Preview: 34th Philadelphia Challenge Matches - The Golf Association of Philadelphia
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Sep 29, 2026

Preview: 34th Philadelphia Challenge Matches

Philadelphia Challenge Matches set for Saucon Valley (Grace)

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Coming off a loss in 2025, the GAP team looks to get back on track in the 34th Philadelphia Challenge Matches.

The annual Philadelphia Challenge Matches will return to Saucon Valley Country Club’s Grace Course Wednesday as the honorary team event tees off Sept. 30.

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

In the 2025 edition at Saucon Valley, The Philadelphia PGA Section reclaimed the trophy by a score of 12-6. The Section currently leads the all-time series, 24–5 with four ties.

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

Take a look at Team GAP:

Jack Carrigan, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club

  • First appearance
  • 5th: 56th Senior Amateur
  • 2nd: PAGA Senior Open
  • Qualified: U.S. Senior Amateur
  • 5th in Senior Player of the Year Standings

David Colleran, Overbrook Golf Club

  • First appearance
  • T9: 124th Joseph H. Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
  • Qualified: U.S. Open Final Qualifying
  • T8: Silver Cross Award
  • 27th: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

David Hurly, Aronimink Golf Club

  • First appearance
  • Round of 32: 126th BMW Philadelphia Amateur
  • Qualified: U.S. Open Final Qualifying
  • 32nd: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

Patrick Isztwan, Huntingdon Valley Country Club

  • Second appearance (2025)
  • Qualified: U.S. Amateur
  • Round of 32: 126th BMW Philadelphia Amateur
  • T17: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

Scott Kalamar, Green Pond Country Club

  • Second appearance (2025)
  • Round of 16: 126th BMW Philadelphia Amateur
  • T43: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

Brock Kovach, LedgeRock Golf Club

  • First appearance
  • Won: 124th Joseph H. Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
  • Won: PAGA George Dressler Memorial
  • Won: PAGA Middle-Amateur
  • T3: Silver Cross Award
  • T9: PAGA Jay Sigel Match Play
  • 7th: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

Christian Matt, LuLu Country Club

  • First appearance
  • Semifinals: 126th BMW Philadelphia Amateur
  • T3: 124th Joseph H. Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
  • T3: Silver Cross Award
  • T15: 122nd Open Championship
  • 9th: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

David Mecca, Country Club of Scranton

  • Second appearance (2023)
  • Won: PAGA Jay Sigel Match Play
  • Round of 32: 126th BMW Philadelphia Amateur
  • T2: AGA Stroke Play
  • T20: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

Dane Mohap, Lehigh Country Club

  • First appearance
  • Quarterfinals: 126th BMW Philadelphia Amateur
  • 31st: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

Richard Riva, Lancaster Country Club

  • First appearance
  • T9: 124th Joseph H. Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
  • T8: Silver Cross Award
  • 40th: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

Jamie Slonis, Tavistock Country Club

  • Fifth appearance (2000, 2002-03, 2011)
  • T3: 56th Senior Amateur
  • Runner-up: 19th Brewer Cup
  • Qualified: U.S. Senior Amateur
  • 2nd: New Jersey Golf Senior Open
  • Won: New Jersey Golf Senior Amateur
  • Co-medalist: 19th Brewer Cup
  • 2nd: Senior Player of the Year Standings

Ryan Tall, LuLu Country Club

  • Second appearance (2024)
  • T2: 43rd Middle-Amateur presented by Parx Casino
  • 4th: PAGA George Dressler Memorial
  • T17th: William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings

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 345 Member Clubs and 140,000 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.

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