55th Compher Cup Matches Vs. Gap Set For April 27 At Metedeconk National
While the site is in New Jersey, it is the Golf Association of Philadelphia that will be the host for the 55th Compher Cup matches vs. the New Jersey State Golf Association.
Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, which holds membership in both organizations, will be the venue for the annual event on Wednesday, April 27.
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.
This year’s NJSGA squad will be captained by Ron Vannelli of Forsgate. Vannelli is one of six players returning from the 2015 team. Other returnees include Jason Bataille of Metedeconk National, Nick Desai of Baltusrol, Brian Komline of Black Oak, Mike Stamberger of Sprjng Lake and Steve Zychowski of Mendham.
The other six team members are Michael Brown of Pennsauken, Bill Charpek of Navesink, Matt Finger of Darlington, Mike Hyland of Little Mill, Peter Kozubal of Fox Hollow and Trevor Randolph of Arcola.
All except Brown, Kozubal and Randolph have previously played in Compher Cup matches. Vannelli leads the way, making his 18th appearance, followed by Komline (10), Stamberger (9), Charpek (8), Finger (4), Desai (3), Zychowski (3), Bataille (2) and Hyland (2).
Bob Housen of Manasquan River, winner of six State Amateurs and 32-time Compher Cup participant, will serve as honorary captain for the NJSGA.
“It’s an honor to serve as captain. I think we have good team. We should have a good chance there. I love the golf course. Even though we are not hosting, we should have a little advantage, with our guys having played Metedeconk National it a little bit more than our opponents,” said Vannelli, the 2015 NJSGA Senior Player of the Year.
“The Compher Cup is an event to build relationships, meet the opposition and have a good time. It’s something everybody would like to win. I will tell the guys to ‘Play your best, have fun and be a gentleman.’ “
Metedeconk National Golf Club is nestled in the upper region of the New Jersey Pinelands, atop one of the highest spots in central New Jersey. The 27-hole facility was designed by world-renowned golf course architects Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Roger Rulewich. The club was created as a golfing oasis, a departure from the hustle and bustle of New York City and Philadelphia, each of which is within one hour's drive.
Natural use of the terrain coupled with the natural beauty of the 700+ acre facility, has created a special golfing environment, with focus solely resting on golf. Conditioning and course layout are second to none in the Metropolitan area, making Metedeconk synonymous with visual intimidation and pristine conditions.
Last year, the GAP and the NJSGA met in the 54th Compher Cup matches, with the teams battling to an 9-9 draw at Bayonne Golf Club. 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.
In 2015 at Bayonne, Dan Levinson of Bayonne and Jay Blumenfeld of Mountain Ridge comprised the final group and came home with all three points needed to help the NJSGA attain the draw vs. GAP. Other individual winners for NJSGA were two-time State Amateur champion Stamberger, Zychowski, Desai and Stephen Ellis of Toms River, a Compher Cup rookie. Desai and Ryan Chin of Arcola won their Four-Ball match, 2 and 1.
GAP leads the series, 35-13-5. The Compher Cup began in 1962 with the NJSGA winning at Hollywood G.C. in Deal. The 2005 event was canceled due to weather.
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.
In 2013 at Galloway National, the NJSGA defeated GAP, 10.5 to 7.5, for its first victory since 2009.
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.
The inaugural Compher up matches took place in 1962 with the NJSGA claiming an 11.5-6.5 victory.
After the New Jersey victory, Compher, who was known at the time as the most innovative NJSGA president in its history, presented the trophy “to promote golf between the groups.”
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.”
