Bob Kearney wins Society of Seniors Championship

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Playing consistent golf all tournament at Wigwam Resort in Phoenix was Bob Kearney of Texas, who won the Society of Seniors Championship by three over Keith Smith. Smith entered the final round with the lead, having posted 72-71 in the first two rounds. But the Franklin, Mass. native shot 76 on Monday, dropping back into the runner-up spot while Kearney came in with 72 to claim the title. The victory is Kearney's third of the calendar year, having come away with wins near the beginning of 2015 at the Old Corkscrew Senior Invitational and the Kingsway Senior Invitational. With the win, Kearney moves into second place in the AmateurGolf.com Senior Rankings with just one tournament remaining before year's end. But trailing Doug Hanzel, who finished in third place this week, by 840 points, Kearney will not be able to catch the Savannah, Ga. native, even if Kearney wins and Hanzel receives no points next week at the Golfweek Senior Tour Championship. Hanzel, with rounds of 74-72-74, took third place by a stroke over four players tying for fourth one stroke back. Finishing at 221 were Bob Stephens, Jeff New, Charles Yandell, and John Bracken. In the Super Senior division, Mike Nixon of Nashville came in with 70 on the final day and moved ahead of second-round leader Steve Dallas. And in the Grand Masters division, it was a wire-to-wire victory for Harry Cain of Boynton Beach, Fla., finishing two ahead of Bob Hullender of San Antonio.