Around the Green

Dave Davis Leads at Texas Super Senior

WHITNEY — Saginaw’s Dave Davis posted an opening round of 4-under 68 to take an early three shot lead at the Texas Super Senior Amateur. Davis had three birdies and an eagle on the scorecard at White Bluff’s New Course. In the Legends Division, Wichita Falls’ Bill Holstead will take the lead into round two after an opening 4-over 76.

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Leaders: Davis birdied two of his first four holes en route to the superb first round. Later in the round, Davis made eagle on the par-5 No. 7 hole (which played as his sixteenth hole of the round). “I’m happy. I haven’t been scoring well when I’ve been preparing and trying to get ready for this tournament,” Davis said. “I kept the ball in play and hit a lot of close approach shots and made some putts.”

Legends Division leader Bill Holstead impressively made par on his first eight holes to highlight a steady first round. He sits four shots clear of the next competitors.

In Contention: In the Super Senior Division, San Antonio’s Pat Youngs was the only other player to post under par in round one. He sits in solo second after a 1-under 71 that put him three back of the lead. Defending champion Chuck Gardner of Texarkana started his title defense strong with an opening round of even par 72. He sits in a tie for third at four shots back of the lead alongside Irving’s Michael Puls. Tyler’s Jerry Hudgins carded an opening 1-over 73 to put himself in fifth heading into round two. In the Legends Division, four players sit in a tie for second at 8-over and four back of the lead including host club exemption Ben Hagins, Georgetown’s Paul Schroeder, Abilene’s J Wayne Franklin, and David Wagner of Fair Oaks Ranch.

Course: Nestled along the shores of Lake Whitney, about 15 miles west of Hillsboro, White Bluff Resort features two 18-hole courses – the Old and the New – both of which were designed by 13-time PGA Tour winner Bruce Lietzke. Named after the two most famous courses at St Andrews Links in Scotland, the Old Course was the first to open in 1992, followed by the New Course in 1998. Both courses recently underwent major renovation projects, which included rebuilding and resurfacing all greens and bunkers, as well as upgrading drainage and irrigation systems to improve playing conditions.

The New Course, where the Texas Super Senior is being contested, features tree-lined fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and undulating green complexes. With many holes bending around strategically placed bunkers and water hazards, the par-72 layout, which measures just over 6,300 yards from the middle set of tees, provides plenty of risk-reward opportunities that will test the players’ shot-making and course management skills.

Today’s Super Senior Division was contested at 6,317 yards. The Legends Division competitors played from 5,867 yards for the first round.

Tournament History: First played in 2015, the Texas Super Senior features two age divisions: 65 and older (Super Senior) and 75 and older (Legends). Entries are open to male amateur golfers who meet the age requirements by the first round of tournament play and have a certified Handicap Index® of 12.4 or less (16.4 or less for Legends) issued through a TGA Member Club.

The format for the championship, which will be contested on the New Course, is 54 holes of individual stroke play with no cut. Each age division competes from different tees and yardages, with a separate champion recognized. Prizes are also awarded to low Net scores in both Super Senior and Legends Divisions.

POY Points Race: Super Senior Player of the Year points will be awarded to the Top 20 finishers of Texas Super Senior. The champions will each get 1,000 points towards the statewide honor, followed by 750 for runner-up; 650 for third; 600 for fourth; and 550 for fifth. A complete breakdown of the Texas Super Senior Player of the Year, including points allocation, can be found here.

What’s Next:  The second round of the Texas Super Senior will begin at 8:30 a.m. off holes No. 1 and No. 10 out at White Bluff’s New Course. Following the second round the field will be repaired based on scores with the leaders of the Super Senior going last off hole No. 1 and the leaders of the Legends going last off hole No. 10.

About the TGA: The Texas Golf Association was established in 1906 with a mission to promote the playing and advancement of the royal and ancient game of golf in Texas. The association is one of the most respected in the country with an ongoing commitment to its members, contestants, volunteers and all who strive to preserve the great traditions of the game.

For More information about the Texas Super Senior, click here.