Francis B. Warner Cup (Net): Talamore

Warner (Net) goes to former PGA TOUR caddie Oxman

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AMBLER, Pa. – As a former PGA TOUR caddie of three years, Lee Oxman knows how to maneuver his way around golf courses. On Tuesday at Talamore Country Club (par 71, 5,528 yards), Oxman proved he knows how to play them, too.

Oxman, a Moselem Springs Golf Club member of 27 years, carded a 4-under net round of 67 to secure the low overall prize in the Francis B. Warner Cup (Net).

His day began “with a shaky driver to start”, but that would soon be corrected. Oxman found his footing at Talamore — a course he hasn’t been to “in forever” — and managed to consistently find greens in regulation, followed by steady putting. The standout shot of the day arrived on the par-5, 496-yard 13th. Oxman drilled his drive, laid up in front of the crossing creek and spun a wedge to 12 feet. He’d go on to drain the net-eagle putt. Net birdies on Nos. 16 (par 4, 251 yards) and 17 (par 4, 266 yards) sealed the deal for Oxman, earning him his first GAP trophy.

“Today was my best round (10-over 81) in awhile. I hit a ton of greens in regulation,” said Oxman, 67, of Bryn Mawr, Pa. “I had a couple of birdie putts on the back nine that I missed. Real short ones that were right in the jar. But overall, I played really solid today.”

Golf runs in Oxman’s bloodlines. His brother, Neil, caddied for eight-time PGA Major winner Tom Watson in over 150 events dating back to 1999. Nate, his son, is the current assistant caddiemaster at Merion Golf Club.

“It’s something I love. I caddied for three years [from 1975-1977] on the TOUR for Jim Simons and Tom Purtzer. It’s something I never should have given up,” said Oxman. “My son and I also coached Haverford High School’s golf team for six seasons before we gave it up this season due to other commitments.”

As you can see, the Oxmans love them some golf. GAP Net events are a big part of Oxman’s playing schedule these days. In fact, he’s set to tee it up in a week — alongside his son Nate — in the Tee it Forward – Spring Net Championship at Philmont Country Club. Oxman says he’s a fan of the set ups, the competition, and most of all, the yardage breaks.

“At this yardage, for a player like me, it’s perfect,” said Oxman. “It makes it fun because you can hit greens and score well. Plus, the events are really well organized and you get to meet a bunch of great guys along the way. It’s a cool thing to have the chance to win something like this.”

Taking the Women’s Flight crown was Conestoga Country Club’s Charlotte Kocher, who finished at 1-over 72. Kocher, playing alongside husband Ed, utilized four net birdies and an eagle to finish three strokes better than Penn National Golf Club’s Kathleen Gallagher.

“I played really, really well. I kept the ball straight and that’s what you had to do here,” said Kocher, 64, of Lititz, Pa. “It feels amazing to bring home a trophy like this. I’m going to bring it home, move over all of [Ed’s] trophies and put it front and center.”

Francis B. Warner of Philadelphia Cricket Club served as the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s secretary-treasurer for 18 years. After his death in 1933, the Association started the Francis B. Warner Cup as an ongoing tribute in his memory. Last year’s edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 300 Member Clubs and 80,000 individual members are spread across the Eastern half of Pennsylvania and parts of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.