Sandy Pierce Wins 85th Texas Senior Amateur on Home Course

HOUSTON – Champions Golf Club Member Sandy Pierce won the 85th Texas Senior Amateur in a one-hole playoff over Andy Hydorn of Houston. Pierce fired a final round 3-under 68 that included back-to-back birdies on the sixteenth and seventeenth holes to put himself in the playoff.

Pierce, a member of Champions Golf Club for 49 years, rolled in a seven-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to capture the victory. Fittingly, Pierce lives on Jackrabbit, the course being used for the championship.

“It’s really special. I live on this golf course and to win an event of this stature is a big deal, a thrill, and an honor,” Pierce said of what this victory means to him. “I couldn’t be more excited.”

Pierce saved his best for last. He came into Sunday’s final round five shots back of the lead after rounds of 1-over 72 and even-par 71 but went low to cap the championship off.

“I was playing pretty good all day,” Pierce said. “I was hitting the ball in play and pretty solid. I had a few putts go in later in the round. That was really the difference. I played pretty solidly the first couple days and gave away a few strokes here and there, but this afternoon, particularly the last nine holes, a couple putts went in and that was the difference.”

Pierce joins elite company not only on the Frank M. Lewis Trophy but also as a winner on the historic grounds of Champions Golf Club, a place that has seen Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus win.

“I’ve got so many lifelong friends out here at Champions,” Pierce said of how he’ll celebrate the win. “I love this place. I’ll probably just go in and hang out with my buddies for a little while and kind of let it all soak in. I’m thrilled and honored…I really am.”

Hydorn, a former member of Champions Golf Club, finished runner-up after being defeated in the playoff. He shot a final round 2-over 73 that included five birdies. Ultimately, a quadruple bogey on the par-3 eleventh hole proved to be costly.

Three players finished in a tie for third at even-par for the championship. Past champion Mike Booker of Houston, Amarillo’s Kyle Kelting, and New Braunfels’ Terrence Miskell all put together valiant efforts on Sunday but came up just short.

The Texas Golf Association would like to extend a big thank you to the Champions Golf Club staff and their wonderful members for being gracious hosts leading up to and during this year’s 85th Texas Senior Amateur.

Champions Golf Club was founded in 1957 by World Golf Hall of Fame members Jack Burke Jr. and the late Jimmy Demaret. Located approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Houston, Champions features 36 holes that weave through a rolling landscape of tall pine trees, creeks, and waterways. Designed by Ralph Plummer, the Cypress Creek Course opened in 1959, followed by the Jackrabbit Course designed by George Fazio, which opened in 1964 and is the course that was used for this week’s Championship. Tom Fazio, George’s nephew, supervised a renovation of the Jackrabbit Course in 2002. Chet Williams led a renovation of the Cypress Creek Course in 2018.

For more information on the 85th Texas Senior Amateur, click here.

Andrew Hydorn Leads 85th Texas Senior Amateur after 36 Holes

HOUSTON – Houston’s Andrew Hydorn fired a second round 4-under 67 to take the 36-hole lead at the 85^th Texas Senior Amateur. Hydorn matched the low round of the championship by rolling in five birdies on Champions Golf Club’s Jackrabbit Course.  

Hydorn, who finished T-6 at the 2020 Texas Senior Amateur, leads by three strokes over three players tied at 1-under par for the championship.

I hit it good today for the most part,” Hydorn said. “I hit 15 greens, but really, I putted really well today. I made a lot of 10-12 footers and that was the difference.”

Hydorn came out of the gates hot during Saturday’s second round by going 3-under in his first six holes. The lone bogey of the day came on the par-4 eighth hole, but the Northgate Country Club member tacked on two more birdies on the back nine.

“This whole year I’ve been playing terrible,” Hydorn said about his play of recent. “The last two weeks I’ve been playing well, so you know, that’s golf right?”

Hydorn will look to claim the Texas Senior Amateur title for the first time on Sunday.

Three shots back in a three-way tie for second are a trio of seasoned players eager to add the 85^th Texas Senior Amateur to their resumes. John McClure of Austin, Amarillo’s Kyle Kelting, and Lewis Stephenson of Burleson all sit at 1-under for the championship.

Kelting, last year’s runner up, joins Hydorn as the only other player in the field to card consecutive rounds of even-par or better.

Stephenson is looking to add his name to the Frank M. Lewis Trophy for the third time having won the championship in 2016 and 2018.  

Sitting in solo fifth place is New Braunfels’ Terrence Miskell at even-par for the championship after a second round 2-over 73.

Saturday marked another great day of weather for the top seniors in state.

A group of five competitors find themselves in a tie for sixth at 1-over par total. Included in the log jam is round one leader Scott Smith of Montgomery. Smith carded a 5-over 76 in round two. He is joined by Houston’s Sandy Pierce, Chuck Gardner of Texarkana, Dallas’ Mark Motes, and 2015 champion Mike Booker of Houston.

Champions Golf Club was founded in 1957 by World Golf Hall of Fame members Jack Burke Jr. and the late Jimmy Demaret. Located approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Houston, Champions features 36 holes that weave through a rolling landscape of tall pine trees, creeks, and waterways. Designed by Ralph Plummer, the Cypress Creek Course opened in 1959, followed by the Jackrabbit Course designed by George Fazio, which opened in 1964 and is the course being used for this week’s Championship. Tom Fazio, George’s nephew, supervised a renovation of the Jackrabbit Course in 2002. Chet Williams led a renovation of the Cypress Creek Course in 2018.

The final round of the 85th Texas Senior Amateur starts Sunday at 8 a.m. For more information, click here.

Scott Smith Leads after Round 1 at 85th Texas Senior Amateur

HOUSTON – Montgomery’s Scott Smith fired an opening round 4-under 67 to take the early lead at Champions Golf Club’s Jackrabbit Course. Smith tallied up six birdies on the day including four on his front nine.

Smith, who recently finished tied for fifth in the Senior Division at the Texas Four-Ball in August, holds a one-shot lead over two others headed into Saturday’s second round of the 54-hole stroke play major championship.

“I hit it close a few times today and putted it really well,” said Smith, who finished T-15 at the 83rd Texas Senior Amateur in 2020. “I made a good number of putts when I had to and was just very successful on the greens.”

As he looks ahead to the weekend, Smith mentioned wanting to keep his driver in the fairway a little bit more and continue to keep his putter hot.

Great weather was enjoyed by all during Friday’s first round as temperatures began at a little over 70 degrees and never got higher than 92.

Chuck Gardner of Texarkana and San Antonio’s John Pierce will enter the second round just one shot back of Smith after carding rounds of 3-under 68.

Sitting two shots back of the lead via rounds of 2-under 69 are Austin’s John McClure, New Braunfels’ Terrence Miskell, and Burleson’s Lewis Stephenson.

“I was just real consistent today,” Stephenson said. “I’ve been kind of struggling with that the past couple of weeks. Today was a consistent day of striking the ball well and managing the golf course. It’s a great course, but you have to manage the course – where you are and where you play on the greens.”

Stephenson made it to match play at the U.S. Senior Amateur just a couple of weeks ago and will look to build upon his already strong year on the course.

Three shots back in a five-way tie for seventh via opening rounds of 1-under 70 are San Antonio’s Bobby Baugh, Bill Jackson of Van Alstyne, Jeff Stafford of Flower Mound, Dallas’ Mark Motes, and Amarillo’s Kyle Kelting. Notably, Kelting was runner-up in last year’s championship and won the Texas Father-Son back in July for the third consecutive year.

This is Champions second TGA Championship to host having previously hosted the 2006 Texas Mid-Amateur. The northwest Houston gem has also welcomed many of our USGA Championship Qualifiers. Champions has hosted numerous USGA Championships, PGA Tour Championships, and a Ryder Cup. Most recently, Champions hosted the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open. The Jackrabbit Course was used alongside the Cypress Creek Course for the first two rounds.

Champions Golf Club was founded in 1957 by World Golf Hall of Fame members Jack Burke Jr. and the late Jimmy Demaret. Located approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Houston, Champions features 36 holes that weave through a rolling landscape of tall pine trees, creeks, and waterways. Designed by Ralph Plummer, the Cypress Creek Course opened in 1959, followed by the Jackrabbit Course designed by George Fazio, which opened in 1964 and is the course being used for this week’s Championship. Tom Fazio, George’s nephew, supervised a renovation of the Jackrabbit Course in 2002. Chet Williams led a renovation of the Cypress Creek Course in 2018.

During Thursday night’s Players’ Reception, Lewis Stephenson received his 2021 Texas Senior Player of the Year award. In 2021, Stephenson finished in a tie for sixth at the Texas Senior Amateur, made it to the round of 16 in the U.S. Senior Amateur, and finished runner-up in the Senior Division of the West Texas Amateur.

“It means a lot. Texas is so strong in golf,” Stephenson said when asked about the award. “Being able to do that with my friends and peers meant a lot.”

The second round of the 85th Texas Senior Amateur starts Saturday at 8 a.m. For more information, click here.

85th Texas Senior Amateur Set for Sept. 9-11

Champions Golf Club in Houston will be the host site for the 85th Texas Senior Amateur, the third of this year’s four men’s major amateur championships conducted by the Texas Golf Association. The championship, which features the state’s top amateur golfers aged 55 and older, will be contested on the Jackrabbit Course from Sept. 9-11.

This will be the first Texas Senior and sixth overall TGA championship held at Champions. The 2016 Texas Shootout was the most recent TGA championship played at the historic club.

“We are incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to return to such a special place as Champions Golf Club,” said Justin Guthrie, TGA Tournament Director. “Champions has been a proud supporter of the game at all levels, and we look forward to working together with the members and staff to provide a truly memorable experience for the players.”

Champions Golf Club was founded in 1957 by World Golf Hall of Fame members Jack Burke Jr. and the late Jimmy Demaret. Located approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Houston, Champions features 36 holes that weave through a rolling landscape of tall pine trees, creeks, and waterways. Designed by Ralph Plummer, the Cypress Creek Course opened in 1959, followed by the Jackrabbit Course designed by George Fazio, which opened in 1964. Tom Fazio, George’s nephew, supervised a renovation of the Jackrabbit Course in 2002. Chet Williams led a renovation of the Cypress Creek Course in 2018.

Over the years, Champions has acquired a well-earned reputation as one of the nation’s most esteemed tournament venues. The club has played host to five USGA championships in its 65-year history, including the 1969 U.S. Open, 1993 U.S. Amateur, 1998 and 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, and the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open. In addition, Champions has also been the site of many other prominent events, including the 1967 Ryder Cup, five PGA Tour Championships, the Houston Champions International (now the Houston Open) between 1966-71, the Southern Amateur in 1973 and 1980, as well as the annual Champions Cup Invitational.

“Champions has an illustrious golf history, and it is an honor for us to be a part of it,” Guthrie said. “The players are excited about getting the chance to showcase their skills on the renowned Jackrabbit Course, which is an outstanding test of golf and the ideal stage for what is sure to be a great championship.”

First played in 1937, the Texas Senior Amateur is open to male amateurs who have a WHS Handicap Index® of 6.4 or less, will have reached the age of 55 on or before the tournament start date, and are current Texas residents.

The format for the championship is 54 holes of individual stroke play. The starting field of 144 golfers play two rounds on Sept. 9-10. At the completion of the 36 holes, the field is cut to the low 54 scores and ties for the final round.

Defending champion Gary Durbin of Houston, who also is a longtime member of the host club, heads the list of the elite senior amateurs who will convene at Champions. Durbin captured his second Texas Senior Amateur last year with rounds of 71-70-75 at Westwood Golf Club in Houston. Durbin, who will look to be the first to win back-to-back titles in over 20 years, also won the 2019 championship at Deerwood Club in Kingwood.

Seven other past champions will join Durbin in the starting field, including John Derrick of Waco (who won in 2020), Lewis Stephenson of Mansfield (2016, ’18), Ed Brooks of Fort Worth (2017), Mike Booker of The Woodlands (2015), Mike Peck of Irving (2013), Chuck Palmer of Dallas (2012), and John Grace of Fort Worth (2010).

Live scoring updates and daily recaps, as well as tee times and pairings, will be available on the TGA website once the action gets underway from Champions Golf Club.

Gary Durbin Wins the 84th Texas Senior Amateur

HOUSTON – Gary Durbin won his second Texas Senior Amateur on Sunday at Westwood Golf Club, a one-shot victory in the 84th edition of the major championship. He played the classic parkland course at even-par 216 for 54 holes.

This one was quite a bit different from his 2019 win at Deerwood Club in Kingwood. Durbin stormed back from a six-shot deficit in the final round to win the 82nd Texas Senior Amateur. This time around, the Houstonian entered the last day with a two-shot lead and had to scrap and claw to hold on to victory.

“I was nervous,” said Durbin, who has also won the Greater Houston City Amateur twice (1989, ’91). “It was excitement and nervousness coming down 18. This is the biggest tournament we have for senior amateurs in Texas. Winning it twice is really special.”

Durbin credited his solid putting for his steady play all week at Westwood. He made a birdie right out of the gate Sunday to grab momentum. He walked off the first green at with a three-shot lead at 3-under par overall. He gave the shot back with a bogey on the difficult par-4 second hole, but pars on the next three holes led to a brief four-shot lead.

The field kept the heat on Durbin, however. TGA Director Lee Sandlin from Dallas birdied the sixth and eight holes to stay close; former TGA Executive Director Rob Addington from Dallas applied early pressure on Durbin as well.

After a bogey on the par-4 10th hole that saw Durbin’s lead shrink to one shot, he rolled in birdies on the 11th and 12th holes. He nearly made a third in a row on No. 13. From there, Durbin played the final five holes at 2-over to capture the one-shot victory over Kyle Kelting from Amarillo.

“This means a lot to me,” Durbin said. “I’m 64 now, so maybe it means more if you can win when you’re older, not just at 55 or 56. I’ve worked really, really hard on my swing the past two years. I have a great family and a wife who supports my golf, which is huge. I have friends at work with and really everyone in my life has been very supportive. It’s pretty cool. I feel very blessed.”

Kelting, the runner-up, shot a final round 71 to finish at 1-over 217. He’s a two-time winner of the Texas Father-Son; he and his son Derick won in 2020 and again earlier this summer. Kelting also finished fourth at the 80th Texas Senior Amateur in 2017 at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas.

“I played pretty good,” Kelting said. “I’m getting accustomed to Bermudagrass greens a little bit. We don’t have Bermuda in Amarillo; everything is bentgrass. All in all, the ball-striking was good. I enjoyed the guys I played with. The tournament was fantastic. I just wish it was a different outcome.”

Sandlin, along with Hollis Sullivan, a TGA Director from Westworth Village, and Texarkana’s Chuck Gardner, tied for third place at 2-over 218. Outside of Durbin, Mansfield’s Lewis Stephenson might have that the most impressive showing this weekend. After shooting an uncharacteristic 80 in the first round, the two-time Texas Senior Amateur champ went 70-70 in the final two rounds to earn a share of sixth place at 4-over 220. Jed Shreve from The Woodlands also tied for sixth with Stephenson.

The TGA extends its most sincere gratitude to Westwood Golf Club, including its staff and members, for all their hard work in creating such a welcoming atmosphere and memorable championship week. Special thanks are due to General Manager Ricky Lyons, Clubhouse Manager/Director of Membership Sales Jennifer Gonzalez, Head Golf Professional Andrew Riddle, Golf Course Superintendent Wesley Curtis and Chef Joseph Tyler. Each of them played an essential role in making the 84th Texas Senior Amateur a success.

By every measure, Westwood knocked it out of the park with its first TGA major championship. In addition to the wonderful food and the attentive and professional staff, Westwood’s golf course thoroughly challenged the best senior amateurs in the state, a testament to the conditioning and preparation by the club’s grounds crew.

It also speaks the thought-provoking routing and course design, originally done by the famed John Bredemus in 1928 when Westwood was founded as a nine-hole course. Ralph Plummer in 1957 transformed the venue into an 18-hole championship course. More recently, Keith Foster completed a comprehensive renovation in 2002, and Kevin Hargrave added new tee boxes, greens, and bunkers in 2018.

Several players throughout the week told TGA staff members how impressed they were with the golf course and hospitable atmosphere of the club.

The TGA also is grateful for our volunteers, who donated their time and expertise to ensure another first-class championship experience. For information on the 84th Texas Senior Amateur, click here.