Croasdaile Country Club in Durham, N.C. (CGA/Twitter photo)
Long finished with a 4-under 68 in the final round after posting a 5-under 67 in Round 1.
Evan Long of Charlotte, N.C., played as close to perfect as one can, going bogey free for two days in a row in route to capturing the 12th N.C. Super Senior Championship at Croasdaile Country Club in Durham, N.C. Long finished with a 4-under 68 in the final round after posting a 5-under 67 in Round 1. A 9-under 135 total was good enough for a four-shot victory and Long’s first CGA championship win.
“You just never know when things are going to happen,” said Long. “I always felt like I was capable. It just hadn’t happened.”
Long, the 1992 Indiana Mid-Amateur champion, said he’d been playing well recently and felt good about his game heading into this week’s championship.
“I always felt like I hadn’t performed as well as I could,” said Long. “But things got going this week. The course suited me, I just played steady and hit a lot of good shots.”
Long, who shared the first-round lead with John Fritz of Mint Hill, N.C., jumped out in front early with birdies on Nos. 3 and 6 to make the turn at 2-under 34. Fritz made a couple birdies himself on Nos. 11 and 13 to tie things back up at the top of the leaderboard. Long carried a one-shot lead onto the 16th tee, but a wayward drive by Fritz and a tap in birdie by Long resulted in a three-shot swing. The hole gave Long a comfortable cushion heading into the final two holes, but he made a birdie on No. 18 to cap off the victory.
Reigning Carolinas Super Senior Player of the Year, Russ Perry of Winston-Salem, N.C. finished the championship with a 5-under 139 total to take second place. Mike Kelly of Sanford, N.C had one of the more consistent performances of the championship, posting a pair of 70s to finish at 4-under 140 total. Fritz eventually finished in fourth place at 3-under 141 total for the championship. Logan Jackson of Winston-Salem, N.C. finished at 2-under 142 total to finish in fifth place.
In the 70+ division, Ernie Newton of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Robert Desjardins of Mathews, N.C., finished tied at the end of regulation play at 7-under-par, 137 total for the championship. The two golfers played in a four-hole playoff starting on No. 9 and alternating holes with No. 10. A birdie by Newton on the fourth playoff hole (No. 10) gave him the victory. It was a disappointing finish for Desjardins who made two long putts for birdie on Nos. 17 and 18 to force the playoff.
“I was lucky. I can tell you that,” said Newton. “I’ll be 72 in October and I’m just thankful to god that I can get out here and I’m healthy enough to play. I give him all the glory.”
Rick Kline of Pinehurst, N.C., and Arlis Pike of Kernersville, N.C., both shot 3-under 141 total to finished tied for third. George Leight of Apex, N.C. finished at 2-under 142 total to finish in solo fifth place.
About the North Carolina Super Senior
Open to any male golfer 65 and older, a resident of North Carolina, a member of a CGA member club, and an index that does not exceed 9.9.
Most Popular Articles
Rory McIlroy Wins 2026 Seminole Pro-Member With Dad Gerry
Mar 2, 2026Rory McIlroy added another trophy to the mantle on golf’s most exclusive Monday, teaming with father Gerry at Seminole Golf Club.
Mark Your Calendars: Key USGA Entry Dates for 2026
Mar 12, 2026For players mapping out a competitive schedule, knowing exactly when USGA entries open and close is critical
FINAL RESULTS: Gasparilla Invitational 2026
Feb 21, 2026Hayes Brown wins Gasparilla at 2-under, edging Peyton White by one, while Jeff Frazier claims the Senior title at Palma Ceia.
Michael McCoy Wins 2026 Jones Cup Senior Invitational at Sea Island
Feb 26, 20262026 Jones Cup Senior Invitational at Sea Island’s Seaside Course Final Results + Leaderboard
PREVIEW: 2026 San Francisco City Championship Match Play Weekend 1
Mar 12, 2026Weekend 2 of the 2026 San Francisco City Championship brings match play to TPC Harding Park.
