The 69-year-old from Santa Cruz took them all on and came out on top.
It’s the first individual NCGA title for Gleghorn. Earlier this year, he won the NCGA Super Senior Four-Ball title with partner and good friend Frank Pieper.
“It’s really exciting to beat such a great field,” Gleghorn said. “There’s obviously some great NCGA players. But there’s also some really good SoCal players in the field, too. I’m just thrilled.”
On a day where low scores were again rare, Gleghorn managed a second 73 where he most importantly played his final eight holes at 1-under with a birdie and seven pars. The stretch kept both Knoll, a record-seven time NCGA Senior Player of the Year winner, and Anderson, who was also looking for his first individual title, at bay. Knoll also shot a 73 but played his final nine at 1-over due in part to a closing bogey on the 18th. Anderson made a charge with a front nine 34 but shot a 40 on the back-nine. Knoll would be awarded second place in a card-off.
“The back nine was really key for me,” Gleghorn said. “The competition is really high. I’m like several of the guys. If we’re having a good day, we can play with anybody. It’s just a matter of catching lightning in a bottle.”
And avoiding big blow-ups. During his 36 holes, Gleghorn never penciled in anything higher than a bogey.
“The way the wind was going, and the course was playing, a double-bogey was lurking around the corner on a lot of holes,” Gleghorn said. “I was really fortunate to get a break or two when I needed it.”
Ron Johnson (below) was the champion of the Legends division (ages 70-over) with a two-day score of 12-over 154.