Chad Branton wasted no time taking advantage of turning 55.
He shot 7-under to win the 2024 Golden Isles Invitational at Brunswick Country Club in Brunswick, Ga., in his first year of eligibility.
Branton shot rounds of 70-67-72 to get to 7-under and secure the win.
"I would say it was the driver and the putter," Branton said about the keys to his consistency. "I putted really well and it was the club that carried me."
In a field full of top senior players like Rusty Strawn and Mike Combs, Branton knows this win is a step in the right direction. In the interview with AmateurGolf.com, he joked, "I hope to be talking with you a lot more."
Branton added, "I am doing the right things and working on the right things. I want to get better, too."
Combs and Strawn are ranked No. 8 and 10 in the AmateurGolf.com Senior Rankings.
"I am hoping this will help get me back into the things I want to play in," Branton said.
John McKenzie finished in solo second place at 5-under, while Combs, Scott Ferrell, and Charles Kirk finished T3 at 3-under.
In the Super Senior Divison, Steve Humphrey continued his dominance, winning the division for the fourth straight year. He is 4-for-4 in wins since joining the Super Senior Division.
Steve Humphrey
Humphrey finished 7-under and cleared the field by seven shots. He is ranked No. 4 in the AmateurGolf.com Super Senior Rankings.
"I have played there for the last four years, and for some reason, it just suits my eye," Humphrey said. "I have played well there for the last four years, and it suits me. It is one of those courses."
Humphrey knows the benefit of driving the ball straight at Brunswick Country Club.
"It is the toughest rough I play all year, and I hit it straight and was able to keep it out of there," he said.
Humphrey only had a two-shot lead going into hole No. 12, but Jim Skinner made four bogeys in the last seven holes to fall off the pace. He finished in solo second place at even par. Bryan Rodgers finished in solo third place at 2-over.
In the Legends Division, Randy Russell shot rounds of 71-73-72 to show off his consistency and finish even par. He finished four shots ahead of the field.
Phil Pavoni finished in solo second place at 4-over, and Ernie Venet finished in solo third place at 7-over.