Preview: 31st Philadelphia Challenge Matches

Philadelphia Challenge Matches set for Saucon’s Grace

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Coming off a loss in 2022, the GAP team looks to get back on track in 31st Philadelphia Challenge Matches.

The annual Philadelphia Challenge Matches returns to Saucon Valley Country Club Tuesday, as the honorary team event tees off Oct. 17 on the glamorous Grace course.

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

In the 2022 edition at Saucon Valley, The Section reclaimed the trophy by a score of 10-8. The Section currently leads the all-time series, 22–4 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:

John Barone, Glenmaura National Golf Club

• Second appearance (2021)
• T-2: 40th GAP Middle-Amateur presented by NJM Insurance
• Round of 32: 123^rd BMW Philadelphia Amateur
• T11: 121^st Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
• T8: Silver Cross

Andy Butler, Huntingdon Valley Country Club

• First appearance
• 3rd: Silver Cross
• T-7: 119^th Open Championship
• Round of 16: 123^rd BMW Philadelphia Amateur
• Qualified: U.S. Mid-Amateur
• 7th: Pennsylvania Amateur

Anthony Cordaro, Saucon Valley Country Club

• First appearance
• T2: Pennsylvania George Dressler Memorial
• 2nd: GAP/AGA Stroke Play

Jeff Frazier, Carlisle Country Club

• Third appearance (2021-22)
• 2nd: 53^rd Senior Amateur
• Won: Senior Silver Cross
• Qualified: U.S. Senior Amateur
• T4: 18th Frank H. Chapman Cup
• T4: Pennsylvania Senior Amateur

Jack Irons, Little Mill Country Club

• Second appearance (2021)
• 2nd: 72^nd Delaware Amateur
• T16: 121^st Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank

Matt Mattare, Saucon Valley Country Club

• Third appearance (2016, 2022)
• T2: 121^st Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
• T14: 119^th GAP Open
• T12: 40^th GAP Middle-Amateur presented by NJM Insurance
• T8: Silver Cross

Dave Mecca, Glen Oak Country Club

• First appearance
• Won: 40^th GAP Middle-Amateur presented by NJM Insurance
• Won: GAP/AGA Stroke Play

Rij Patel, Country Club of York

• Second appearance (2022)
• T7: 119^th GAP Open Championship
• T9: Pennsylvania Open Championship

Stewart Rickenbach, Huntingdon Valley Country Club

• First appearance
• T2: 40^th GAP Middle-Amateur presented by NJM Insurance

Chris Storck, LedgeRock Golf Club

• Second appearance (2022)
• 3rd: 53^rd Senior Amateur
• 2nd: Senior Silver Cross
• Qualified: U.S. Senior Amateur

Troy Vannucci, Little Mill Country Club

• Fourth appearance (2018, 2021-22)
• William Hyndman, III Player of the Year
• Won: Silver Cross Award
• T4: 121^st Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
• T3: New Jersey Open
• Match play: U.S. Mid-Amateur
• 2nd: New Jersey Mid-Amateur
• T6: New Jersey Amateur
• Medalist: 123^rd BMW Philadelphia Amateur

Campbell Wolf, USGA/GAP GC

• First appearance
• 2nd: 119^th GAP Open
• Quarterfinalist: 123^rd BMW Philadelphia Amateur
• T5: Pennsylvania Amateur

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 340 Member Clubs and 100,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.