Austin Barbin Wins 124th Philadelphia Amateur

LAFAYETTE HILL, PA, June 15, 2024 – Austin Barbin of Chesapeake Bay Golf Club is the 124th BMW Philadelphia Amateur Champion. Austin’s week ended like it began – with a historic championship secured. Last Sunday Austin won the 103rd Maryland Amateur, and on Saturday he hoisted the coveted J. Wood Platt Trophy for the GAP’s premier major – the Philadelphia Amateur. Austin also makes history as the first player to ever win both the Maryland Amateur and the Philadelphia Amateur.

Austin’s name will be engraved on the trophy alongside of his brother Zach Barbin – who won the 120th BMW Philadelphia Amateur in 2020 at Lancaster Country Club.

The Philadelphia Amateur, dating back to 1897, is the oldest individual championship conducted by the GAP (Golf Association of Philadelphia). The 124th edition of the GAP’s premier major was held at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania June 11-13 & 15, 2024.

36 Hole Qualifying Round

In the 36 hole stroke play qualifying round to determine seeding for match play on Tuesday, June 11th, Austin posted a 72 (1 over par) at North Hills CC and 65 (7-under par) at Whitemarsh Valley CC with an astounding 12 birdies for the day and finishing in 2nd place overall at 6-under par out of a field of 139 golfers.

Chesapeake Bay Golf Club’s Evan Barbin also advanced to match play shooting 75 at Whitemarsh Valley CC and 71 (even par) at North Hills CC to finish at +3.

Match Play Round of 32

In the Round of 32 Match on Wednesday, June 12th, Austin defeated Grant Skyllas of LedgeRock Golf Club 6&5. The match started on Hole #10 and Austin came out hot shooting 3 birdies and an eagle going 4-Up after the first 9 holes. Through hole 4 Austin finished at 6-Up with all pars to win the match.

Evan Barbin battled Patrick Sheehan of Talamore Country Club starting on Hole #10, with Patrick at 1-Up after 9 Holes, and Evan winning 3 holes on the back to end 18 Holes at a tie. Patrick won the 19th hole and the match with a par.

Match Play Round of 16

Austin competed against Craig Hornberger of Lancaster Country Club in the Round of 16 match on Wednesday, June 12th. The match was tied after the front 9 with both players shooting even par 36. Austin stayed solid on the back nine making all pars – that steady play was enough to win 3-Up with 2 to play.

Match Play Quarterfinals

In the Quarterfinals on Thursday, June 13th, Austin had another decisive match against Evan Eichenlaub of Saucon Valley Country Club winning 5&4. Austin shot a 4-under 32 on the front nine to get a 4-Up advantage after the front nine. Austin only lost 2 holes in the match – and finished on Hole #14 5-Up with 4 to play.

Semifinal Match

Austin was paired with Jake Haberstumpf of LedgeRock Golf Club in the Semifinal match on Thursday, June 13th. Austin got off to a hot start – winning the first three holes, but Jake fought back winning holes #4 & #5 and Austin answered with wins on Hole #6 and 9 to finish 3-Up after 9 Holes. Both competitors won 2 holes on the back – but Austin was able to finish 3-Up on Hole #16 with 2 to play.

Championship Final Match

After a day to recover, Austin was paired with Aaron Fricke of LuLu Country Club in the 36-Hole Championship match on Saturday, June 15th.  Austin went undefeated in the first 18 Holes – winning 7 holes and posting 5 birdies. With a 7-Up lead going into the second 18 Holes, Austin got to 10-Up after Hole #6. Aaron rallied with wins on Holes #7 and #8, but Austin’s birdie on Hole #11 clinched the victory 9-up with 7 to play.

Acceptance Speech

“It’s been a pretty crazy ride these past few weeks. Just holding this trophy is so surreal right now. I have to thank God for all of this – He gets all the glory for everything. These past few years have been very tough for me and my family and this means a lot. And without the support of my family, my girlfriend and her family, my brothers – I would not be able to be holding this trophy.”

“I want to thank GAP and Whitemarsh Valley for such a great tournament – it’s been an awesome week and yeah I’m so excited to be the champion.”

GAP TV – Video Recaps

“In this game you have to have a short memory.” Austin Barbin

Dad on the Bag

“He’s been my role model – really. He’s taught me everything I know about this game. It means a lot to me – but this means so much more to him just as a father. He’s been there every step of the way through all the failures and through the successes.”

“It means so much. You know especially with it being Father’s Day weekend. He’s been there every step of the way with all the ups and downs of my game and my life.”

“We just said that we love each other back and forth. I told him I was very thankful for him and all his sacrifices for me to play this game and to play in the tournament and just to play in tournaments in general.”

Austin – On His Short Game

“I was very confident in my short game. That’s one of the things that was not good, that is now one of the biggest strengths of my game.”

Notable

Zach and Austin Barbin are the fourth set of brothers to win the Amateur and have their names etched on the J. Wood Platt Trophy.

---

Cover Photo Credit: GAP