Winter Series registration opens; five events on spring slateWinter Storm Jonas rattled the Delaware Valley with nearly two feet of snow. Now it's time for the birdies to rattle throughout the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Winter Series. Registration for the spring leg opens today.
“I think what excites me the most about the upcoming Winter Series is the fact that our members will be competing over a wide variety of different courses,” Chris Roselle, GAP Tournament Director, said. “From the Pine Barrens of New Jersey (Running Deer Golf Club) to a George Thomas, Golden Age classic (Whitemarsh Valley Country Club), all facets of your game will be tested over the five weeks of competition.” Cost is $40 per person per event, plus a $35 cart fee per event. Entrants are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Below is a list of Winter Series events on the spring slate:
The Winter Series features a Players of the Year competition that includes four categories: Amateur Gross, Senior Gross, Amateur Net and Senior Net. A consistent fall campaign perched Philip Petroll, a Winter Series proponent, atop the Amateur Gross ranks with 510 points. He won at Cedarbrook Country Club and earned runner-up honors at Blue Bell Country Club and Concord Country Club. In the better-ball event at Whitford Country Club, Petroll, 45, of West Chester, Pa., and teammate Andrew Sterge of Applebrook Golf Club tied for third. His motivation for frequent Winter Series participation is simple. “The competition, the camaraderie and the friendship among people from other clubs that I’ve met through playing in all of the events,” he said. “I’m a member at Penn Oaks and we had an issue with our greens, so I didn’t get to play a lot of golf this past season. It’s been more relaxing, going out and having fun with no expectations.” Following the fall leg, Petroll underwent a second surgery to address a torn meniscus. Recovery calls for rest, but a mild winter — minus Jonas that is — kept Petroll, who owns a landscaping business on his toes. He does plan on returning to the course for the Winter Series spring slate. “I’m back to 100 percent. There aren’t any restrictions right now,” Petroll said. “I haven’t played golf, so I don’t know how it’s going to feel on it.” Former Winter Series POYs Greg Smith (2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15) and Peter Mimmo (2011-12) head the Amateur Net and Senior Net categories, respectively. Both players tied for the top spot at Stone Harbor Golf Club in the fall. Sandy Run Country Club’s Christopher Clauson, a formidable Winter Series contender of late, holds a 30-point advantage over Bellewood Country Club’s James Prendergast, a two-time POY, in the Senior Gross category. Clauson triumphed at Blue Bell and claimed the runner-up chair at Concord and Stone Harbor. The Winter Series is open to all Golf Association of Philadelphia Amateur Members 18 years of age and older, Philadelphia Section of PGA Members and golf professionals at Member Clubs. It began in 2008 as a way to offer players of any skill level an opportunity to compete in tournament golf during the normally quiet, offseason months.
Golf Association of Philadelphia
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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.
