#BMWPhillyAm Qualifier: Trump – Philadelphia

Gelrod, Pilliod share medal in #BMWPhillyAm Qualifier at Trump – Philadelphia

| Scorecards |

Ryan Gelrod took a seat at the scoring area, let out a sigh of relief, and was greeted by GAP
Director of Competitions Kirby Martin.

“We have our medalist?” asked Martin.

“More like survivalist,” said Gelrod.

That mindset became the majority among a 119-player field Monday in a BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship Qualifier at Trump National Golf Club – Philadelphia (par 71, 6,799 yards). Swirling winds, steamy temperatures and the challenging course contributed to high numbers throughout the leaderboard.

Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Gelrod and LedgeRock Golf Club’s Ross Pilliod were the best of the rest under those trying conditions. The duo each fired rounds of 1-over 72 and earned shares of the day’s medalist honors. The qualifying cut line stopped at 79.

The 119^th BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship will take place June 11-13 & 15 at Stonewall (Old). The club’s North Course will serve as a qualifying site on Day One.

Gelrod’s opening nine featured eight pars paired with a single bogey on No. 7 (par 5, 560 yards). His second nine, however, became more adventurous. Three birdies dropped on the back, including a 30-foot bomb on No. 16 (par 3, 178 yards). Three bogeys erased those red numbers on the card, but Gelrod’s 72 was good enough for a share of the day’s top spot.

“[Trump National] is just a really challenging golf course, especially if you can’t keep it straight,” he said. “For me to come out and shoot a round like this today, it gives me the confidence I needed going forward. I’ve played Stonewall a few times, and I really enjoy the Old Course, so I’m happy to have gotten the job done in order to get through [to the championship proper].”

Gelrod is no stranger to GAP Major tee sheets. However, as of late, he says his game “has been all over the place.” Today’s medal honor may go a long way in regaining pure swings for the Cricketeer.

“It’s been a rough 18 months of golf for me,” said Gelrod, 47, of Flourtown, Pa. “I really have been struggling with my ball-striking as of late, which is disappointing, because that was kind of always a strength for me. I missed out on [this week’s GAP Middle-Amateur Championship] for the first time in 15 years. So to come out and fire a round like this today will hopefully put me back on the road to where I need to be.”

Playing in the afternoon wave, Pilliod saw Gelrod post the low mark early. Pilliod, a standout at Saint Joseph’s University, would go on to match it, propelled by three birdies on his card.

“Today was the day to be conservative. When I showed up and saw the high scores, I told myself, “Just get the ball in play, dude,” said Pilliod, 22, of Reading, Pa. “I only had to hit four drivers today. It was all about getting up-and-down for par and keeping the ball in play.”

Pilliod’s worst drive of the day, a 3-wood on No. 6 (par 4, 405 yards), turned into his best hole. That drive was hooked left into the fescue area, but a miracle 6-iron from 180 yards out landed to 25 feet. He dropped that putt for birdie, and ultimately, led to Pilliod’s medal-earning 72.

After a successful collegiate career at Saint Joseph’s, Pilliod graduated two days ago. Post-grad life will feature a goal of turning professional sometime after a full amateur slate in 2019.

“That’s the goal, maybe sometime after the summer or fall. Until then, I’d like to keep playing in highly-competitive amateur tournaments,” said Pilliod. “The [Philadelphia Amateur] will be a good start.”

Pilliod knows a thing or two about Stonewall, as he caddied there for two years. When he saw the GAP schedule, this year’s #BMWPhillyAm is one he had circles around.

“I’m extremely excited to play this one,” said Pilliod. “I’ve had my eyes on it for awhile now. I’m hoping to play really well.”

The BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship is GAP’s premier individual championship. Participants must first advance through a one day, 36-hole stroke-play qualifier to gain one of 32 available match play positions. Those who qualify for match play must advance through four matches in two days to reach the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Final, which is typically held on the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend. The winner receives the J. Wood Platt Trophy; its namesake holds a record-seven BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship titles.

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 274 Full 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.