NJSGA vs. GAP in 57th Compher Cup
The team representing the New Jersey State Golf Association will be seeking its first victory since 2013 when the 57th Compher Cup Matches are hosted by the Golf Association of Philadelphia on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Sunnybrook Golf Club in Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
The matches were originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, but moved to Sept. 26 due to rain.
The annual Compher Cup pits the NJSGA’s top amateur players against the GAP’s best. Last year, the NJSGA played host to the matches at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, a match in which the GAP prevailed, 13.5-4.5. In 2016, the GAP played host at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, and in 2015 the NJSGA hosted at Bayonne Golf Club.
The GAP currently leads the venerable series, 37–13, with five ties.
The squads compete as 12-man teams. All 12 players from each side square off in individual matches and simultaneously in four-ball, one-point, 18-hole matches. Matches that end in a tie result in a half point for each team.
Meet the 2018 NJSGA Compher Cup Team
* Jason Bataille, Copper Hill Country Club: Qualified for NJSGA Open, Amateur and Mid-Amateur; T3 at Trump Invitational
* Bill Charpek, Navesink Country Club (Captain): Qualified for NJSGA Open and Amateur; T1 for low amateur at Met Senior Open; Champion of 2017 NJSGA Senior Amateur
* Thomas Collins, Essex County Country Club: Qualified for NJSGA Amateur; Quarterfinalist at Mid-Amateur; third at Suburban Cup
* Nick Desai, Baltusrol Golf Club: Fourth overall and low amateur at NJSGA Senior Open; match-play qualifier at NJSGA Mid-Amateur; champion of 2017 Pre-Senior
* Matt Finger, Darlington Golf Course: Qualified for match-play at NJSGA Mid-Amateur; T4 at Met Mid-Amateur; second at Suburban Cup
* Tom Gramigna, Tavistock Country Club: Qualified for NJSGA Amateur and Mid-Amateur; three-time NJSGA Mid-Amateur and 2008 Amateur champion
* Thomas Guy, Eligo Club: Qualified for NJSGA Open and Amateur; match-play qualifier at NJSGA Mid-Amateur; co-medalist at the MGA Ike qualifier
* Peter Kozubal, Fox Hollow Golf Club: T3 at Pre-Senior; qualified for NJSGA Mid-Amateur; qualified for NJSGA Public Links
* Vince Kwon, Little Mill Country Club: T10 at NJSGA Open; qualified for NJSGA Amateur; qualified for 2019 U.S. Four-Ball with Troy Vannucci
* Thomas La Morte, Haworth Country Club: T3 and tied for low amateur at the NJSGA Open; T4 at NJSGA Amateur; second at Hochster Memorial; T3 at Trump Invitational
* Chester Patterson, NJSGA E-Club: Semifinalist at NJSGA Mid-Amateur; T4 at Met Mid-Amateur; fourth at Suburban Cup
* Troy Vannucci, Little Mill Country Club: T3 and tied for low amateur at NJSGA Open; champion at Suburban Cup; qualified for 2019 U.S. Four-Ball championship with Vince Kwon
A Longstanding Tradition
The Compher Cup Matches began in 1962 with the NJSGA winning at Hollywood G.C. in Deal. Since then only one event, in 2005, has been canceled due to weather.
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, 9.5 – 8.5.
The Compher Cup 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. Compher, a former NJSGA president, conceived the neighborhood matches after leaving his post.
In 1961, association representatives Bob Jacobson of New Jersey and Richard Ollmah of GAP completed the details of the competition. 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 with the following inscription:
“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.”
