Top 10 Moments of 2010At the outset of 2010, a pair of relentless blizzards covered our courses with snow and blanketed our golf brains. But the flakes quickly faded, the green grass resurfaced and the Golf Association of Philadelphia experienced a spectacular golf season. Don’t believe us? Take a look back at the Top 10, or so, moments of 2010, which will be released over the next few weeks. Whittling down a year’s worth of activity into a small bundle of relics wasn’t easy, but we gave it a try. The wait is over. Here is our top moment of 2010.
1. Lookaway's Brown arrives in the eleventh hour
Brown was eliminated in the U.S. Mid-Amateur’s first round but the 37-year-old had already totaled 646.6 points to push ahead of nearest foe, Llanerch CC’s Jeff Osberg. The Hyndman Award was Brown’s first Player of the Year and immediately raised the expectations heading into 2011. “That’s probably the case,” said Brown when asked if he’ll now be a marked man. “I know there are a handful of guys I look at that way: Chris Lange, Glenn Smeraglio and Michael McDermott. There are a handful of guys who are going to be there every week and I want to be one of those guys. That’s what all those guys practice for, that opportunity. I want to be there, too.”
2. New services shape a 'play more golf' theme
Each offered unique ways to experience the game and encouraged its growth. Member Play Days allowed GAP members to play different courses in a relaxed and stress-free golf environment, all at a reasonable price. The Parent-Child League adhered to its title by giving families a forum to enjoy golf together. Parents and their children connected on the course and cherished one another’s company in pleasant golf atmosphere. TrackMan Analysis Days gave members a chance to see their swing statistics. TrackMan is a launch monitor that measures both club delivery and the full trajectory of a golf shot. The message was clear, and the Association delivered it by offering these programs.
3. A comeback at the Cricket Club
But Tom Gramigna of Tavistock CC had other ideas in mind. Standing at 2 under with nine holes remaining, he embarked on an improbable birdie surge to post an astounding inward 31. Gramigna’s push came at the right moment as Jeremiah, Lutz and other threats faded. Jeremiah needed a par on his final hole to force a playoff, but left an 18-footer just right. Gramigna’s comeback gave the Haddonfield, N.J. resident his first piece of GAP hardware. He went to make a charge to the Amateur Championship semifinals and to win the Tournament of Champions at Whitemarsh Valley CC.
4. Junior Clinic inspires young golfers
And oh by the way, Rose went on to win the event with a four-day total of 10-under-par 270.
5. Dr. Pepper provides slinging Hayward with $123,000 in tuition
On Oct. 24, Hayward, a sophomore at Penn State, submitted a one-minute contest video detailing why he deserved the tuition. In those, now fateful, 60 seconds, Hayward spoke of his future dreams and philanthropic aspirations. Just four days later he was selected as a finalist. From there Hayward, an architecture major, repeatedly worked on his throwing motion in State College, Pa. before heading to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 4. In the Lone Star state, before a crowd of 78,810, and millions more on television, Hayward, of Breinigsville, Pa., went head-to-head with Chris Valliere of the University of Texas to see who could throw the most footballs into the oversized Dr. Pepper can. A smooth slinging Hayward converted all 10. Valliere netted nine. The good news for both contestants was that just by making it that far a $23,000 scholarship was guaranteed. The better news for Hayward was that by having a bit better accuracy, his Dr. Pepper scholarship was bumped up another $100k. The Platt Caddie Scholarship’s mission, which has remained constant since its 1958 inception, is to financially aid deserving caddies in their pursuit of higher education. By supporting caddies in their traditional educational pursuits, the Scholarship is also reminding golfers of the important role the caddie has played in the game’s history. In turn, this role is preserved for the game’s future. In the last 50 years, more than 3,200 young men and women have received more than $14.3 million in aid. In the 2010-11 academic year, 153 caddies are receiving $650,000 in scholarships.
6. A historic year for teams
Second, the team of Joe Dellicarpini and Bryan Winsko of Philadelphia Cricket Club, John Marshalek of Whitford CC and Matt Smith of Lancaster CC carded a 15-under-par 127 to win the Four-Man Team at Talamore CC. It broke the event’s previous scoring record of 129, which was set in 2000 at Cavaliers CC. And finally, Huntingdon Valley CC won its record-32nd GAP Team Matches title. It dominated the Playoff, besting the likes of Glenmaura National GC, Mercer Oaks GC and Merion GC. Who says golf isn't a team sport?
7. Hartefeld's Justin Martinson makes his Amateur Championship mark
Martinson, the No. 3 seed, knocked off Daniel Charen of Yardley CC, 2&1, and Ryan McCarty of Little Mill CC, 3&2. In the quarterfinals, he squeezed by Michael Hyland of Little Mill CC in 19 holes before upending Middle-Amateur Champion Thomas Gramigna of Tavistock CC, 4&2, in the semifinals. Against Kania, Martinson showed great resolve by overcoming a two-hole deficit late to preserve victory. The victory marked one of many for Martinson in 2010. He excelled both locally and collegiately, and the University of Delaware senior hopes to carry his success into the spring season.
Extra holes, extra holes! Read all about ‘em. Nine tournaments were decided in playoffs this season. They included the Caddie Tournament, Chapman Memorial (Gross), Father & Son (Older), Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship, Jock MacKenzie Memorial, Marston Cup, Open Championship, Senior Four-Man Team, and Tournament of Champions. Five winners of the aforementioned seized victory on the first playoff hole. In the Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship, Thomas Bartolacci, Jr. of Saucon Valley CC and Glenn Smeraglio of Mercer Oaks GC fought off Cory Reighard of Llanerch CC and John LeBoeuf of Philadelphia CC in a grueling sudden-death playoff that lasted 10 holes. As darkness descended upon Doylestown CC, Bartolacci and Smeraglio posted a run-of-the-mill par on the reachable par 4, 285-yard No. 8 while both LaBoeuf and Reighard couldn’t recover from wayward tee-shots. The duel tested its combatants’ mental and physical willpower — perhaps golf’s greatest demand. Playoffs enhanced an invigorating golf spirit in 2010.
Jeff Osberg of Llanerch CC caught glances of interest when he stormed through the Amateur Championship field to reach the semifinals as the No. 32 seed. He gained everyone’s full attention after capturing the Patterson Cup at RiverCrest GC & Preserve with a spectacular 6-under-par 136. After completing a postponed first round in the morning, Osberg stayed hot by firing four consecutive birdies to start Round 2. The long-hitter remained steady coming in to finish four shots clear of the field. The win also gave Osberg his first Silver Cross Award.
10. A sensational Senior debut for LedgeRock GC's Chip Lutz
On the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s stage, Lutz won the Chapman Memorial (Gross) at Burlington CC and finished second in the Warner Cup (Gross) at Llanerch CC. The aforementioned accomplishments ultimately gave Lutz an astonishing 822.5 points, a record total, and the title of 2010 Senior Player of the Year. He certainly is poised to have a brilliant career in the Senior ranks.
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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.
