Junior Player of the Year: Edward McCrossen, Jr., Whitemarsh Valley CCEntering the 2009 season, Edward McCrossen, Jr. of Whitemarsh Valley CC set out to capture the Junior Player of the Year title.Mission accomplished. He totaled 510 points — 140 clear of his nearest rival, Nicholas Reach of the Country Club of Scranton — to earn the distinguished award. His achievement marked the perfect way for McCrossen, of Ambler, Pa., to cap off his tenure in the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Junior Division.
McCrossen, 17, surged to a spectacular start by qualifying for match play in the 109th Amateur Championship at Stonewall. He registered a 36-hole total of 5-over-par 145 to gain entry into the round of 32. McCrossen, the No. 17 seed, fell to Christopher Ault of Yardley CC, 6 & 5, but the experience proved valuable. “That propelled me to a great season,” he said. “I started hitting all my irons really well. It definitely gave me confidence. I gained momentum after that.” The following week, McCrossen, a senior at Chestnut Hill Academy, earned medalist honors at the Junior Boys’ Championship at Riverton CC with a score of 3-under-par 68. However, he was defeated by No. 8 seed James Tallent of Merion GC in 23 holes in the quarterfinals. In 2008, McCrossen advanced to quarterfinals, but couldn’t get past three-time Junior Player of the Year Robert Galbreath, Jr. of Huntingdon Valley CC. In the Christman Cup at Torresdale-Frankford CC, McCrossen had a chance to take the title, but carded a bogey on his final hole in regulation. He then lost to home-club hopeful Vince Boyle in a sudden-death playoff. “After each one (of those losses), I was really disappointed,” McCrossen said. “I knew I was playing good golf the whole time.” Disappointed yet determined, McCrossen finally found victory at the Jock MacKenzie Memorial. He carded a 3-under-par 68 to take the tournament trophy as well as the Harry Hammond Award. McCrossen’s success also sealed his Junior Player of the Year status. “I really wanted to win,” he said. “That one was huge. That was a really great way to cap off the year.” McCrossen is quick to point out that caddie Jeff Blechschmidt of Whitemarsh Valley CC also contributed to his success on the golf course this year. “We’re best friends. It was a really fun time doing that this summer,” McCrossen said. McCrossen admits that he will miss competing within the Junior ranks. “You pretty much know everybody on the Junior circuit. You look forward to playing in these tournaments,” he said. “There’s no tour in the country better than the GAP on any level. These tournaments are run so well and played at the nicest venues in the country.” Although he’s graduating from the Junior Division, McCrossen still intends to compete on the Golf Association of Philadelphia circuit. He will attend Georgetown University and pursue a degree in business.
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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.
