What's new in 2009?The Golf Association of Philadelphia announced a format change to the Joseph H. Patterson Cup, the addition of a Super-Senior Player of the Year, and a new feature that will allow Spring Net Championship competitors to bring a friend to the June event as part of its 2009 tournament changes.The Patterson Cup, the Association’s 36-hole stroke-play championship, and in recent years, the organization’s season-ending Major, has been expanded. This year, still in the same place on the tournament calendar, the Patterson Cup will be contested over two days, 18 holes a day, with the field cut to the low 60 players and ties after the first round. “We believe these Patterson Cup changes will give the individuals competing in the event more of a championship tournament experience, with leaders being grouped together on the second day and knowing their position on the leaderboard,” said Kirby Martin, the Association’s Director of Competitions. “In addition, it will bring a championship feel to the Silver Cross as well.” The Silver Cross is comprised of the rounds of the Amateur Championship Qualifier and Patterson Cup. “Moving the event to two days also gives the Association a little more flexibility in scheduling the Patterson Cup. It has become increasingly more difficult to administer the event at two closely located facilities throughout the years.” This year’s Patterson Cup is set for Aug. 13-14 at Llanerch Country Club. Keeping in step with recent additions to its Super-Senior Division program, the Association created a 2009 Super-Senior Player of the Year Award. Similar to the other Golf Association of Philadelphia Player of the Year awards, the Super-Senior Player of the Year will be awarded to the super-senior golfer who accumulates the most points in specific Super-Senior Division tournaments. Another change to highlight is for our Net competitors. Golf Association of Philadelphia Members competing in the Spring Net Championship on June 1 at Raven’s Claw Golf Club will have the special opportunity to bring a non-GAP member to participate in the tournament. Those guests will get an opportunity to experience competing in a Golf Association of Philadelphia tournament for a nominal fee while in their own separate division. Other additional tournament changes are as follows: Administration fee Withdrawals prior to the Tournament deadline will be subject to a $20 administrative fee. Practice rounds This new policy will allow practice rounds for all GAP events when permitted by the host venue. The Golf Association Tournament Staff will inform players registered for each event whether or not a practice round is available, at what times players may play and at what cost. Player’s Dinner All Flight Winners will be invited to attend the year end Player’s Dinner. The Association feels this is a great way in which to honor all of our champions. Players from the same club playing together The GAP recently changed its policy to allow players from the same club to compete together at all events. In the past, players from the same club were only allowed to be paired together in a select number of events. Tournament handicaps The Association recently changed its entry process to allow the use of the most recent handicap revision prior to the closing date for an event. |
A Walk Through Time
GAP is the oldest state or regional golf association in the country. It started courtesy of a friendly competition – the Team Matches – and has grown into the preeminent golf association in the country. Along the way, golf history has been made.
