Texas Super Senior Amateur Set for April 22-24

Riverbend Country Club in Sugar Land will be the host site for the 9th Texas Super Senior Amateur, to be played from April 22-24.

This year’s Texas Super Senior Amateur will be the fourth TGA championship held at Riverbend Country Club, which most recently hosted the 2022 Women’s Four-Ball, won by Elise Parel and Jacqueline Nguyen.

“We are thrilled to return to such a wonderful venue as Riverbend Country Club,” said Owen Kinney, TGA Tournament Manager. “The club has been a tremendous supporter of the amateur game, and we know the membership and staff are looking forward to showcasing their exceptional facility and providing a memorable experience for the players.”

Designed by Press Maxwell, Riverbend Country Club opened for play in 1957. Maxwell routed the challenging layout through gently rolling terrain and created interest and strategy by incorporating the site’s abundant natural features. In 2010, architect Jeff Blume oversaw an extensive renovation project that included rebuilding and shifting tees and bunkers, reconstructing green complexes, and upgrading irrigation and drainage systems.

“Riverbend is a thorough test of golf from tee to green,” Kinney said. “It’s a very traditional design that demands accuracy and good course management skills and I know the players will enjoy competing for the championship title on this great stage.”

First conducted 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 an up-to-date WHS Handicap Index® not exceeding 12.4 (16.4 for Legends) issued through a member club of the TGA.

The starting field of 84 players (60 Super Seniors, 24 Legends) will play 54 holes of individual stroke play over three days with no cut. Each age division will compete from different tees and yardages, with separate champions recognized. Players who are 75 and older can opt to compete in the Super Senior Division at the time an entry form is submitted. The top three finishers and ties in the Super Senior Division, regardless of age, and the winner of the Legends Division will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Senior Amateur to be held Sept. 27-29 on the Tournament Players Course at The Nelson Golf & Sports Club in Irving. In addition to the overall Super Senior and Legends champions, awards will also be given to the lowest net scores in each division.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted online at txga.org no later than April 16. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available on the TGA website once the action gets underway from Riverbend Country Club.

At the 2023 Texas Super Senior Amateur, Chuck Gardner of Texarkana won for the second year in a row with rounds of 72-74-69 on the New Course at White Bluff Resort in Whitney. His one-under-par 215 total was good for a one-shot margin of victory over 2016 champion Jerry Hudgins of Tyler. With the win, Gardner became the first person in the event’s history to successfully defend the title. Bill Holstead of Wichita Falls shot 73-76-83 to claim a wire-to-wire victory in the Legends Division. Holstead, the 1970 Texas Amateur champion, finished at 16-over 232 and well ahead of a trio of players tied at 237. Ed Turner of Dallas and Jay Trahan of Montgomery won low net honors in the Super Senior and Legends Divisions, respectively.

Regional Senior Amateurs Set for April 2-3

The Texas Golf Association’s 2024 men’s regional tournament series rolls on in the first week of April with the North and South Senior Amateurs. The championships will be held concurrently from April 2-3.

The North Senior Amateur will be played on the Pecan Course at Walnut Creek Country Club in Mansfield. Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort in Boerne will be the host site for the South Senior Amateur.

This will be the fourth TGA championship held at Walnut Creek and the sixth at Tapatio Springs. The last TGA championship held at Walnut Creek was the 2019 North Four-Ball, won by Dru Fenimore and Jason Schultz. Tapatio Springs most recently hosted the 2023 Texas Father-Son, won by Brian and Wick Comegys. The resort has also hosted the TGA’s Texas Shamble, a mixed team event, for the last six years.

The Pecan Course at Walnut Creek Country Club opened in 1974 and was designed by Billy Martindale and Texas Golf Hall of Fame member Don January. The classic, parkland-style layout weaves through groves of trees, natural water hazards, and unspoiled native areas. Located approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio, Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort opened in 1981 with a course originally designed by Bill Johnston. In 2015, Tripp Davis & Associates completed an extensive renovation of the facility which included reshaping and rebuilding all fairways, bunkers, teeing areas, and green complexes.

First played in 2003, the Regional Senior Amateurs feature two age divisions: 55 and older (Senior) and 65 and older (Super Senior). Entries are open to male amateur golfers who meet the age requirements by the first round of tournament play, have an up-to-date Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 (10.0 for Super Senior) issued through a member club of the TGA, and reside in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel that passes through the city of Salado.

Both championships are conducted using the same competitive format. The starting field of 84 players (60 Seniors, 24 Super Seniors) will play 36 holes of individual stroke play over two days with no cut. Each age division will compete from different tees and yardages, with separate champions recognized. Players who are 65 and older can opt to compete in the Senior Division at the time an entry form is submitted.

The top 15 finishers and ties in the Senior Division, regardless of age, will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Senior Amateur to be held Sept. 27-29 on the TPC Course at The Nelson Golf & Sports Club in Irving. In addition, the top five finishers and ties will earn performance points which will be applied to the year-long Senior Player of the Year race.

Starting times and pairings for the first round of both championships will be posted on the TGA website no later than March 27. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Walnut Creek Country Club and Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort.

At the 2023 championships, Mike Booker secured his fifth overall South Senior Amateur title with a 36-hole total of 2-under-par 140 at Gus Wortham Park Golf Course in Houston. Charles Reeve won the Super Senior Division on the second playoff hole over Steve Moran after the two players tied at 4-over 146 at the end of regulation play. John Schaefer won the North Senior Amateur with rounds of 74-75 (+5) over 36 holes at Whitestone Golf Club in Benbrook. Rick Lindsay took home the honors in the Super Senior Division with a 7-over 151 total.

Regional Mid-Amateurs Set for March 22-24

The TGA’s 2024 men’s regional tournament series continues this month with the North and South Mid-Amateurs. The championships will be held concurrently from March 22-24.

The North Mid-Amateur will be played on the Traditions Course at The Courses at Watters Creek in Plano. The South Mid-Amateur will be contested on a combination of the South and Shore nine-hole layouts at South Shore Harbour Country Club in League City.

This will be the fourth TGA championship held at Watters Creek and the third at South Shore Harbour. Watters Creek most recently hosted the 2023 North Four-Ball, won by Bobby Massa and Ryan Zamorano. The last TGA championship held at South Shore Harbour was the 2019 Women’s Eclectic, won by Anna Schultz.

Opened in 1986, the Traditions Course at Watters Creek was originally designed by Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin. It was remodeled by D.A. Weibring and Golf Resources Group in 2012. South Shore Harbour features three nine-hole courses (South, Shore, and Harbour) designed by Dave Marr and Jay Riviere. The original 18 holes, the South and Harbour Courses, opened for play in 1983, followed by the Shore Course, which opened in 1994.

First played in 2003, Regional Mid-Amateur entries are open to male amateur golfers who are 25 years of age or older by the tournament start date, have an up-to-date Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 issued through a member club of the TGA, and reside in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel that passes through the city of Salado.

Both championships are conducted using the same competitive format. The starting field of 84 players will play 54 holes of individual stroke play over three days with no cut. Along with crowning an overall champion, special recognition will be given to the low mid-master (player aged 40 and older). Regional performance points, which are applied to the yearlong North and South Regional Player of the Year races, are awarded to the top 30 finishers and ties. In addition, the top three finishers and ties in each event, as well as low mid-master, will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur to be held this fall at a site to be announced.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than March 19. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from The Courses at Watters Creek and South Shore Harbour Country Club.

At last year’s North Mid-Amateur, hosted by Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club in Rockwall, C.J. Brock won the title with rounds of 72-70-69. His 5-under-par 211 total was good for a one-stroke margin of victory over Brock Mulder. Brock and Mulder also finished 1-2 for low mid-master. Logan Thomason posted a 54-hole total of 3-over 219 on the Forest Course at The Clubs of Kingwood in Kingwood to capture the 2023 South Mid-Amateur by one shot over a quartet of players tied at 220. Otto Iskandar, one of the four second place finishers, claimed low mid-master honors.

TGA Mourns the Loss of Win Padgett

The TGA is saddened to report on the loss of H. Winfield “Win” Padgett of Dallas. Padgett passed away on March 6 at the age of 78.

Padgett was a tremendous supporter of amateur golf at the local, state and national levels, and devoted many years to giving back to the game that meant so much to him. Among his many significant contributions included serving on the Board of Directors of both the TGA and TGA Foundation. Padgett was the founding President of the TGA Foundation and was presented with the TGA’s Bob Wells Award for a lifetime of distinguished service in 2008. Padgett was also a member of the USGA Executive Committee and was a recipient of the USGA’s Issac B. Grainger Award, which recognizes 25 years of service to the Association.

In addition to his leadership roles with the TGA and USGA, Padgett served several terms on the Board of Directors at Brook Hollow Golf Club where he was a longtime member. Padgett had a passion for the history of the game as well and was a co-founder of the Society of Hickory Golfers, an organization that promotes the experience of golf in a manner consistent with how the ‘royal and ancient game’ was played in the hickory era.

Volunteer for USGA Championship at Oak Hills C.C. in San Antonio

Historic Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio is set to host the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball from May 11-15. The ninth edition of the national championship will showcase a starting field of 64 sides (128 players) of the best female amateur golfers competing in 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying May 11-12 to determine the 32 sides that will advance to the match-play portion of the championship May 13-15.

The club is thrilled to welcome this prestigious event and is looking to recruit volunteers to serve on various committees to help ensure a successful championship and that players enjoy their time in the Alamo City. It is a wonderful opportunity to support golf in Texas, and Oak Hills is looking forward to providing its volunteers with a fun and rewarding experience.

If you would like to learn more, please look over the information in the volunteer program below, and contact the championship office with any questions – [email protected].

> 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Volunteer Program

Regional Four-Balls Set for Feb. 24-25

The Texas Golf Association’s 2024 men’s tournament schedule kicks off with the North and South Regional Four-Ball Championships. The season openers will be held concurrently from Feb. 24-25.

Whitestone Golf Club in Benbrook will host the North Regional Four-Ball, while The Bearkat Course at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville will host the South Regional Four-Ball.

This will be the third TGA championship contested at Whitestone and the first-ever at The Bearkat Course. Whitestone previously hosted the 2001 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, won by Texas Golf Hall of Famer Chip Stewart, and the 2023 North Regional Senior Amateur, won by John Schaefer.

Located about 12 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Whitestone Golf Club was co-designed by Jeff Brauer and Jay Morrish and opened in 2000. The Bearkat Course (formerly known as Raven Nest Golf Club) opened in 2003 and was designed by Tripp Davis.

First played in 2003, Regional Four-Ball entries are open to two-player teams of male amateur golfers with each member of the team having an up-to-date WHS Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 issued through a member club of the TGA and residing in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel that passes through the city of Salado.

Both championships are conducted using the same competitive format. The starting field of 44 teams (88 players) will play 36 holes of four-ball stroke play over two days with no cut. Regional performance points, which are applied to the yearlong North and South Regional Player of the Year races, are awarded to the top five team finishers.

Starting times and pairings for the first round will be posted online on the TGA website no later than Feb. 20. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Whitestone Golf Club and The Bearkat Course.

Bobby Massa and Ryan Zamorano won the 2023 North Regional Four-Ball with rounds of 62-63 on the Traditions Course at The Courses at Watters Creek in Plano. Their 19-under-par 125 total was good for a three-shot margin of victory over runners-up Kolton Crawford and Sean Heidrick and Liam Logan and Colby Pickavance. At the 2023 South Regional Four-Ball, Jonathan Alden and Austen Fulmer finished at 15-under 129 at Vaaler Creek Golf Club in Blanco to capture the title by one shot over Sean Ferris and Thomas Immenschuh.

World Handicap System™: 3 Key Changes for 2024

Introduced in January 2020, the World Handicap System (WHS) was based upon three key principles: be inclusive, provide a consistent measure of ability, and remain modern. Four years later, with the first revision to the WHS set for this January, those same principles apply to the main changes going into effect, namely:

1)  A lower minimum length for a golf course to obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™

Under the current system, an 18-hole course must be at least 3,000 yards to receive a Course Rating and Slope Rating (or 1,500 yards for 9 holes). Starting in 2024, the yardage requirements will be cut in half, to 1,500 and 750 yards, respectively. This is good news for golfers who regularly play par-3 and shorter-length courses and have wanted those scores to count toward their Handicap Index®.

 2)  A new treatment of 9-hole scores

Today, 9-hole scores are combined in the order posted to create an 18-hole Score Differential™. This means that a 9-hole score shot today could be combined with a 9-hole score from days, weeks, or even months before – which can lead to volatile results.

Beginning in 2024, when a player posts a 9-hole score, it will be combined with their expected Score Differential over 9 holes to create an 18-hole Score Differential for immediate use – with expected score based on the player’s Handicap Index at the time the round is played as well as a course of standard difficulty.

 3)  An updated approach for holes not played

At present when a hole isn’t played (due to darkness, for example), the score recorded is a net par. When the 2024 revision goes into effect, when 10-17 holes are played, an 18-hole Score Differential will be determined by adding the player’s Score Differential from the holes played to an expected Score Differential for the number of holes not played. Since a player’s expected score is not specific to a course or reliant upon the course’s stroke index allocation (as net par is today), this will lead to more consistency.

To learn more about the revisions coming to the WHS in 2024, click here.

WHS™ 2024 Treatment of 9-Hole Scores

How is the treatment of 9-hole scores changing under the WHS™ in 2024?

Currently, one 9-hole score must be combined with another to create an 18-hole Score Differential™ before it can be counted for handicap purposes.

Beginning in 2024, when a player posts a 9-hole score, the WHS will automatically calculate an 18-hole Score Differential for the round, based on the player’s 9-hole Score Differential and expected Score Differential based on their current Handicap Index®, allowing the 9-hole round to be considered in the player’s Handicap Index calculation right away.

As part of this change, golfers will be required to play and post all 9 holes with a valid 9-hole Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™ instead of the previous minimum of 7 holes.

For more information on how 9-hole scores will be treated for handicap purposes under the 2024 update to the World Handicap System, click here.

WHS™ 2024 Treatment of Hole(s) Not Played

What is changing about the way 10–17-hole scores are treated in 2024?

Currently, when 10 to 13 holes are played, scores made on holes 10 through 13 are disregarded and a 9-hole score is posted. When 14-17 holes are played, net par is used for the remaining holes to allow an 18-hole score to be posted.

Beginning in 2024, when a player with a Handicap Index plays 10-17 holes, a Score Differential will be created based on the holes played, and the player’s expected Score Differential for the number of remaining holes not played will be added to that value to produce an 18-hole Score Differential.

To facilitate this change, when a player plays between 10-17 holes, they will be required to post their scores hole-by-hole so the appropriate Score Differential can be calculated from the holes that were played to combine with the expected score for the holes not played.

For more information on how 10–17-hole scores will be treated for handicap purposes under the 2024 update to the World Handicap System, click here.

WHS™ 2024: Reduced Minimum Course Length

What will the new minimum length requirement be for a course and/or set of tees to be issued a Course Rating and Slope Rating?

The World Handicap System has approved a low-end limit for courses to be issued a Course Rating and Slope Rating of 1,500 yards for 18-holes or 750 yards for 9-holes. This is a reduction from the current minimums of 3,000 yards for 18-holes and 1,500 yards for 9-holes.

As a result, more than 600 additional golf courses (mostly par-3 courses) will qualify for a Course Rating and Slope Rating if desired.

For more information on the new minimum length requirement for a course and/or set of tees to be issued a Course Rating and Slope Rating under the 2024 update to the World Handicap System, click here.