- U.S. Senior Challenge photo
The U.S. Senior Challenge has been exactly that for
Greg Goode over the years.
The two-time Kansas State Senior Player of the Year finally reached the mountain top on Thursday, capturing his first U.S. Senior Challenge championship at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club outside of Portland, Ore. Goode’s victory came in wire-to-wire fashion, as the 62-year old carded scores of 69-71-67 for a winning score of 6-under 207, good for a five shot victory over
Bryan Hoops of Tempe, Ariz.
Goode served notice out of the gates he was not going to be denied the coveted championship as made three front side birdies, including one right out of the gates on the par-4 first hole. He gave himself further breathing room by making three consecutive birdies to start the back nine and picked up another on 16 for good measure. With the tournament well in hand, bogeys on the final two holes did nothing to dampen Goode’s spirits, as he cruised to his first-ever USSC championship.
“In the history of this event, Kansas has never had an individual champion,” said Goode. “This is the sixth time I’ve played in this event and it’s good to get the win,” said Goode, the former president at Salina Technical College. “I putted very well and really took my time in reading the slope of the greens. I didn’t have a three-putt the entire three days and played very solid from tee to green, as well.”
Goode’s stellar performance helped the Kansas A squad, consisting of Tracy Chamberlain, Mark Jolliffe and
Mark Elliott along with Goode, to USSC team championship. It marked the first time since 2004 a team from Kansas walked away with the USSC team title.
“It’s so gratifying for these guys to represent their state so well in such a prestigious event,” said Goode. “Pumpkin Ridge is a very challenging and beautiful venue.”
Despite finishing five shots behind Goode for the Senior Individual title, Hoops did not walk away empty handed, as his 1-under total of 212 netted the two-time Arizona Mid-Amateur champion a three-stroke win in the 55-under division over
John Bearrie of Marana, Ariz.
Bob Harrington (Portland, Ore.), the 2017 Oregon Senior Men’s Amateur Champion, claimed the Super Senior individual championship with a score of 2-under 211, three strokes clear of
Murphy Mitchell (Scottsdale, Ariz.). Harrington was even through his first seven holes on his final round but made four birdies on his way to the clubhouse to seal the three-shot victory.
ABOUT THE U.S. Senior Challenge
The U.S. Senior Challenge is the nation’s only senior,
amateur golf event featuring teams from different
states
competing against each other usually held in June of
each year. Four-man teams representing their
respective state,
one of which can be 50-54 and at least three need to
be 55 & over and much like a collegiate event, has
an
individual component inside the event.
The tournament is a 54-hole competition. The best
three of four scores per hole are counted on the first
day of
competitive play when teams are paired together,
and the best three of four 18-hole rounds are scored
during the
final two rounds.
A team and an individual champion will be identified
along with a Senior and Super Senior Payout.
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