Keith Holmes, Macon, GA
RESULTS: 7th National Super Senior & 25th John Kline Championship
LUFKIN, Texas – Contestants at the 7th National Super Senior and 25th John Kline Championships finally caught a break from Mother Nature after a challenging week. Sunny skies prevailed and the humidity dropped after storms rolled through east Texas on Tuesday. It was cool early on Wednesday morning as players began the final round under clear blue skies. The competition heated up as the temperatures rose and the wind swirled.
In the Super Senior, Keith Holmes (Macon, GA), woke up in the morning and wasn’t sure he would be able to play through shoulder pain. After he got loose, his game caught fire on the back nine. Holmes made four birdies on his closing nine to finish at +3, 219 and won by five strokes over runner-up Paige Hood (Atlanta, GA). Trailing Hood by one after nine, Holmes would birdie 11 and 13 to take the lead. Following a Hood mistake on No. 14, Holmes continued his birdie barrage with red numbers on 15 and 16 to put things out of reach. Holmes was one of just two players to break par in the final round.
“I really wasn’t too sure until I got about halfway through my warmup today on whether I could play today,” said Holmes. “This course really puts a premium on your play. The greens are small, the fairways are tight, and it’s really a good test. It was tight out there with Paige today and he played really well. He made one mistake and it kind of opened the door and I finally made some putts on the back nine.”
Stephen Daly (Wheaton, IL) and Chuck Gardner (Texarkana, TX) tied for third place as Daly fired the low-round of the day with a 2-under par 70 to finish at +9. Defending champion Stephen Maddalena (Jackson, MI) finished another stroke back in fifth place at +10.
Steve Humphrey, Ocala, FL
In the Legend division, Steve Humphrey (Ocala, FL) took control of the tournament on his first nine by firing a 2-under 34 on the back side at Crown Colony. As his challengers faded, Humphrey cruised in to post a final round 73 and total of 222 (+6) to win by five stokes over runner-up Steven Ritzman (Elkhorn, NE).
“The key to the day was just keeping it in play,” said Humphrey. “I got a couple tough breaks out there yesterday after the weather hit. Today, the birdie streak on 15, 16 and 17 was obviously big. I played really well and the golf course was a really good challenge this week.”
Evan Long (Charlotte, NC) and Edward Turner (Richardson, TX) finished in a tie for third at +12.
Mike McDonald, Ankeny, IA
Finally in the Super Legend division, Mike McDonald (Ankeny, IA), came from behind and won in a two-hole playoff over Sam Robinson (Jacksonville Beach, FL). McDonald fired a division low round of even par 72 to overcome a 10 shot deficit starting the day.
“I’m surprised really,” said McDonald. “This is my first win in a Society event after a couple of seconds. I just kept plugging along out there today as the guys in front were falling back. I struggled after the weather delay yesterday, but overall I’m really happy with how I played.”
In the playoff, McDonald and Robinson traded pars on No. 1 and headed over to No. 9. After McDonald found the green in regulation, Robinson fired one right at the flag, but it just skipped off the back of the green. Robinson couldn’t get up and down, and McDonald two-putted for par and the win.
Overnight leader Michael Mahoney (La Jolla, CA) finished in third at +14.
Special thanks to the entire staff and membership at Crown Colony for hosting the event, and to Callaway Golf for their sponsorship of the Society of Seniors.
Event GGID: 26SOS7
