Wilson, who won this year’s U.S. Senior Amateur, carded a second-round 1-over 73 Tuesday at The Preserve Golf Club for a two-day total of 2-under 142. Just a shot back at 141 is 2018 NCGA Hall of Fame inductee Randy Haag following a 73, while at 144 is two-time champ John Pate of Santa Barbara after a 74.
A day after carding just one bogey, Wilson would post four. The longtime Green Valley CC member got three shots back, however, thanks to a birdie on No.7 and an eagle on the par-5 eighth.
Haag carded five birdies but also had four bogeys and a double-bogey on the par-5 13th. Pate was also slowed by a double-bogey on the 15th.
Only three shots back at 145 after a 70 is SCGA member Craig Calkins. Former champ Jim Knoll, the winner of this year’s NCGA Senior Championship, slipped back to T-15 after a 78. Gary Vanier, another former winner, is still in the hunt at 146 along with six others after a 74.
The cutline (low 30 and ties) came at 8-over 152. Among those missing the cut were defending champ Mark Morgan.
In the annual Senior Cup, which pits three players from the SCGA versus three players from the NCGA (best two scores out of three), the NCGA slipped by with a tight 291-292 victory. The NCGA was paced by Haag’s 73, while Knoll and Morgan shot 76.
The SCGA got a 71 from Burda, a 73 from Robert Funk and a 75 by Craig Davis. The NCGA has won the title eight of the last 10 years.