2nd Mixed Foursomes Championship

Commonwealth’s Alterman, Siegel soar to Mixed Foursomes title

| Scorecards |

VILLANOVA, Pa. – It was a GAP team trophy 20 years in the making.

Commonwealth National Golf Club’s John Alterman and Karen Siegel carded an even-par round of 70 to secure the overall trophy Tuesday at Overbrook Golf Club (par 70, 6,094 yards). The friends and playing partners of 20 years bested a sold-out field of 40 teams en route to the low gross crown.

Taking the Net Division was the Concord Country Club duo of Amy and Jim Allen, who finished with a Net score of 4-under 66.

Last year’s champions David and Kim Herbst of West Shore Country Club, who were victorious in the inaugural championship at Concord, finished at 5-over 75, good enough for a fourth-place finish.

The champions, who made the turn at 1-over 36, found their winnings ways on Overbrook’s second side. Alterman and Siegel were carried by a highlight-reel eagle on the par-5, 500-yard 12th hole. It was there were Siegel “absolutely crushed” her drive, meaning Alterman played next with 5-wood. That approach shot traveled 210 yards, leaving Siegel with a 20-foot look for the 3. Before the putt, the teammates went back-and-forth about how much break there was in the putt.

Siegel’s read of minimal break was the correct one.

“The greens were playing fast today, and we were getting a few good looks, but were putting defensively. It’s funny, because right before that, we were discussing how he thinks there’s more break to putts, and I didn’t see as much. They were tough to get a feel for,” said Siegel, 56, of Maple Glen, Pa. “When it went in, I could only laugh. That was a big [eagle] for us.”

“When it went in, I could only laugh. That was a big [eagle] for us.”

“We didn’t have any birdies on the front, so we knew we needed to get something going. It’s tough in this format to kind of get going. There were a few holes in a row where I hadn’t even rolled a putt,” said Alterman, 59, of New Hope, Pa. “That [eagle] got us going.”

On Overbrook’s finisher, the title run was signed, sealed and delivered with a clutch moment from both partners. After Alterman’s approach shot caught the front but rolled off, all the way down to 40 yards short, Siegel was faced with a difficult uphill chip. She tossed one up and it grabbed the green, rolling out to 10 feet. Next to play was Alterman, who stepped up confidently and drained the par putt for the win. Cheers from Overbrook onlookers erupted from the outside dining porch.

“There were a bunch of Commonwealth players out here today, so it was a great environment,” said Siegel.

The champs have been playing alongside in various team events and playing formats for the past 20 seasons. When they first began competing, Siegel was playing as a 24 handicap. Now, she’s a scratch.

“We’ve come a long way. It’s really great playing with Karen because our game’s compliment each others so well,” said Alterman. “She is good off the tee, and I’m good with the approach shots. It really works well.”

“It’s just easy playing with him. Our chemistry is really high,” said Siegel. “It’s always fun to win when you’re out there.”

In an effort to further promote women’s golf, GAP created a Mixed Foursomes Championship in 2019. The event’s format is selective drive/alternate shot. Open to one female and one male golfer teams who are 19 years of age and who have 36.0 handicap index or less. Only one player from each two-person team must be a member of a Member Club with a GAP handicap.

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 288 Member Clubs and 75,000 individual members are spread across the Eastern half of Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.