USGA Senior Amateur Championship

USGA Senior Amateur Championship 

September 12-17, 2009 

Beverly Country Club, Chicago, Ill. 

Previous USGA Championship: 

1931 U.S. Amateur

2008 USGA Senior Amateur Champion 

George “Buddy” Marucci Jr. 

Senior Amateur Championship Trophy 

The permanent Senior Amateur Championship Trophy was presented by Frederick L. Dold, of Wichita, Kan., in 1955. Dold had retired from the USGA Executive Committee after five 

years of service.

Par: 36–35—71 

Yardage: 6,654/6,672 

Club Administrative Information 

Mailing & shipping address: 

Beverly Country Club 

87th Street and Western Avenue 

Chicago, IL 60620 

Phone (main switchboard): 

(708) 636-8700 

USGA Senior Amateur Administrative Information 

Co-General Chairmen: 

Terry Lavin 

Peter Carey 

55th USGA Senior Amateur 

September 12-17, 2009 

Beverly Country Club, Chicago, Ill. 

Contact Information 

Golf Course Architect: George O’Neil; 

Donald Ross (1918) 

Opened: 1908 

General Manager: 

Tom Harrigan 

Head Golf Professional: 

John Varner 

Superintendent: 

Keith Peterson 

USGA Staff Representative: 

Ben Kimball 

USGA Communications/Media Relations Contact: 

Dave Fanucchi 

Please call USGA Media Relations at (908) 234-2300 for the media room phone numbers. 

USGA Senior Amateur 3 

Sr. Amateur

Sr. Amateur 

4 USGA Senior Amateur 

Entries 

Open to amateur golfers who have reached their 55th 

birthday on or before Sept. 12, 2009, and who have 

a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 7.4. Entries 

close July 22. 

Starting Field 

156 players 

Schedule of Play 

• Saturday, Sept. 12 — First round, stroke play (18 holes) 

• Sunday, Sept. 13 — Second round, stroke play (18 holes) 

After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 64 

scorers, who will advance to match play. 

• Monday, Sept. 14 — First round, match play (18 holes) 

• Tuesday, Sept. 15 — Second round, match play 

(18 holes), Third round, match play (18 holes) 

• Wednesday, Sept. 16 — Quarterfinals, match play 

(18 holes), Semifinals, match play (18 holes) 

• Thursday, Sept. 17 — Final, match play (18 holes) 

Sectional Qualifying 

18 holes stroke play, scheduled at 51 sites, from 

Aug. 10-20. 

Exemptions from Sectional Qualifying 

• Winners of the USGA Senior Amateur Championship 

the last 10 years (1999-2008) 

• Runners-up of the USGA Senior Amateur 

Championship the last three years (2006-2008) 

• Semifinalists of the USGA Senior Amateur 

Championship the last two years (2007-2008) 

• Quarterfinalists from the 2008 USGA Senior Amateur 

Championship 

• Any player who qualified for the 2009 U.S. Open 


• From the 2008 U.S. Open Championship, those 

returning scores for 72 holes 

• From the 2009 U.S. Senior Open Championship, any 

amateur returning a 72-hole score 

2009 Conditions of Play 

• Winners of the U.S. Amateur Championship the last 

15 years or 15 years from the time the player becomes 

age eligible 

• Runners-up of the U.S. Amateur Championship the 

last three years (2007-2009) 

• Quarterfinalists from the 2009 U.S. Amateur 


• From the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, 

winners in 2008 & 2009 and the runner-up in 2009 

• From the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, winners 

in 2007 & 2008 and the runner-up in 2008 

• Playing members of the two most current United 

States and Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup teams 

(2007 & 2009) 

• Playing members of the two most current United 

States World Amateur teams (2006 & 2008) 

• Winners of the British Amateur Championship the 

last five years (2005-2009) 

• Winner of the 2009 British Senior Open Amateur 


• Winner of the 2009 Canadian Men's Senior Amateur 


• Special exemptions as selected by the USGA 

The Champion Receives 

• A gold medal and custody of the Frederick L. Dold 

Trophy for the ensuing year. The runner-up receives 

a silver medal: the other semifinalists and medalist 

receive bronze medals 

• An exemption from local qualifying at the next U.S. 

Open Championship 

• An exemption from sectional qualifying at the next 

U.S. Senior Open Championship, if still an amateur 


two U.S. Amateur Championships 


two U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships 


10 USGA Senior Amateur Championships 


two U.S. Amateur Public Links Championships, if 

other wise eligible

George “Buddy” Marucci Jr., 56, of Villanova, Pa., defeated 

George Zahringer, 55, of New York, N.Y., 2 up, to win 

the 2008 USGA Senior Amateur Championship at the 

6,679-yard, par-71 Shady 

Oaks Country Club in Fort 

Worth, Texas. 

“Of all my accomplishments 

in golf, this has to 

top the list,” Marucci said. 

“I can’t wait to walk into 

the USGA Museum and see 

my name up on the Hall 

of Champions. It means a 

lot to finally win one of 

these after all of my years 

of trying.” 

Marucci, who never 

trailed in the match, 

didn’t relinquish the lead 

after birdieing the par-3 

seventh hole to go 1 up. 

He extended the margin 

to 3 up through 12 holes, 

his largest cushion, until 

Zahringer sliced the deficit 

to 1 down through No. 

15. 

Marucci Wins the 2008 Championship 

Marucci then maintained his 1-up advantage with a 

clutch 8-foot par putt on No. 16. After the two players 

halved the 17th hole, Marucci split the 18th fairway 

and struck a crisp 7-iron approach shot from 158 yards 

out that stopped 11 feet of the hole. When Zahringer’s 

25-foot birdie putt slid by the hole, he conceded to 

Marucci. 

The Final: Zahringer vs. Marucci 

Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

PAr 4 4 4 4 3 4 3 5 4 4 4 3 4 5 5 3 4 4 

ZAHringer 5 4 4 4 3 5 3 6 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 3 4 4 

MAruCCi 4 5 3 4 4 5 2 5 3 5 3 3 5 5 6 3 4 3 


“I think Buddy’s iron play was better than mine today, 

as was his putting,” said Zahringer, the 2002 U.S. Mid- 

Amateur champion. “That may have been the difference.” 

It was Marucci’s second 

attempt at winning a 

USGA championship, following 

his appearance 13 

years ago in the finals of 

the 1995 U.S. Amateur. 

He lost to Tiger Woods, 2 

down, at Newport Country 

Club in Newport, R.I. 

Marucci, the captain of 

the victorious 2007 USA 

Walker Cup team, will 

be unable to defend his 

title at Beverly Country 

Club in Chicago, Ill. He 

will instead be at Merion 

Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., 

as the returning captain 

of the 2009 USA Walker 

Cup squad. The two USGA 

championships begin play 

on the same weekend. 

With his victory, Marucci 

became the first Walker Cup captain to win a USGA 

championship since Jay Sigel accomplished the 

feat in 1985. Sigel won the 1985 U.S. Mid-Amateur 

Championship while he was that year’s Walker Cup 

captain. 

– Won hole 




Paul Simson was the stroke play medalist in 2008. 

Leaders 

Round 1 — Howie Knodt at 3-under 68, by one over 

Dave Denezza, Stewart “Buddy” Alexander and Tom 

Doughtie. Round 2 — Paul Simson was medalist at 1under 

141, by two over George “Buddy” Marucci Jr., 

Michael Kelly and Mitch Voges. 

Cut 

At 11-over-par 153 with an 11-for-6 playoff that lasted 

one hole. 

Weather 

Sunny and hot throughout the week. 

2008 Championship Notes 

Notes 

The average age of the 156 competitors in the 2008 

USGA Senior Amateur field was 58.5 years old … there 

were four 68-year-olds in the field: 1999 champion 

Bill Ploeger, Jerry Cundari, Stan Fischer and 2005 winner 

Mike Rice … Ploeger and Cundari both advanced 

to match play … in addition to Ploeger, seven other 

USGA champions made match play: Stewart “Buddy” 

Alexander (1986 Amateur); Mark Bemowski (2004 

Senior Amateur); Vinny Giles (1972 Amateur); Stan Lee 

(2007 Senior Amateur); Kemp Richardson (2001 and 

2003 Senior Amateurs); Mitch Voges (1991 Amateur); 

and George Zahringer (2002 Mid-Amateur) … there 

were 51 players competing in their first USGA championship 

and 88 playing in their first Senior Amateur 

… John Grace, a member of the 1975 USA Walker Cup 

team and the 1974 U.S. Amateur runner-up, made the 

cut … Grace, a long-time member at Shady Oaks, won 

17 club championships there … Paul Simson earned 

medalist honors at a USGA event for the third time. 

He was co-medalist at the 2004 Mid-Amateur and the 

2006 Senior Amateur … there were players from 40 

states represented, along with three foreign countries 

– Canada, Ireland and Japan … Denny Alexander 

pulled double duty at Shady Oaks during the week. He 

served as general chairman and also qualified for the 

championship. He advanced to match play but lost in 

the first round … no one made any holes-in-one during 

the 2007 championship but there was someone in 

the field who holds a unique USGA record. Don Bliss 

is the only person to record two holes-in-one during 

the same round of a USGA event. He did so during the 

1987 Mid-Amateur.

George Zahringer, the 2002 U.S. Mid-Amateur 

champion, came close to adding another 

USGA title but lost to Buddy Marucci in the 

final of the 2008 USGA Senior Amateur. 





Qual. 

Score 

(70-70) Paul Simson, Raleigh, N.C. 

(78-75) B. Shawn McLoughlin, Newtown, Conn. 

(74-76) Denny Alexander, Fort Worth, Texas 

(72-78) Randy Nichols, Connersville, Ind. 

(69-78) Dave Denezza, Greensburg, Pa. 

(78-74) Sid Moore, Magnolia, Ark. 

(75-72) Ralph Cotton, Colleyville, Texas 

(77-74) Alistair Catto, South Hadley, Mass. 

(68-76) Howie Knodt, Chula Vista, Calif. 

(75-77) Arthur Pierse, Ireland 

1st Round 

Monday, Sept. 22 

(72-76) Stanford Lee, Heber Springs, Ark. 

(75-75) John Pallin, Kenosha, Wis. 

(72-72) Kemp Richardson, Laguna Niguel, Calif. 

(75-77) Kelly Roberts, Canada 

(74-74) Don Bliss, St. Louis, Mo. 

(75-75) Stephen Bell, Denver, Colo. 

(72-71) Mitch Voges, Simi Valley, Calif. 

(80-73) Ray Womack, Burlington, N.C. 

(75-74) Joseph Keller, Osterville, Mass. 

(73-77) Jonathan Verity, Beaufort, S.C. 

(73-73) Sam Farlow, Birmingham, Ala. 

(74-78) Dan Bieber, Alamo, Calif. 

(76-72) Bill Smunk, Kingstree, S.C. 

(69-82) Stewart Alexander, Gainesville, Fla. 

(70-74) Ronald Vannelli, Edison, N.J. 

(76-77) Edward Patridge, Birmingham, Ala. 

(77-72) Jerry Cundari, Portland, Ore. 

(73-77) Greg Kendall, Sioux Falls, S.D. 

(72-74) David Strawn, Charlotte, N.C. 

(79-73) Timothy Pope, Spartanburg, S.C. 

(73-75) John Benson, Punxsutawney, Pa. 

(77-74) george Zahringer, new York, n.Y. 

54th uSgA Senior Amateur Championship 

2nd Round 

Tuesday, Sept. 23 

Simson 

3 and 2 

Nichols 

1 up 

Denezza 

2 and 1 

Cotton 

3 and 2 

Knodt 

5 and 3 

Pallin 

19 holes 

Richardson 

19 holes 

S. Bell 

5 and 4 

Voges 

6 and 5 

Keller 

3 and 2 

Farlow 

2 up 

Alexander 

6 and 5 

Patridge 

1 up 

Cundari 

5 and 4 

Pope 

2 and 1 

Zahringer 

3 and 2 

3rd Round 


Nichols 

2 and 1 

Denezza 

1 up 

Pallin 

5 and 3 

S. Bell 

4 and 3 

Keller 

5 and 4 

Farlow 

2 up 

Cundari 

3 and 2 

Zahringer 

4 and 2 

Quarterfinal Round 

Wednesday, Sept. 24 

Nichols 

1 up 

Pallin 

4 and 3 

Keller 

1 up 

Zahringer 

2 and 1 

Semifinal Round 


Nichols 

4 and 3 

Zahringer 

2 and 1 

Par: 35-36–71 

Yardage: 6,597 

entries: 2,393 

Zahringer 

1 up 

FINAL 

Thursday, Sept. 25 

George Marucci Jr. 

def. 

George Zahringer, 

2 up

Sept. 20-25, 2008, Shady oaks Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas 

Marucci 

2 up 

Semifinal Round 


Ford 

1 up 

Marucci 

3 and 2 

Quarterfinal Round 


Giles 

1 up 

Ford 

2 and 1 

Marucci 

3 and 2 

Grace 

4 and 3 

3rd Round 


Jackson 

6 and 5 

Giles 

2 and 1 

Ford 

4 and 3 

Heldmar 

19 holes 

Marucci 

1 up 

Travetto 

2 up 

Murphy 

3 and 1 

Grace 

4 and 3 

2nd Round 


Jackson 

2 and 1 

Till 

2 up 

Giles 

3 and 2 

McGraw 

1 up 

Ford 

2 and 1 

Shelton 

4 and 3 

Reznicek 

3 and 2 

Heldmar 

19 holes 

Marucci 

6 and 4 

Long 

19 holes 

Bohardt 

19 holes 

Travetto 

2 and 1 

Watson 

3 and 2 

Murphy 

3 and 2 

Grace 

6 and 5 

Meyer 

2 and 1 


1st Round 

Monday, Sept. 22 

Qual. 

Score 

Michael Kelly, Odenton, Md. (74-69) 

Logan Jackson, Winston Salem, N.C. (78-75) 

Sam Till Jr., Fort Wayne, Ind. (74-75) 

Bruce Scamehorn, Winter Haven, Fla. (71-79) 

Vinny Giles, Richmond, Va. (73-73) 

Norman Swenson, Boynton Beach, Fla. (77-75) 

Johnny Stevens, Wichita, Kan. (74-73) 

Thomas McGraw, Montgomery, Texas (76-75) 

Eddie Lyons, Shreveport, La. (71-73) 

Frank Ford III, Charleston, S.C. (77-75) 

Larry Netherton, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (77-71) 

Michael Shelton, Belton, Mo. (74-76) 

David Pocknall, Katy, Texas (75-69) 

Randy Reznicek, Vista, Calif. (75-77) 

Wayne Smith, Austin, Texas (71-77) 

Bill Heldmar, Tulsa, Okla. (74-77) 

george Marucci Jr., Villanova, Pa. (73-70) 

Larry Clark, Kingston, Ga. (79-74) 

Frank Abbott, Napa, Calif. (73-76) 

John Long, Centreville, Va. (72-78) 

Richard Umani, West Chester, Pa. (71-75) 

Thomas Bohardt, Cleveland, Ohio (76-76) 

Mark Bemowski, Mukwonago, Wis. (73-75) 

Frank Travetto, Bartlett, Ill. (75-76) 

Tom Doughtie, Amarillo, Texas (69-75) 

Carey Watson, Coral Springs, Fla. (77-76) 

Bill Ploeger, Columbus, Ga. (72-77) 

Paul Murphy, Arlington, Mass. (80-70) 

John Grace, Fort Worth, Texas (74-71) 

Thomas Bartolacci, Washington Crossing, Pa. (73-79) 

Bruce Meyer, El Paso, Texas (70-78) 

Larry Daniels, Seattle, Wash. (76-75) 




141 Paul Simson, Raleigh, N.C., 71-70 

143 George Marucci Jr., Villanova, Pa., 73-70; Michael Kelly, Odenton, Md., 74-69; Mitch Voges, 

Simi Valley, Calif., 72-71 

144 David Pocknall, Katy, Texas, 75-69; Eddie Lyons, Shreveport, La., 71-73; Howie Knodt, Chula 

Vista, Calif., 68-76; Kemp Richardson, Laguna Niguel, Calif., 72-72; Ronald Vannelli, Edison, 

N.J., 70-74; Tom Doughtie, Amarillo, Texas, 69-75 

145 John Grace, Fort Worth, Texas, 74-71 

146 David Strawn, Charlotte, N.C., 72-74; Richard Umani, West Chester, Pa., 71-75; Sam Farlow, 

Birmingham, Ala., 73-73; Vinny Giles, Richmond, Va., 73-73 

147 Dave Denezza, Greensburg, Pa., 69-78; Johnny Stevens, Wichita, Kan., 74-73; Ralph Cotton, 

Colleyville, Texas, 75-72 

148 Bill Smunk, Kingstree, S.C., 76-72; Bruce Meyer, El Paso, Texas, 70-78; Don Bliss, St. Louis, 

Mo., 74-74; John Benson, Punxsutawney, Pa., 73-75; Larry Netherton, Highlands Ranch, 

Colo., 77-71; Mark Bemowski, Mukwonago, Wis., 73-75; Stanford Lee, Heber Springs, Ark., 

72-76; Wayne Smith, Austin, Texas, 71-77 

149 Bill Ploeger, Columbus, Ga., 72-77; Frank Abbott, Napa, Calif., 73-76; Jerry Cundari, 

Portland, Ore., 77-72; Joseph Keller, Osterville, Mass., 75-74; Sam Till Jr., Fort Wayne, Ind., 

74-75 

150 Bruce Scamehorn, Winter Haven, Fla., 71-79; Denny Alexander, Fort Worth, Texas, 74-76; 

Failed to Qualify 

153 *Bob Hammersla, Greenville, S.C., 79-74-(4); *John Baldwin, West Palm Beach, Fla., 74-79- 

(4); *John Felker, Signal Mountain, Tenn., 74-79-(6); *Mike Rice, Houston, Texas, 75-78- 

(4); *Steven Welker, Maricopa, Ariz., 70-83-(NS) 

154 Charlie Horn, Marana, Ariz., 78-76; David Watterworth, Charlotte, N.C., 80-74; Donald 

Blanton, Selma, Ala., 80-74; Douglas Farr, Monroe, La., 73-81; Jim Fuchs, Richmond, Ind., 

75-79; Jim Hartley, Carlsbad, Calif., 78-76; Jim Knoll, Sunnyvale, Calif., 76-78; John Hebert, 

Scottsdale, Ariz., 79-75; Larry Barnacle, Pine 

Springs, Minn., 74-80; Skip Runnels, Richmond, 

Ind., 74-80 

155 Donald Crump, Atlanta, Ga., 79-76; Jack Rector, 

Thousand Oaks, Calif, 77-78; Jim Whisman, Sparks, 

Nev., 81-74; Kelly Crone, Littleton, Colo., 80-75; 

Matthew Bellis, Ambler, Pa., 76-79; Mike Bell, 

Indianapolis, Ind., 75-80; Mike Rollyson, Boca 

Grande, Fla., 79-76; Rick Ten Broeck, Chicago, Ill., 

79-76; Skip Tendall, North Potomac, Md., 79-76; 

Stu Grendahl, McFarland, Wis., 77-78; Thomas 

Mish, Grapevine, Texas, 81-74; William Lee, New 

Haven, Conn., 78-77 

156 Bill Moor, Birmingham, Ala., 77-79; Cy Kilgore, 

Marblehead, Mass., 76-80; Dennis Vaughn, 

Campbellsville, Ky., 77-79; Denny Taylor, Gladstone, 

Ore., 75-81; Frank Brame, Alexandria, La., 76- 

80; Frank Schmidt, Waterloo, Iowa, 80-76; John 

Whitmore, Alexandria, Va., 80-76; Paul Nunez Jr., 

Wilbraham, Mass., 78-78; Scott Holloway, Eagle, 

Idaho, 81-75 

157 Dann Merrell, West Palm Beach, Fla., 76-81; David 

McCook, Hastings, Minn., 77-80; Rick Westwood, 

Wellington, Fla., 83-74; Stan Fischer, Richmond, 

Va., 76-81; Taylor Metcalfe, Glendale, Ohio, 78-79; 

Thomas Lyons, Pleasanton, Calif., 79-78; William 

Garahan, Rock Hill, S.C., 83-74 

158 Bob Martin, Phoenix, Ariz., 78-80; David Hambly, 

Bluffton, S.C., 84-74; John Fife, Albuquerque, N.M., 

77-81; Richard Marlowe, Youngstown, Ohio, 80-78; 

Ron Hunter, Jasper, Ga., 77-81; Ronnie Tumlin, St. 

Augustine, Fla., 79-79; Russ Berkoben, Perrysburg, 

Complete Stroke-Play Results 

Denny Alexander, who served as general chairman 

for the 2008 championship, advanced to the second 

round of match play. 

Greg Kendall, Sioux Falls, S.D., 73-77; John Long, Centreville, Va., 72-78; John Pallin, 

Kenosha, Wis., 75-75; Jonathan Verity, Beaufort, S.C., 73-77; Michael Shelton, Belton, Mo., 

74-76; Paul Murphy, Arlington, Mass., 80-70; Randy Nichols, Connersville, Ind., 72-78; 

Stephen Bell, Denver, Colo., 75-75 

151 Alistair Catto, South Hadley, Mass., 77-74; Bill Heldmar, Tulsa, Okla., 74-77; Frank Travetto, 

Bartlett, Ill., 75-76; George Zahringer, New York, N.Y., 77-74; Larry Daniels, Seattle, Wash., 

76-75; Stewart Alexander, Gainesville, Fla., 69-82; Thomas McGraw, Montgomery, Texas, 76- 

75 

152 Arthur Pierse, Ireland, 75-77; Dan Bieber, Alamo, Calif., 74-78; Frank Ford III, Charleston, 

S.C., 77-75; Kelly Roberts, Canada, 75-77; Norman Swenson, Boynton Beach, Fla., 77-75; 

Randy Reznicek, Vista, Calif., 75-77; Sid Moore, Magnolia, Ark., 78-74; Thomas Bartolacci, 

Washington Crossing, Pa., 73-79; Thomas Bohardt, Cleveland, Ohio, 76-76; Timothy Pope, 

Spartanburg, S.C., 79-73 

153 *B. Shawn McLoughlin, Newtown, Conn., 78-75-(3); *Carey Watson, Coral Springs, Fla., 

77-76-(2); *Edward Patridge, Birmingham, Ala., 76-77-(2); *Larry Clark, Kingston, Ga., 79- 

74-(3); *Logan Jackson, Winston Salem, N.C., 75-78-(3); *Ray Womack, Burlington, N.C., 

80-73-(3) 

* = In playoff 

Ohio, 77-81; Sandy McCall, The Woodlands, Texas, 75-83; Stephen Maddox, Asheville, 

N.C., 76-82; Thomas McGreevy, Huntington Beach, Calif., 80-78; Timothy Cox, Palm Beach 

Gardens, Fla., 75-83 

159 Bruce Wold, Novato, Calif., 79-80; David Spannbauer, Green Cove Springs, Fla., 79-80; 

Del Kinney Jr., Great Barrington, Mass., 80-79; Fredrick Steffers, Colorado Springs, Colo., 

81-78; Herb Fisher, The Woodlands, Texas, 81-78; Joe Hart, Bluefield, Va., 75-84; Michael 

Uptegraff, Irvine, Calif., 79-80; Peter Dahlberg, Fort Worth, 

Texas, 83-76; Robert Pappa, Roswell, Ga., 82-77; Thomas 

Nesbitt, Nashville, Tenn., 80-79 

160 Bert Walker, Indian Wells, Calif., 82-78; Bob Gray, 

Missoula, Mont., 81-79; David Lucks, Kirkwood, 

Mo., 79-81; Frank Mihalek, Canada, 81-79; Kent 

Frandsen, Lebanon, Ind., 81-79 

161 Robert Wayland, Belleair, Fla., 81-80; Travis Gamble, 

Wauna, Wash., 81-80; Van Salmans, Chicago, Ill., 

77-84 

162 Al Pineault, San Antonio, Texas, 81-81; Bob Klug, 

Pinehurst, N.C., 90-72; Robert McIntyre, Westfield, 

N.J., 82-80; William Boockford, Glen Ellyn, Ill, 77-85 

163 Cannon Randall, Logan, Utah, 84-79; Curt Knorr, 

Atlanta, Ga., 76-87; Rick Herpich, Orchard Lake, 

Mich., 80-83 

164 Michael Arnold, San Antonio, Texas, 84-80 

165 Bill Barnes, Carmel, Ind., 79-86 

166 Murray Krambeer, Bellevue, Neb., 82-84; Ray 

Richard, Bourne, Mass., 76-90; Robert Stevenson, 

Buffalo, N.Y., 84-82; Shigeru Matsui, Honolulu, 

Hawaii, 86-80 

167 David Bradford, Provo, Utah, 85-82 

168 Don Jorgenson, Tucson, Ariz., 83-85; Gary Fox, 

Northridge, Calif., 87-81 

169 William Dobbs, Tulsa, Okla., 83-86 

171 Bill Barry Jr., Hampden, Mass., 84-87 

174 Thomas Major, Brookfield, Wis., 91-83 

DQ James Brady, Seattle, Wash., 77

Randy Nichols watches his ball in the darkening sky 

at Shady Oaks Country Club in 2008. 

The remarkable growth of senior golf prompted the 

USGA to establish the Senior Amateur Champion ship 

in 1955. Many senior golf associations had come into 

being on the local, state, and regional level, proving 

that the competitive instinct among golfers was not 

diminished by age. 

In 1955, the notion of a tournament only for seniors 

was not a new one. Fifty years earlier, The Apawamis 

Club, in Rye, N.Y., had started the oldest senior competition 

still in existence, which led directly to the 

formation of the U.S. Senior Golf Association, a private 

organization not linked to the USGA. 

Apawamis extended invitations to golfers 60 years of 

age and older. When the response was not overwhelming, 

the age minimum was dropped to 55 to gather a 

representative field. Thus was the definition of a senior 

amateur golfer established. 

The U.S. Senior Golf Association conducted a fine 

tournament, but membership in the organization was 

limited, and a long waiting list developed. Because 

there was no one event open to all senior amateurs, the 

USGA was asked to start a true national championship. 

The Senior Amateur was added to the schedule in 1955. 

Entries were open to golfers age 55 and over who had 

handicaps not over 10 strokes. 

Championship History 


Addition of the Senior Amateur gave the USGA exactly 

twice as many championships as it had conducted 

before World War II, when there were just four: the 

Amateur, Open, and Women’s Amateur, started in 1895, 

and the Amateur Public Links (1922). From World War 

II until 1955, the USGA added four more: the Junior 

Amateur (1948), the Girls’ Junior (1949), the Women’s 

Open (1953), and the Senior Amateur (1955). The USGA 

now conducts 13 national championships, 10 of which 

are strictly for amateurs. 

The first Senior Amateur, at Belle Meade Country Club, 

in Nashville, Tenn., drew 370 entries from 30 states and 

the District of Columbia. J. Wood Platt, 56, the eighttime 

Philadelphia Amateur champion, defeated George 

Studinger of San Francisco, Calif., 5 and 4, in the final. 

In 1959, J. Clark Espie, who had won in 1957, became 

the Senior Amateur’s first two-time champion. Lewis 

W. Oehmig, a record six-time finalist, is also the only 

three-time winner (1972, 1976, 1985). 

Senior Amateur contestants may ride in carts, a concession 

not allowed when the championship was first 

played. Traditionalists, who believed walking was vital 

to a valid national title, finally gave in because the 

championship is played in the fall, when it is difficult 

to obtain caddies. Carts have been allowed since 1969. 




1955 (Sept.-Oct.) J. Wood Platt d. George Studinger, 5 and 4; Belle 

Meade C.C., Nashville, Tenn.; Medalist — 72, Martin M. Issler; 

Entries: 370 

1956 (Aug.) Frederick J. Wright d. J. Clark Espie, 4 and 3; 

Somer set C.C., St. Paul, Minn.; Medalist — 72, Weller Nobel; 

Entries: 282 

1957 (Sept.-Oct.) J. Clark Espie d. Frederick J. Wright, 2 and 1; 

Ridgewood (N.J.) C.C. (West and Center nines); Medalist 

— 73, Thomas M. Green Jr.; Entries: 349 

1958 (Sept.-Oct.) Thomas C. Robbins d. John W. Dawson, 2 and 

1; Monterey Peninsula C.C., Pebble Beach, Calif.; Medalist 

— *71, (Dunes Course), J. Clark Espie; Entries: 370 

1959 (Oct.) J. Clark Espie d. J. Wolcott Brown, 3 and 1; Memphis 

(Tenn.) C.C.; Medalists — 73, J. Wolcott Brown, George 

Dawson; Entries: 391 

1960 (Sept.) Michael Cestone d. David Rose, 20 holes; Oyster 

Harbors Club, Osterville, Mass.; Medalist — 74, S.S. Rockey; 

Entries: 517 

1961 (Sept.) Dexter H. Daniels d. Col. William K. Lanman Jr., 

2 and 1; Southern Hills C.C., Tulsa, Okla.; Medalist — 74, 

Joseph Morrill Jr.; Entries: 481 

1962 (Sept.) Merrill L. Carlsmith d. Willis H. Blakely, 4 and 2; 

Evanston G.C., Skokie, Ill.; Medalists — 72, James M. Johnson, 

Henry L. Robison, William S. Terrell; Entries: 525 

1963 (Oct.) Merrill L. Carlsmith d. William D. Higgins, 3 and 2; 

Sea Island G.C., St. Simons Island, Ga.; All Match Play; 

Entries: 494 

Frank Ford III, a semifinalist for the 

second consecutive year, lost to eventual 

champion Buddy Marucci in 2008. 

Championship Results: 1955 to 2008 

1964 (Oct.) William D. Higgins d. Edward Murphy, 2 and 1; 

Waverley C.C., Portland, Ore.; Medalist — 150, A.L. (Jim) 

Miller; Entries: 357 

1965 (Oct.) Robert B. Kiersky d. George Beechler, 19 holes; Fox 

Chapel G.C., Pittsburgh, Pa.; Medalist — 149, Curtis Person 

Sr.; Entries: 448 

1966 (Sept.-Oct.) Dexter H. Daniels d. George Beechler, 1 up; 

Tucson (Ariz.) National G.C.; Medalist — 143, Curtis Person 

Sr.; Entries: 449 

1967 (Sept.) Ray Palmer d. Walter D. Bronson, 3 and 2, Shinnecock 

Hills G.C., Southamp ton, N.Y.; Medalists — 153, 

J. Wolcott Brown, David Gold man, Ray Palmer; Entries: 563 

1968 (Sept.) Curtis Person Sr. d. Ben Goodes, 2 and 1; Atlanta 

(Ga.) C.C.; Medalist — 146, John C. Tullio; Entries: 674 

1969 (Sept.) Curtis Person Sr. d. David Goldman, 1 up; Wichita 

(Kan.) C.C.; Medalist — 146, David Goldman; Entries: 576 

1970 (Sept.) Gene Andrews d. James Ferrie, 1 up; California G.C. 

of San Francisco, So. San Francisco, Calif; Medalist — 147, 

Bruce N. McCormick; Entries: 683 

1971 (Sept.) Tom Draper d. Ernest Pieper Jr., 3 and 1; Sunnybrook 

G.C., Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; Medalist — 148, Robert E. 

Cochran; Entries: 655 

1972 (Sept.) Lewis W. Oehmig d. Ernest Pieper Jr., 20 holes; 

Sharon G.C., Sharon Center, Ohio; Medalist — 145, William 

Hyndman, III; Entries: 617 

1973 (Sept.) William Hyndman III d. Harry Welch, 3 and 2; 

Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Ill; Medalists — 147, Sam 

Friedman, William Hyndman III; Entries: 633 

1974 (Sept.) Dale Morey d. Lewis W. Oehmig, 4 and 2; Harbour 

Town G.L., Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Medalist — 144, Ed 

Tutwiler; Entries: 743 

1975 (Sept.) William F. Colm d. Stephen Stimac, 4 and 3; Carmel 

Valley G. & C.C., Carmel, Calif.; Medalist — 143, William 

Hyndman; Entries: 737 

1976 (Sept.) Lewis W. Oehmig d. John Richardson, 4 and 3; Cherry 

Hills C.C., Englewood, Colo.; Medalist — 145, Ed Tutwiler; 

Entries: 833 

1977 (Sept.) Dale Morey d. Lewis W. Oehmig, 4 and 3; Salem C.C., 

Peabody, Mass.; Medalist — 143, Dale Morey; Entries: 789 

1978 (Oct.) Keith K. Compton d. John Kline, 1 up; Pine Tree G.C., 

Boynton Beach, Fla.; Medalist — 143, William Stewart; 

Entries: 930 

1979 (Sept.) William C. Campbell d. Lewis W. Oehmig, 2 and 1; 

Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalists — 143, Dale Morey, 

William C. Campbell; Entries: 1,023

1980 (Sept.) William C. Campbell d. Keith K. Compton, 

3 and 2; Virginia Hot Springs G. & T.C. (Cascades Course), 

Hot Springs, Va.; Medalist — 147, William C. Campbell; 

Entries: 1,000 

1981 (Sept.) Edgar R. Updegraff d. Dale Morey, 2 and 1; 

Seattle (Wash.) G.C.; Medalist — 148, Edgar R. Updegraff; 

Entries: 952 

1982 (Oct.) Alton Duhon d. Edgar R. Updegraff, 2 up; Tucson (Ariz.) 

C.C.; Medalist — 142, Roger McManus; Entries: 1,104 

1983 (Sept.) William Hyndman III d. Richard Runkle, 1 up; Crooked 

Stick G.C., Carmel, Ind.; Medalist — 148, Edgar R. Updegraff; 


1984 (Sept.) Robert Rawlins d. Richard Runkle, 19 holes; 

Birmingham (Mich.) C.C.; Medalist — 144, William C. 

Campbell; Entries: 1,159 

1985 (Sept.-Oct.) Lewis Oehmig d. Ed Hopkins, 20 holes; Wild 

Dunes Beach & Racquet Club, Isle of Palms, S.C.; Medalist 

— 143, Ed Hopkins; Entries: 1,345 

1986 (Sept.) R.S. (Bo) Williams d. John Harbottle, 3 and 2; 

Interlachen C.C., Edina, Minn.; Medalist — 149, William 

Hyndman III; Entries: 1,362 

1987 (Sept.) John Richardson d. James Kite Jr., 5 and 4; 

Saucon Valley C.C., Bethlehem, Pa.; Medalist — 145, John 

Richardson; Entries: 1,465 

1988 (Sept.) Clarence Moore d. Bud Stevens, 5 and 4; Milwaukee 

(Wis.) C.C.; Medalists — 148, John Harbottle, Richard 

Goerlich Jr.; Entries: 1,440 

1989 (Sept.) R.S. (Bo) Williams d. Joe Simpson, 19 holes; 

Lochinvar G.C., Houston, Texas; Medalist — 147, Frank Tenfe; 


1990 (Oct.) Jackie Cummings d. Bobby Clark, 3 and 2; Desert 

Forest C.C., Carefree, Ariz.; Medalist — 150, William Godden; 


1991 (Sept.) Bill Bosshard d. Morris Beecroft, 5 and 4; Crystal 

Downs C.C., Frankfort, Mich.; Medalists - 150, Clarence 

Moore, Morris Beecroft; Entries: 1,727 

1992 (Oct.) Clarence Moore d. Robert Harris, 6 and 4; The 

Loxahatchee Club, Jupiter, Fla.; Medalists — 151, John 

Procter, Bob Hullender; Entries: 2,058 

1993 (Sept.) Joe Ungvary d. Jerry Nelson, 7 and 6; Farmington 

C.C., Charlottesville, Va.; Medalist — •136, John Harbottle; 


1994 (Sept.) O. Gordon Brewer d. Bob Hullender, 5 and 4; The 

Champions G.C., Nicholasville, Ky.; Medalist — 141, Bob 

Hullender; Entries: 2,046 

1995 (Sept.) James Stahl Jr. d. Rennie Law, 2 and 1; Prairie Dunes 

C.C., Hutchinson, Kan.; Medalist — 141, William Erwin; 


1996 (Sept.) O. Gordon Brewer d. Heyward Sullivan, 2 up; Taconic 

G.C., Williamstown, Mass.; Medalist — 141, Bob Wernick; 


1997 (Sept.) Cliff Cunningham d. Ed Bartlett, 5 and 3; Atlantic 

G.C., Bridgehampton, N.Y.; Medalists — 146, Bill Heldmar, 

Edward Fletcher; Entries: 2,140 

1998 (Sept.) Bill Shean Jr. d. William King, 5 and 3; Skokie C.C., 

Glencoe, Ill.; Medalist — 144, Jim Gibbons; Entries: 2,149 

1999 (Oct.) Bill Ploeger d. Gary Menzel, 3 and 2; Portland (Ore.) 

G.C.; Medalist — 143, Joel Hirsch; Entries: 2,026 

2000 (Sept.) Bill Shean Jr. d. Richard Van Leuvan, 2 and 1; 

Charlotte (N.C.) C.C.; Medalist — 144, Vinny Giles; 


2001 (Sept.) Kemp Richardson d. Bill Ploeger, 2 and 1; Norwood 

Hills C.C., St. Louis, Mo.; Medalist — 142, Joe Cadle; 


2002 (Sept.-Oct.) Greg Reynolds d. Mark Bemowski, 4 and 3; 

Timuquana C.C., Jacksonville, Fla.; Medalist — 139, Billy 

Clagett; Entries: 2,357 

2003 (Sept.) Kemp Richardson d. Frank Abbott, 19 holes; The 

Virginian G.C., Bristol, Va., Medalist — 137, Robert Kulp; 


2004 (Oct.) Mark Bemowski d. Greg Reynolds, 4 and 3, Bel-Air 

C.C., Los Angeles, Calif.; Medalist — 144, Ronald Vannelli; 


2005 (Sept.) Mike Rice d. Mark Bemowski, 1 up, The Farm 

G.C., Rocky Face, Ga.; Medalist — #134, Billy Clagett; 

Entries: §2,498 

2006 (Sept.) Mike Bell d. Tom McGraw, 1 up, Victoria National G.C., 

Newburgh, Ind.; Medalists — 143, Bill Leonard, Paul Simson; 


2007 (Sept.) Stan Lee d. Sam Farlow, 4 and 3, Flint Hills 

National G.C., Andover, Kan.; Medalist — 137, Steve Bogan; 


2008 (Sept.) George Marucci Jr. d. George Zahringer, 2 up; Shady 

Oaks C.C., Fort Worth, Texas; Medalist — 141, Paul Simson; 


• Record qualifying score, 36 holes (1993) 

* Record qualifying score, 18 holes (1958) 

# Record medalist score (2005) 

§ Record entry (2005) 





Oldest Champion 

69 — Lewis Oehmig (1985) 

67 — William Hyndman III (1983) 

66 — John Richardson (1987) 

65 — Thomas Robbins (1958) 

65 — Mike Rice (2005) 

Youngest Champion 

Age 

55/0/5 — Stan Lee (2007) 

55/3/18 — Bill Bosshard (1991) 

55/4/15 — Greg Reynolds (2002) 

55/5/21 — Jackie Cummings (1990) 

Oldest Qualifier for Championship 

75/10/10 — Andy Andreola, was 75 on the first day of the 1994 

championship 

75/1/4 — Moot Thomas, was 75 on the first day of the 2005 

championship 

74/11/17 — Paul Ladin, was 74 on the first day of the 2006 

championship 

74/11/10 — Robert Ellett, was 74 on the first day of the 1996 

championship 

Oldest Medalist 

71 — A.L. (Jim) Miller (1964) 

Most Championships Won 

Champions 

3 — Lewis W. Oehmig (1972, 1976, 1985) 

Most Consecutive Championships Won 

2 — Merrill L. Carlsmith (1962, 1963) 

2 — Curtis Person Sr. (1968, 1969) 

2 — William C. Campbell (1979, 1980) 

Most Times in Final 

6 — Lewis W. Oehmig (1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1985) 

3 — J. Clark Espie (1956, 1957, 1959) 

3 — Dale Morey (1974, 1977, 1981) 

3 — Mark Bemowski (2002, 2004, 2005) 

Most Times Runner-Up 

3 — Lewis W. Oehmig (1974, 1977, 1979) 

Records 

Winner of U.S. Amateur and USGA Senior Amateur (1) 

William C. Campbell (1979 and 1980 Senior Amateurs; 1964 U.S. 

Amateur) 

Most Times Medalist 

4 – William Hyndman III (1972, 1973, 1975, 1986) 

3 – William C. Campbell (1979, 1980, 1984) 

Longest Course 

Course 

6,766 yards — Victoria National G.C., Newburgh, Ind., 2006 

Shortest Course 

6,236 yards — Monterey Peninsula C.C. (Dunes Course), Pebble Beach, 

Calif., 1958 

Largest 

2,498 (2005) 

Smallest 

282 (1956) 

Largest Margin of Victory 

Entries 

Match Play 

8 and 7 — Christopher A. Carr d. J. Wood Platt, first round, Ridgewood 

(N.J.) C.C. (West and Center nines), 1957 

8 and 7 — George Dawson d. Dewey P. Bowen, first round, Memphis 

(Tenn.) C.C., 1959 

8 and 7 — Eugene Belleville d. O.M. Masters, first round, Sea Island 

G.C., St. Simons Island, Ga., 1963 

8 and 7 — Dr. Gene Toano d. Jay Gaines, first round, Onwentsia Club, 

Lake Forest, Ill., 1973 

8 and 7 — R.S. (Bo) Williams d. Richard Mosman, second round, 

Interlachen C.C., Edina, Minn., 1986 

8 and 7 — Frederick Kask d. Dick Christensen, first round, The 

Loxahatchee Club, Jupiter, Fla., 1992 

8 and 7 — Bob Housen d. James Kite, quarterfinal round, The 

Champions G.C., Nicholasville, Ky., 1994

John Pallin, who advanced to the quarterfinals, ousted 

defending champion Stan Lee in the first round of match play. 

8 and 7 — Joe Ungvary d. Lou Clinton, second round, Prairie Dunes 

C.C., Hutchinson, Kan., 1995 

8 and 7 — Paul Simson d. Brian Sachs, first round, Victoria National 

G.C., Newburgh, Ind., 2006 

Largest Margin of Victory, Final 

7 and 6 — Joe Ungvary d. Jerry Nelson, Farmington C.C., Charlottesville, 

Va., 1993 

6 and 4 — Clarence Moore d. Robert Harris, The Loxahatchee Club, 

Jupiter, Fla., 1992 

Longest Match 

27 holes — Egon F. Quittner d. Maurice R. Smith, first round, Sea Island 

G.C., St. Simons Island, Ga., 1963 

25 holes — Walter Dowell d. Knox Young Jr., first round, Atlanta (Ga.) 

C.C., 1968 

25 holes — Frank Tenfel d. William Ludwig, first round, Saucon Valley 

C.C. (Old Course), Bethlehem, Pa., 1987 

Longest Final Match 

20 holes — Michael Cestone d. David Rose, Oyster Harbors Club, 

Osterville, Mass., 1960 

20 holes — Lewis Oehmig d. Ernest Pieper Jr., Sharon G.C., Sharon 

Center, Ohio, 1972 

20 holes — Lewis Oehmig d. Ed Hopkins, Wild Dunes Beach & Racquet 

Club, Isle of Palms, S.C., 1985 

Most Extra-Hole Matches, Championship 

13 — The Farm G.C., Rocky Face, Ga., 2005 

11 — The Loxahatchee Club, Jupiter, Fla., 1992 

11 — Norwood Hills C.C., St. Louis, Mo., 2001 

11 — Flint Hills National G.C., Andover, Kan., 2007 

Lowest Score, 18 Holes 

Stroke Play 

65 — Bill Zylstra, first round, Flint Hills National G.C., Andover, Kan., 

2007 

66 — Bob Kulp, first round, The Virginian G.C., Bristol, Va., 2003 

66 — Billy Clagett, first round, The Farm G.C., Rocky Face, Ga., 2005 

66 — Steve Bogan, first round, Flint Hills National G.C., Andover, Kan., 

2007 

67 — Mark Bemowski, first round, The Virginian G.C., Bristol, Va., 2003 

68 — John Harbottle, first round, Farmington C.C., Charlottesville, Va., 

1993 

68 — John Harbottle, second round, Farmington C.C., Charlottesville, 

Va., 1993 

68 — William Erwin, first round, Prairie Dunes C.C., Hutchinson, Kan., 

C.C., 1995 

68 — Bob Wernick, first round, Taconic G.C., Williamston, Ma., 1996 

68 — Bruce Richards, first round, The Virginian G.C., Bristol, Va., 2003 

68 — Paul Simson, first round, Victoria National G.C., Newburgh, Ind., 

2006 

68 — Howie Knodt, first round, Shady Oaks C.C., Fort Worth, Texas, 2008 

Lowest 36-Hole Score, Stroke Play 

134 — Billy Clagett (66-68), The Farm G.C., Rocky Face, Ga., 2005 

136 — John Harbottle (68-68), Farmington C.C., Charlottesville, Va., 

1993 

137 — Bob Kulp (66-71), The Virginian G.C., Bristol, Va., 2003 

137 — Steve Bogan (66-71), Flint Hills National G.C., Andover, Kan., 

2007 

Highest 36-Hole Medalist Score 


153 — J. Wolcott Brown, David Goldman and Ray Palmer, Shinnecock 

Hills G.C., Southampton, N.Y., 1967 




Lowest Cut Score 

(Since stroke play/match play format added in 1964) 

9-over-par (151) — The Virginian G.C., Bristol, Va., 2003 

9-over-par (151) — Flint Hills National G.C., Andover, Kan., 2007 

9-over-par (153) — The Farm G.C., Rocky Face, Ga., 2005 

Golfers with Disabilities 

Miscellaneous 

Frank Culpepper, 60, qualified in 1994 despite losing the lower portion 

of his right arm 40 years earlier. He used a self-designed prosthesis 

that clamped to the golf club. 

Corbin Cherry, 57, qualified in 1996 despite playing on an artificial left 

leg. He was wounded while serving as a Chaplain in the Vietnam War. 

He also made the field for the 1994 U.S. Senior Open. 

Holes-In-One (15) 

Eugene Brown, sixth hole, Waverley C.C., Portland, Ore., 1964; George 

Trainor, 16th hole, California G.C., San Francisco, Calif., 1970; Robert 

Photography: course photo: ©USGA/Rob Perry; all other photos: ©USGA/John Mummert 

Vinny Giles, who reached the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year in 

2008, watches his tee shot on the seventh hole at the 2008 championship. 

S. Johnson, seventh hole, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, 

S.C., 1974; Richard Stackhouse, 16th hole, Wild Dunes B. & R.C., 

Isle of Palms, S.C., 1985; Ira Templeton, 16th hole, Wild Dunes B. & 

R.C., Isle of Palms, S.C., 1985; Joe Simpson, fifth hole, Interlachen 

C.C., Edina, Minn., 1986; Donald Cole, 11th hole, Crystal Downs 

C.C., Frankfort, Mich., 1991; William King, sixth hole, Farmington C.C., 

Charlottesville, Va., 1993; James Fitzgerald, 10th hole, Prairie Dunes 

C.C., Hutchinson, Kan., 1995; Bill Ploeger, 14th hole, Taconic G.C., 

Williamstown, Mass., 1996; Stan Fischer, quarterfinals, match play, 

17th hole, Portland (Ore.) G.C., 1999; Bill Ploeger, second hole, The 

Virginian G.C., Bristol, Va., 2003; Steve Bogan, first round, stroke play, 

10th hole, Bel-Air C.C., Los Angeles, Calif., 2004; Mike Jonsen, second 

round, stroke play, 11th hole, Victoria National G.C., Newburgh, Ind., 

2006; Kim Schwencke, first round, match play, 10th hole, Flint Hills 

National G.C., Andover, Kan., 2007

USGA Senior Amateur Championship

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