| **Player Bios
The GAP announces 2006 Compher Cup teamThe Golf Association of Philadelphia announced its 2006 Compher Cup Matches team today.
Michael McDermott of Merion Golf Club will captain the Philadelphia team. This will be McDermott’s third Compher Cup appearance, but first as team captain. "That day is already filled with great fun and competition and, for me, being the captain will just add another element of enjoyment to the afternoon," said McDermott, 31, of Havertown, Pa. "The Compher Cup is one of the first big competitions of the year for GAP. It sets you up for the season and gives you an early look at your game." Each association fields a 12-man team with players simultaneously competing in a singles match and four-ball match. There are a total of 18 possible points. Matches that end in a tie result in a half point for the team. In addition to McDermott, returning to the Compher Cup Matches for Philadelphia are (appearances in parentheses): Andy Achenbach of RiverCrest GC & Preserve (fifth), Brian Gillespie of St. Davids GC (fifth), David Liotta of Whitemarsh Valley CC (second), Rich Pruchnik of West Chester G&CC (second), Glenn Smeraglio of Yardley CC (sixth), Michael Tash of Tavistock CC (eighth), and Doug Zelner of Coatesville CC (third). The newcomers to the Compher Cup Matches are Chris Anderson of Wilmington CC, Clint Deibert of Doylestown CC, Sean Leonard of Tavistock CC and Douglas Schroer of St. Davids GC. "It’s a great honor," said Schroer, 40, of Malvern, Pa. "When you look at the names of the people who have played on this team before me and represented the GAP, it is definitely special to be selected." Last year, the matches were cancelled due to weather at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal, N.J. For Philadelphia Cricket Club, this is its second time hosting the Compher Cup. The Cricket Club last held the Compher Cup in 1970. New Jersey stills holds the Cup based on a 9½-8½ victory at Bent Creek Country Club in Lititz, Pa. in 2004. Before that encounter, however, Philadelphia had retained the Cup with a win or draw in the eight prior meetings. Fred Compher, a former New Jersey State Golf Association 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 11½–6½ victory. After the New Jersey victory, Compher himself, who was known at the time as the most successful NJSGA president in its history, presented the trophy "to promote golf between the groups." For a year-by-year history and individual player records, please go to www.gapgolf.org. |
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.
