Busy week ahead for Philadelphia area golf
It's a busy week ahead for golf in the Philadelphia area. Two of its most long-running and successful charity tournaments and a Golf Association of Philadelphia major will take place.
The 19th annual Jay Sigel Invitational will be held Monday at Sigel's home course, Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square. Over the years, the event has raised more than $2.3 million for prostate cancer research, with the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania in its 11th year as chief beneficiary. Sigel's special guest this year is Champions Tour player Jim Roy, a prostate cancer survivor.
The Philadelphia Amateur will tee off on Tuesday at Manufacturers Golf and Country Club in Oreland with a 36-hole qualifying round. Eight former champions are in the field for the 111th staging of the event, but 2010 winner Justin Martinson has turned pro and is not eligible. The low 32 scores in qualifying will advance to match play with two matches each on Wednesday and Thursday. The 36-hole championship match is scheduled for Saturday.
Also on Tuesday, the Variety Club Tournament of Champions, sponsored for more than 30 years by the Philadelphia Section PGA, will begin its two-day event with a Pro-Am round at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill. The tournament helps fund programs for Variety – The Children's Charity.
Club professionals will play with amateur partners Tuesday and then have a pros-only competition on Wednesday for a $10,000 purse. The winners will be honored at the Variety Club's Golf Heart Ball on June 23 at the Sheraton Society Hill.
--Joe Juliano