In Ohio, 65-year-old John Hills takes title at Great Lakes

June 2, 2020 | by Pete Wlodkowski of AmateurGolf.com

John Hills won again, on a course designed by his father Arthur

The son of legendary golf architect Arthur Hills proves that age is just a number, posting 72 in the final round to win by two

John Hills has been one of the Toledo metro area's top players for decades. After retiring from a career as a tax and financial consultant last year, Hills turned 65 in April. That's the time many senior amateurs start looking forward to moving over to the Super Senior flight with a little extra spring in their step. But Hills -- the son of legendary golf course architect Arthur Hills, proved Sunday that age is just a number by winning the Great Lakes Spring Classic, an event open to players of all ages. Playing one of his father's course layouts, the Maumee Bay State Park Golf Course, Hills opened with a 4-over 76 on Saturday. He trailed recent Bowling Green State grad (and golf team member) Trey Walker and another former BGSU player (Brian Gerken) by three shots heading into Sunday's final round. Despite giving up more than 40 years to Walker, and 30 to Gerken, it was experience and patience and accuracy that won the day on Sunday. The modest champion put it simply. "The course my father designed has a fair amount of heather," said Hills. "I was able to avoid it. The other contenders did not." Hills went out hot on Sunday, posting 2-under 34 on the front nine, and pulled into a tie with Walker -- who shot 37 on the front. With Gerken falling back, it looked to be a tough battle with Hills and Walker heading to the 10th tee. But when Walker took a triple there, Hills took the saddle and never looked back, firing 2-over 38 on the back to Walker's 40 for the two shot win. Conner Stykemain finished in a three-way tie for third with Brian Simmons and Terry Tyson at 152. He bounced back from an 81 with the low round on Sunday, a 1-under 71 that included an eagle on the par-4 2nd hole, where he drove the green. Stykemain's 10-shot improvement was almost matched by Tyson, who chopped eight off his Saturday 80 with an even par 72.

About the Maumee Bay Spring Amateur

36-hole stroke play event with Scratch and Handiap divisions. Open to all members of the Toledo Metro and the Toledo District, plus all amateur golfers residing in the following counties: OHIO - Lucas, Fulton, Williams,Defiance, Henry, Paulding, Van ...

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