The Philadelphia Section of the PGA defeated the Golf Association of Philadelphia, 10.5–7.5, in the 27th Philadelphia Challenge Matches at Saucon Valley Country Club (Weyhill).
The Philadelphia Challenge Matches pits two 12-man teams, including two senior contestants, from the Golf Association of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Section of the PGA in a concurrent individual match and four-ball match. Each match is worth one point. Ties are halved.
Both formats proved to be formidable fights. The Section took the singles matches, 7-5, while also winning the better-ball matches, 3.5-2.5.
The Philly Section now leads the series 21–2 with four ties. Robin McCool, a driving force behind the creation of the then PING Challenge Cup, served as Team Philadelphia’s honorary captain at his home club.
Better-Ball (PGA 3.5, GAP 2.5)
Kennedy/Butkus (PGA) d. Oh/Bina (GAP), 7&6; Thompson/Smeraglio (GAP) d. Sautter/Kelly, 2&1; Kraft/Little (PGA) d. Brennan/McNeil, 1-up; Fischer/Acierno (GAP) halved Melton/Ingraham (PGA); Kogelman/Allen (PGA) d. Gillespie/Dressel, 1-up; Mattare/Lange Jr. d. Bergstol/Turner, 4&3.
Golf Association of Philadelphia
Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) is the oldest regional golf association in the United States and serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. Its 150 Member Clubs and 57,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. 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.
