Rex Enright (Golfweek photo by Ron Gaines)
Rex Enright began the final round trailing 36-hole leader Randy Haag by three strokes.
As a member of the Canyon Club, host of the 38th U.S. Senior Challenge Cup, Enright was glad he had seven years of local knowledge in his back pocket as he faced off against Haag in the final group.
“After looking Randy’s resume,” Enright told Golfweek. “I was like ‘Oh (expletive) this guy is pretty good… this could be a challenge!”
With more than 300 wins in his amateur career and three wins already in 2023, Haag was definitely a worthy opponent. Resting on his local knowledge, Enright took comfort in his ability to navigate the elevation and sloped greens that prove to be the primary challenge in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“I figured with his (Haag) resume, that I’d have to shoot 67,” Enright said.
Fortunately for Enright, Haag stumbled out of the gates with a bogey, bogey start. On the par 5 4th, Haag five-putted for a triple to sway the leaderboard in favor of Enright.
Down but not out, Haag battled for control of the top spot and earned back a share of the lead as the two men stood on the 17th tee after being down three strokes through 11 holes.
After catching multiple breaks in Wednesday’s second round, Haag’s luck seemed to have run out on the par-3 17th. Hitting his tee shot just a couple of paces too long, he found himself putting back down towards the hole from just off the green in the rough.
Four putts later, Haag left the door open for Enright to slam the tournament shut.
Putting the finishing touches on the championship with a two-putt par, Enright went on to par the 18th to claim the Challenge Cup by two strokes with a tournament total of 2-over 218.
Defending his home course, Enright becomes the first U.S. Senior Challenge Cup individual champion from New Mexico.
Team Champion
Four more New Mexico natives made Challenge Cup history Thursday as Team New Mexico-Slayton was crowned champions. Riding the back of captain Jack Slayton all week, Kevin Sivage, Anton Salome and Bill Squier strolled through the week to win by 15 shots, boasting a three-day total of 6-over to complete a wire-to-wire win.
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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.
View Complete Tournament Information