Sunnehanna Senior Invitational: Sean Knapp hangs on to win the Senior Division
September 13, 2023 | by Justin Golba of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Sean Knapp, View results for Sunnehanna Senior, Sunnehanna Country Club
Two of the Four Divisions needed extra holes to decide a winner.
The 2023 Sunnehanna Senior Invitational did not lack any drama, as two playoffs were needed to determine winners at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, Pa.
And both playoffs needed more than just one hole.
In the Mid-Master Division, Sean Griswold won the Mid-Master in a three-hole playoff over John Bearrie and Don Padgett III. The three golfers finished the first 54 holes in regulation at 12-over. Griswold's final round 1-under 69 was the only round under par in the Division.
In the Super Senior Division, Don Erikson, a former Senior Winner, won the Super Senior division over Duke Delcher in a three-hole playoff. Erikson and Delcher finished at 6-over, four shots clear of third place.
In the Senior Division, Ryan Knapp was the best golfer in the entire invitational, finishing at 1-over and shooting a 6-under 64 in the second round.
However, he did not make things easy on himself.
He entered the final round at 7-under and held a five-shot lead over Ken Kinkopf and Tucker Sampson, but an 8-over 78 final round brought the field back to him.
Luckily for Knapp, nobody had an impressive final round, and he hung on to win by two shots over Kevin VandenBerg, who finished in solo second place at 3-over.
In the Legends Division, Barry Flaer won by three shots at 4-over. He was a model for consistency all week, shooting rounds of 70-71-73 to win the Invitational.
And both playoffs needed more than just one hole.
In the Mid-Master Division, Sean Griswold won the Mid-Master in a three-hole playoff over John Bearrie and Don Padgett III. The three golfers finished the first 54 holes in regulation at 12-over. Griswold's final round 1-under 69 was the only round under par in the Division.
In the Super Senior Division, Don Erikson, a former Senior Winner, won the Super Senior division over Duke Delcher in a three-hole playoff. Erikson and Delcher finished at 6-over, four shots clear of third place.
However, he did not make things easy on himself.
He entered the final round at 7-under and held a five-shot lead over Ken Kinkopf and Tucker Sampson, but an 8-over 78 final round brought the field back to him.
Luckily for Knapp, nobody had an impressive final round, and he hung on to win by two shots over Kevin VandenBerg, who finished in solo second place at 3-over.
In the Legends Division, Barry Flaer won by three shots at 4-over. He was a model for consistency all week, shooting rounds of 70-71-73 to win the Invitational.
Results: Sunnehanna Senior
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakmont, PA | 700 | 69-64-78=211 | |
| 2 | Pulaski, NY | 400 | 74-69-70=213 | |
| T3 | Plumville, PA | 300 | 70-71-73=214 | |
| T3 | Chevy Chase, MD | 300 | 69-69-76=214 | |
| T3 | Jupiter, FL | 300 | 70-68-76=214 |
About the Sunnehanna Senior
54-holes stroke play with Mid-Master (ages 40-54), Senior (ages 55+), and super senior (65+) divisions. Played on a classic A.W. Tillinghast design.
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