The Golf Association of Philadelphia retained the Compher Cup with a 9-9 tie against the New Jersey State Golf Association on Wednesday at Bayonne Golf Club.| History | Individual Records | Preview |
Since Team Philadelphia held possession of the Cup after a 9.5-8.5 victory at Aronimink Golf Club in 2014, the NJSGA needed 9.5 points to reclaim the trophy.
As the Matches materialized, the deciding point was scored by James Kania, Jr. of Overbrook Golf Club. Kania defeated Ryan Chin of Arcola Country Club, 2&1, to post the ninth Golf Association of Philadelphia point.
Golf Association of Philadelphia Hall of Famer and legend O. Gordon Brewer, Jr. of Pine Valley Golf Club served as the honorary captain. The two-time USGA Senior Amateur Champion played in 17 Compher Cups.
“What an awesome experience. With Mr. Brewer as our captain, retaining the Cup was imperative,” said Kania, 26, of Overbrook GC. “He has done so much for our Association and the game of golf in general, so winning the deciding match today will be a memory I will cherish for a long time.”
This was Kania’s first Compher Cup.
In the Compher Cup, 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.
In addition to Kania, Peter Barron, III of Stone Harbor Golf Club; Michael Carr of Plymouth Country Club; Matt Crescenzo of Philmont Country Club; Matthew Finger of DuPont Country Club and Aaron Fricke of Lancaster Country Club each earned a point in singles competition.
Barron and Finger; Fricke and Crescenzo; and Carr and his partner Ben Feld of Green Valley Country Club scored a full point in their respective better-ball contests.
The Golf Association of Philadelphia leads the overall series 35-13-5.
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.”
