The Amateur Championship, the crown jewel of the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s tournament season, is ready to add another chapter to its rich history. Beginning on June 11 at Applebrook GC/White Manor CC (qualifying only), a field of 145 players will compete in the 107th Amateur Championship and the right to have their name engraved on the prestigious J. Wood Platt Championship trophy.
The Amateur is scheduled for June 11-13 with the 36-hole final set for Saturday, June 16. Qualifying on the first day is 36 holes, 18 at each course. The low 31 finishers and defending champion advance into the match play draw.
Last year, Kyle Davis of Fieldstone GC defeated Paul Rogowicz of Yardley CC, 5&3, at Torresdale-Frankford CC for his first J. Wood Platt Championship trophy. By virtue of his victory last year, Davis, 21, of Kennett Square, Pa., is the top seed in the match play field.
“It was the start to a good summer,” said Davis, who went on to earn the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s William Hyndman, III Player of the Year. “It changed the way people in the area looked at me, definitely. Around here, it’s the most important title.”
Just like Davis, Chip Lutz of LedgeRock GC also hopes to add his name a second time to a list of legendary winners that includes William Hyndman, III, J. Wood Platt, R. Jay Sigel and O. Gordon Brewer, to name a few. Lutz, 52, who took the 1977 Amateur title, has been on a roll of late. Most recently, he captured the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s first Major of the season, the Middle-Amateur Championship, at Stonewall (North).
“At that point it was the best win of my career and still is a highlight, though it tends to get lost over the years,” said Lutz. “I would love to be able to be in a position to be competitive again. At my age, I’m more concerned with the endurance aspect.”
Lutz last played in the Amateur in 2001. He was a quarterfinalist that year.
Other former champions in the field include Chris Anderson of Wilmington CC (1982-83); Brian Gillespie of St. Davids GC (2001); Chris Lange of Overbrook GC (1983-84, 94); William McGuinness of Tavistock CC (1996); Brian Rothaus of Philmont CC (1988); James Sullivan, Jr. of Huntingdon Valley CC (1999); Michael Tash of Tavistock CC (2003) and Raymond Thompson of Overbrook GC (1972).
In addition to determining the match play field, the Amateur Championship Qualifier also serves as first two rounds of the Silver Cross Award.
The public and media are welcome.
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 135 Member Clubs and 60,000 individual members are spread across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The purpose of the Association is simple: To promote, protect and preserve the game of golf in the region.
