2017 Compher Cup Heads To Historic Baltusrol
Prestigious Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., will provide the setting for a third time when the 56th Compher Cup matches take place for the third straight year in New Jersey on Wednesday, April 26.
The annual Compher Cup matches top amateur players representing the New Jersey State Golf against the Golf Association of Philadelphia. Last year, the GAP played host to the matches at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, and in 2015 the NJSGA hosted at Bayonne Golf Club.
The squads compete annually as 12-man teams. In Compher Cup play, all 12 players from each side square off in individual matches and simultaneously in four-ball matches for a total of 18 points at stake.
MEET THE 2017 COMPHER CUP TEAM
Last year, GAP defeated NJSGA, 14-4, for its biggest win since a decisive 15.5-2.5 victory in 2000. The widest margin was 16-2 by GAP in 1982.
GAP leads the series, 36-13-5. The Compher Cup began in 1962 with the NJSGA winning at Hollywood G.C. in Deal. The 2005 event was canceled due to weather.
Baltusrol last year hosted the PGA Championship.The Compher Cup matches will be played on Baltusrol's historic Lower course. Baltusorl has twice previously hosted the event, with NJSGA winning in 1993, and GAP in 1981.
This year’s NJSGA squad will be captained by Jay Blumenfeld of Mountain Ridge.
Blumenfeld is one of eight players returning from the 2016 team. Other returnees include Jason Bataille of Metedeconk National, Michael Brown of Pennsauken, Nick Desai of Baltusrol, Brian Komline of Black Oak, Mike Stamberger of Sprjng Lake, Ron Vannelli of Forsgate and Steve Zychowski of Mendham.
The other four team members are Mike Deo of Black Oak, Bob Duenskie of Bowling Green, Thomas Lee of Rockleigh and Jack Skirkanich of Rumson.
All except Duenskie, Lee and Skirkanich have previously played in Compher Cup matches. Blumenfeld and Vannelli are each making their 19th appearance, followed by Komline (11), Stamberger (10), Desai (4), Zychowski (4) and Bataille (3).
The last time the NJSGA won was in 2013, 10.5 to 7.5, at Galloway National Golf Club for its first victory since 2009. The teams tied, 9-9, in 2015 at Bayonne. The draw enabled GAP to retain the Cup, which it had won the previous year at Aronimink Golf Club outside Philadelphia, 9-1/2 – 8-1/2.
Baltusrol Golf Club, synonymous with championship golf, sits at the base of Baltusrol Mountain in northern New Jersey, only a stone's throw from New York City. With a rich heritage that dates back to 1895, Baltusrol is considered one of the country's premier golf clubs. Its two championship courses, the Lower and Upper, have played distinguished roles on the national stage since their creation by Golden Age architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1922. Together, the courses have hosted 17 major championships, including seven U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships.
"It’s really a privilege to represent the New Jersey State Golf Association. This is my third time serving as as captain and it’s always fun. We always play great venues, and I anticipate Baltusrol will be in great shape because it has always been great. I have an affinity to Baltusrol because I grew up in Millburn which is right around the corner. I’ve had some success there and gotten to know the course fairly well. I won the Baltusrol Invitational with a partner in 1980,” Blumenfeld said.
“As team captain, I have the opportunity to set the pairings and it’s fun to do that. I try to match up personalities and golf games, to see who matches up best together. Even though the event is results oriented, the ultimate goal is to continue the camaraderie between the NJSGA and GAP. I’m looking forward to it.”
The Compher Matches are named for Frederic M. Compher, who donated a silver cup in 1959, leading to the start of competition in 1962 between the two associations. The teams play simultaneous Four-Ball and Singles matches.
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.
The inaugural Compher Cup matches took place in 1962 with the NJSGA claiming an 11.5-6.5 victory.
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 New Jersey’s victory, Compher, who was known at the time as the most successful NJSGA president in its history, presented the trophy “to promote golf between the groups.”
The inscription on the bowl reads: “Presented to the New Jersey State Golf Association by Frederic M. Compher and offered as a perpetual trophy by the New Jersey State Golf Association for annual competition between teams representing the Golf Association of Philadelphia – The New Jersey State Golf Association to promote keen rivalry and thorough sportsmanship between the players of these districts who represent and support the best traditions of golf.”
