Preview: 60th Compher Cup

Team GAP prepared for 60th Compher Cup Matches

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The GAP’s 12-member Compher Cup team seeks a return to its winning ways in the annual team event between the GAP and the New Jersey State Golf Association. This year’s Compher Cup — the 60th edition — will tee off April 27 at Tavistock Country Club.

Last season, the GAP squad fell to NJSGA for the first time since 2013, 11-7, at Somerset Hills Country Club. GAP currently leads the all-time series, 39–13, with five ties.

The format is simple: each Association fields a 12-man team. Players simultaneously compete in a singles match and four-ball match. A total of 18 points is available. Matches that end in a tie result in a half point for the team.

Team GAP will be led by honorary captain and former Executive Committee Member Ed Brzezowski of Concord Country Club. Brzezowski spent five years (2015-19) on the EC and was named the Association’s 2012 Volunteer of the Year.

Fred Compher, a former NJSGA president, conceived the neighborhood matches after leaving his post in 1959. Compher donated a silver trophy that year earmarked for such a rivalry.

In 1961, association representatives Bob Jacobson of New Jersey and Richard Ollmah of GAP completed the details. In 1962, the first Compher Cup matches took place. That year, the NJSGA side forged a 5–1 lead in the morning foursomes’ competitions and held serve in the afternoon singles matches for an 11.5-6.5 victory. After New Jersey’s victory, Compher, who was known at the time as the most successful NJSGA president in its history, presented the trophy to promote golf between the groups.

Meet Team GAP below (all stats based on the 2021 season):

John Barone, Glenmaura National Golf Club

• First appearance
• T14 – Middle-Amateur Championship
• Qualified – U.S. Amateur
• Qualified – U.S. Mid-Amateur
• 25^th – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings

John Brennan, Philadelphia Cricket Club

• Ninth appearance (2009-11, 2013-18)
• T33 – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings
• 6^th – Middle-Amateur Championship
• T29 – Joseph H. Patterson Cup

Andy Butler, Huntingdon Valley Country Club

• First appearance
• T12 – Patterson Cup
• Qualified – U.S. Open Local Qualifying
• 30th – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings

Ben Cooley, Huntingdon Valley Country Club

• Second appearance (2016)
• Round of 16 – BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship
• T10 – Joseph H. Patterson Cup
• T6 – Silver Cross standings
• 19th – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings

Patrick Knott, Merion Golf Club

• Second appearance (2021)
• 4^th – Middle-Amateur Championship
• Round of 32 – BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship
• Qualified – U.S. Mid-Amateur
• 15^th – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings

Andrew Keeling, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club

• First appearance
• T3 – Joseph H. Patterson Cup
• 26th – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings

Ross Pilliod, LedgeRock Golf Club

• First appearance
• Quarterfinalist – BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship
• 9^th – Joseph H. Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
• 3^rd – Silver Cross Award standings
• 8^th – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings

Scott McNeil, Philadelphia Publinks GA

• Fourth appearance (2013, 2015-16)
• 18th – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings
• Middle-Amateur Champion (two-time champion, 2015, 2021)

Sean McMonagle, Tavistock Country Club

• First appearance
• 23rd – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings
• T2 – Middle-Amateur Championship

Mark Miller, Philadelphia Cricket Club

• Second appearance (2008)
• T31 – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings
• T7 – Open Championship (69-69)
• Fell in Playoff for final match-play qualifying position in the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship

Josh Ryan, The 1912 Club

• First appearance
• Junior Boys’ Champion
• T3 – GAP Open Championship
• T6 – Middle Atlantic Amateur Championship
• 11^th – William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings

Michael Carr, Philadelphia Cricket Club

• Fourth appearance (2014-16)
• Reached BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship Match Play
• T42 – 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 330 Member Clubs and 90,000 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.