Around the Green

Ortego, Larsen Score Wins at South Senior Amateur

 
MONTGOMERY — David Ortego wins the 2015 South Senior Amateur Championship by one stroke with a 1-under par 70 in the final round. In the Super Senior Division, Chris Larsen held on to his first round lead and claimed victory by four strokes. This year’s championship was conducted on the West and Back courses at Woodforest Golf Club north of Houston.
 
Ortego, of Spring, and member of Woodforest GC, came from behind to win the South Senior Amateur title. Ortego played in the pairing directly in front of the leaders in the final round. Ortego started out strong with two birdies in his first six holes. He would go on to bogey the 8^th hole and par the 9^th hole to card a 1-under 34 on the front nine. Ortego would string together five pars to start off his back nine. His first hiccup on the back side was a bogey on the par four 15^th hole. However, he was able to recover with a birdie on the par three 16^th hole. Ortego gave his birdie back on the next hole with another bogey, but was able to bounce back again on the final hole with his last birdie.
 
Ortego finished the championship at even par 142 (72-70) after two rounds.
 
Mike Booker, of The Woodlands, and Beaumont’s Charlie Jabbia, finished tied for second with a two day total of 1-over par 143. Booker carded two bogeys and a birdie in his final round. Jabbia, 2013 South Senior Amateur champion, struggled on his opening nine with four bogeys. Jabbia, the first round leader, gained two back with an eagle on the 11^th hole but he was unable to catch Ortego.
 
Chris Larsen, in his first year of Super Senior eligibility, claimed victory in the Super Senior Division. Larsen continued his consistent play from the first round with seven pars in a row until a bogey came on 17^th hole, his eighth hole of the round. After a birdie on the 3^rd hole, Larsen went on to bogey three of the next four. However, he was able to hold on and par his final two holes. Larsen played his final round at 3-over par 74, to seal the victory with a two day total of even par 142 (68-74).
 
Top 15 and ties in the Senior Division have earned an exemption into this year’s Texas Senior Championship at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio in September. For full results, click here.
 
The Texas Golf Association would like to thank the Woodforest Golf Club membership, professional staff and maintenance staff for being a fantastic host for the South Senior Amateur Championship.
 
The TGA would also like to thank our sponsor of South Regional events, Club Champion. The next South Regional event will be the South Amateur Championship at the Resort Course at La Cantera Resort on August 7-9, 2015.