Preview: 29th Philadelphia Challenge Matches

Team GAP ready for 29th Philadelphia Challenge Matches

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Over the previous two seasons, no team has claimed a Philadelphia Challenge Matches trophy. In 2021, one team will look to put an end to that streak.

The 29th Philadelphia Challenge Matches returns to Saucon Valley Country Club, as the honorary team event tees off Oct. 14 on the glorious Grace course.

The Philadelphia Challenge Matches pits two 12-man teams, including two senior contestants (55 years or older), from the Golf Association of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Section of the PGA in a concurrent individual match and four-ball match. Each match is worth one point. Ties are halved.

Due to inclement weather in 2019, followed by cancellation due to COVID-19 in 2020, the trophy has sat dormant and unclaimed. In the 2018 edition at Lehigh Country Club, Team GAP took home the trophy with 10 points overall bettering the Section’s 8. The Section team currently leads the all-time series, 21–3 with four ties.

Robin McCool, a driving force and founder of the event, will lead Team GAP as honorary captain at his home club.

Take a look at Team GAP:

Michael Brown, Jr., LuLu Country Club

• 8th appearance (2008-11, 2013, 2016, 2018)
• Quarterfinalist – BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship
• 8th – Middle-Amateur Championship
• T30 – GAP Open Championship
• NJSGA Amateur Champion
• DSGA Amateur Champion
• Qualified – U.S. Amateur

John Barone, Glenmaura National Golf Club

• First appearance
• T14 – Middle-Amateur Championship
• Qualified – U.S. Amateur
• Qualified – U.S. Mid-Amateur

Andrew Keeling, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club

• First appearance
• T3 – Patterson Cup
• T57 – GAP Open Championship

Scott McNeil, Philadelphia Publinks GA

• 5th appearance (2011-12, 2014-15)
• Middle-Amateur Champion

Jeff Frazier, Carlisle Country Club

• First appearance
• Brewer Cup Senior Champion
• Co-medalist – Brewer Cup Stroke Play Qualifying
• 3rd – Silver Cross Awards Standings
• Runner-up – Frank H. Chapman Memorial Cup (Gross)
• T13 – Senior Amateur Championship

Jack Irons, Little Mill Country Club

• First appearance
• Finalist – BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship
• 8th – NJSGA Amateur Championship

Patrick Knott, Merion Golf Club

• First appearance
• 4th – Middle-Amateur Championship
• Round of 32 – BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship
• Qualified – U.S. Mid-Amateur

Oscar Mestre, Overbrook Golf Club

• 7th appearance (1997, 2002-05, 2009)
• Runner-up – Senior Amateur Championship
• T3 – Francis B. Warner Cup (Gross)
• T3 – Frank H. Chapman Memorial Cup (Gross)
• T11 – Middle-Amateur Championship
• Semifinalist – Brewer Cup

Sean McMonagle, Tavistock Country Club

• First appearance
• Tied for runner-up – Middle-Amateur Championship
• 38th – Silver Cross Award standings

Ross Pilliod, LedgeRock Golf Club

• First appearance
• Quarterfinalist – BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship
• 9th – Patterson Cup
• 3rd – Silver Cross Award standings

Josh Ryan, The 1912 Club

• First appearance
• Junior Boys’ Champion
• T3- GAP Open Championship
• T6 – Middle Atlantic Amateur Championship

Troy Vannucci, Little Mill Country Club

• Second appearance (2018)
• T3 – GAP Open Championship
• Quarterfinalist – BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship
• T12 – Patterson Cup
• 5th – Silver Cross Award standings