Geoffrey Cooper (pictured) was one of six atop.

Record six tie for medal in Mid.-Am. Qual. at Moselem Springs

  FLEETWOOD, Pa. — One opportunistic golf course. One hundred sixteen Middle-Amateur Championship hopefuls. Six deserving medalists at the end of the day.

     That’s how the leaderboard ultimately shook out Tuesday at Moselem Springs Golf Club (par 70, 6,652 yards). Six players stood at the top with 3-over 73s after all was said and done, tying for medalist honors in a #GAPMidAm Qualifier presented by Callaway Golf. Robert Bechtold of Fieldstone Golf Club, Kevin Cahill of Merion Golf Club, Geoffrey Cooper of North Hills Country Club, Clayton Davidson of West Shore Country Club, Brian Degnan of Cobbs Creek Golf Club and Thomas Timby, Jr. of The Bucks Club made up the spectacular six.

   The group combined to set a record number for medalists in a single GAP Major Championship Qualifier since the Association began qualifying events in 2000.

  Bechtold, Cahill, Cooper, Davison, Degnan and Timby topped the large field vying for 27 spots and ties in the Championship proper to be played May 23-24 at Llanerch Country Club. By day's end, the cut line stopped at 7-over 77 in the third of four Qualifiers which was played under a welcoming May sky of nothing but sun.

   Eleven total birdies were jarred by the medal group: three by Timby, two each for Cooper, Cahill and Bechtold, and one for both Davidson and Degnan.

   The top highlight of the day, however, belonged to Timby’s near ace on No. 3 (par 3, 173 yards). A steady gust was blowing into the tee box, so Timby selected 5-iron as the club of choice, sending it into orbit. It resulted in the perfect launch.

   “The group in front of me said my ball hit the hole and lipped out. But to be honest, I was just happy with an easy, tap-in birdie to get my round going,” said Timby, 47, of Doylestown, Pa. “Really can’t complain about that one.”

   Moselem’s undulating greens posed problems for much of the field, and the medalists weren’t exempt. Three putts – or even worse – were available Tuesday. The leaders had their share of struggles here and there, but they were able to navigate the putting surfaces better than most.

   “Honestly, we all had trouble out there with the greens. They were quick and were really testing us,” said Bechtold, 46, of Avondale, Pa. “But after the first nine, I was able to settle down and kind of get a feel for them.”

   Besides the final number, the most common theme among the group seemed to be the appreciation for one of the first days of true golf weather. Ironically, the day started with a 30-minute delay due to frost, which quickly melted and transitioned into high temperatures.

   “It’s awesome to be out here with it feeling like golf season again,” said Bechtold. “Everyone here is having a good time. I played with two great guys and I’d say many of the [other pairings] would agree.”

   “Every guy out here is pretty much playing with the same mindset. We know where we stand in terms of our golf. Most of these guys have a family, a job and other things to worry about then just competitive golf. That’s why this [championship] is the perfect time for us to let loose and play,” said Timby.

   The final #GAPMidAm Qualifier will be played tomorrow, May 2, at Elmhurst Country Club. All fingers crossed for more medals and sunshine.

  The Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Middle-Amateur Championship started in 1984, three years after the USGA created the U.S. Mid-Amateur as a formal championship for post-college amateurs. The Association followed suit with the USGA in creating a Mid-Am, but initially differed in its administration of the tournament in a couple of respects.

  The most obvious difference was the age requirement. Prior to 2001, the GAP Middle-Amateur was for players 30 years of age and older.

  The Association’s Executive Committee reviewed and revised that age requirement in 2001 to match the USGA's guidelines of 25 years of age or older for eligible players. Also at that point, the Committee changed the format of the event to a two-day stroke play tournament (instead of a one-day medal play event) with a cut to the low 70 players and ties after the first round. The field begins with 132 players.

Callaway Golf
  Callaway Golf was founded in 1982 by the late Ely Callaway, a visionary entrepreneur who operated under a simple but profound business promise: Deliver Demonstrably Superior, Pleasingly Different products and services. That philosophy turned what was originally a boutique manufacturer of high-quality wedges and putters into the world's largest maker of premium, performance golf products. The Callaway mission and vision has remained the same; we passionately pursue advanced, innovative technologies that help golfers of all abilities find more enjoyment from the game. Under the Callaway and Odyssey brands, Callaway manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf apparel, footwear and accessories in more than 110 countries worldwide.

Golf Association of Philadelphia
  Founded in 1897, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 200 Full Member Clubs and 70,000 individual members are spread across Eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. As Philadelphia’s Most Trusted Source of Golf Information, the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.