Loading article...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading article...
see also: Greg Sanders, Mission Hills Country Club - Pete Dye Course
Sanders entered the final round with a four-shot lead, but the winds kicked up, making for an interesting final round
Sandpiper Golf Club along the Pacific coast provided a supreme setting for the 9th Founders Cup as players enjoyed ideal weather conditions during the first two rounds of competition.
During Friday’s final round, however, the wind kicked up with gusts near 30mph and gave the field all it could handle as they navigated the William Bell design for the last time.
Senior Division
Greg Sanders, of Anthem, Ariz., went wire-to-wire as he held on to win the Senior Division by a stroke over a hard-charging Doug Clapp, of Manomet, Mass. Sanders posted a final round of 5-over 77, good enough for a 1-over total of 217.
Clapp played his final six holes in three under, recording birdies on holes 13 through 15. He just missed a couple of great looks on holes 17 and 18 that would have made things interesting down the stretch in extremely tough scoring conditions.
Sanders overcame a few hiccups during the final round, citing some timely up-and-downs to secure his first Society of Seniors victory.
“I drove it really well all week,” said Sanders. “I putted beautifully, and I guess I impressed Tony [Hejna] with a few up-and-downs out there today, so my scrambling was good too. It was a great week at an awesome venue and I’m happy to come away with the win.”
Tony Hejna, of Juno Beach, FL, who had a hole-in-one on Thursday, finished in third place.
Super Senior Division
David Nelson, of Littleton, CO, edged out John Pate, of Santa Barbara, by one stroke to win the Super Senior Division. Nelson posted rounds of 72-73-76 for a 221 (+5) total.
Nelson started out firing on all cylinders with a birdie to start his round and had it to two-under for most of his first nine. When the wind got stronger, it was time to hold on. Thankfully, he had built enough of a cushion to stay ahead of Pate.
“It was tough out there for sure,” said Nelson. “I really putted well this week and it seemed like I made almost all of my six to eight footers, whether they were for pars or bogeys today. I drove it great as well and just tried to stay away from any big numbers out there.”
Bill Long, of Pinehurst, NC, finished in third place at 225 (+9).
Legend Division
Michael Jonson, of Sammamish, WA, was focused on keeping it simple this week while hitting it down the middle and trying to avoid double bogeys. He made two doubles in round one, but then stuck to the gameplan in rounds two and three. He posted 78-73-75 for 226 (+10) to win by three strokes over Mark Weston, of Windermere, FL.
“I was just steady out there today,” said Jonson. “I tried to keep it in play for the most part and not make doubles like I did in the first round. The greens were really difficult this week and with today’s wind, avoiding big numbers was key.”
George Walker, of Fairhope, AL, finished in third place at 230.
Super Legend Division
A 54-hole stroke play championship for Society of Seniors members with Senior, Super Senior and Grand Master Divisions.
Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National
Apr 8, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta
Masters: Memorable performances by amateurs in the last 40 years
Apr 2, 2026A Mid-Amateur legend and a 14 year old have won low-amateur honors at Augusta National over the years
U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock
Apr 8, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.
San Francisco City Championship: Champions Crowned
Mar 22, 2026Joey Hayden, Gianna Singh, Bob Niger, and Jeff Thomas capped championship week with title-winning performances at Harding Park.
2026 Augusta National Women's Amateur: Full Field Preview, Favorites & How to Watch
Mar 30, 202648 of the top 50 players in the world. Two past champions. One teenager who lost by a single stroke last year.