Around the Green
The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.
Mike Booker Wins South Senior Amateur; Charles Reeve Wins Super Senior Amateur
Briefly: Houston’s Mike Booker claims his 5th South Senior Amateur title with a final round 2-under par 69 to finish at 2-under par for the tournament, two shots ahead of Ron Byrd and Terrence Miskell. Booker, a Texas Golf Hall of Famer, recorded his 14th Texas Golf Association victory in his decorated career.
After a one hour delay, Charles Reeve won the Super Senior Division in a playoff at 4-over par 146 against Steve Moran. Reeve and Moran played one hole in the playoff before lightning in the area forced the delay. On the second playoff hole, number 18, Reeve made birdie.
Golf Course: Gus Wortham Park Golf Course traces back over 100 years to when it opened in 1908 as the original site of Houston Country Club. The 6,388-yard, par-71 course, which has been owned by the City of Houston since 1973, was completely renovated and modernized in 2019 by the architectural firm of Finger Dye Spann, Inc. The historic venue also hosts the Houston City Amateur and City Senior Amateur every fall.
Weather: Tuesday’s opening round of the South Senior Amateur welcomed the players with overcast skies and gusty winds out of the south. Tuesday’s high reached into the low 80’s. Wednesday once again saw gusty winds and scattered afternoon showers.
Top Finishers: Booker, a four-time TGA Senior Player of the Year, and a past South Regional Player of the Year, recorded five birdies in the final after posting five birdies in his opening round of even par 71. Booker first won this event in 2012 and then went back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, and defended his title once again following his victory last year at Beaumont Country Club.
Byrd, of The Woodlands, posted back-to-back rounds of even par 71, while Miskell, of New Braunfels, followed up his opening round 1-under par 70 with a final round of 1-over par 72.
Finishing in a tie for fourth place at 1-over par 143 were Kurtis Lilley and John Pierce, of Cypress and San Antonio, respectively.
Super Senior Division: Reeve, of Houston, played consistent golf over the two days with back-to-back rounds of 2-over par 73. Moran, the reigning Houston City Senior Amateur (Super Senior Division) followed up his opening round 4-over par 75 with an even par round of 71 to force the playoff.
Richmond’s Wayne Hollingsworth finished in solo third after following up his opening round 77 with a final round 76 to post 11-over 153. Three players finished in a tie for fourth at 12-over par 154; Kent Samuel of The Woodlands, Thomas Rahlfs and Rick Turner, both of Houston.
Regional POY: South Player of the Year points will be awarded to the top finishers at the 2023 South Senior Amateur. The winning player in each division will receive 500 points, followed by 400 for second, 300 for third, 200 for fourth, and 100 for fifth. For Regional POY information, click here.
What’s Next: The next event in the Regional Series will be the 95th West Texas Amateur at Diamondback Golf Club in Abilene. Registration is open to players from all over Texas and will open on May 24th and the event will have three divisions – Open, Senior and Super Senior. The final event in the South Regional Series will be the South Amateur held at The Wilderness Golf Club in Lake Jackson. Registration for the South Amateur will open on June 14th.
More Info: The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the staff, members of Gus Wortham Park Golf Course, our volunteers, and the Houston Golf Association for their integral part in making the South Senior Amateur a memorable and successful event. For more information on the South Senior Amateur, click here.
