Buddy Allen (MAGA photo)
ST. CHARLES, Mo. (Aug. 30, 2018) – Buddy Allen has been on a tear the entire 2018 summer and has clearly been the top senior golfer in this region. He continued his stellar 2018 campaign by coming back on Thursday to shoot a 3-under 68 and capture the 26th Senior Amateur Championship at Persimmon Woods Golf Club. Allen had rounds of 76-68 for the 2-over total of 144.
Allen, who just qualified for the US Mid-Amateur, has also been the low senior in the Normandie and East Side Amateur events this summer. Allen was presented the George F. Meyer Trophy by Meyer’s grandson, Rick Meyer III. With this victory, Allen has secured the 2018 MAGA Senior Player of the Year title as well.
One shot back of Allen at 3-over 145, was Gene Hart (pictured left) from Aberdeen GC. Hart, who just turned 50 two weeks ago to join the senior ranks, had a 2-under 69 on Thursday to go along with his opening round 76 to move up into contention.
MAGA cannot thank Persimmon Woods GC enough after enduring the storms and rain on Wednesday to washout half the day. The Age Divisions did get back out on Wednesday to complete play and crown Low Gross and Low Net winners as follows.
Age 50-59
Low Gross – John Yancey (The Legends CC); Low Net – Jim Modlin (Grey Beard GC)
Age 60-64
Low Gross – Jim Walther (Norwood Hills CC); Low Net – Matt Ferzacca (Normandie GC)
Age 65-69
Low Gross – Terry Souchek (The Prairies GC); Michael McDermott (Tee Masters GC)
Age 70-74
Low Gross – Clark Amos (Old Warson CC); Low Net – Bill Wirtz (Grey Beard GC)
Age 75 and Over
Low Gross – Stephen Weinstock (Westwood CC); Low Net – Andy Shanfeld (Four Season CC)
DAY ONE RECAP
First-round play at the 26th Senior Amateur Championship wrapped up Tuesday at Persimmon Woods Golf Club, and it was a long, hot day. Ollie Crow, a member of the Metropolitan Golf Club, took the lead with a 1-over 72. Crow, while many may now know him, has had some success on the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association circuit. He captured the Senior Open Championship last fall.
Two Persimmon Woods members, Brian Hall and Robert Meeh, lurk three shots back after opening rounds of 75. That group at 4 over also includes David Pfeil and Jay Jordan. Buddy Allen, the 2018 Senior Player of the Year points leader, had a 76.
Defending champion Jim Holtgrieve, who plays out of Bellerive Country Club, is tied for 19th. Holtgrieve 2017 title was his first in this event since 2007. The St. Louis legend won the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 1981, played on three Walker Cup teams (1979, 1981, and 1983), and captained two Walker Cup teams (2011, 2013)
Several others are competing in their respective age divisions for Low Gross and Low Net honors. They will play in a morning wave on Wednesday to wrap their 2018 Senior Amateur.
ABOUT THE MAGA Senior Amateur
36-hole senior championship of the Metropolitan
Amateur Golf Association (MAGA), with an overall
championship (the George F. Meyer Championship)
and
the following age divisions: 50-59, 60-64, 65-69,
70-
74, and 75+. Entries are
open to amateur golfers who are affiliated with
or are a member of a club which is a Member
Club of the MAGA.
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