2019 Jon M. Pritsch Cup Newsletter

THE 2019 PRITSCH CUP hosted by

Saucon Valley Country Club August 23, 2019

2019 Philadelphia Pritsch Cup Team Luke Watson (16) Royersford, PA Dylan Gooneratne (16)

Head Professional— Michael Wood, PGA

Plymouth Meeting, PA Ryan McCabe (15)

Special thanks to our presenting Sponsor

Media, PA

Philadelphia Section PGA

Tyler Kipp (17) Reading, PA John Bradbeer (17) Bryn Mawr ,PA Christian Matt (13) Spring House, PA Nicholas Ciocca (15) Berwyn, PA Matthew Normand (15) Lumberton, NJ Matthew Zerfass (16) Macungie, PA Eric Miller (15)

2018 Pritsch Cup Recap The 2018 Philadelphia Pritsch Cup team fell to the New Jersey Section, as they won the Jon M. Pritsch Cup for the first time since 2014. With two returning players from the 2018 team and strong newcomers, the Philadelphia team is looking to bring the trophy back across the Delaware River.

West Chester, PA Kathleen Mark (16) Media, PA Rhianna Gooneratne (11) Plymouth Meeting, PA

The Story Behind the Jon. M Pritsch Cup The Jon M. Pritsch Cup is played to honor the memory of Jon M. Pritsch, who tragically passed away in May of 1991 at the age of 17. Before his passing, Pritsch was recognized as one of the top junior golfers in the nation. To date, the Jon M. Pritsch Memorial Fund has raised over $140,000 and given away over 100 scholarships to juniors looking to pursue a career in a golf related field.

Philadelphia Pritsch Cup Team Luke Watson led the Boys 16-18 Division in points, racking up ten top-10 finishes this season.

Watson has two wins under his belt from this spring’s tournaments and has been a consistent player recording a scoring average of 77.3. Watson’s low round was a 72 (E) at Honeybrook Golf Club in April that resulted in a first place finish.

Luke hopes to continue his golf career at the college level and become a teaching pro. His greatest achievement was his hole-in-one during a high school golf match. When Luke isn’t golfing, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing other sports, including basketball and snowboarding. Pinehurst No. 2 is his favorite course to play due to it’s history and design. If he could, he would play a round with Phil Mickelson to hear his stories about playing on tour and take away some tips to improve his game.

Luke Watson

~ Royersford, PA

Dylan Gooneratne is no stranger to the Pritch Cup as this is his third year qualifying for the team. Gooneratne is a consistent top finisher on the Philadelphia Junior Tour. He has competed in 19 tournaments this season, placing top three in 15 of those. His latest win was the Harry Hammond Invitational at Penn Oaks Golf Club, where he took first place with a 70 (-1). His low round was a 68 (-2) during the first round of the Philadelphia Boys Jr. PGA Championship held at The Springhaven Club on July 1.

If Gooneratne could play golf with anyone, he would want to play with Tiger Woods. His favorite course to play is Jack Frost National in the Poconos and he enjoys playing basketball with his friends. Gooneratne plans to go to college and play golf for the school. His greatest achievement was his win at the Harry Hammond Invitational.

Dylan Gooneratne

~ Plymouth Meeting, PA

This is Ryan McCabe’s second straight year as a member of the Pritsch Cup team. He has two wins, including the challenging Wyncote Golf Club. He has finished top-10 in 83% of his events and has shown he’s a competitor this year with a scoring average of 75.6. His low round came at Hickory Valley Golf Club back in June where he shot a 69 (-3).

McCabe’s greatest achievements are winning the Catholic League Championship and being awarded the season MVP award. He plans to go on and play college golf and hopes to excel at it. His favorite course to play is his home course, The Springhaven Club. McCabe enjoys watching football when he’s not out on the course and if he could play a round with anyone, it would be Brooks Koepka.

Ryan McCabe ~ Media, PA Jon. M Pritsch Cup

Meet the Players Tyler Kipp has had a great season, finishing in the top 10 for 80% of the tournaments he has played in this summer. With a scoring average of 77.5, Kipp has proven that he can consistently go low. His best round of the year came in round two of the Precision Pro Golf Open at Hershey Country Club, where he shot a 71 (E).

Kipp plans to attend college in pursuit of completing the PGM (Professional Golf Management) Program. His greatest achievement was making the state championship for both golf and basketball in the same year. Kipp likes to play basketball when he’s not swinging the golf club. His favorite course is Golden Oaks Golf Club and if he could play a round with anyone, it would be Dustin Johnson.

Tyler Kipp

~ Reading, PA

John Bradbeer joins this year’s Pritsch Cup team as a captain’s pick. Bradbeer had a scoring average of 77 this season, and had 11 top 10 finishes this season. Bradbeer’s low round of the season came at Kennett Square Golf and Country Club, shooting a 71 (E).

Bradbeer’s future goal is to play Division 1 golf, and his favorite golf course to play is Loblolly Golf Club. When he isn't playing golf, he loves to play pickup basketball with his friends and football with his brothers. His favorite achievement was qualifying for an AJGA open.

John Bradbeer

~ Bryn Mawr, PA

Christian Matt has two first place finishes in five starts this summer, coming at Middletown Country Club where he shot at 72 (+3), and at Downingtown Country Club where he shot a 70 (-2).

Christian’s dream playing partners include Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, Brooks Keopka and Tommy Fleetwood. His favorite course is Kingsmill Golf Club in Virginia where he won a tournament this summer, making birdie on the last two holes.

Christian says his greatest achievement thus far is earning at 3.9 GPA as a freshman in High School.

Christian Matt Philadelphia Section PGA

~ Spring House, PA

Philadelphia Pritsch Cup Team Nicholas Ciocca is the second Boys 13-15 player on the team, with eight top-10 finishes, and two first place finishes. His best round of the year came at Avalon Golf Club for the Junior PGA Boys Championship Qualifier, where he shot a 70 (-1).

Ciocca plans on playing college golf at the Division I level. His favorite golf course is Baltusrol Golf Club’s Upper Course. If he could play golf with anyone, it would be his great grandfather. Ciocca likes to hangout with his friends in his free time and is excited to see what he can achieve throughout his golfing career.

Nicholas Ciocca ~ Berwyn, PA Matthew Normand finished in the top three in his division five times, and top 2 in his division three times this year. Matthew’s been a consistent player all year, having a scoring average of 80, and a +9 scoring average to par. Normand’s best round this year came at Laurel Creek Country Club, shooting a 73 (+2).

Normand hopes to earn a scholarship and also compete on a Division I golf team.

He enjoys playing soccer and his PS4, as well as swimming. Normand’s favorite golf course is Grey Hawk Golf Club and would love to play with Payne Stewart. His greatest achievement thus far has been qualifying for the PGA Jr. League Nationals last year.

Matthew Normand

~ Lumberton, NJ

Matthew Zerfass has played in seven tournaments this summer, coming up with four victories within his Boys 13-15 division. His best performance came at Honeybrook Golf Club after shooting a 69 (-1).

Zerfass’ future aspirations in golf involve playing for a big-time Division 1 school. If he could play one round with anyone it would be Tiger Woods. Matthew’s favorite golf course to play is Lighthouse Point in Ocean City, Maryland. He loves to hang out with his friends when he isn’t out on the course, and his greatest achievement is when he first shot under par.

Matthew Zerfass

~ Macungie, PA

Jon. M Pritsch Cup

Meet the Players Eric Miller, who was chosen as a Captain’s Pick, is making his first Jon M. Pritsch Cup appearance. Eric finished in the top 10 in 6 of his tournaments this season, and has two wins this season. His best round was at Pine Meadows after he shot a 71 (-1).

In addition to his win at Pine Meadows, Eric also added a win to his 2019 season with the Central Counties Junior Championship at Out Door Country Club with a round of 73. Eric currently sits in 9th place in the Player of the Year points and finished the season with a scoring average of 77.17.

Eric Miller

~ West Chester, PA

Kathleen Mark led the Girls 16-18 division in points this year, and has put together four wins this season. Mark’s two best rounds of the season came at Turtle Creek, shooting a 79 (+7) and at Pennsauken also shooting a 79 (+9).

Mark hopes to play competitively for a Division 1 school for college. If she could play a round of golf with anyone it would be Arnold Palmer. Rolling Green Golf Club, which is a classic Flynn design, is her favorite course to play. She loves to hang out with her friends when she isn't golfing and her greatest achievement was being Main Line Athlete of the Week as a sophomore.

Kathleen Mark

~ Media, PA

Rhianna Gooneratne led the Girls 13-15 division in points this season, and has finished in first place in six different tournaments this year. Her best round of the year came at Laurel Creek Golf Club, after shooting a 77 (+6).

Gooneratne is looking forward to playing for her high school golf team, and hopefully continuing to play in college. Her favorite course is Laurel Creek Country Club and would want to play with Jordan Spieth if she could. Gooneratne enjoys baking when she’s not out playing golf. Her greatest achievement was winning the Women’s Ringer Tournament at her club this summer.

Rhianna Gooneratne Philadelphia Section PGA

~ Plymouth Meeting, PA

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