Tim Peterson, Forest Lake, MN
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – The Pete Dye Challenge course provided a stern test and produced four exciting finishes at Mission Hills Country Club for the 11th Founders Cup. Three divisions (Senior, Legend, and Super Legend) went to playoffs, while the Super Senior division resulted in a one stroke victory for Scott Ray (Central City, KY).
Senior Division
In the Senior division, it was Tim Peterson (Forest Lake, MN) who outlasted Bryan Hoops (Tempe, AZ) in a playoff as he won on the second hole. Peterson was the only player in the field to shoot under par rounds on each day.
“I really like Pete Dye courses, and the facility here was just awesome how they welcomed us in,” said Peterson. “I like the small targets that put a premium on approach shots. There’s a bit of latitude off the tee where he lets you play away from the water if you want. After playing mediocre last week at the Senior Masters, I certainly wasn’t expecting to win, but I was very consistent here and made a lot of pars and a few more birdies today.”
Peterson started hot and took a two shot lead early in the final round, but Hoops battled back and wound up with a two stroke lead of his own after an eagle-birdie stretch on 14 and 15. It sure seemed like Hoops was destined to pull off the desert double after winning the Senior Masters at Indian Wells this past Saturday.
Trailing by two with two to play, Peterson took advantage of an untimely three-putt bogey by Hoops on 17, and then birdied 18 to force the playoff after Hoops missed another close chance for birdie. Both players finished regulation at 5-under par 211 after three rounds.
In the playoff, both players made par on No. 18 and then headed back to the par three No. 17. Playing first, Peterson took dead aim at the left hole location closely guarded by water and wound up in the left fringe about 20 feet away, while Hoops played to the right side in a similar spot to where he was in regulation. Hoops played his first putt down the slope and faced another tester of a par putt from about four feet. Just like in regulation, his par putt lipped out.
“It was really unfortunate for Bryan there twice on 17,” added Peterson. “He played great and when he took a two shot lead there late I sort of thought it was getting out of reach for me. I was lucky to have the opportunity to erase the two shot deficit in the last two holes.”
Randy Haag (Orinda, CA) was third at even par 216. Rick Stimmel (Pittsburgh, PA) had the low round of the day with 4-under 68 as he finished in fourth.
Scott Ray, Central City, KY
Super Senior Division
In the Super Senior division, Scott Ray edged out the duo of David Nelson (Littleton, CO) and Gary Albrecht (Castle Rock, CO) by one stroke when he posted the winning 5-over 221 total. After getting off to a poor start going 6-over through eight holes, Ray was able to right the ship and closed strong to play his final 10 holes at 3-under to post a final round 75 to secure his first Society victory.
“I made a 40 footer on No. 4, which was my 15th hole, so that was huge,” mentioned Ray. “I rode that momentum and was able to par in to bring it home.”
The leaderboard was fluctuating throughout the day as each of Nelson, Albrecht and Ray traded punches in a rollercoaster round on the Pete Dye design.
Ray added, “I thought the golf course was great this week. Anyone who knows golf appreciates Mission Hills.”
Evan Long, Charlotte, NC
Legend Division
Evan Long (Charlotte, NC) captured a victory of his own in a playoff over Marshall Morgan (Fort Worth, TX) after they finished tied at 9-over 225. Long came from four shots behind entering the final round and closed with an even par 72 to force extra holes.
“The golf course was a good fit for me,” said Long. “I was able to take advantage of my length since I could come into these greens with wedges and get the ball to stop. I hit the ball well today, hit a bunch of greens, and actually missed several short birdie chances. After losing in probably the past five playoffs in Society events, it’s nice to finally get another win.”
Peter Van Ingen (Palm Beach, FL) finished in third place.
George Dillon, Sun City West, AZ
Super Legend Division
Finally in the Super Legend division, after finishing tied at 5-over 221, it was George Dillon (Sun City West, AZ) who defeated Gaylord Davis (Portland, OR) on the first playoff hole. Going into the final round, Dillon led Davis by two shots. Starting their round on No. 15, Dillon made a quick bogey and it was game on as Davis, Pete Allen (Southport, NC) and Jim Saivar (San Diego, CA) were trying to chase him down. Saivar held the lead after starting 4-under through 10 holes, but faltered down the stretch.
The deciding hole turned out to be No. 12, as Dillon made birdie to edge ahead of Davis for the final time.
“I consider myself lucky here today,” said Dillon. “The course was very challenging with small greens and pretty firm conditions. The greens rolled great and you really had to pay attention out there.”
Jim Saivar finished in third place at 7-over 223.
Across all divisions and all three rounds, there were 28 rounds of par or better, with just 12 rounds under par.
Special thanks to the entire staff and membership at Mission Hills Country Club for hosting the event, especially Director of Golf Michael Holyk and Director of Agronomy Jonas Conlan, and to Callaway Golf for their sponsorship of the Society of Seniors.
Event GGID: 26SOS5
