HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa.–It may not be the most notable victory of Chip Lutz’s career, but it’s been the most difficult one for the 59-year-old international superstar to attain. Lutz, a dominant force in the Association, and world, since turning 55, finally captured his first Senior Amateur Championship title on Wednesday at a demanding Philmont Country Club (par 70, 6,412 yards). The victory completed Lutz’s Golf Association of Philadelphia lifecycle. He is the only player to collect trophies in the Junior Boys’ (1972), Amateur (1977), Middle-Amateur (1998, 2007) and Senior.
“This is a highlight of my career, without question. Winning this event has [encompassed] my career in the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It’s something that’s incredibly special for me. I’ve been hoping this moment would occur for quite a few years,” said Lutz, the four-time reigning Senior Player of the Year. “I’ve known for quite some time [a victory in the Senior] would complete my golf resume in GAP. I’ve tried to stay quiet about it, but I’ve been internalizing it for a long, long time. I was really wondering if I would be able to make this achievement in my golf career.”
The triumph proved as difficult as the quest itself. Lutz emerged from a late, compact leaderboard with a string of pars to finish at 5 over for the 36 holes. His second-round 1-over 71 was the Senior Division’s low score.
Co-first-round leader Mark Dennish of The Ridge at Back Brook; Roc Irey of Lookaway Golf Club and Mike Vassil of the Country Club of Scranton tied for second at 7 over. At one point, five players were either tied or within a stroke of the lead.
How difficult was Philmont on this day? The scoring average for Round 2 was 80.037, 10 strokes above par.
Lutz can thank a tree on No. 16 (par 4, 447 yards) for keeping hope alive. Tied with Dennish for the lead at 5-over, Lutz pushed his tee ball into the hardwoods serving as a course boundary. Ready to hit a provisional, instead Lutz saw his ball careen back into the fairway. The good fortune seemed fleeting when he caught his 6-iron a bit thin from 199 yards and watched it run through the green into the back rough. However, the resilient Lutz responded with a wedge from 30 yards to two feet for a tap-in par.
Now two strokes ahead on No. 17 (par 3, 185 yards) after a Dennish bogey, Lutz knocked a 7-iron up against the left collar, 30-feet from the flag. A stellar lag putt to three feet sent Lutz to the final hole still in charge.
On No. 18 (par 4, 341 yards), he clubbed a drive and 80-yard pitch from the right side to 20 feet behind the hole before two putting for the win.
The victory also gave Lutz his first Senior Silver Cross Award and a fifth Senior Player of the Year. The Senior Silver Cross is awarded to the player with the lowest aggregate score in the Warner Cup (Gross), Chapman (Gross) and Senior Amateur Championship.
“This is incredible,” said Lutz, a Reading, Pa. resident. “It was very difficult. I didn’t play my best golf these last two days. It was quite a challenge to stay focused. It would have been easy to throw this away but I stayed focused and got a few breaks down the line.”
Lutz made the turn at 1-under par on the front side as the leaderboard started to jumble. At the time Dennish, Irey and Ray Thompson of Overbrook, a two-time winner of this event, were all in a tight pack.
Lutz’s next task, the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. An event he’s been a semifinalist in three of the last four years.
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.
Overall
Name, club
R1-R2–Total
Chip Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club
74-71–145
Mark Dennish, The Ridge at Back Brook
71-76–147
Michael Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
74-73–147
Roc Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
75-72–147
Brian Rothaus, Five Ponds Golf Club
74-74–148
Christopher Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
77-72–149
Christopher Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
74-75–149
Raymond Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
72-77–149
Robert Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club
76-73–149
Drew Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
71-80–151
Ed Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
74-77–151
John Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club
73-78–151
Thomas Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
77-74–151
Byron Whitman, Reading Country Club
77-75–152
George Henninger, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
79-73–152
James Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
78-74–152
Bert Kosup, The Ridge at Back Brook
77-76–153
David Smith, Doylestown Country Club
78-75–153
John Robinson, Commonwealth National Golf Club
78-75–153
Jon Lavin, Rolling Green Golf Club
76-77–153
Pete Widdoes, White Clay Creek Country Club
75-78–153
Michael Quinn, Edgmont Country Club
74-80–154
Richard Custer, Reading Country Club
78-76–154
Robin McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club
76-78–154
Geoff Moulton, Jr., Sunnybrook Golf Club
80-76–156
Jeff Paige, Bellewood Country Club
78-78–156
Leonard Pearson, Philmont Country Club
81-75–156
Thomas Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club
80-76–156
Andrew Harmer, The Springhaven Club
77-80–157
James Robertson, Llanerch Country Club
78-79–157
Michael Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club
75-82–157
Robert Harrington, Merion Golf Club
80-77–157
James Prendergast, Philadelphia Publinks GA
81-76–157
Robert Wagner, Merion Golf Club
77-81–158
Steven Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
78-80–158
Raymond Pawulich, Little Mill Country Club
79-79–158
Tom DiCinti, Old York Road CC at Chesterfield
86-72–158
Alan Wagenschnur, Back Creek Golf Club
78-81–159
Ron Weaver, Bent Creek Country Club
79-80–159
Alan Van Horn, Commonwealth National Golf Club
82-77–159
Donald MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club
79-80–159
John Willadsen, Sakima Country Club
77-83–160
Robert Gill, Fox Hill Country Club
77-83–160
Buck Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
79-81–160
Gary Daniels, Applebrook Golf Club
80-80–160
Robert Van Etten, Laurel Creek Country Club
75-85–160
Stan Zabytko, Loch Nairn Golf Club
77-83–160
Brian Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club
77-84–161
Marty Dorminy, Spring Ford Country Club
84-77–161
Scott Orr, Brookside Country Club
80-81–161
Bennett Meyer, Philmont Country Club
80-81–161
Bob Arthur, Tavistock Country Club
81-81–162
Jim Gavaghan, Jericho National Golf Club
80-82–162
John Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
80-82–162
Larry Piekarsky, Hidden Creek Golf Club
77-85–162
Pierce Herbst, Greate Bay Country Club
82-80–162
Steve Meyer, Rolling Green Golf Club
84-78–162
Rich Thon, The Springhaven Club
80-83–163
Mark Quigley, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
80-83–163
James Blickle, LedgeRock Golf Club
83-81–164
Joe Viechnicki, Saucon Valley Country Club
76-88–164
John Duke, Sandy Run Country Club
85-80–165
Phil Remig, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
83-82–165
Richard Atcavage, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
86-80–166
Bob Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
86-80–166
Robert Lodovici, Little Mill Country Club
83-83–166
Thomas Mairone, Philadelphia Publinks GA
84-83–167
Bob Walsh, Philadelphia Publinks GA
85-83–168
Wayne Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
85-83–168
George Reby, Greate Bay Country Club
86-83–169
Jon Helhowski, Commonwealth National Golf Club
83-86–169
Gerald Henderson, Blue Bell Country Club
85-85–170
Jim Willoughby, Bellewood Country Club
85-85–170
Joseph Zelechoski, Silver Creek Country Club
84-86–170
Ansley Jessup, Jr., Rancocas Golf Club
92-79–171
Brian Sexton, Seaview Resort & Spa
90-82–172
Joe Duhack, Lu Lu Country Club
83-91–174
Jack O’Hara, Cedarbrook Country Club
91-95–186
Michael Caulfield, Commonwealth National GC
93-96–189
Matthew Manfred, Blue Bell Country Club
96-104–200
Joseph Russo, Laurel Creek Country Club
86-NS–NS
Donald Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club
86-NS–NS
J. Kirk Luntey, Merion Golf Club
78-WD–WD
John Vergari, Tavistock Country Club
83-WD–WD
Michael Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
79-WD–WD
Ages 55 to 59
Name, club
R1-R2–Total
Chip Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club
74-71–145
Mark Dennish, The Ridge at Back Brook
71-76–147
Michael Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
74-73–147
Brian Rothaus, Five Ponds Golf Club
74-74–148
Christopher Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
77-72–149
Christopher Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
74-75–149
Byron Whitman, Reading Country Club
77-75–152
Bert Kosup, The Ridge at Back Brook
77-76–153
David Smith, Doylestown Country Club
78-75–153
John Robinson, Commonwealth National Golf Club
78-75–153
Jon Lavin, Rolling Green Golf Club
76-77–153
Geoff Moulton, Jr., Sunnybrook Golf Club
80-76–156
Jeff Paige, Bellewood Country Club
78-78–156
Leonard Pearson, Philmont Country Club
81-75–156
Andrew Harmer, The Springhaven Club
77-80–157
James Robertson, Llanerch Country Club
78-79–157
Michael Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club
75-82–157
Robert Harrington, Merion Golf Club
80-77–157
Robert Wagner, Merion Golf Club
77-81–158
Steven Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
78-80–158
Alan Wagenschnur, Back Creek Golf Club
78-81–159
Ron Weaver, Bent Creek Country Club
79-80–159
John Willadsen, Sakima Country Club
77-83–160
Robert Gill, Fox Hill Country Club
77-83–160
Brian Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club
77-84–161
Marty Dorminy, Spring Ford Country Club
84-77–161
Scott Orr, Brookside Country Club
80-81–161
Bob Arthur, Tavistock Country Club
81-81–162
Jim Gavaghan, Jericho National Golf Club
80-82–162
John Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
80-82–162
Larry Piekarsky, Hidden Creek Golf Club
77-85–162
Rich Thon, The Springhaven Club
80-83–163
James Blickle, LedgeRock Golf Club
83-81–164
John Duke, Sandy Run Country Club
85-80–165
Phil Remig, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
83-82–165
Richard Atcavage, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
86-80–166
Bob Walsh, Philadelphia Publinks GA
85-83–168
George Reby, Greate Bay Country Club
86-83–169
Jon Helhowski, Commonwealth National Golf Club
83-86–169
Gerald Henderson, Blue Bell Country Club
85-85–170
Jim Willoughby, Bellewood Country Club
85-85–170
Brian Sexton, Seaview Resort & Spa
90-82–172
Joe Duhack, Lu Lu Country Club
83-91–174
Jack O’Hara, Cedarbrook Country Club
91-95–186
Matthew Manfred, Blue Bell Country Club
96-104–200
J. Kirk Luntey, Merion Golf Club
78-WD–WD
John Vergari, Tavistock Country Club
83-WD–WD
Joseph Russo, Laurel Creek Country Club
86-NS–NS
60 and over
Name, club
Rd. 1-Rd. 2–Total
Roc Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
75-72–147
Raymond Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
72-77–149
Robert Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club
76-73–149
Drew Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
71-80–151
Ed Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
74-77–151
John Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club
73-78–151
Thomas Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
77-74–151
George Henninger, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
79-73–152
James Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
78-74–152
Pete Widdoes, White Clay Creek Country Club
75-78–153
Michael Quinn, Edgmont Country Club
74-80–154
Richard Custer, Reading Country Club
78-76–154
Robin McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club
76-78–154
Thomas Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club
80-76–156
James Prendergast, Philadelphia Publinks GA
81-76–157
Raymond Pawulich, Little Mill Country Club
79-79–158
Tom DiCinti, Old York Road CC at Chesterfield
86-72–158
Alan Van Horn, Commonwealth National Golf Club
82-77–159
Donald MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club
79-80–159
Buck Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
79-81–160
Gary Daniels, Applebrook Golf Club
80-80–160
Robert Van Etten, Laurel Creek Country Club
75-85–160
Stan Zabytko, Loch Nairn Golf Club
77-83–160
Bennett Meyer, Philmont Country Club
80-81–161
Pierce Herbst, Greate Bay Country Club
82-80–162
Steve Meyer, Rolling Green Golf Club
84-78–162
Mark Quigley, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
80-83–163
Joe Viechnicki, Saucon Valley Country Club
76-88–164
Bob Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
86-80–166
Robert Lodovici, Little Mill Country Club
83-83–166
Thomas Mairone, Philadelphia Publinks GA
84-83–167
Wayne Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
85-83–168
Joseph Zelechoski, Silver Creek Country Club
84-86–170
Ansley Jessup, Jr., Rancocas Golf Club
92-79–171
Michael Caulfield, Commonwealth National GC
93-96–189
Donald Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club
86-NS–NS
Michael Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
79-WD–WD
NS-no show; WD-withdrawal
