| *Compher Cup Player Bios
Association unveils 2010 Compher Cup Matches teamThe Golf Association of Philadelphia unveiled its 2010 Compher Cup Matches team today.
The annual matches, which pit Philadelphia against the New Jersey State Golf Association, will be held Wednesday, April 28 at Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pa. To date, the Golf Association of Philadelphia leads the series, 31–12–4. Zelner, 47, will lead the Philadelphia squad for the first time. “It’s obviously a huge honor to be named captain,” Zelner, of Coatesville, Pa., said. “There are so many great players in the GAP. My accomplishments are minor compared to what they’ve done.” In the Compher Cup, 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. Last year, NJSGA upended GAP, 13.5-4.5, at Hollywood Golf club in Deal, N.J. Prior to that loss, GAP had won 11 of the last 12 Compher Cups. “There are a lot of guys that will have revenge on their mind,” Zelner said. Brennan is one of five players who will compete in the Compher Cup Matches for the second consecutive year. “Anytime you make the honorary teams, you feel really good about it. It’s a big highlight,” he said. “They (the Golf Association of Philadelphia) give so much to you, so it’s nice to give something back.” Last year, Brennan, of Audubon, Pa., posted an All-Square finish against Mike Stamberger of Plainfield CC, who reached the quarterfinals of the 2008 U.S. Middle-Amateur. “You kind of get a little star-struck,” he said. “Then you realize that you belong with these guys.” Like most area golfers, Brennan, 31, hasn’t dedicated time to practice this offseason due to inclement winter weather. However, he becomes a “weekend warrior” this month as temperatures gradually turn mild. “Not everybody is going to have their ‘A’ game by the 28th,” Brennan said. “You just hope yours is better than the other guy’s on the 28th.” Conversely, one player who has dedicated significant time to golf practice is Martire, who currently works in the pro shop at Kissimmee Golf Club in Kissimmee, Fla. “I’ve been working a lot on my game,” he said. “I play every day. I need to work harder if I want to accomplish the goals that I have.” Martire, of Absecon, N.J., is a newcomer to the Compher Cup Matches this year. Last year, he also played in the Mason-Dixon Matches for the first time. “Once again, it’s just a great honor to be able to represent the GAP,” Martire said. “Just to get some recognition is a lot of fun. The work I’ve put into it (golf) has gone a long way.” Martire, 24, feels that he learned a few lessons from the Mason-Dixon Matches that can be applied to the Compher Cup. “Don’t try to press any issue,” he said. “Stay focused. In match play, anything can happen.” The Compher Cup Matches will take place at Gulph Mills GC for the first time in its 49-year history. “It’s one of the unsung golf courses in our area,” Zelner said. “It’s always a great test and always a great course. It’s a great venue for this type of event.” “I’m expecting that the 12 guys we have will play their hearts out and hopefully, we’ll come away with a victory.” 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 11.5-6.5 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, click here. For individual player records, click here.
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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.
