*History | *Directions | *2008 Results | *Silver Cross Award Standings | *Player of the Year Standings
The Golf Association of Philadelphia brings the 107th Joseph H. Patterson Cup to legendary Llanerch CC Aug. 13-14.
Defending champion Glenn Smeraglio of Commonwealth National GC, along with 131 of the region’s top amateurs, will vie for this year’s title. Smeraglio, of Newtown, Pa., holds high expectations in his quest to repeat as victor.
“I’m going to try and play as good as I can,” he said. “I don’t go in there to try and have a good showing. I want to go in there and win.”
The Patterson Cup marks the Association’s fourth and final major of the season, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The William Hyndman, III Player of the Year race remains contentious, with Conrad Von Borsig of Concord CC holding a 78.37-point lead over his nearest rival, Michael Brown of Philadelphia Publinks GA. Both Von Borsig and Brown will compete in the Patterson Cup.
The 2009 Silver Cross recipient will be determined at the Patterson Cup. Michael Hyland of Little Mill CC, Michael Kania of Overbrook GC, Thomas Gramigna of Tavistock CC, Cole Willcox of Philadelphia CC, Robert Galbreath, Jr., Brian Gillespie of St. Davids GC, Justin Martinson of Hartefeld National, Michael McDermott of Merion GC and Llanerch CC, P. Chet Walsh of Philadelphia CC, James Kania, Jr. of Overbrook GC and Anthony Martire of Seaview Marriot Resort & Spa each stand within arm’s length of the distinguished honor, which is awarded to the player with the lowest aggregate score in the qualifying rounds of the Amateur Championship and Patterson Cup. Hyland currently carries a one-stroke lead over Michael Kania.
To attain such merits, though, players must also adjust to a format change in the Patterson Cup. The 36-hole championship will be contested over two days, 18 holes a day, at the same venue, with the field cut to the low 60 players and ties after the first round. Smeraglio, a three-time Silver Cross winner, doesn’t believe the change will significantly impact his play.
“I’ve had some decent experience in 36-hole tournaments in one day,” he said. “On the other hand, I’m pushing 50, so 18 (holes) in one day isn’t bad either.”
One player who’s highly familiar with the Patterson Cup, as well as Llanerch CC, is 2007 champion McDermott. However, familiarity doesn’t always prove vital, he says.
“There’s no course that I know or love more than Llanerch,” he said. “It’s the best conditioned course in Philadelphia. It’s exciting to play there, but I think home course advantage is overrated. As much as you know the course, you also know the trouble that goes along with it. I’ll have to block that out a little bit.”
McDermott, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., has experienced a “strange” year on the GAP circuit. After leading the Middle-Amateur Championship by a stroke after day one, he crawled through his second round to a seventh place overall finish. One month later, McDermott, the 2008 William Hyndman, III Player of the Year, advanced to the Amateur Championship semifinals, but lost to Concord CC’s Conrad Von Borsig on the final hole.
His tough luck continued last week as McDermott had an opportunity to qualify for the USGA Amateur Championship, but he failed to do so in a five-man playoff. Will this week’s Patterson Cup serve as redemption?
“I don’t let past disappointments and accomplishments affect the next one,” McDermott said. “I’ve been on the verge this year, and each event has ended with a disappointment. You just have to stay focused. My goal is always just to get in the hunt and hopefully have a chance. I’m not going to think about winning anything until I post a first good round.”
As always, the public and media are encouraged to attend. Llanerch CC is located at 950 West Chester Pike in Havertown, Pa.
