By Ron Salsig

CARMEL, Ca (October 15, 2005) – A senior golfer leads the way going into the final round of the prestigious Stocker Cup.

Paul Simson of North Carolina, age 54, shot a 3-under-par 69 at The Preserve Golf Club in the third round to grab a three-shot lead over his younger competitors with a 1-over total of 214.

Jeff Wilson of Vallejo, who was the low amateur in the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, shot a 70 to take sole possession of second place at 217. Salinas native Terrence Miskell (74) and Tripp Davis (71), a quarterfinalist in the U.S. Mid-Am this year, are tied for third at 218.

An overnight rain softened the greens, much to the delight of the golfers competing for this championship. The Preserve had not given up a score in the 60s in the first two rounds, but three 69s were posted on Saturday. Gene Elliott and Trent Tessler also broke the barrier.

Simson created a buzz when he played his first practice round at The Preserve on Wednesday, posting a 65.

“The course just fit my eye,” he said. “I fell in love with it right away.”

It may seem unusual for a senior to lead a mid-am championship, but this 54-year-old is no stranger to beating much younger golfers. He won the Carolina Amateur Championship this year, beating players half his age. With old age comes wisdom, and his strategy on Saturday paid off handsomely.

“I’ve been able to keep the ball in pretty good position on the greens,” he said. “I’ve avoided those downhill putts that can lead to disaster.”

Overnight leaders Miskell and Nick Ushijima had their problems in the third round. Miskell hit 16 greens, but still had to birdie the final two holes for his 74. Ushijima skied to a 77, which left him tied for fifth place.

Ushijima came home with a prize, in spite of his double bogeys. He and partner Jon Reynolds of Oakland held on to win the team championship, which ended Saturday, by one stroke over the team of Simson and John Rodenburg. Ushijima and Reynolds posted a 69 for a 194 total. Simson and Rodenburg had a 64 for a 195 total. Trent Tessler and Robby Robinson tied for third at 199 with Phil Huff and Keith Anderson.

The Preserve may have given up some birdies on Saturday, but the lead is still over par. This course is tough.

Stocker Notes:
The cut to the low 20 golfers came at 14-over-par 227 … George Kelley, age 55, who was tied for second after a first-round 72, came home with an 81 on Saturday to miss the cut. “It was too cold, my shoulder hurts and my back is still out,” he said with a smile … Gene Elliott had an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole in his round of 69, hitting a 3-wood to 12 feet from the cup … Will Johnson redeemed himself well after an opening round 85, following with a 76 and a 73, but The Preserve bit him on the final hole with a four-putt.

Ron Salsig can be reached at rsalsig@pacbell.net

* * *

Third round results from the Stocker Cup, played at the par 72, 7067 yard Preserve Golf Club in Carmel, California:

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (Note: Qualifiers play final round on Sunday 10/16)

Pos	Player	Club	Scores
1	Paul Simson	North Ridge Country Club	74-71-69--214
2	Jeff Wilson	Green Valley Country Club	72-75-70--217
T3	Terrence Miskell	Dos Rios Golf Club	71-73-74--218
T3	Tripp Davis	Belmar Golf Club	73-74-71--218
T5	Gene Elliott	Glen Oaks Country Club	76-76-69--221
T5	Nick Ushijima	Olympic Club	71-73-77--221
T7	Dave Nelson	Montreux Golf and Country Club	75-73-74--222
T7	Alex Stamey	Olympic Club	74-75-73--222
T9	Mike Goodes	Pennrose Park Country Club	75-75-73--223
T9	Chris Carlson	Highlands Ranch	72-77-74--223
T9	Kenny Weixel	New Albany Country Club	73-74-76--223
T12	Craig Doell	Victoria Golf Club	79-72-73--224
T12	John Balfanz	Stockdale Country Club	80-72-72--224
T14	Chip Lutz	Pine Valley	72-76-78--226
T14	Bob Niger	Serrano Country Club	78-73-75--226
T14	Steve Nichols	Walnut Hills Country Club	73-76-77--226
T14	Phil Huff	Olympic Club	72-75-79--226
T18	Bowen Osborn	Windsong Farms	77-75-75--227
T18	John Pate	The Valley Club	78-75-74--227
T18	Jimmy Bryan	Latrobe Country Club	80-72-75--227
Failed to qualifyfor final round
	Joe Hillman	Wolf Run Golf Club	77-75-76--228
	Trent Tessler	Scratch Players Golf Club	85-75-69--229
	Jim Lehman	Windsong Farm Golf Club	76-78-75--229
	Keith Kinsel	Oakmont Country Club	77-75-78--230
	Scott Crawshaw	Brookside Golf Club	75-74-81--230
	Brad Wilder	Triple Crown Country Club	75-80-75--230
	Joe Sanders	Incline Village Golf Club	72-78-80--230
	Graham Banister	Wildwood Green Golf Club	80-77-73--230
	Dave Rathjen	The Golf Club	74-79-78--231
	George Kelley	Stevinson Ranch	72-79-81--232
	Todd Barsotti	San Joaquin Country Club	81-78-73--232
	Greg Lopez	Dove Canyon Country Club	78-79-75--232
	Mike Kelley	New Albany Country Club	79-74-80--233
	Gary Young	Scratch Players	79-75-80--234
	Will Johnson	North Ridge Country Club	85-76-73--234
	Steve John	Tehama Golf Club	78-77-79--234
	Mark Gardner	Redlands Country Club	78-77-79--234
	Dave Capel	Stevinson Ranch Golf Club	77-79-79--235
	Mark Maguire	Claremont Country Club	77-81-79--237
	Garrett Larson	UC Golf Club	78-80-79--237
	Jerry Ledzinski	Quail Lodge	74-82-81--237
	Jerry Maatman	Chicago Golf Club	84-75-79--238
	Matt Foley	Los Altos Golf and Country Club	83-77-78--238
	Mike Rowley	San Luis Obispo Country Club	78-78-82--238
	Brian Thibault	Cinnibar Hills Golf Club	84-75-81--240
	John Benson	Totteridge Golf Club	84-74-83--241
	Rob Martin	Rancho Murieta Country Club	80-82-81--243
	Sal Felice	San Juan Oaks Mission Golf Club	83-80-84--247
	Pat Mateer	Spyglass Hill	88-78-82--248
	Kevin Todey	Saticoy Country Club	79-85-85--249
	Stan Lent	The Preserve Golf Club	81-85-87--253
	Patrick Pernice	Amateurgolf.com	86-85-87--258

TOP 10 TEAM RESULTS (Note: Team competition concluded on Saturday 10/16)

Pos	A Player	Club	B Player	Club	Scores	Tot
1	Nick Ushijima	Olympic Club	Jon Reynolds	Claremont Country Club	62-63-69	194
2	Paul Simson	North Ridge Country Club	John Rodenburg	Rumson Country Club	67-64-64	195
T3	Trent Tessler	Scratch Players Golf Club	Robby Robinson	Hiwan Gold Club	70-66-63	199
T3	Phil Huff	Olympic Club	Keith Anderson	Claremont Country Club	64-67-68	199
5	Tripp Davis	Belmar Golf Club	John Bottomley	The Preserve Golf Club	65-68-67	200
6	Todd Barsotti	San Joaquin Country Club	Charles Mazzola	Sequoia Country Club	70-68-63	201
T7	Alex Stamey	Olympic Club	Mike Klassen	Monterey Peninsula C.C.	65-69-68	202
T7	John Benson	Totteridge Golf Club	Matt Tunney	Olympic Club	71-62-69	202
T9	John Balfanz	Stockdale Country Club	Carl Borders	Olympic Club	73-64-66	203
T9	Mike Kelley	New Albany Country Club	Bob Ceremsak	Lake Merced Golf Club	67-70-66	203
T9	Rob Martin	Rancho Murieta Country Club	Bill Chatham	North Ridge Country Club	68-68-67	203
T9	Kenny Weixel	New Albany Country Club	Kelly Erardi	Monterey Peninsula C.C.	67-67-69	203

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