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Simson Steals Show at N.C. Senior Am

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- Final results from the 30th North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship at Champion Hills Club in Hendersonville on Thursday, May 14. (6,400 yards, Par 35-36--71, Course/Slope Rating: 71.4/143)

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Paul Simson of Raleigh earns record 7th N.C. Senior Am title. [+] Enlarge

Paul Simson of Raleigh defeated Jim Grainger of Charlotte on the second playoff hole, the par-3 9th at Champion Hills Club. For Simson the win marked his record-setting seventh N.C. Senior Amateur title and 29th overall CGA championship. For Grainger his fourth year playing in the event ended in his fourth runner-up finish, third loss in a playoff, twice falling to Simson.  

At the 2012 N.C. Senior Amateur, Simson’s birdie on the second playoff hole at Oak Valley Golf Club in Advance defeated Grainger to seal Simson’s 25th CGA championship title which surpassed Dale Morey’s long-standing record of 24.

Simson, who celebrated his 64th birthday on Sunday, wasn't sure if he would be able to finish today's round. Over the last several months he has battled health issues.

"[Entering this championship] I just wanted to see how I recovered from all the health problems that I've had," Simson reflected. "But, I think this an indication that I will be playing quite a bit."

When Simson teed off this morning five groups before the leaders, he trailed Grainger by eight shots. Simson's round started off sluggish with a bogey on the par-3 4th, but quickly recovered with a birdie on the par-5 5th. Pars on holes 6 thru 9 had him at even par for his round. With nine holes to play, he was still seven shots back of Grainger. But on the back nine his putter caught fire; making a 40-foot putt for birdie on 10, two-putting for birdie on 13, a 7-foot birdie putt on 15 and a 12-foot birdie putt on 18. His four-under-par 67 was not only the best round of the tournament, it was enough to force a playoff with Grainger. "I had no idea that 67 would prevail in a playoff," Simson said.

Both Simson and Grainger finished with three-day totals of one-over-par 214, but took different routes. Simson shot 70-77-67 while Grainger posted 70-69-75. Grainger, the reigning Carolinas Senior Amateur champion, faltered down the stretch of his four-over-par final round, playing his last ten holes at five-over-par. The two times he played the par-3 9th - in regulation and in the playoff - Grainger made double-bogey, meaning  Simson's tap-in bogey at the second playoff hole was enough for the win.

"I didn't deserve to win today the way I played," said Grainger about playing down the stretch with the lead. "I just started thinking about it." His missed six-foot par putt on 18 resulted in the playoff.

Playing in the final group with Grainger, first round leader Pat Thompson made birdie on the par-3 17th to close the gap with Grainger to one shot. But Thompson, 56, of nearby Asheville missed a par putt on 18 for his ticket to join the playoff. He finished alone in third at two-over-par 215.

Defending champion Jim Pearson of Charlotte is recovering from surgery.

The CGA would like to thank the members and staff of Champion Hills Club for their hospitality and help conducting this championship at a beautiful site.

The North Carolina Amateur Championship is 54 holes of stroke play. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low 60 scores and ties. Entry is open to any male golfer who has reached his 55th birthday by May 12, 2015, is a legal resident of North Carolina, is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) and has a current USGA Handicap Index® at a member club that does not exceed 10.4.

30th North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship
Champion Hills Club, Hendersonville, NC
6,400 yards, Par 35-36--71, Course/Slope Rating: 71.4/143

Final Results
May 14, 2015

Place   Competitor   Score      Payout 
1   Paul Simson, Raleigh, N.C.     70-77-67--214  (+1)*
  won in playoff
 $  575.00
2   Jim Grainger, Charlotte, N.C.     70-69-75--214  (+1)    $  575.00
3   Pat Thompson, Asheville, N.C.     68-76-71--215  (+2)    $  450.00
4   Arlis Pike, Kernersville, N.C.     75-72-71--218  (+5)    $  400.00
T5   Steve Wright, Deep Gap, N.C.     74-72-73--219  (+6)    $  337.50
T5   Brandon Godfrey, Nebo, N.C.     72-73-74--219  (+6)    $  337.50
T7   Don Detweiler, Raleigh, N.C.     71-76-74--221  (+8)    $  262.50
T7   Brad Buxton, Greensboro, N.C.     74-71-76--221  (+8)    $  262.50
T7   Gary Robinson, Fayetteville, N.C.   71-76-74--221  (+8)    $  262.50
T7   John Rudolph, Charlotte, N.C.     72-74-75--221  (+8)    $  262.50
T11   Robert Vespa, Summerfield, N.C.   73-77-72--222  (+9)    $  186.67
T11   Ernie Newton, Winston Salem, N.C.   72-76-74--222  (+9)    $  186.67
T11   Alan Dirk, Sanford, N.C.     69-76-77--222  (+9)    $  186.67
T14   Phil Bland, Waynesville, N.C.     74-77-72--223  (+10)  $  150.00
T14   Jeffery Rausch, Charlotte, N.C.     73-73-77--223  (+10)  $  150.00
T14   Mark Macejko, Pinehurst, N.C.     74-72-77--223  (+10)  $  150.00
T14   Robby Kirby, Charlotte, N.C.     70-74-79--223  (+10)  $  150.00
T18   Brian Reep, Morganton, N.C.     77-69-78--224  (+11)  $  111.25
T18   Joe Davis, Gastonia, N.C.     71-75-78--224  (+11)  $  111.25
T18   David Eaker, Forest City, N.C.     73-77-74--224  (+11)  $  111.25
T18   Jerry Horton, Wilmington, N.C.     77-72-75--224  (+11)  $  111.25
22   Edward Mills, Fairview, N.C.     79-71-75--225  (+12)  $    95.00
T23   Jack Nance, Pinehurst, N.C.     76-76-74--226  (+13)  $    73.75
T23   Cliff Seastrunk, Raleigh, N.C.     76-74-76--226  (+13)  $    73.75
T23   Russ Perry, Winston Salem, N.C.   74-76-76--226  (+13)  $    73.75
T23   Keith Waters, Raleigh, N.C.     78-74-74--226  (+13)  $    73.75
T23   Dennis Helms, Monroe, N.C.     72-75-79--226  (+13)  $    73.75
T23   Charlie Parks, Asheboro, N.C.     74-74-78--226  (+13)  $    73.75
T23   Tim Andersen, Pinehurst, N.C.     75-75-76--226  (+13)  $    73.75
T23   Richard Hackel, Hendersonville , N.C.   70-76-80--226  (+13)  $    73.75
31   Mike Arnold, Mooresville, N.C.     72-81-74--227  (+14)  
T32   Dave Moser, Charlotte, N.C.     75-78-75--228  (+15)  
T32   Grant Hoffman, Asheboro, N.C.     79-75-74--228  (+15)  
T34   Scott Baltz, Raleigh, N.C.     77-76-76--229  (+16)  
T34   Mark Stephens, Troutman, N.C.     72-76-81--229  (+16)  
T34   Wesley Clark, Charlotte, N.C.     78-74-77--229  (+16)  
T34   Charley Hodges, Charlotte, N.C.     75-74-80--229  (+16)  
T34   John DeLuise, Raleigh, N.C.     80-74-75--229  (+16)  
T34   Peter Allen, Southport, N.C.     74-81-74--229  (+16)  
T34   Gary Strickfaden, Southern Pines, N.C.   76-75-78--229  (+16)  
T41   Scott Danals, Bryson City, N.C.     77-73-80--230  (+17)  
T41   Spike Smith, Pinehurst, N.C.     76-76-78--230  (+17)  
T41   Charlie Thompson, Hendersonville, N.C.   73-82-75--230  (+17)  
T41   James Morgan, Greensboro, N.C.   79-77-74--230  (+17)  
T45   Ed Donlin, Concord, N.C.     74-79-78--231  (+18)  
T45   Garland Yates, Asheboro, N.C.     78-76-77--231  (+18)  
T45   Marc Cox, Greensboro, N.C.     76-77-78--231  (+18)  
T45   Sid Blythe, Hendersonville, N.C.     75-81-75--231  (+18)  
T49   Bob Yow, Clinton, N.C.     78-78-76--232  (+19)  
T49   Gene Queen, Advance, N.C.     77-76-79--232  (+19)  
T49   Mark Wagner, Statesville, N.C.     77-79-76--232  (+19)  
T49   Mike Bivins, High Point, N.C.     79-77-76--232  (+19)  
T53   Michael Sprouts, Newton, N.C.     75-78-80--233  (+20)  
T53   Bill Long, Ahoskie, N.C.     74-76-83--233  (+20)  
T53   Elton Trent, Reidsville, N.C.     73-80-80--233  (+20)  
T53   Bradford Kroll, Charlotte, N.C.     76-77-80--233  (+20)  
T53   Preston Edmondson, Morrisville, N.C.   73-75-85--233  (+20)  
T53   Rick Kline, Davidson, N.C.     79-73-81--233  (+20)  
T59   George Leight Jr., Apex, N.C.     79-74-81--234  (+21)  
T59   Steve Lubbers, Raleigh, N.C.     78-78-78--234  (+21)  
61   Richard Condrey, Nebo, N.C.     79-74-82--235  (+22)  
62   Rick LaFata, Raleigh, N.C.     78-74-85--237  (+24)  
T63   Bill Phillips, Charlotte, N.C.     78-76-85--239  (+26)  
T63   David Ogden, Pinehurst, N.C.     73-83-83--239  (+26)  
T65   Arch Reed, Pinehurst, N.C.     78-78-85--241  (+28)  
T65   Mickey Pennell, Lenoir, N.C.     75-79-87--241  (+28)  
T67   Robert Desjardins, Matthews, N.C.   78-78-WD--WD  (WD)  
T67   Ed Byman, Raleigh, N.C.     75-78-WD--WD  (WD)  
 -------- Failed to Qualify for Final Round --------          
T69   Larry Cowman, Charlotte, N.C.   81-76--157  (+15)  
T69   Lawrence Hicks, Greensboro, N.C.   77-80--157  (+15)  
T69   Phil Blake, Asheville, N.C.   75-82--157  (+15)    
T69   David Millis, High Point, N.C.   80-77--157  (+15)    
T69   Eric Ardery, Durham, N.C.   77-80--157  (+15)    
T74   Bill Boles Jr., Wilson, N.C.   79-79--158  (+16)    
T74   Ken Powers, Concord, N.C.   78-80--158  (+16)    
T74   Trip Boinest, Shelby, N.C.   80-78--158  (+16)    
T74   Mike Schmid, Monroe, N.C.   80-78--158  (+16)    
T74   Roy Greene, Waynesville, N.C.   85-73--158  (+16)    
T79   Jim Gallagher, Charlotte, N.C.   82-77--159  (+17)    
T79   Barry DeLapp, Hendersonville , N.C.   76-83--159  (+17)    
T79   John Walters, Charlotte, N.C.   81-78--159  (+17)    
T79   Ben Yeager, Clemmons, N.C.   81-78--159  (+17)    
T79   Lennie Younce, Lenoir, N.C.   77-82--159  (+17)    
T84   Terry Rathman, Gastonia, N.C.   79-81--160  (+18)    
T84   John Mitchell, Asheville, N.C.   81-79--160  (+18)    
T84   Robbie Armistead, Raleigh, N.C.   81-79--160  (+18)    
T84   Steve Lambert, Greensboro, N.C.   78-82--160  (+18)    
T84   Rodney Jones, Apex, N.C.   81-79--160  (+18)    
T84   Willis Nance Jr., Clarkton, N.C.   83-77--160  (+18)    
T90   David Watterworth, Charlotte, N.C.   83-78--161  (+19)    
T90   James Brown, High Point, N.C.   81-80--161  (+19)    
T90   Chris Tucker, Hendersonville, N.C.   79-82--161  (+19)    
T90   Bill Thaxton, Monroe, N.C.   80-81--161  (+19)    
T90   Rodney Brecheisen, Pinehurst, N.C.   79-82--161  (+19)    
T90   Chuck Latham, Vass, N.C.   85-76--161  (+19)    
T96   Bill Shake, Charlotte, N.C.   82-81--163  (+21)    
T96   Jeff Jackson, Goldsboro, N.C.   80-83--163  (+21)    
T98   Phillip Greene, Charlotte, N.C.   80-85--165  (+23)    
T98   John Ervin, Hiddenite, N.C.   78-87--165  (+23)    
T98   Andy Burnette, Raleigh, N.C.   83-82--165  (+23)    
T98   Ron Carpenter, Creedmoor, N.C.   81-84--165  (+23)    
T98   John Green, Charlotte, N.C.   81-84--165  (+23)    
T103   David Shackelford, Cary, N.C.   82-85--167  (+25)    
T103   Trip Barclift, Raleigh, N.C.   80-87--167  (+25)    
T105   Bob Norman, Rocky Mount, N.C.   85-83--168  (+26)    
T105   Glen Subin, Pinehurst, N.C.   88-80--168  (+26)    
T107   Todd Turner, West End, N.C.   83-86--169  (+27)    
T107   David Williams, Cary, N.C.   84-85--169  (+27)    
T107   Mike Tarulli, Matthews, N.C.   86-83--169  (+27)    
110   Rick Chapman, Granite Falls , N.C.   85-85--170  (+28)    
111   Tom Cavanaugh, Matthews, N.C.   88-84--172  (+30)    
112   David Cox, Huntersville, N.C.   86-96--182  (+40)    
T113   Robert Fortner, Cary, N.C.   80-WD--WD  (WD)    
T113   Bob Olsen, Monroe, N.C.   81-WD--WD  (WD)    
T113   Dick Hogan, Burlington, N.C.   82-DQ--DQ  (DQ)    
116   John Stratton, Greensboro, N.C.   WD  (WD)    
117   Larry Barnacle, Charlotte, N.C.   WD  (WD)    

 

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)

The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals.

Now in its 106th year, the CGA annually conducts 43 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 140 One-Day (net and gross) events and qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping; Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed more than $1,500,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs.    

For more information about the CGA, visit www.carolinasgolf.org.

 

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