LECANTO, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2018) –
Gene Elliott showed why he is
Gene Elliott on Friday in the final round of the
Golfweek Senior Tournament of Champions. The Iowa golf legend rallied in the final round as his opponents were moving in the opposite direction on the leaderboard. Elliott used a final-round even-par 72 to win the event by four shots.
Elliott entered the final round at Black Diamond Ranch’s Quarry Course trailing Allen Peake by one shot. Peake tumbled down the leaderboard with a final-round 79. Elliott put together a solid round with two birdies and a double bogey. His 72 was the second-lowest round of the day. Only runner-up Mike Arnold had better (1-under 71) but opening rounds of 76 had left him to far back at the start of the day.
The win is just another feather in Elliott’s cap – not just in 2018, but in his career. So far this season, Elliott has logged victories at the Crump Cup, Golfweek Senior National Match Play, George C. Thomas Invitational and Jones Cup Senior Invitational, and qualified to play the Senior British Open. He finished in the top 6 in every other stroke play event he entered (not counting the Open, where he missed the cut).
Peake, Mark Knecht and Ken Kinkopf tied for third at 9 over.
Paul Schlachter won the super senior division with a 3-over 219 total. That was good enough for a four-shot victory on George Walker.
Bill Engel had a final-round 71 to also finish at 3-over 219 and win the legends division by one shot.
