Every year, I look forward to the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship. The Amateur dates back to the founding of the Association making it one of the oldest championships in the country and its great history makes it also one of the most distinguished.
As a member of the Executive Committee, I’ve had the honor of being directly involved with the Amateur Championship for many years. Certainly, a personal highlight for me occurred last year at my Merion Golf Club home, when I had the opportunity to officiate the title match.
I’m proud to have been a part of the Amateur over the years.
As you will read later in this issue of the Golf Association of Philadelphia Magazine, the Amateur Championship has, and will continue, to knight Philadelphia’s golfing king. Proving that royalty is indeed crowned here, 13 of the 14 members of the Golf Association of Philadelphia Hall of Fame have won at least one Amateur title.
J. Wood Platt, the Amateur Championship trophy’s namesake, won a record seven titles. The exceptional William Hyndman, III took his last crown at age 49. A.H. Smith of Philly Cricket won the very first Amateur in 1897.
On behalf of the entire Golf Association of Philadelphia,
A special thank you to BMW, in
During the same week as the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship, Chris Crawford of Spring Mill Country Club and a graduate of Drexel University competed as an amateur in the U.S. Open for the second straight year. Chris played a practice round with Jordan Spieth, Jim Furyk
A week prior to the Amateur Championship, Philadelphia Cricket Club was the site of our region’s inaugural First Green program. It was one of the best days in Philadelphia golf in quite some time. The First Green program educates Junior golfers on the environmental impact of golf. Great thanks to Dan Meersman, Cricket’s Director of Grounds, and the entire Philadelphia Golf Alliance for organizing and running this wonderful event. Just look at the pages inside and enjoy seeing the smiles on the Whitemarsh Elementary School students who attended the event. It was a great day for Philadelphia golf.
The Association continues to expand its outreach to all groups of golfers. This year, the Association added women’s tournament opportunities in the Warner Cup (Net) and Chapman Cup (Net). Women can now compete in seven individual Association tournaments as
In case you missed it, Merion, already with a rich women’s golf history, was selected to host the 2022 Curtis Cup. It will be Merion’s 19th USGA Championship, the most hosted by any club. Also, congratulations to Merion’s victorious Philadelphia Cup team. It was the 69th time Team Merion has hoisted the WGAP Team Matches trophy.
As you can see, it’s already been a great summer. One that’s included another Amazing Amateur.
Robert M. Morey
