Around the Green

Larsen, Grace Surge to Lead in Inaugural TGA Super Senior Championship

FAIR OAKS RANCH—Chris Larsen of Houston and John Grace of Fort Worth sit tied atop the leaderboard after the first round of the Texas Super Senior Amateur Championship. Both players posted 3-under-par 69s on a challenging layout at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club’s Live Oak course. 
 
In the Legends Division – players aged 75 and older – the contest remains equally competitive with San Antonio’s Bob Hullender and Georgetown’s Dale Fell tied at 6-over 78 after 18 holes of play.
 
Both Larsen and Grace took advantage of Live Oak’s back nine. They each posted three birdies on their way to the clubhouse lead. Legends Division leaders Hullender and Fell were paired together to start the championship on the 10th tee. Hullender birdied the 17th and 18th holes before making the turn to his final nine holes.
 
Sam Boyd of Kemah and Michael Rice of Houston are three shots behind Larsen and Grace. Boyd took advantage of the par 3s; he carded three birdies in the process. Rice posted five total birdies on his card.
 
Despite cool weather and wet conditions in recent days, course conditions at Live Oak improved significantly ahead of the first round of play, with the weather scheduled to cooperate for the duration of the championship. 
 
The first-ever Texas Super Senior Amateur attracted top competitors from across the state. There are eight former Texas Senior Amateur champions in the field who are responsible for a combined 17 titles.
 
Despite being the first state championship of the season, Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club has made significant hosting contributions to amateur golf, including last year’s Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship.
 
Second round play of the Texas Super Senior Amateur Championship begins Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., with groups starting off both the first and 10th tees. For starting times, live scoring and additional information, please click here.