NJSGA defeats GAP; wins Compher Cup decisively, 11-7
BERNARDSVILLE, NEW JERSEY – For the first time since 2013, the New Jersey State Golf Association team defeated the Golf Association of Philadelphia team, 11-7, in the 58th Compher Cup match, held this past Wednesday, April 28 at Somerset Hills Country Club in Bernardsville.
The annual match, named in honor of former NJSGA president, Frederic M. Compher, was first held in 1962 in the spirit of promoting goodwill and cooperation between the two associations. The format includes simultaneous individual and Four-Ball matches, with one point awarded per match to each victorious side. A total of 18 points are at stake and teams are comprised of each association’s top male amateur players. Until this year, GAP had won six consecutive matches; the 2020 edition was canceled due to COVID-19.
On Wednesday, the NJSGA squad found its best success in the individual matches, winning seven and halving one out of twelve. Highlights on the NJSGA side included 5&4 victories by Tom Collins (Essex County) over Grant Skyllas, and Brandon Dalinka’s (Ridge at Back Brook) 5&4 decision over Richard Riva. Mark Costanza of Hamilton Farm, the reigning NJSGA Player of the Year and team captain, also won his match, 3&2, over Michael Brown.
The Four-Ball component was also highlighted by the duo of Costanza and Dalinka, who decisively captured their match versus the GAP’s Brown and Riva, 5&3.
