Preview: Golfweek Senior Amateur at PGA West
3/13/2014 | by Golfweek
see also: Golfweek Senior Amateur Championship, Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course
Playing close to home, Doug Pool of Las Vegas looks towards a three-peat at PGA West
LA QUINTA, Calif. (March 13, 2014) -- Golfweek
takes its second national ranking tournament of
2014 to PGA West, where senior Doug Pool and
super-senior Ted Smith will try to defend their
2013 titles. The 54-hole event will feature two
rounds on the Stadium Course and one round
on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. The
Stadium Course, ranked No. 7 among
Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play in
California has played host to the PGA Tour Q-
School finals in alternating years.
Pool, who won the Senior Amateur title in both 2012 and 2013, is looking to take home his third consecutive trophy. “I’m really looking forward to being closer to home and winning this tournament again,” said Pool.
Ranked No. 44 in the nation after playing just one event in 2014, Pool, a Las Vegas resident, is an odds-on favorite to defend.
In the Super Senior Division, Ted Smith from Wilkinson, Ind., who is ranked No. 33, is in the midst of a comeback after heart valve surgery.
“It’s always major when your heart is involved,” Smith said before going in for surgery. “My doctor said everything else is fine and after surgery I should be able to pick up right where I left off.”
That means trouble for the rest of the field. Smith won 12 times in 2013 and is poised to be back on top after his strong showing at the Corkscrew and SOS Spring Classic.
In the Legends division, 2013 saw Bob Wernick from Rancho Mirage, Calif. finished with a one- stroke victory over Walt Martin of Oakton, Va. Both are returning this year to once again battle it out for the top spot.
THE FACTS
When: April 13-15
Where: PGA West, La Quinta, Calif., Stadium Course and Nicklaus Tournament Course
Registration: Must be age 55 or over, 65 for Super Senior. Open through April 5, or until the field is full.
Of note: This is a Golfweek 1000- point event, also ranked in the Amateurgolf.com Senior Amateur Rankings and a certified World Amateur Golf Ranking tournament.
Pool, who won the Senior Amateur title in both 2012 and 2013, is looking to take home his third consecutive trophy. “I’m really looking forward to being closer to home and winning this tournament again,” said Pool.
Ranked No. 44 in the nation after playing just one event in 2014, Pool, a Las Vegas resident, is an odds-on favorite to defend.
In the Super Senior Division, Ted Smith from Wilkinson, Ind., who is ranked No. 33, is in the midst of a comeback after heart valve surgery.
“It’s always major when your heart is involved,” Smith said before going in for surgery. “My doctor said everything else is fine and after surgery I should be able to pick up right where I left off.”
That means trouble for the rest of the field. Smith won 12 times in 2013 and is poised to be back on top after his strong showing at the Corkscrew and SOS Spring Classic.
In the Legends division, 2013 saw Bob Wernick from Rancho Mirage, Calif. finished with a one- stroke victory over Walt Martin of Oakton, Va. Both are returning this year to once again battle it out for the top spot.
THE FACTS
When: April 13-15
Where: PGA West, La Quinta, Calif., Stadium Course and Nicklaus Tournament Course
Registration: Must be age 55 or over, 65 for Super Senior. Open through April 5, or until the field is full.
Of note: This is a Golfweek 1000- point event, also ranked in the Amateurgolf.com Senior Amateur Rankings and a certified World Amateur Golf Ranking tournament.
About the Golfweek Senior Amateur
Golfweek Senior Amateur is a premier event for Seniors (55+), Super Seniors (65+), Legends (70+) and Super Legends (75+) with a handicap index or 8 or less.
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