In 2024, GAP began offering Adaptive Golf programming as a way to continue its mission of preserving, protecting and promoting the game of golf for all. The Association’s inaugural Adaptive Golf season culminates with the first GAP Adaptive Championship Oct. 14-15 at Lookaway Golf Club and Doylestown Country Club.
The event’s format is 36-holes of individual stroke play across two days. Rounds 1 and 2 will take place at Lookaway and Doylestown, respectively. This is a WR4GD-counting event and spectators are welcome.
“Players can expect a top-tier event that’s thoughtfully designed with their needs in mind. The GAP Adaptive Championship is being held at two premier facilities chosen specifically to provide participants with an unforgettable experience. Our goal is to make this adaptive event stand out by offering a high level of competition in world-class settings,” GAP Manager of Adaptive Golf Anna Kittelson said. “Adaptive athletes deserve access to high-level spaces where they can compete. This event not only highlights that golf is for everyone, but it also helps break barriers for individuals with disabilities who may have thought golf was not possible.”
Overall champions will be crowned as well as winners in each of the 13 disability classifications. The 60-player field consists of the world’s premiere Adaptive Golfers hailing from the local area and abroad. A total of 20 states and five countries, including Argentina, Cameroon, Canada, Sweden and the United States, are represented. Competitors are not required to hold a GAP membership.
“Very clearly [GAP] has gotten all the best adaptive players. It means the world to me just to compete with them.” -Andrew Austen
Both Lookaway and Doylestown have staged some of GAP’s most heralded championships.
Lookaway, designed by Rees Jones, previously hosted the Philadelphia Open (2008, 2023) and the Middle-Amateur Championship (2021). It also served as the second Stroke-Play Qualifying site for the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship in 2023.
Doylestown, a William Flynn design, hosted the Mid-Am (1992) and the Open (2020).
“This [tournament] was especially attractive to our club leadership as an opportunity to support amateur golf and specifically a group of golfers who probably don’t have the opportunities that everybody has,” Lookaway’s Head Professional, Chad Halvonik, 30, of Chalfont, Pa., said. “We are thankful to be in this position to be able to do something that’s hopefully very special for these players and their families.”
“When Anna presented the idea of coming to Doylestown, we presented the idea to the board and they were beyond supportive. We’ve rolled it out to the membership at Doylestown to get involved and we’ve seen an unbelievable response from our members,” Doylestown’s Head Professional, Patrick Shine, 50, of Perkasie, Pa., said. “Any time you’re included to be the first and partnering with a tremendous club like Lookaway, it’s a tremendous honor for the club, and a great way for us to showcase our club as well as open doors and make golf more accessible for Adaptive Golfers.”
GAP highlighted the inspiring world of Adaptive Golf in its Spring 2023 issue titled Beyond Limitations. Andrew Austen appeared on the cover of that issue. He is also in the field for the GAP Adaptive Championship.
“Very clearly [GAP] has gotten all the best adaptive players. It means the world to me just to compete with them. I feel like I need to get my game in order, and the GAP Adaptive Championship feels like a better place than ever to do it,” Austen, 26, of Charleston, S.C., said. “I’m excited to see my old friends and meet new ones and hopefully play well.”
Live scoring for the championship will be available on gapgolf.org. Stay up to date with tournament news via GAP social media channels by following @gaofphilly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
“Our introduction of Adaptive Golf programming always had two paths; our No Limit Clinic series to bring new people to the game, and a GAP Adaptive Championship to offer the best players in the world a chance to come to the Philadelphia area and compete against each other. To have a full field of 60 golfers of this caliber validates what we’ve worked toward for nearly two years,” GAP Assistant Executive Director Mario Machi said. “I hope participants really get to experience the challenge of Philadelphia golf. With a historic course like Doylestown and a modern track like Lookaway, it’s the best of both worlds. Two sites that have hosted the Philadelphia Open in the past five years will be a great challenge for the players. We hope that all participants will mark this event as a must play for future years.”
All media inquiries should be directed to GAP Director of Operations Martin D. Emeno, Jr. at memeno@gapgolf.org or by phone at 610-687-2340, ext. 0027.
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 345 Member Clubs and 110,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
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