Lee, Brown Win For NJSGA In Compher Cup As Gap Takes Match
Thomas Lee of Rockleigh and Michael Brown of Pennsauken won individual matches for the NJSGA team, but Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) dominated play in the 56th Compher Cup matches played on April 26 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield.
The annual Compher Cup matches top amateur players representing the New Jersey State Golf against the Golf Association of Philadelphia. The matches were held in New Jersey for a third straight time. 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.
GAP won this year, 13.5 to 4.5. Another full point for NJSGA was attained in Four-Ball by Brown and partner Mike Stamberger of Spring Lake, who added a half-point when he finished all square in his individual match. Steve Zychowski of Mendham added a half-point as did the Four-Ball team of Jason Bataille of Neshanic Valley and Jack Skirkanich of Rumson.
SCOREBOARD PHOTO GALLERY 1 PHOTO GALLERY 2
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.
“Once again, it was a great day for the camaraderie and spirit of golf,” said NJSGA captain Jay Blumenfeld. “The friendships and competition are wonderful and we were very happy to have Baltusrol as the venue for the Compher Cup matches. It’s something we will remember for a long time.”
In 2016, 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, 37-13-5. 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.
This year’s NJSGA squad will be captained by Blumenfeld of Mountain Ridge.
Blumenfeld is one of eight players returning from the 2016 team. Other returnees included Bataille, Brown, Stamberger, Zychowski,Nick Desai of Baltusrol, Brian Komline of Black Oak and Ron Vannelli of Forsgate.
The other four team members were Lee, Skirkanich, Mike Deo of Black Oak, and Bob Duenskie of Bowling Green.
All except Duenskie, Lee and Skirkanich have previously played in Compher Cup matches. Blumenfeld and Vannelli leads the way with 19th appearances each, 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.
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.”
