Around the Green

Ashley, Grace Lead After Round 1 of Super Senior Amateur

SUGAR LAND — Bill Ashley of Levelland posted an opening round 1-under par 71 to lead the Texas Super Senior Amateur. Fort Worths’ John Grace holds a five-shot lead after a stellar round of even par 72 in the Legends Division after 18-holes.

Leaderboard

Leaders: Ashley made four birdies to three bogeys in his opening round to lead by three strokes in the Super Senior Division. Ashleys goal heading into round one was to “start and finish the round with the same golf ball”, a goal he was able to accomplish. Grace positioned himself a top the Legends Division leaderboard quickly after three birdies on holes 14, 16, and 17 in his first nine holes. Grace would shoot two-over-par 38 on his final nine holes but will still head into the second round with a sizable lead.

In Contention: In the Super Senior Division, Jeff Kramer holds solo second place after a two-over-par 74. Dick Stone of Bullard, Sam Manning of Dallas, and Hollis Sullivan of Westworth Village sit tied for third place heading into the second round after each shooting 75. In the Legends Division, Bill Holstead, of Wichita Falls, is alone in second place at five-over par 77. Dan Nicholson of Dallas and Jay Trahan of Montgomery round out the top three after both shooting nine-over-par 81.

Course: Founded in 1957, Riverbend Country Club is one of the Greater Houston area’s most acclaimed member owned country clubs. Riverbend Country Club holds a rich history that includes the club record once being held by World Golf Hall of Famer Ben Hogan. Riverbend was designed by Press Maxwell Jr. architect of other famous courses throughout the United States like Prairie Dunes Country Club in Kansas. In 2010 Jeff Blume added to the prestige of the club during a $1.4 million dollar renovation adding rolling fairways, extra bunkers, and changing some green complexes and installing Bermuda grass to the greens. Blume again added to the course with an additional bunker renovation in 2019.

Today’s Super Senior Division was contested at 6,372 yards while the Legends Division played at 5,937 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, 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 twenty (20) finishers of Texas Super Senior. The champions will each get 1000 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 tee off at 8:30AM off holes #1 and #10 at Riverbend Country Club. Following the second round the field will be repaired based on scores with the leaders of the Super Senior going last off hole #1 and the leaders of the Legends going last off hole #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 Amateur, click here.