Golf Association of Philadelphia

“I really tried to embrace the events, the people and the volunteers and be thankful for the opportunity to play in such wonderful tournaments. That really seemed to pay off in terms of my personal experience more so this year than in years past,” said Lutz, 58, of Reading, Pa.

“I had a different appreciation for the game and the
events I played in. It was very rewarding in that respect.
I really found this past year was more about the people,
players, friendships and travel I‘ve been able to do. It
made this a remarkable season.”
Though personal experiences resounded to Lutz the
man, in 2013 the achievements of Lutz the golfer were
also remarkable from nearly all vantage points. He posted
a Senior Division record 1,194.1 points en route to the
year-end honor, outdistancing second-place finisher Ray
Thompson of Overbrook Golf Club by 451.6 points. Two
years ago, Lutz’s set the previous record with 1,035 points.

Victory wise, this wasn’t his typical campaign. Lutz picked up only one win, in the GAP’s Frank H. Chapman Cup at RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve in June. His run of high finishes were remarkable for their consistency.

Starting from the middle of July, Lutz earned 1,059.1 points with a series of top placings. At the

109th playing of the Philadelphia Open at Waynesborough Country Club, Lutz tied for third, one shot out of a playoff. “I was trying to prepare for my three-week tour of the UK,” said Lutz, who earned 187.5 points for that Open performance.

“I didn’t think I would be that close to the [winning]
number. I was pleasantly surprised I was competitive
and finished one shot out and really had a chance com-
ing down the stretch. Although I didn’t win, that gave
me a little momentum going over to the UK.”
Lutz’ first event in the UK was its Senior Open Cham-
pionship at Royal Birkdale. Of the six amateurs who
started the event, Lutz was the only one to make the cut,

finishing tied for 48th. It was the second straight year he
earned low amateur honors at this Major championship.
Along the way, Lutz developed a relationship with
a young man named Matthew, a Royal Birkdale mem-
ber’s son who caddied for him in the practice rounds.
He said that was worth more than any material recog-
nition. “I got to know his family and develop a nice
GAP PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

The 2013 season resulted in a familiar end-game for Chip Lutz – a fourth straight Senior Player of the Year award.

It’s a record Association streak for the 55 and over sect. For the most decorated Senior amateur player in the world the last three years, it was the journey, not the results this season, that has the low-key LedgeRock Golf Club member reflecting.