Lu Lu’s Ryan takes stroke-play medal, moves on to #GAPJrJr Quarters

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. — Josh Ryan’s junior golf resume mirrors one of a savvy and experienced veteran. Although just 13 years old, Ryan has already forged memories that he’ll never forget from his once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

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  The Norristown, Pa. native competed in the 2014 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals as a 10-year-old at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. and placed third. He received his trophy from 2013 Masters Champion and Australian, Adam Scott.

  “Competing and being at Augusta hasn’t set in for me yet,” Ryan said. “It is a once in a lifetime experience and you have to soak in every moment. I started on driving and my goal was to hit a 200-yard drive. I hit the drive 201 yards and I was amazed that I hit it that good on such a big stage. It is so green there that it seems fake but it isn’t.”

  He also competed in the 2015 and 2016 PGA Junior League Championships at the Palms Course at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. and Grey Hawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., respectively. In addition, Ryan just came back from Pinehurst No. 5 where placed in a tie for fifth in the U.S. Kids Teen World Championships after a three-day total of 1-under-par.

  Ryan, of Lu Lu Country Club, relied on his experiences to claim medalist honors in the Junior-Junior Boys’ Championship at Phoenixville Country Club (par 35, 2,437 yards) with an even-par 35 in the 9-hole qualifier.

  Ryan’s lone birdie on the nine came on the par-5 5th (455 yards). After pulling a drive left off of the tee, Ryan hit a low-stinging fade to the front of the green and was able to get up-and-down to secure his four. His scorecard also included seven pars and a bogey on No. 2, his first hole of the day in the shotgun start.

  “There are some birdies out here,” Ryan said. “If you make a couple of bogeys you know you have a chance to get them back. I took the flag out on No. 2 for my chip and I hit the back of the cup but made bogey. I was happy with how I bounced back.”

  The last year has also been an adjustment for the young power hitter. He encountered a growth spurt, growing a total of 12 inches.

  This growth had its pros and cons. The major benefit has been Ryan’s added length off of the tee, but as you would expect, his clubs became too short for him.

  “I got all new TaylorMade irons about a month ago,” Ryan, who will be a home-schooled ninth grader at the Commonwealth Connections Academy, said. “My old irons were too whippy and I was hitting huge hooks with them. Playing with the wrong length clubs can start to develop some bad habits and I was definitely bending over way too much. I am hitting it about 20 yards longer than I did with my old clubs.”

  After earning the No. 1 seed, Ryan faced Skippack Golf Club at Evansburg State Park’s Bryan Sundheim, and defeated him, 5&3.

  Although satisfied with how his day turned out, Ryan wants to get more out of his putter, a club which he was disappointed with on Monday.

  “I just hope I can make more putts on Tuesday,” Ryan said. “Tomorrow is a new day and I look forward to being able to improve on what I was able to do today.”

  Ryan will face off in the quarterfinals tomorrow against Blue Bell Country Club’s Kevin Lafond at 7:30 a.m.

  Now in its 69th year, the Junior-Junior Boys’ Championship is open to players from Member Clubs who are 10 to 13 years of age.

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 151 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.

Championship Flight
Round of 16
1. Josh Ryan, Lu Lu CC d. 16. Bryan Sundheim, Skippack GC at Evansburg State Park, 5&3.
9. Kevin Lafond, Blue Bell Country Club d. 8. Ryan Garvey, Rolling Green Golf Club, 4&3.
4. Evan Barbin, GAP Junior Players Club d. 13. Chris LaRosa, Cedarbrook CC, 12 holes.
12. Kristof Kopecky, Concord CC d. 5. Nicholas Ciocca, Aronimink GC, 2&1.
15.Benjamin Saggers, Applecross CC d. 2. Matthew Normand, Riverton CC, 11 holes.
7. Matthew Zerfass, Brookside CC of Allentown d. 10. Patrick Maxwell, Whitford CC, 4&3.
3. Jack Davis, Aronimink GC d. 14. Anthony Ciconte, Wilmington CC, 1-up.
11. Henry Stone, Bidermann Golf Club d. 6. Darren Nolan, Talamore CC, 2-up.

First Flight
Round of 16
1. Eric Fryer, Talamore CC d. 16. Justin Forman, Running Deer GC, 10 holes.
8. Ben Rubinich, RiverCrest GC & Preserve d. 9. Lucas Steinmetz, Spring Ford CC, 10 holes.
4. Nick Werner, Wyoming Valley CC d. 13. Chase Crisiella, Laurel Creek CC, 2&1.
5. Jack Romeo, Cedarbrook CC d. 12. Matthew Hurchalla, The Springhaven Club, 2&1.
15. Jackson Fryer, Talamore CC d. 2. Evan Markowski, Chester Valley GC, 2&1.
7. Jeffrey Homer, Wilmington CC d. 7. Jack Homer, Wilmington CC, 3&1.
3. Charlie Hurchalla, The Springhaven Club d. 14. Jimmy Mahon, Manufacturers’ G&CC, 4&3.
11. Matthew Homer, Wilmington CC d. 6. Ethan Niu, Radnor Valley CC, 4&3.