CONCORDVILLE, Pa. — LedgeRock Golf Club’s Chip Lutz is up to his old tricks again. Tricks as in birdies, eagles, subpar scores and tournament victories.
The two-time reigning Golf Association of Philadelphia Senior Player of the Year continues to validate and expand his stellar senior résumé. Lutz continued his superb play Thursday by carding a sensational 6-under-par 65 to win the 78th Francis B. Warner Cup (Gross) at Concord Country Club (par 71, 6,583 yards) by six strokes. Three years into his Senior Division tenure, Lutz now holds three Senior titles. He is the 2010 Chapman Memorial (Gross) Champion and reigning Brewer Cup Champion.
“I love winning GAP events. It’s one of the best associations that I know of and get to play in,” Lutz, 57, of Reading, Pa., said. “We have a great group of people and the tournaments are run so well. I enjoy it, and it’s a thrill to win in my own backyard.”
Fresh off a runner-up finish in Golfweek’s George L. Coleman Invitational, Lutz tapped into his red figure reservoir early with a birdie on No. 2 (par 4, 315 yards). He nuzzled a 60-degree wedge 30 yards to three feet. Lutz stopped a 5-iron 15 feet below the flagstick on the par 3, 183-yard No. 4 and converted the right-to-left breaker to move to 2 under. Lutz added a third birdie to the collection on No. 7 (par 4, 425 yards), sending a 6-iron 170 yards to 20 feet.
“The keys were trying to stay patient because you’re going to miss greens, and fortunately, I made nice recoveries,” Lutz, a member of the Association’s Executive Committee and one of LedgeRock’s founding members, said. “The putter was working well for me. I had a great degree of confidence with it. I felt pretty well balanced today. I mishit some shots, but the key was missing in the correct direction and with a reasonable distance. I was pleased with my overall game.”
From tee to green, Lutz was an exceptional case study. His performance on the par 4, 357-yard 10th hole is evidence. After striping his drive down the middle of the fairway, Lutz knocked a 56-degree wedge 70 yards to seven feet below the flagstick and deposited the straightaway putt for birdie. Following a critical two-putt for par on the uphill No. 11 (par 3, 185 yards), Lutz stepped off the subpar street and carded consecutive bogeys on Nos. 12 (par 4, 435 yards) and 13 (par 4, 420 yards).
“I drifted a little bit there,” he said. “I sort of lost my concentration.”
On No. 12, he missed the green left, chipped on to four feet and failed to execute the short putt. Lutz reached the 13th green with a 7-iron from 163 yards, but misjudged its make-up.
“I was on the green, but I didn’t pick up the fact that it was a downhill putt,” he said. “It ran by probably a good eight feet. I had a long putt coming back that I didn’t make.”
Lutz showed his championship resolve on the next hole (par 5, 543 yards). He hit an uphill 52-degree wedge 106 yards to three feet and tapped-in for birdie. A birdie-eagle finish formally solidified Lutz’s place in the winner’s circle. He stuffed a 60-degree wedge 70 yards to two feet on the uphill par 4, 332-yard 17th hole. Lutz’s drive on No. 18 (par 5, 521 yards) caught the left rough.
“At first, I had a 5-iron in my hand and was thinking I had a little bit of a jumper there with a flier lie,” Lutz said of the ensuing approach. “Then I saw [playing partner] Don (Donatoni) come up short on his shot, and I thought he hit it decently good. So I decided on the 4-iron, knowing it was the right club for the distance. Then I just settled in and hit it good.”
Good indeed. His golf ball traveled 190 yards and settled 20 feet right of the flagstick. Lutz answered the eagle call.
“I actually got a little aggressive with it,” Lutz said. “I was on a great line and it just went dead-center. It was a perfect putt, a great way to finish.”
Lutz’s success is widespread. He is the reigning R&A Seniors Open Amateur Champion and Canadian Men’s Senior Amateur Champion. He is a two-time Golfweek/Wilson Senior Player of the Year. How has Lutz maintained such a high level of play?
“That’s a great question. I really couldn’t tell you,” Lutz said. “It’s a small miracle in some regards. I don’t know what to attribute it to. I’ve stayed in good physical shape. I like to work on my game and do it when I can. I’ve been consistent and enjoying scoring well. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself.”
“If you play well, you have some personal expectations, but then you also have to think about the other guys who are thinking you’re going to play well. It’s an interesting balance to hold onto.”
Four players finished at even par to share runner-up honors. They included Tom DiCinti of Links Golf Club, William Lawler of Fox Hill Country Club, Rich Thon of The Springhaven Club and Michael Vassil of the Country Club of Scranton.
Francis B. Warner of Philadelphia Cricket Club served as secretary-treasurer for the Golf Association of Philadelphia for 18 years. After his death in 1933, the Association started the Francis B. Warner Cup, an 18-hole, stroke play Senior event, as an ongoing tribute in his memory.
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 145 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
Score
Chip Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club
65
Michael Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
71
Rich Thon, The Springhaven Club
71
Tom DiCinti, Links Golf Club
71
William Lawler, Fox Hill Country Club
71
Frank Rutan, IV, Philadelphia Cricket Club
72
Mark Walker, Laurel Creek Country Club
72
Steve Javie, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
72
James Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
73
Michael Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
73
Don Donatoni, White Manor Country Club
73
Gary Daniels, Saucon Valley Country Club
73
Raymond Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
73
Robin McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club
73
Thomas Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
73
Christopher Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
74
Christopher Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
74
Buck Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
74
Ed Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
74
Robert VanEtten, Laurel Creek Country Club
74
Drew Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
75
Thomas Hyland, Little Mill Country Club
75
Neil McDermott, Llanerch Country Club
75
Andrew Harmer, The Springhaven Club
76
Michael Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club
76
Pete Widdoes, Inniscrone Golf Club
76
David Brookreson, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
76
Anthony Kondracki, Fox Hill Country Club
77
Mark Leaman, Honeybrook Golf Club
77
Michael Bohardt, Jericho National Golf Club
77
Steven Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
77
Alan Van Horn, Sandy Run Country Club
77
Michael Quinn, Edgmont Country Club
77
Robert Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club
77
David Smith, Doylestown Country Club
78
Joe Wintsch, Bellewood Golf Club
78
John Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
78
Kevin McGrain, Old York CC at Chesterfield
78
Roc Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
78
Keith Li, Heidelberg Country Club
78
Michael Nilon, Philadelphia Country Club
78
Arthur Kania, Jr., Merion Golf Club
79
Jon Stein, McCall Golf & Country Club
79
Rick Gaydos, Sakima Country Club
79
Rocky Dare, Running Deer Golf Club
79
Steven Lucas, Concord Country Club
79
Bill Vostinak, Lehigh Country Club
79
Richard Krauss, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
79
Allen Padovano, Yardley Country Club
80
Gordon Jamieson, Merion Golf Club
80
Wayne Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
80
Alan Bernabei, Doylestown Country Club
80
Dave Jacobson, JC Melrose Country Club
80
Joseph Cala, LedgeRock Golf Club
80
Joseph Reaney, Loch Nairn Golf Club
80
Richard Speranza, Jericho National Golf Club
80
Gary Daniels, Aronimink Golf Club
81
Joe Olin, Little Mill Country Club
81
Matt Froncek, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
81
Richard Custer, Brookside Country Club
81
Bernard Zbrzeznj, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
81
James Prendergast, Gilbertsville Golf Club
81
John Hollingsworth, Sr., Concord Country Club
81
Theodore Beringer, Philadelphia Country Club
81
James Lewis, Little Mill Country Club
82
Joe Culley, The Springhaven Club
82
Joe Viechnicki, Saucon Valley Country Club
82
Joseph Major, Brookside Country Club
82
Marlin Detweiler, Lancaster Country Club
82
Michael Harms, Philadelphia Publinks GA
82
William Stanley, Old York CC at Chesterfield
82
Ralph Bincarowsky, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
82
Walter Wolfe, Stone Harbor Golf Club
83
Craig Scott, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
83
Kevin Scanlon, Stonewall
83
Thomas Mallouk, Lookaway Golf Club
83
Thomas Mohr, Whitford Country Club
83
Mark Quigley, Lu Lu Country Club
84
Mike Owsik, Philadelphia Publinks GA
84
Paul Keating, Aronimink Golf Club
84
Roy Gagne, Yardley Country Club
84
Francis McFadden, Overbrook Golf Club
84
Joseph Marucci, Saucon Valley Country Club
84
Michael Berger, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
85
Michael Ryan, Coatesville Country Club
85
Peter Mimmo, North Hills Country Club
85
Donald MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club
85
Wally Swiger, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
85
Antonio Leta, Doylestown Country Club
86
Mike Miklinevich, Greate Bay Country Club
86
Bob Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
86
Donald Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club
86
Lawrence Paster, Philmont Country Club
86
Thomas Mairone, Philadelphia Publinks GA
86
Rick Bunn, McCall Golf & Country Club
87
Sean Duffy, Moselem Springs Golf Club
87
Dennis Tadeo, Philadelphia Publinks GA
89
Albert Hazzouri, Jr., Country Club of Scranton
90
Terrence Sawyer, Mercer Oaks Golf Course
90
George Collins, Sand Barrens Golf Club
92
David Martin, Five Ponds Golf Club
95
Eugene Maginnis, Jr., Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
DQ
Bennett Meyer, Philmont Country Club
WD
Charles Dowds, III, Applebrook Golf Club
WD
John Dickinson, Sr., Hartefeld National
WD
Richard Umani, Honeybrook Golf Club
WD
William Erskine, Philadelphia Publinks GA
WD
John Emmel, Jr., Back Creek Golf Club
WD
Robert Ockenfuss, Indian Valley Country Club
WD
Ages 55 to 59
Name, club
Score
Chip Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club
65
Michael Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
71
Rich Thon, The Springhaven Club
71
Frank Rutan, IV, Philadelphia Cricket Club
72
Mark Walker, Laurel Creek Country Club
72
Steve Javie, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
72
James Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
73
Michael Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
73
Christopher Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
74
Christopher Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
74
Drew Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
75
Thomas Hyland, Little Mill Country Club
75
Andrew Harmer, The Springhaven Club
76
Michael Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club
76
Pete Widdoes, Inniscrone Golf Club
76
Anthony Kondracki, Fox Hill Country Club
77
Mark Leaman, Honeybrook Golf Club
77
Michael Bohardt, Jericho National Golf Club
77
Steven Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
77
David Smith, Doylestown Country Club
78
Joe Wintsch, Bellewood Golf Club
78
John Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
78
Kevin McGrain, Old York CC at Chesterfield
78
Roc Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
78
Arthur Kania, Jr., Merion Golf Club
79
Jon Stein, McCall Golf & Country Club
79
Rick Gaydos, Sakima Country Club
79
Rocky Dare, Running Deer Golf Club
79
Steven Lucas, Concord Country Club
79
Allen Padovano, Yardley Country Club
80
Gordon Jamieson, Merion Golf Club
80
Wayne Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
80
Gary Daniels, Aronimink Golf Club
81
Joe Olin, Little Mill Country Club
81
Matt Froncek, Makefield Highlands Golf Club
81
Richard Custer, Brookside Country Club
81
James Lewis, Little Mill Country Club
82
Joe Culley, The Springhaven Club
82
Joe Viechnicki, Saucon Valley Country Club
82
Joseph Major, Brookside Country Club
82
Marlin Detweiler, Lancaster Country Club
82
Michael Harms, Philadelphia Publinks GA
82
William Stanley, Old York CC at Chesterfield
82
Walter Wolfe, Stone Harbor Golf Club
83
Mark Quigley, Lu Lu Country Club
84
Mike Owsik, Philadelphia Publinks GA
84
Paul Keating, Aronimink Golf Club
84
Roy Gagne, Yardley Country Club
84
Michael Berger, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
85
Michael Ryan, Coatesville Country Club
85
Peter Mimmo, North Hills Country Club
85
Antonio Leta, Doylestown Country Club
86
Mike Miklinevich, Greate Bay Country Club
86
Dennis Tadeo, Philadelphia Publinks GA
89
Albert Hazzouri, Jr., Country Club of Scranton
90
Bennett Meyer, Philmont Country Club
WD
Charles Dowds, III, Applebrook Golf Club
WD
John Dickinson, Sr., Hartefeld National
WD
Richard Umani, Honeybrook Golf Club
WD
William Erskine, Philadelphia Publinks GA
WD
Ages 60 and over
Name, club
Score
Tom DiCinti, Links Golf Club
71
William Lawler, Fox Hill Country Club
71
Don Donatoni, White Manor Country Club
73
Gary Daniels, Saucon Valley Country Club
73
Raymond Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
73
Robin McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club
73
Thomas Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
73
Buck Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
74
Ed Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
74
Robert VanEtten, Laurel Creek Country Club
74
Neil McDermott, Llanerch Country Club
75
David Brookreson, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
76
Alan Van Horn, Sandy Run Country Club
77
Michael Quinn, Edgmont Country Club
77
Robert Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club
77
Keith Li, Heidelberg Country Club
78
Michael Nilon, Philadelphia Country Club
78
Bill Vostinak, Lehigh Country Club
79
Richard Krauss, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
79
Alan Bernabei, Doylestown Country Club
80
Dave Jacobson, JC Melrose Country Club
80
Joseph Cala, LedgeRock Golf Club
80
Joseph Reaney, Loch Nairn Golf Club
80
Richard Speranza, Jericho National Golf Club
80
Bernard Zbrzeznj, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
81
James Prendergast, Gilbertsville Golf Club
81
John Hollingsworth, Sr., Concord Country Club
81
Theodore Beringer, Philadelphia Country Club
81
Ralph Bincarowsky, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
82
Craig Scott, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
83
Kevin Scanlon, Stonewall
83
Thomas Mallouk, Lookaway Golf Club
83
Thomas Mohr, Whitford Country Club
83
Francis McFadden, Overbrook Golf Club
84
Joseph Marucci, Saucon Valley Country Club
84
Donald MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club
85
Wally Swiger, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
85
Bob Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
86
Donald Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club
86
Lawrence Paster, Philmont Country Club
86
Thomas Mairone, Philadelphia Publinks GA
86
Rick Bunn, McCall Golf & Country Club
87
Sean Duffy, Moselem Springs Golf Club
87
Terrence Sawyer, Mercer Oaks Golf Course
90
George Collins, Sand Barrens Golf Club
92
David Martin, Five Ponds Golf Club
95
Eugene Maginnis, Jr., Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
DQ
John Emmel, Jr., Back Creek Golf Club
WD
Robert Ockenfuss, Indian Valley Country Club
WD
