Amateur Hour at The Carolinas Senior Open
4/13/2021 | by Andrew Stilwell of AmateurGolf.com
see also: View results for Carolinas Senior Open, Wild Dunes Resort - Links Course
Amateur Todd Hendley defeats another "non-pro" (Duff Wagner) in sudden-death as Greensboro Country Club plays host
In a major senior championship filled with experienced PGA members, it came down to two amateurs in a playoff to determine the winner of the Carolinas PGA Senior Open.
It took one extra hole to determine which of the Carolinas would be able to claim state bragging rights in the tournament, held this week at Greensboro Country Club’s Farm Course. In the end, CPGA Senior Open was won by a North Carolinian, as Columbus’ Todd Hendley (a) captured the tournament title over Taylors, SC’s Duff Wagner (a).
Having two amateurs in a playoff in a tournament run by the Carolinas PGA is no small accomplishment -- the Carolinas PGA Section is the largest of the PGA's 41 Sections with over 2,000 members. Many of them are over 50 seniors.
Hendley, the 62nd ranked senior amateur nationally, according to the AmateurGolf.com Senior rankings, overcame a first round 71 to card nine birdies, including five on the back nine, in his second round en route to a 7-under 65. The 65 was the low round of the tournament for any of the 102 participants. Hendley finished with 13 birdies in total for the tournament, leading the field in the category.
Wagner, the 177th ranked senior amateur in the country, put together two very consistent back-to-back rounds of 68, and was the tournament leader following the first round. He finished second in the field with 11 par breakers.
Both Hendley and Wagner qualified for the playoff with birdies on the 544-yard Par 5 18th hole to end their 36-hole tournament with tournament totals of 8-under. It was no surprise, as both men tied for the best score relative to par on the Par 5’s, each at 7-under. That's taking advantage!
And the two are friends, having partnered together, and won the Carolinas Senior Four-Ball back in 2015 -- and likely a few other events we don't know about.
On the first playoff hole, the Par 4 first hole at Greensboro CC, Hendley parred while Wagner bogeyed. Hendley is no stranger to the winner’s circle, and won the Carolinas Senior Am title in 2018 and 2020.
He may soon need a bigger trophy case.
Oak Island Golf Club Head Professional Steve Isley finished in solo third place, but was the low professional with a two-round score of -7/137. Charlotte’s John Faidley, Director of Golf at The Club at Longview, tied with Durham, NC’s John Inman in fifth place with scores of 6-under 138.
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
Ed Donlin (Carolinas PGA photo)AmateurGolf.com contributor Ed Donlin of Concord, N.C., took home the super senior title, defeating Richard Krapfel with a birdie on the first playoff hole. It was a roller coaster final round for Donlin, whose ball-striking carried him and helped him offset four three putts on the front nine.
Four shots behind at the turn, Donlin eagled the 13th hole and birdied 15 and 17 to pull even. He then had a six-footer for the win on the 18th hole but missed. On the first playoff hole, he hit his approach to two feet, and converted the birdie putt for the win.
"I played as well from tee to green as I ever have in the final round of an event," said Donlin. "Anytime you can win any event in the Carolinas it’s very satisfying as there are so many great players in all age divisions."
It took one extra hole to determine which of the Carolinas would be able to claim state bragging rights in the tournament, held this week at Greensboro Country Club’s Farm Course. In the end, CPGA Senior Open was won by a North Carolinian, as Columbus’ Todd Hendley (a) captured the tournament title over Taylors, SC’s Duff Wagner (a).
Having two amateurs in a playoff in a tournament run by the Carolinas PGA is no small accomplishment -- the Carolinas PGA Section is the largest of the PGA's 41 Sections with over 2,000 members. Many of them are over 50 seniors.
Hendley, the 62nd ranked senior amateur nationally, according to the AmateurGolf.com Senior rankings, overcame a first round 71 to card nine birdies, including five on the back nine, in his second round en route to a 7-under 65. The 65 was the low round of the tournament for any of the 102 participants. Hendley finished with 13 birdies in total for the tournament, leading the field in the category.
Both Hendley and Wagner qualified for the playoff with birdies on the 544-yard Par 5 18th hole to end their 36-hole tournament with tournament totals of 8-under. It was no surprise, as both men tied for the best score relative to par on the Par 5’s, each at 7-under. That's taking advantage!
And the two are friends, having partnered together, and won the Carolinas Senior Four-Ball back in 2015 -- and likely a few other events we don't know about.
On the first playoff hole, the Par 4 first hole at Greensboro CC, Hendley parred while Wagner bogeyed. Hendley is no stranger to the winner’s circle, and won the Carolinas Senior Am title in 2018 and 2020.
He may soon need a bigger trophy case.
Oak Island Golf Club Head Professional Steve Isley finished in solo third place, but was the low professional with a two-round score of -7/137. Charlotte’s John Faidley, Director of Golf at The Club at Longview, tied with Durham, NC’s John Inman in fifth place with scores of 6-under 138.
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
Ed Donlin (Carolinas PGA photo)
Four shots behind at the turn, Donlin eagled the 13th hole and birdied 15 and 17 to pull even. He then had a six-footer for the win on the 18th hole but missed. On the first playoff hole, he hit his approach to two feet, and converted the birdie putt for the win.
"I played as well from tee to green as I ever have in the final round of an event," said Donlin. "Anytime you can win any event in the Carolinas it’s very satisfying as there are so many great players in all age divisions."
About the Carolinas Senior Open
36 hole stroke play championship for senior professionals and amateurs ages 50 and over. Amateurs must reside in North or South Carolina and have a current USGA Handicap Index of 10.0 or less. There will be a Senior Division (age 50+) and a Super Sen...
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