Tom Rex Jr.
(GAM Photo)
CHARLEVOIX, VA (September 13, 2016) -- An emotional local favorite, Tom Rex Jr. of Charlevoix, emerged the champion of the 30th Michigan Senior Championship presented by Omni Kinetics Tuesday at what he calls his home course, Belvedere Golf Club.
“Words can’t describe what this means to me,” the soon-to-be 64-year-old said after shooting a 1-under 35 and winning by three shots. The field of age 55-and-over golfers played a modified nine-hole set-up for the final round in the rain-shortened championship hampered by heavy rains in the morning that made part of the course unplayable.
“I’ve tried so hard to win another GAM championship,” Rex said. “My only one was a GAM junior tournament in 1970, so I’ve been trying to do this for a long, long time. This is very special to me.”
Rex was tied for the lead with a 2-over 74 through Monday’s wind-whipped round in sunshine, and emerged with a 1-over 109 total after a lengthy rain delay and the final round being shortened to play on the upland holes (holes 1, 7,8,9,10,11,12,17 and 18) of the storied course.
He beat Ken Chicka of Shelby Township, who carded a final 37 to go with his first-round 75 for 112.
Five golfers tied for third at 113, including Pete Walz and Steve Maddalena of Jackson, Ed Vomastek of Traverse City, Mark Ochsankehl of Grand Rapids and defending champion Mike Tungate of East Lansing.
Tom Strand of Traverse City emerged the Super Senior Division champion among the golfers over age 65 in the field. Strand shot a 70 in the first round and closed with a 41 for 111. Ben Benson of Pontiac was second with a 40 for 113.
Rex, known in the Charlevoix community for his work with youth in golf and other sports, said he played well with three birdies against two bogeys in the final nine, and said a little luck helped him win.
“So many people talked to me about winning this thing because it was at the home course, but you know, you have got get a little lucky. There are so many good players in Michigan. I probably played in 20 (Michigan Amateurs) over the years here. I grew up in Birmingham, was in the steel business in Detroit and then in Chicago and retired and moved up here.”
Rex said a little oil was leaking from his game he finished up on the No. 18.
“I rolled a little grounder with a 7-iron,” he said. “I thought that bogey might do me in because I had no idea what anybody else outside our group was doing.”
Strand, 65, thought he might be in trouble with his 41, but his 70 from the first round gave him enough cushion. The Detroit native who lives in Traverse City six months and Austin, Texas, for six months, was playing in his first GAM event ever, and played Belvedere for the first time in the first round.
“I played well this first round and enjoyed the course and tournament tremendously,” said the retired mechanical contractor. “I have to thank my friend Chuck Edwards. He got me to play in this. He plays in GAM tournaments all the time. I’m going to play more.”
Belvedere hosted the GAM Senior for the fourth time since 2004, and has also hosted the Michigan Amateur Championship 40 times, most recently 2014 and 2003. From 1963-88 it was the annual host.
View results for GAM Senior Championship
ABOUT THE GAM Senior Championship
Must be a GAM member. 36-hole stroke play event
for seniors (55 and older, 8.4 handicap max), and
super
seniors (65 and older, 10.4 handicap max).
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