Father & Son International tops 2008 additions, changes

  To be eligible, one team member must be a member of a Golf Association of Philadelphia Member Club. Teams can be comprised of fathers-sons, stepfathers-stepsons or grandfathers-grandsons.

  Land price for the event is $3,199. Price includes golf, accommodations, transportation, a daily Irish breakfast and an arrival and farewell dinner. Players are responsible for air transportation. If needed, Jerry Quinlan’s Celtic Golf, at 800-535-6148, can provide assistance with air reservations.

  For tournament questions, please contact the Golf Office at 610-687-2340.

  There are also a handful of other tournament additions and changes to the 2008 Golf Association of Philadelphia Tournament Schedule. A summary of those additions and changes follow.

Brewer Cup
  Announced at last year’s Annual Meeting, the Association created the Brewer Cup, a match play event for Seniors (55 years of age and older). Named in honor of O. Gordon Brewer, Jr., a two-time U.S. Senior Amateur Champion and an avid Golf Association of Philadelphia supporter, the inaugural Brewer Cup is set for July 15-17 at Huntingdon Valley CC, where Mr. Brewer has been a longtime member. The tournament consists of an 18-hole stroke play qualifier with the Top 16 Seniors and Top 8 Super-Seniors (65 years of age and older) advancing into match play. The tournament is open to seniors with a GAP/USGA Handicap Index of 7.0 or lower. Super- Seniors must have a GAP/USGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less.

Senior 27-Hole Challenge
  An event for players 55 years of age and older, the Senior 27-Hole Challenge replaces the Senior Net Championship on the tournament schedule. The Senior 27-Hole Challenge is a gross event consisting of three nine-hole stipulated rounds in three different formats: four-ball stoke play, aggregate and selective drive - alternate shot. Both a Championship and Super-Senior Division will be offered. The tournament is open to seniors with a GAP/USGA Handicap Index of 7.0 or lower. Super-Seniors must have a GAP/USGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less.

Father-Son (Middle)
A Father-Son (Middle) has been created for fathers with sons ages 18-29. Therefore, eligibility for the Father-Son (Older) is now for sons 30 years of age and older. One team member must be a member of a Golf Association of Philadelphia Member Club with a valid USGA Handicap Index. Players turning 30 years old after the Father-Son (Middle), but prior to the Father-Son (Older), must play in the Middle event. The Father-Son (Older) will still be split into two divisions, Championship (fathers 64 years of age and younger) and Super-Senior (fathers 65 years and older). The Father-Son (Middle) will have one division.

TOURNAMENT CHANGES

Knuth Tournament Handicap System
  The stroke adjustment for Net events has been adjusted to match the Knuth Tournament Handicap System, ie. 7-8 points, two-stroke reduction; 9-10 points, three-stroke deduction; 11-12 points, four-stroke deduction; 13-14 points, five-stroke deduction, etc.

Marston Cup
  The age requirement for the Marston Cup has been expanded to encompass the age group of 40-54 year olds. Previously, the tournament was open to 45-54 year olds.

Winter Series
  The Association established a Winter Series to offer all players of any skill level an opportunity to compete in tournament golf during the normally quiet, off-season months. A four-tournament series took place in March and another is set for November.

  Tournaments ranged in disciplines and included events for both individuals and teams. Venues touched each area of the Association’s territory. Visit the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Web site, www.gapgolf.org, for results and additional information.