the GAP’s Hall of Fame in 2024.
Pete Oakley wins Senior British Open
Oakley, a six-time Delaware Open champion, made national waves by getting up-and-down from a cross bunker to win the Senior British Open. He buried a 10-footer for par to claim the title at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Ireland, holding off Tom Kite and Eduardo Romero. He and his son Zac are the only father and son duo to win the Delaware Open.
Anderson grabs a record seventh Delaware Open.
What the Delaware Amateur was to Blaise Giroso, the Delaware Open was to Chris Anderson. The Wilmington Country Club stalwart overtook Joey Maxon, Rick Osberg and Pete Oakley, all six-time champions, with his seventh title at Newark Country Club. Anderson was a professional for close to 20 years and played in five PGA TOUR events, including the 1996 PGA Championship.
Christopher Hickman sets Delaware Amateur field ablaze
Hickman fired rounds of 68-66-67-67 (-20) to win the Delaware Amateur by 21 shots at Odessa National Golf Club. Hickman was the only player under par for the championship. Hickman is one of seven players to win Delaware’s three most prestigious events (Delaware Junior, Delaware Amateur and Delaware Open). He played collegiately at East Tennessee State and plays professionally on the Asian Tour.
Team Delaware finishes second in USGA Women’s State Team
Led by Jennifer Cleary (Virginia), Esther Park (Georgetown) and Phoebe Brinker (Duke), all Division I golf recruits, Team Delaware grabbed the silver medal in the final USGA Women’s State Team in New Mexico. Delaware has developed itself as a girls golf talent bed. Learn more about the girls who have represented the state all over the country in the 2024 Fall Issue of GAP Magazine.
First female board member.
Meghan A. Adams became the first female board member of the DSGA. In 2023, Adams, a Wilmington Country Club member, became the first woman to be elected to an officer position (secretary) at GAP.
DSGA merges with GAP
After 70 years serving as the leading force on promoting the game of golf in Delaware, the DSGA officially merged with GAP. The merger allowed Delaware’s services and events to be expanded by GAP, including administering core USGA services such as handicapping and course rating. As well as increased playing opportunities for golfers in the state with the full complement of GAP events.
BMW Championship comes to Wilmington Country Club
The BMW Championship, part of the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, made its way to Wilmington. It was the first PGA TOUR event held in the state of Delaware. The event coincided with GAP’s 125th Anniversary and raised $4.5 million for the Evans Scholar Foundation. Patrick Cantlay claimed the title by one shot over Scott Stallings. It was his second consecutive title after claiming the event in 2021 at nearby Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland.
Creation of Team Delaware
In alignment with the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) initiative created by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the state of Delaware created a state junior team expanding the channels for elite golfers in the state. Team Delaware is administered by GAP and the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America. Annually, Team Delaware is represented by two junior boys and two junior girls.