Around the Green

Inaugural Texas Super Senior Set For March 10-12

DALLAS—The first-ever Texas Super Senior Championship will be contested March 10-12 on the Live Oak Course at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club, located northwest of San Antonio.
 
“The addition of the Texas Super Senior to the men’s annual schedule reflects the association’s continued commitment to our talented senior amateurs by giving them the spotlight so they can showcase their skills,” said Ryan Finn, Managing Director of TGA Championships.
 
There are eight former Texas Senior Amateur champions in the starting field who have combined for an amazing 17 total Senior titles. Among those pedigreed players are two Texas Golf Hall of Fame members, Don Addington of Dallas and John Grace of Fort Worth, and Mike Rice of Houston, who also won the 2005 U.S. Senior Amateur.
 
The format for Texas Super Senior is 54 holes of individual stroke play with no cut.  Two age divisions will compete for separate titles: Super Senior (65 or older) and Legends (75+).
 
Each age division plays from different tees with a separate champion crowned. The Super Seniors will play from approximately 6,250 yards, and the Legends will tee it up at around 6,000 yards.
 
Designed by Gary Player and Ron Kirby, the Live Oak Course opened for play in 1978. The layout underwent a substantial renovation in 2006, which was overseen by Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design. The Live Oak Course will provide a stern challenge for the state’s best seniors with its tree-lined fairways, natural water hazards and large, undulating greens.
 
Live scoring updates and daily recaps, as well as tee-times and pairings, will be available on txga.org once the action gets underway from Fair Oaks Ranch G&CC. To learn more about this year’s championship please contact the Texas Golf Association main office at (214) 468-8942.
 
2015 TEXAS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR STARTING FIELD NOTES
 
FORMER TEXAS SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONS (8) – Don Addington of Dallas (1998-97, 1990, 1988-86), Mike Arnold of San Antonio (2007), John Grace of Fort Worth (2010), Mike Hopson of Lufkin (2003), Bob Hullender of San Antonio (2000, 1994, and 1992), Chris Larsen of Houston (2006), Mike Rice of Houston (2005, 1999, and 1995), and Andy Wall of Tyler (2004).
 
FORMER TEXAS AMATEUR CHAMPIONS (3) – John Grace of Fort Worth (1994), Bill Holstead of Wichita Falls (1970), and Bob Hullender of San Antonio (1996).
 
FORMER TEXAS MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONS (2) – John Grace of Fort Worth (1991-1994) and Bill Holstead of Wichita Falls (1990).
 
U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR TOP FINISHES – Mike Rice of Houston defeated defending champion Mark Bemowski of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, 1-up, to win the 2005 U.S. Senior Amateur at the Farm Golf Club in Rocky Face, Georgia; John Grace, a  2008 U.S. Senior Amateur quarterfinalist, made it to the championship final in 2009, losing on the final hole when former Walker Cup teammate, Vinny Giles, drained a downhill 18-foot putt for birdie to win, 1-up, at Beverly Country Club in Chicago, Illinois.
 
SCHEDULE OF PLAY:
Tuesday (March 10) – First round, 18-holes, stroke play.
Wednesday (March 11) – Second round, 18 holes, stroke play. Field cut after 36 holes. 
Thursday (March 12) – Final round, 18-holes, stroke play. Awards ceremony following play.