GAP looks to get back on track when the 63rd Compher Cup Matches heads to Hollywood Golf Club in Deal, N.J.
The annual team event pits GAP (Golf Association of Philadelphia) against New Jersey Golf. Last season, New Jersey Golf took the crown with a 13.5–4.5 victory at Union League Golf Club at Torresdale in Philadelphia, Pa. GAP leads the overall series, 41–15–5.
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. Full points are awarded for a victory.
Team GAP will be led by honorary captain Bill Higgins. A St. Davids Golf Club member, Higgins, 64, of Pottstown, Pa., serves GAP as a rules official.
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 2024 season):
Andy Butler, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
Fourth appearance (2022-24)
Third, Silver Cross Award
T7, 119th Open Championship
Round of 16, 123rd BMW Philadelphia Amateur
Qualified: U.S. Mid-Amateur
T16, 121st Joseph H. Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
T16, 40th Middle-Amateur Championship presented by NJM Insurance Group
Fifth, William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings
Will Davenport, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
Fourth appearance (2022-24)
Third, Silver Cross Award
T7, 119th Open Championship
Round of 16, 123rd BMW Philadelphia Amateur
Qualified: U.S. Mid-Amateur
T16, 121st Joseph H. Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
T16, 40th Middle-Amateur Championship presented by NJM Insurance Group
Fifth, William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings
Michael Davis, Aronimink Golf Club
First appearance
Second, GAP/AGA Stroke Play
31st, William Hyndman, III Player of the Year Standings
First, Member of victorious Glen Oak Country Club in GAP/AGA Men’s Coal Scuttle Championship
Qualified: U.S. Amateur Four-Ball
12th, William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings
Ryan Tall, LuLu Country Club
First appearance
T2, 40th Middle-Amateur Championship presented by NJM Insurance
25th, William Hyndman, III Player of the Year standings
Joe Tigani, Fieldstone Golf Club
Second appearance (2021)
T9, 121st Joseph H. Patterson Cup presented by Provident Bank
44th, 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 organization’s 345 Member Clubs and 110,000 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.
