Burda, who turned 65 in March, shot a final-round 3-under 69 Tuesday at par-72 San Luis Obispo CC to win the annual NCGA Super Senior Championship by two shots over runner-up Gary Vanier. The part-time Modesto resident finished with a two-day score of 4-under 140 in what was his NCGA Super Senior debut and first visit to San Luis Obispo CC.
Earlier this year, Burda was runner-up at the Crump Cup and lost in a playoff at the Senior Trans-Mississippi.
Tied with Knoll and Harry Fischer entering the final round, Burda was again consistent, hitting every fairway. He stumbled early with bogeys on the second and third holes but more than righted the ship, going 4 under over his final 15 holes. Helping him along were birdies on each of the four par 5s.
“I drove the ball really well,” Burda said. “When you get those birdies on the par 5s, it helps set up the round.”
Burda would need the birdies considering that Vanier and Knoll were within his closest competitors.
The defending NCGA Super Senior Player of the Year and the event’s defending champion, Vanier went two shots lower for a 70 but had to settle for a two-day total of 142. Knoll, who recently won this year’s NCGA Senior Championship, fell back to a 77 to finish tied for third at 148 with Rich Gleghorn. Fischer had a 79 to come in at 150.
“With Jim (Knoll) and Gary (Vanier), you expect those guys to make a charge,” Burda said. “You know you have to play well.”