NJSGA Bows To Gap In Compher Cup Competition

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA . In the annual spring faceoff of two regional golf associations, the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) defeated the NJSGA team, 11.5 points to 6.5, in the Compher Cup matches at Gulph Mills Golf Club.


Several close matches turned into late defeats for the NJSGA team, which failed to defend its 2009 title. The GAP players took advantage of their knowledge of the Donald Ross course on a cold, windy day that made the treacherous greens play even tougher. They dominated the four-ball matches, winning four and halving one.


New Jersey’s victories in individual matches came from Tom Gramigna, who defeated his Tavistock clubmate, Sean Leonard, 1 up; Matthew Finger of Darlington; Mike Stamberger of Spring Lake; Allan Small of Fairmount; and Gregg Angelillo of Montclair.


Stamberger and Brian Komline of High Bridge Hills won their four-ball match, while Matthew Finger of Darlington and Merv Smith of High Mountain halved theirs.



The Compher Cup is named for a past President of the NJSGA and Suburban Golf Club member, Fred Compher, who donated the trophy and helped create the intersectional matches in 1962. Each year in the early spring, 12-man teams from the NJSGA and GAP square off in an 18-hole match consisting of individual and team competitions. Points are awarded for each single and four-ball win, and the team that accumulates the most points wins the Cup, a beautiful 18-inch sterling silver bowl.


2010 COMPHER CUP RESULTS:


Michael Hyland (GAP) def. Merv Smith, 3 and 2; Matthew Finger (NJSGA) def. Doug Zelner, 2 and 1; four-ball halved.


Glenn Smeraglio (GAP) def. Peter Barron, 1 up; Chris Ault (GAP) def. Anthony Scelba, 4 and 2; GAP won four-ball, 3 and 2.


Tom Gramigna (NJSGA) def. Sean Leonard, 1 up; Tom Borsello (GAP) def. Ron Vannelli, 2 up; GAP won four-ball, 1 up.


Brian Gillespie (GAP) def. Brian Komline, 1 up; Mike Stamberger (NJSGA) def. John Brennan, 2 up; NJSGA won four-ball, 1 up.


Chris Lange (GAP) def. Jay Blumenfeld, 3 and 2; Allan Small (NJSGA) def. Anthony Martire, 2 and 1; GAP won four-ball, 4 and 3.


Michael Brown (GAP) def. Michael Deo, 3 and 2; Gregg Angelillo (NJSGA) def. Jeff Griest, 3 and 2; GAP won four-ball, 1 up.


Total points: GAP 11.5; NJSGA 6.5.