Having won 12 different CGA Championships Simson knows that none of them come easy. "I putted really well yesterday, and put myself in good position" said Simson. After an opening round 66, Simson held a four shot advantage over Russ Perry of Winston-Salem, NC and Gary Hull of Cornelius, NC. The first round leader needed all four shots coming down the stretch. With a bogey on 17, his lead had dwindled down to one shot over Hull and Perry. Playing with Perry and Hull in the final group Simson was able to rise to the occasion with a birdie on his last hole to capture the win. "I had a two shot lead with two to play and felt pretty good, all of us were on 18 in two but Russ and Hull had good looks at eagle after I missed mine. Luckily for me they slid by."
Simson now looks forward to his next defense title, playing in 33rd North Carolina Senior Championship next week at Starmount Forest CC in Greensboro, NC. A tournament he has won three years in a row and a record nine times. "I still have to go out and play, these guys aren't going to give it to me. There are a lot of good players out here."