Cloninger comes back for Carolinas Sr. title

9/21/2012 | by Carolinas Golf Association

Rick Cloninger

Ron Carpenter entered the final round with the lead but Rick Cloninger rallied early in the final round to win

GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 21, 2012) -- The final round started with Ron Carpenter of Creedmoor, NC leading the field by three strokes. After three holes into the final round he was caught by Rick Cloninger of Fort Mill, SC. Rick birdied #2 and #3 while Ron went par bogey on the same holes. Carpenter drove his ball into the water on the par five fifth and suffered another bogey while Cloninger made par to forge a lead he would never surrender. Ron never recovered and finished with a very disappointing 78 and a tie for fifth. Rick now holds the SCGA’s South Carolina Senior trophy won earlier this year and the Carolinas Senior Championship. His six shot victory may seem like a walk in the park but Jim Grainger of Charlotte threatened to make it close as he managed to pull within three with three to go. Rick reached deep and put it away with birdies on #17 and #18 for the final margin. “I know it looks like an easy win but it was hard work holding it together on the back nine” said Cloninger. Finishing tied for second with Jim was his NC Senior Four-Ball partner, James Pearson, also of Charlotte. The duo won the four-ball earlier this year at Rolling Hills CC in Monroe.

About the Carolinas Senior Amateur

The Carolinas Senior Amateur Championship is a 54-hole stroke play event open to any male amateur golfer who reached his 55th birthday by today, is a legal resident of North Carolina or South Carolina, is a member in good standing of a club which is ...

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