Red Hoffman Cup Matches Enter Semifinal Stage
Following the completion of the Intragrpup play of the 2014 Red Hoffman Cup matches, group champions Black Oak, Montclair, Spring Brook, Manasquan River, Bedens Brook, Plainfield, Arcola and Baltusrol have advanced to the semifinal round on Saturday, May 10. The finals are scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 17 at Knickerbocker C.C.
Group Standings after Completion of Intragroup Play:
Group A: Black Oak-26; Bayonne-22.5; Ridgewood-12; Alpine-11.5;
Group B: Montclair-26; Morris County-18.5; Ridge at Back Brook-16; Roxiticus-11.5
Group C: Spring Brook-26; Navesink-16.5; Metedeconk-16; Hackensack-13.5
Group D: Manasquan River-27.5; Knickerbocker-20; Trump-17.5; Liberty National-7
Group E: Bedens Brook-19.5; Echo Lake-18; Mendham-18; ; Hamilton Farm-16.5
Group F: Plainfield-21; Fairmount-18; Canoe Brook-17.5; Rockaway River-15.5
Group G: Arcola-20.5; Upper Montclair-19.5; Essex County-17.5; Essex Fells-14.5
Group H: Baltusrol-24; Mountain Ridge-18; Spring Lake-20.5; Rock Spring-9.5
Semifinals, May 10:
Group A Winner: Black Oak GC vs. Group H Winner: Baltusrol GC
Group B Winner: Montclair CC vs. Group G Winner: Arcola CC
Group C Winner: Spring Brook CC vs. Group F Winner: Plainfield CC
Group D Winner: Manasquan River GC vs. Group E Winner: Bedens Brook C
Finals -- 10:am, May 17, 2014 At Knickerbocker CC: (TB
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HOFFMAN CLUB EXPANDS TO FULL FIELD OF 32 TEAMS
In the space of 10 years, the Red Hoffman Cup matches have grown from four clubs to a high this year of 32 clubs.
Approximately 400 of New Jersey’s top amateurs and professionals will compete in the 10th annual Red Hoffman Cup Matches, April 26 through May 17. The 32 competing clubs are located mostly above Interstate-195. The Hoffman Cup Matches (HCM) will kick off New Jersey’s competitive golf season in style.
The 32 clubs are divided into eight groups, each with four clubs. Over two weekends, players from each club will compete in a total of 12 two-man, better-ball matches against the clubs in their groups. The winner of each group will advance to the Semifinals, competing against one of the other seven group winners. From there, four winning teams will advance to a medal play Finals, to be contested at Knickerbocker Country Club on May 17.
Started in 2005 with just four clubs, The Hoffman Cup Matches have struck a responsive chord among the region’s players and clubs. The golfers respond to the early-season, play-my-way-into-shape nature of the competition.
“These matches force me to shake off the winter rust a little early,” explained Niall Handley, one of the state’s top amateurs who serves as captain for the Essex Fells team. “Playing some of the finest players on the best courses in northern New Jersey is a great incentive for me to work on my game.”
The players’ clubs also appreciate the early-season play. A total of 864 “official” rounds will be played at HCM clubs, mainly during a period of typically few rounds.
“We love the way the Hoffman Cup Matches get our players out to Rock Spring early in the season,” said Michael Campbell, the club’s general manager. “Our team’s presence at the club early on translates to more golfers, more practice rounds, more food and beverages, and more revenue for our pro shop. It’s even great for our caddies.”
Campbell’s Rock Spring Club was instrumental in starting the Hoffman Cup Matches. Noticing that no men’s scratch interclub competition existed in the region, then-Rock Spring member Kevin Casey asked his club to support himself and partner Bill Frese as they recruited other clubs.
“Selling the concept was not a slam dunk, with some clubs taking a ‘wait and see’ attitude. That evaporated after four, then eight, then 12 great clubs signed up for the matches,” remembered Casey. “We have grown at a rate of four clubs almost every year. Today, we’ve capped the Matches at a manageable and – in terms of brackets – symmetrical 32 teams.”
Soon after its start, the Matches were looking for a meaningful moniker. Plainfield captain Bob Corbett suggested naming the Matches after New Jersey’s most engaged and best recognized golf writer, Arthur K. “Red” Hoffman of The Star-Ledger, who had just recently passed away.
“Honoring Mr. Hoffman was a natural,” said Casey. “He knew more about New Jersey golf and its best players than anyone. Somehow, I imagine he’s pleased that we have named a competition like this after him.”
The First Tee Initiative
While happy with the growth of the Matches, Casey is equally excited about the HCM’s First Tee Initiative. Two years ago, as director of the HCM, Casey asked every team captain to invite his teammates to make a donation to The First Tee, a program that teaches character and life skills to young people using golf instruction and competition as the vehicle.
The result has been encouraging.
“It’s a natural fit, The First Tee and the Hoffman Cup Matches. By ‘passing the hat’ among their teammates, our captains have raised over $22,000 for the area’s three local First Tee chapters. Last year, Canoe Brook Country Club, in a great display of leadership, donated $2,500! We expect our player participation to continue to grow and for 2014 to be our best year yet.”
Indeed, it seems that the Red Hoffman Cup Matches have many good years yet to come.
For more information about the Red Hoffman Cup Matches, please go to the website www.hoffmancup.org
QUICK LOOK AT RED HOFFMAN CUP MATCHES
- This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Red Hoffman Cup Matches
- The four new clubs joining this year: Bayonne GC, Liberty National GC, Rockaway River CC, and Spring Lake GC. The Matches are at full capacity of 32.
- The 2014 Group play of the HCM will be held on Saturday, April 26; Sunday, April 27; and Saturday, May 3.
- For the first time, a Semifinal round will be held among the eight teams that win their respective groups, May 10.
- The Finals will be played by the four semifinal winners at Knickerbocker Country Club, on Saturday, May 17.
- The HCM will place 864 rounds in the books at all 32 competing clubs, played by an estimated 368 different amateurs and pros, all by the middle of May.
