Toiling at his second job, Barry Conser wins Texas Senior Open
Barry Conser of Scottsdale, Arizona, won the 25th Energy Transfer Texas Senior Open by three shots over Houston's Eric Bogar, the first-round leader.
Conser remained calm following a tough start to the event, “I started a little slow the first day, but it was playing tough, so I told myself to just hang in there,” Conser told the Southern Texas PGA. “I was 3-over after 6, and to just get it back to 2-over for round one was a solid round. I knew if I could be within four shots, I had a chance.”
The Eagle Point Golf Club in Mont Belvieu proved a stern test, with high winds following a rainstorm that shortened the 54-hole event to 36-holes. The field’s scoring average was four shots higher than last year’s due to the challenging conditions, and Conser was the only player to finish the tournament under par. His second-round 67 was the lowest round of the tournament by two shots. Starting the second round in 10th place, an eagle on the opening hole gave him the start he needed, and he found himself in contention when he turned in 33, clawing back to one-under after his slow start in the first round. A birdie on the 16th hole all but clinched the win.
“This is one of the best fields, if not the best field of any senior state open in the country," said Conser, whose "day job" is selling real estate at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ. "Winning this event is an incredible feeling."
Conser's unique career path started in his home state of Michigan. He earned a scholarship to Arizona State after an impressive junior career and became an All-American there in 1984. After various stints on the pro tours, Conser focused on the business he grew up around, real estate. All the while he continued playing at a high level -- in 2013 he gained status on the European PGA Tour. He played in the 2017 Senior Open Championship and wins just about every club championship event they put on at his home club, Desert Mountain.
Bob Flanagan of Lawrenceville, Georgia, captured the Super Senior Division title after finishing with a 36-hole total of 150 (+8).
“I’m on a roll. I was the Low Professional in the Super Senior division at the Yamaha Georgia Senior Open, and then more recently won the Veterans Division at the STPGA Senior Series Tour Championship,” said Flanagan. “I am just glad that Texas lets me play.”
The low amateur honors went to
Chad Branton
of Cartersville, GA. A disappointing 80 in his first-round didn’t deter him from returning to Eagle Point GC for round two and firing a 69, including five birdies in his opening 13 holes. His 69 was the second-best score of the tournament for any player in the field, pro or amateur.
Via text message to AmateurGolf, Branton wrote, "It was a great event. The Texas PGA did a wonderful job with the tournament, and the course was a great test and in great shape. I have played lots of golf tournaments around the states and never played in winds like this. 30-40 MPH made for a very challenging event. I plan to come back next year to play again."
View results for Texas Senior Open
ABOUT THE Texas Senior Open
54-hole stroke play event open to pros and
amateurs who are at
least 50 years of age by the first day of the
tournament. Senior (ages 50-64) and Super Senior
(65+) divisions. Women play in the same division but
at a distance that is 80-85%.
View Complete Tournament Information