WEST CALDWELL, N.J.– The Golf Association of Philadelphia defeated the New Jersey State Golf Association, 12–6, to retain the Compher Cup on Wednesday at Mountain Ridge Country Club. The Compher Cup is the annual early season match between the two neighboring state associations.
“This is my sixth time competing in the Compher Cup and this was the strongest and deepest team I have seen,” said Brian Gillespie, the Golf Association of Philadelphia team captain. “The older I get, you start taking these things a little more seriously in terms of making it a goal to make the team. This is such a useful prep to get you ready for the year.”
In addition to Gillespie, a former Amateur Champion, Team Philadelphia was represented by (appearances in parentheses) Stephen Arnold of Yardley CC (first), the reigning Patterson Cup and Silver Cross Award winner; Mike Danner of Lu Lu CC (first); Robert Galbreath, Jr. of Huntingdon Valley CC (first), the 2006 Junior Player of the Year; Chris Lange of Overbrook GC (22th), the two-time reigning Mid-Am Champion and a three-time Amateur Champion; Chip Lutz of LedgeRock GC (sixth); Mike McDermott of Merion GC (fourth), a three-time William Hyndman, III Player of the Year and two-time Mid-Am Champion; Paul Rogowicz of Yardley CC (first); Brian Rothaus of Philmont CC (fourth), a former Amateur Champion; Glenn Smeraglio of Yardley CC (seventh), a two-time Silver Cross Award winner; Conrad Von Borsig of Concord CC (first) and Doug Zelner of Coatesville CC (fourth).
The Golf Association of Philadelphia team selections are based on the year’s prior William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings.
Lutz and his partner Lange sealed the Golf Association of Philadelphia win. Lutz defeated Allan Small of Fairmount CC, 3&2, in singles play. In the better-ball portion, he and Lange defeated Small and Roger Hoit of Baltusrol GC, 2&1.
“Fortunately, I was playing well coming in and I was able to keep the momentum from this weekend [going],” said Lutz, who placed second in the prestigious Coleman Invitational at Seminole GC in Juno Beach, Fla., this past weekend. “It’s a nice way to finish the week off. I got to play a great golf course with an old buddy.”
Lutz and Lange have know each other since their Junior golf days. Both players are now in their early 50s.
The Golf Association of Philadelphia leads the overall Compher Cup series 30-11-4.
The Compher Cup pits a 12-man team from each association simultaneously competing in a singles match and better-ball match. There are a total of 18 possible points. Matches that end in a tie result in a half point for the team.
Fred Compher, a former New Jersey State Golf Association president, conceived the neighborhood matches after leaving his post in 1959. Compher donated a silver trophy that year earmarked for such a rivalry.
In 1961, association representatives Bob Jacobson of New Jersey and Richard Ollmah of GAP completed the details. In 1962, the first Compher Cup matches took place at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal, N.J. That year, the NJSGA side forged a 5–1 lead in the morning foursome competitions and held serve in the afternoon singles matches to cruise to an 11 1/2–6 1/2 victory.
After the New Jersey victory, Compher himself, who was known at the time as the most successful NJSGA president in its history, presented the trophy “to promote golf between the groups.”
