#GAPOpen Qualifier: Golden Oaks

Ryan rains birdies, medals in #GAPOpen Qualifier at Golden Oaks

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FLEETWOOD, Pa. – Youth on Course turned youth with medal.

Josh Ryan, a 15-year-old GAP Youth on Course member, fired a sizzling 7-under 65 to earn medalist honors in the first of three GAP Open Championship Qualifiers. His bogey-free round at Golden Oaks Golf Club (par 72, 6,820 yards) earned him the top spot over 86 other championship hopefuls, including a mix of the region’s top amateurs and professionals.

The day’s cut line fell at 1-over 73 on the day.

The birdie party began early, and continued often through Ryan’s remarkable round. Beginning on Golden Oaks’ back, Ryan’s first red number arrived on No. 11 (par 5, 496 yards) after a driver, 3-iron combination made way for an eagle putt that was left just short from 15 feet. Birdie was the consolation prize.

Another was jarred on the following hole, No. 12 (par 4, 420 yards), when Ryan’s wedge from 66 yards cosied up to three feet, meaning a tap-in for 3 was in order. A 15-footer dropped for Ryan on the par-5, 560-yard 18th, resulting in a turn of 3-under par.

Golden Oaks’ first side was even kinder to the up-and-coming power hitter. On the 1st hole (par 4, 420 yards), Ryan’s boom stick off the tee left him with just 100 yards in. An over-spun lob wedge rolled out to 25 feet, but the birdie putt fell. He’d get another one on No. 3 (par 4, 390 yards) after 3-iron, pitching wedge equation equaled another 15 footer that found the bottom of the cup.

“The hole looked very, very large to me today,” said a smiling Ryan.

Another perfect drive led to a 7-iron approach from 190 yards on No. 5 (par 5, 480 yards) that found the front of the green. A solid lag putt earned Ryan his sixth birdie of the day. His seventh and final red figure was hosted on the par-5, 570-yard 8th. A pured 3-iron from 250 yards found the right side of the dance floor, but his eagle look was crushed beyond the cup. The eight-foot comebacker was perfect. 7-under par.

“It was one of the best rounds I’ve ever played,” said Ryan, whose competitive career low was an 8-under round of 64 at Paxton Hollow. “I couldn’t have been ball-striking any better than I did today. Plus, I was rolling the ball extremely well.”

Ryan’s name first popped up in the GAP circle when he took the 2017 GAP Junior-Junior Boys’ Championship at Phoenixville Country Club in impressive fashion. That week, he earned medalist honors by four shots, secured the No. 1 overall seed, and ran the board in match play for the breakthrough win.

“That week really gave me confidence. It showed me that I could match up with the best players at my age,” said Ryan, who was named a 2018 Player to Watch by the GAP Magazine.

That #GAPJrJr win meant Ryan was destined for a bigger stage. He made his GAP Major debut in last year’s BMW Philadelphia Amateur, and will now try his hand against both the region’s best amateurs and pros in the GAP Open at Huntingdon Valley, July 17-18.

“Playing against competition like that is what I like to do,” he said. “I’ve never played Huntingdon Valley, but I’ve heard it’s one of the best courses [in the area], and that it’s very hilly. I’m very excited for the test.”

While competitive tournaments take up much of his playing time, Ryan is a proud Youth on Course member. He’s a fan of younger players getting access to GAP tracks for $5 or less, and plans to take advantage with more rounds at Downingtown Country Club.

“Obviously I play a lot, but I’m hoping to take advantage of [Youth on Course access] more in the future,” said Ryan. “It’s an awesome program.”

Firing a 7-under round as a 15-year-old is pretty awesome, too.

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 274 Full Member Clubs and 75,000 individual members are spread across the Eastern half of Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.