August 19, 2016
THE 2016 PRITSCH CUP hosted by
Hamilton Farm Golf Club
2016 Philadelphia Pritsch Cup Team
Director of Golf - Matt Freitag, PGA
J.T. Spina (16)
Special Thanks to our presenting Sponsor
~ Schwenksville, PA Liam Ward (16) ~ Malvern, PA Buddy Hansen IV (17) ~ Blue Bell, PA
Philadelphia Section PGA
Caleb Ryan (16) ~ Norristown, PA Nikita Romanov (15)
2015 Pritsch Cup Recap
~ Wilmington, DE Akhil Giri (15) ~ Moorestown, NJ Alex Mulrooney (13) ~ Wilmington, DE Carson Bacha (14) ~ York, PA Casey Oppenheimer (16) ~ Conshohocken, PA
The 2015 Philadelphia Pritsch Cup Team brought home the Trophy for the first time in the history of the nine-year event. With three players returning from last year’s victorious team, this year’s squad will look to put themselves in position to retain the Cup.
Elizabeth Beek (13) ~ Blue Bell, PA Andrew Forjan** (18) ~ York, PA Jonathan Lumley** (15) ~ Royersford, PA **Captain’s Pick
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.
Spina has been a member of the Philly Junior tour since 2011. Spina currently sits in first place in the Player of the Year points standings. He has accumulated four wins in 2016 and has not finished below T-7. Spina loves the Philadelphia area. He would like to play college golf for Villanova or the University of Pennsylvania. But first, he will represent the section in the 2016 Pritsch Cup. If he could play golf with anyone, it would be with his dad, grandfather and Tiger in his prime, although Spina would probably settle for Tiger anytime, regardless of his playing ability. If he could tee it up anywhere, he would like to play Cypress Point. What club does he want in his hand? The putter.
~ Schwenksville, PA Ward has been a competitor on the Philadelphia Junior tour since 2014. Since then he has recorded two wins, both this year. One win came at Five Ponds Golf Club and the other at Middletown Country Club. Ward is a Rickie Fowler fan , however, if he had the chance to play with any three players, Fowler would not make the list. Instead, he would play with Tiger Woods, President Obama and Justin Timberlake, at Augusta National if he the opportunity. Tiger would probably be alright with that decision. Ward’s favorite song is Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. With the trophy on the line, Ward looks to have birdies “easy come, easy go” as he tries to earn his points for Team Philadelphia.
~ Malvern, PA Hansen IV has been a member of the Philly Junior Tour since 2013. Four of Hansen’s five PJT victories have come this season— three of those have been with a score of 70. If Hansen could play with anyone in the world, he would want to play with his dad, brother, and PopPop (who passed away this year). He looks to make PopPop, along with the rest of his family, proud with a strong performance in the Pritsch Cup. Hansen’s favorite song is Chicken Fried, by the Zac Brown Band. As far as his favorite golfer is concerned, he cheers on five-time major champion, Phil Mickelson. Hansen has been to one major championship. He attended the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion, proudly located here in the Philadelphia Section of the PGA.
~ Blue Bell, PA
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Jon. M Pritsch Cup
Ryan has been a member of the Philly Junior Tour since 2012. Since his entry onto the PJT, Ryan has captured 16 victories and often finds himself in contention. His experience in the Pritsch Cup could serve him well, having played on the team last year. Ryan is a big fan of his driver, saying it’s his favorite club because “it puts him in a good spot.” He will need that asset as he navigates the difficult course at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. He hopes to continue golf after high school in college, somewhere south, possible at Liberty University in Virginia. If he had the chance, he would love to join Michael Jordan in a round of golf at Augusta National Golf Club.
~ Norristown, PA Romanov has been with the Philly Junior Tour since 2011. Since joining the Tour, he has collected 10 wins, including six this 2016 season alone. Romanov is a big fan of DuPont Country Club. “The reason I love this course is because it is conveniently located close to me with three championship golf courses,” he said. “I also take lessons there from Kent Thomas.” “If I could play golf with three people they would be Arnold Palmer, the legend, Snoop Dogg, God of Rap, and Michael Phelps, one of the best athletes ever. Romanov’s favorite Tour player is Tiger Woods. “He is a legend and has had such and impact on golf, that if it weren't for him, I might not have been here playing competitive golf today. “
~ Wilmington, DE Giri has been on the Philly Junior Tour since 2014. Consistency has been the name of the game for him, rarely shooting out of the 70s this year. He has recorded a win this year, along with six other top -three finishes. Giri’s favorite song is “All I Do is Win,” his favorite club is the putter and his favorite player is Henrik Stenson. Three pretty good choices to call your favorite. His dream foursome would be composed of Antonio Brown, Derek Jeter and Jonah Hill—Not your typical Sunday morning pairing. If he had his choice of venues, he would tee it up at Augusta National.
~ Moorestown, NJ
Philadelphia Section PGA
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Mulrooney has been on the Philly Junior Tour since the year 2013. He has won four times in this 2016 season, including his last event at Philmont Country Club. He is rounding into form at a good time as he looks to make his contribution to the team. Mulrooney’s favorite club is his driver. He swings the Callaway XR 16 with confidence. As far as his favorite song, he is a fan of Hall of Fame, by The Script. His favorite player is not one of the top 10 in the world like many, but a great player and major champion none the less. He pulls for Webb Simpson and has done so ever since Webb gave him a ball at the AT&T at Aronimink.
~ Wilmington, DE Bacha has been with the Philly Junior Tour since 2015. Having played in nine tournaments this season so far, he has picked up seven wins and all other finishes have been inside the top five. Look for him to be a strong contender as he competes in his first Pritsch Cup. As far as future plans are concerned, Bacha has his sights and goals set on the PGA Tour. Three players that have achieved those goals, Arnold Palmer, Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods, are the golfers Bacha would like to make up his Saturday morning tee time. Spieth is his favorite Tour player, so he would definitely have to be in the foursome. The best shot he ever hit—well it would have to be his hole-in-one. “I hit it ten feet right of the pin, spun it back over to the hole and it sat on the edge for a second before dropping in.” While he did not get to make it to the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont, he did go spectate in 2007 as the best in the world battled it out on the championship course at Oakmont Country Club.
~ York , PA
Oppenheimer has been on the Junior Tour since 2015 and in her second season, she has found success quickly. In only two seasons, she has won 29 times, including nine this season so far. Oppenheimer likes to have the eight iron in hand, as her favorite club. Her best shot, though, came with her three wood as she knocked a 210-yard shot on a par-5 at Whitemarsh Valley to 10 feet to set up an eagle opportunity. Casey would like to eventually make her way onto the LPGA Tour after playing D-1 Golf in college. She would also like an opportunity to play golf with three of the best: Jordan Spieth, Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler—Jordan being her favorite overall player. If she could play anywhere it would be Augusta National Golf Club, and who can blame her.
~ Conshohocken, PA
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This is Beek’s third year on the Philly Junior Tour. Since joining in 2014, she has won five times, all this season. Her performance this season has earned her a spot on the 2016 Philadelphia Pritsch Cup team where she looks to continue her strong play. One area where Beek strives is on the par fives. She attributes that to her favorite club, 3 -wood, which she can “bomb” on those five-par holes. Given the chance, she would love to play a round of golf with LPGA stars, Stacy Lewis, Michelle Wie and Lexi Thompson. She also hopes to play a round on Pinehurst #2 someday, a course Wie has fond memories of. And how about this for her best shot ever? A hole-in-one on Independence Day this year. That’s one way to celebrate the birth of America.
~ Blue Bell, PA Forjan has been on the Philly Junior Tour since last Spring. He has accumulated seven top-10 finishes this season, including two wins. If he could play a round of golf with any three people, it would be Steve Nash, Bob Ross and DJ Khaled. The course of choice would be St. Andrews. His favorite Tour player is Phil Mickleson. Mickleson actually tossed him a ball while he was spectating at the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional. Forjan has been to two other majors, both U.S. Opens. One at Pinehurst, the other at Merion. Forjan’s favorite club in the bag is the putter—hopefully he can keep it rolling.
~ York, PA
Lumley has been a member of the Philly Junior Tour since 2015. After earning his first win on the PJT in his last start of the 2015 season, Lumley has since carried that momentum over to the 2016 season. Three wins this season has earned him a captain’s pick for this year’s Pritsch Cup. Lumley is hoping to play college golf, somewhere in the south. One school he has been eyeing is Coastal Carolina University. As far as his golf game is concerned, he likes the driver. He says it gives him an advantage when he is on the course and hitting it well. He would enjoy a round a golf at Augusta National with Bill Murray, Jack Nicklaus and Charles Barkley.
~ Royersford, PA
Philadelphia Section PGA
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