HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa.–It may not be the most notable victory of Chip Lutz’s career, but it’s been the most difficult one for the 59-year-old international superstar to attain. Lutz, a dominant force in the Association, and world, since turning 55, finally captured his first Senior Amateur Championship title on Wednesday at a demanding Philmont Country Club (par 70, 6,412 yards). The victory completed Lutz’s Golf Association of Philadelphia lifecycle. He is the only player to collect trophies in the Junior Boys’ (1972), Amateur (1977), Middle-Amateur (1998, 2007) and Senior.
“This is a highlight of my career, without question. Winning this event has [encompassed] my career in the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It’s something that’s incredibly special for me. I’ve been hoping this moment would occur for quite a few years,” said Lutz, the four-time reigning Senior Player of the Year. “I’ve known for quite some time [a victory in the Senior] would complete my golf resume in GAP. I’ve tried to stay quiet about it, but I’ve been internalizing it for a long, long time. I was really wondering if I would be able to make this achievement in my golf career.”
The triumph proved as difficult as the quest itself. Lutz emerged from a late, compact leaderboard with a string of pars to finish at 5 over for the 36 holes. His second-round 1-over 71 was the Senior Division’s low score.
Co-first-round leader Mark Dennish of The Ridge at Back Brook; Roc Irey of Lookaway Golf Club and Mike Vassil of the Country Club of Scranton tied for second at 7 over. At one point, five players were either tied or within a stroke of the lead.
How difficult was Philmont on this day? The scoring average for Round 2 was 80.037, 10 strokes above par.
Lutz can thank a tree on No. 16 (par 4, 447 yards) for keeping hope alive. Tied with Dennish for the lead at 5-over, Lutz pushed his tee ball into the hardwoods serving as a course boundary. Ready to hit a provisional, instead Lutz saw his ball careen back into the fairway. The good fortune seemed fleeting when he caught his 6-iron a bit thin from 199 yards and watched it run through the green into the back rough. However, the resilient Lutz responded with a wedge from 30 yards to two feet for a tap-in par.
Now two strokes ahead on No. 17 (par 3, 185 yards) after a Dennish bogey, Lutz knocked a 7-iron up against the left collar, 30-feet from the flag. A stellar lag putt to three feet sent Lutz to the final hole still in charge.
On No. 18 (par 4, 341 yards), he clubbed a drive and 80-yard pitch from the right side to 20 feet behind the hole before two putting for the win.
The victory also gave Lutz his first Senior Silver Cross Award and a fifth Senior Player of the Year. The Senior Silver Cross is awarded to the player with the lowest aggregate score in the Warner Cup (Gross), Chapman (Gross) and Senior Amateur Championship.
“This is incredible,” said Lutz, a Reading, Pa. resident. “It was very difficult. I didn’t play my best golf these last two days. It was quite a challenge to stay focused. It would have been easy to throw this away but I stayed focused and got a few breaks down the line.”
Lutz made the turn at 1-under par on the front side as the leaderboard started to jumble. At the time Dennish, Irey and Ray Thompson of Overbrook, a two-time winner of this event, were all in a tight pack.
Lutz’s next task, the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. An event he’s been a semifinalist in three of the last four years.
|
Overall
|
|
|
Name,
club
|
R1-R2–Total
|
|
Chip
Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club
|
74-71–145
|
|
Mark
Dennish, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
71-76–147
|
|
Michael
Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
|
74-73–147
|
|
Roc
Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
|
75-72–147
|
|
Brian
Rothaus, Five Ponds Golf Club
|
74-74–148
|
|
Christopher
Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
|
77-72–149
|
|
Christopher
Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
|
74-75–149
|
|
Raymond
Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
|
72-77–149
|
|
Robert
Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
76-73–149
|
|
Drew
Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
|
71-80–151
|
|
Ed
Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
74-77–151
|
|
John
Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club
|
73-78–151
|
|
Thomas
Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
|
77-74–151
|
|
Byron
Whitman, Reading Country Club
|
77-75–152
|
|
George
Henninger, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
79-73–152
|
|
James
Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
78-74–152
|
|
Bert
Kosup, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
77-76–153
|
|
David
Smith, Doylestown Country Club
|
78-75–153
|
|
John
Robinson, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
78-75–153
|
|
Jon
Lavin, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
76-77–153
|
|
Pete
Widdoes, White Clay Creek Country Club
|
75-78–153
|
|
Michael
Quinn, Edgmont Country Club
|
74-80–154
|
|
Richard
Custer, Reading Country Club
|
78-76–154
|
|
Robin
McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club
|
76-78–154
|
|
Geoff
Moulton, Jr., Sunnybrook Golf Club
|
80-76–156
|
|
Jeff
Paige, Bellewood Country Club
|
78-78–156
|
|
Leonard
Pearson, Philmont Country Club
|
81-75–156
|
|
Thomas
Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club
|
80-76–156
|
|
Andrew
Harmer, The Springhaven Club
|
77-80–157
|
|
James
Robertson, Llanerch Country Club
|
78-79–157
|
|
Michael
Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club
|
75-82–157
|
|
Robert
Harrington, Merion Golf Club
|
80-77–157
|
|
James
Prendergast, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
81-76–157
|
|
Robert
Wagner, Merion Golf Club
|
77-81–158
|
|
Steven
Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
|
78-80–158
|
|
Raymond
Pawulich, Little Mill Country Club
|
79-79–158
|
|
Tom
DiCinti, Old York Road CC at Chesterfield
|
86-72–158
|
|
Alan
Wagenschnur, Back Creek Golf Club
|
78-81–159
|
|
Ron
Weaver, Bent Creek Country Club
|
79-80–159
|
|
Alan
Van Horn, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
82-77–159
|
|
Donald
MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club
|
79-80–159
|
|
John
Willadsen, Sakima Country Club
|
77-83–160
|
|
Robert
Gill, Fox Hill Country Club
|
77-83–160
|
|
Buck
Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
79-81–160
|
|
Gary
Daniels, Applebrook Golf Club
|
80-80–160
|
|
Robert
Van Etten, Laurel Creek Country Club
|
75-85–160
|
|
Stan
Zabytko, Loch Nairn Golf Club
|
77-83–160
|
|
Brian
Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club
|
77-84–161
|
|
Marty
Dorminy, Spring Ford Country Club
|
84-77–161
|
|
Scott
Orr, Brookside Country Club
|
80-81–161
|
|
Bennett
Meyer, Philmont Country Club
|
80-81–161
|
|
Bob
Arthur, Tavistock Country Club
|
81-81–162
|
|
Jim
Gavaghan, Jericho National Golf Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
John
Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Larry
Piekarsky, Hidden Creek Golf Club
|
77-85–162
|
|
Pierce
Herbst, Greate Bay Country Club
|
82-80–162
|
|
Steve
Meyer, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
84-78–162
|
|
Rich
Thon, The Springhaven Club
|
80-83–163
|
|
Mark
Quigley, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
80-83–163
|
|
James
Blickle, LedgeRock Golf Club
|
83-81–164
|
|
Joe
Viechnicki, Saucon Valley Country Club
|
76-88–164
|
|
John
Duke, Sandy Run Country Club
|
85-80–165
|
|
Phil
Remig, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
83-82–165
|
|
Richard
Atcavage, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
86-80–166
|
|
Bob
Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
|
86-80–166
|
|
Robert
Lodovici, Little Mill Country Club
|
83-83–166
|
|
Thomas
Mairone, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
84-83–167
|
|
Bob
Walsh, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
85-83–168
|
|
Wayne
Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
|
85-83–168
|
|
George
Reby, Greate Bay Country Club
|
86-83–169
|
|
Jon
Helhowski, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
83-86–169
|
|
Gerald
Henderson, Blue Bell Country Club
|
85-85–170
|
|
Jim
Willoughby, Bellewood Country Club
|
85-85–170
|
|
Joseph
Zelechoski, Silver Creek Country Club
|
84-86–170
|
|
Ansley
Jessup, Jr., Rancocas Golf Club
|
92-79–171
|
|
Brian
Sexton, Seaview Resort & Spa
|
90-82–172
|
|
Joe
Duhack, Lu Lu Country Club
|
83-91–174
|
|
Jack
O'Hara, Cedarbrook Country Club
|
91-95–186
|
|
Michael
Caulfield, Commonwealth National GC
|
93-96–189
|
|
Matthew
Manfred, Blue Bell Country Club
|
96-104–200
|
|
Joseph
Russo, Laurel Creek Country Club
|
86-NS–NS
|
|
Donald
Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club
|
86-NS–NS
|
|
J.
Kirk Luntey, Merion Golf Club
|
78-WD–WD
|
|
John
Vergari, Tavistock Country Club
|
83-WD–WD
|
|
Michael
Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
|
79-WD–WD
|
| |
|
Ages
55 to 59
|
|
Name,
club
|
R1-R2–Total
|
|
Chip
Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club
|
74-71–145
|
|
Mark
Dennish, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
71-76–147
|
|
Michael
Vassil, Country Club of Scranton
|
74-73–147
|
|
Brian
Rothaus, Five Ponds Golf Club
|
74-74–148
|
|
Christopher
Clauson, Sandy Run Country Club
|
77-72–149
|
|
Christopher
Lange, Overbrook Golf Club
|
74-75–149
|
|
Byron
Whitman, Reading Country Club
|
77-75–152
|
|
Bert
Kosup, The Ridge at Back Brook
|
77-76–153
|
|
David
Smith, Doylestown Country Club
|
78-75–153
|
|
John
Robinson, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
78-75–153
|
|
Jon
Lavin, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
76-77–153
|
|
Geoff
Moulton, Jr., Sunnybrook Golf Club
|
80-76–156
|
|
Jeff
Paige, Bellewood Country Club
|
78-78–156
|
|
Leonard
Pearson, Philmont Country Club
|
81-75–156
|
|
Andrew
Harmer, The Springhaven Club
|
77-80–157
|
|
James
Robertson, Llanerch Country Club
|
78-79–157
|
|
Michael
Domenick, Phoenixville Country Club
|
75-82–157
|
|
Robert
Harrington, Merion Golf Club
|
80-77–157
|
|
Robert
Wagner, Merion Golf Club
|
77-81–158
|
|
Steven
Walczak, Wilmington Country Club
|
78-80–158
|
|
Alan
Wagenschnur, Back Creek Golf Club
|
78-81–159
|
|
Ron
Weaver, Bent Creek Country Club
|
79-80–159
|
|
John
Willadsen, Sakima Country Club
|
77-83–160
|
|
Robert
Gill, Fox Hill Country Club
|
77-83–160
|
|
Brian
Corbett, Huntsville Golf Club
|
77-84–161
|
|
Marty
Dorminy, Spring Ford Country Club
|
84-77–161
|
|
Scott
Orr, Brookside Country Club
|
80-81–161
|
|
Bob
Arthur, Tavistock Country Club
|
81-81–162
|
|
Jim
Gavaghan, Jericho National Golf Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
John
Ward, Greate Bay Country Club
|
80-82–162
|
|
Larry
Piekarsky, Hidden Creek Golf Club
|
77-85–162
|
|
Rich
Thon, The Springhaven Club
|
80-83–163
|
|
James
Blickle, LedgeRock Golf Club
|
83-81–164
|
|
John
Duke, Sandy Run Country Club
|
85-80–165
|
|
Phil
Remig, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
83-82–165
|
|
Richard
Atcavage, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club
|
86-80–166
|
|
Bob
Walsh, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
85-83–168
|
|
George
Reby, Greate Bay Country Club
|
86-83–169
|
|
Jon
Helhowski, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
83-86–169
|
|
Gerald
Henderson, Blue Bell Country Club
|
85-85–170
|
|
Jim
Willoughby, Bellewood Country Club
|
85-85–170
|
|
Brian
Sexton, Seaview Resort & Spa
|
90-82–172
|
|
Joe
Duhack, Lu Lu Country Club
|
83-91–174
|
|
Jack
O'Hara, Cedarbrook Country Club
|
91-95–186
|
|
Matthew
Manfred, Blue Bell Country Club
|
96-104–200
|
|
J.
Kirk Luntey, Merion Golf Club
|
78-WD–WD
|
|
John
Vergari, Tavistock Country Club
|
83-WD–WD
|
|
Joseph
Russo, Laurel Creek Country Club
|
86-NS–NS
|
| |
|
60
and over
|
|
Name,
club
|
Rd. 1-Rd. 2–Total
|
|
Roc
Irey, Lookaway Golf Club
|
75-72–147
|
|
Raymond
Thompson, Overbrook Golf Club
|
72-77–149
|
|
Robert
Billings, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
76-73–149
|
|
Drew
Panebianco, Five Ponds Golf Club
|
71-80–151
|
|
Ed
Chylinski, Chester Valley Golf Club
|
74-77–151
|
|
John
Gonsior, Limekiln Golf Club
|
73-78–151
|
|
Thomas
Bartolacci, Jr., Saucon Valley Country Club
|
77-74–151
|
|
George
Henninger, Huntingdon Valley Country Club
|
79-73–152
|
|
James
Muller, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
78-74–152
|
|
Pete
Widdoes, White Clay Creek Country Club
|
75-78–153
|
|
Michael
Quinn, Edgmont Country Club
|
74-80–154
|
|
Richard
Custer, Reading Country Club
|
78-76–154
|
|
Robin
McCool, Saucon Valley Country Club
|
76-78–154
|
|
Thomas
Humphrey, Wilmington Country Club
|
80-76–156
|
|
James
Prendergast, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
81-76–157
|
|
Raymond
Pawulich, Little Mill Country Club
|
79-79–158
|
|
Tom
DiCinti, Old York Road CC at Chesterfield
|
86-72–158
|
|
Alan
Van Horn, Commonwealth National Golf Club
|
82-77–159
|
|
Donald
MacKelcan, Wilmington Country Club
|
79-80–159
|
|
Buck
Jones, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
79-81–160
|
|
Gary
Daniels, Applebrook Golf Club
|
80-80–160
|
|
Robert
Van Etten, Laurel Creek Country Club
|
75-85–160
|
|
Stan
Zabytko, Loch Nairn Golf Club
|
77-83–160
|
|
Bennett
Meyer, Philmont Country Club
|
80-81–161
|
|
Pierce
Herbst, Greate Bay Country Club
|
82-80–162
|
|
Steve
Meyer, Rolling Green Golf Club
|
84-78–162
|
|
Mark
Quigley, Manufacturers Golf & Country Club
|
80-83–163
|
|
Joe
Viechnicki, Saucon Valley Country Club
|
76-88–164
|
|
Bob
Majczan, Lookaway Golf Club
|
86-80–166
|
|
Robert
Lodovici, Little Mill Country Club
|
83-83–166
|
|
Thomas
Mairone, Philadelphia Publinks GA
|
84-83–167
|
|
Wayne
Bartolacci, Jericho National Golf Club
|
85-83–168
|
|
Joseph
Zelechoski, Silver Creek Country Club
|
84-86–170
|
|
Ansley
Jessup, Jr., Rancocas Golf Club
|
92-79–171
|
|
Michael
Caulfield, Commonwealth National GC
|
93-96–189
|
|
Donald
Ashley, Philadelphia Country Club
|
86-NS–NS
|
|
Michael
Moser, Kennett Square Golf & Country Club
|
79-WD–WD
|
| |
|
NS-no
show; WD-withdrawal
|
