Four champions were crowned after a 54-hole shootout in the desert at Casino Del Sol’s Sewailo Course in Tucson, Arizona.
In the senior division, the final round began as a two-man race. Thirty-six-hole leaders Mike Lohner and David Nelson were tied at 1 under. Neither would finish under par once Friday’s final round came to a conclusion.
Instead, it was Craig Steinberg and Steve McPherson who would duke it out. McPherson held the head-to-head advantage, beginning the day at 1 over to Steinberg’s 2 over.
McPherson was bogey free and 6 under on the day through 14 holes. Carding his first bogey on the par-3 15th, he immediately erased it with another birdie on the par-4 16th. Holding the solo lead as he stood on the 18th tee, all the Hemet, California, native needed was a par to secure the clubhouse lead and potentially the championship.
Making bogey, McPherson played the waiting game, as he held on to second place, one shot back of Steinberg, who was still on the course.
Steinberg used an electric front nine to catapult himself into the conversation. Out in 31, Steinberg used the bogey-free start to slide up the leaderboard.
Another flurry of birdies on Nos. 14-16, he was in control and clear of McPherson by a stroke. An untimely bogey on No. 17, his second of the day, Steinberg was unable to negate it with a birdie on No. 18 for the win. Signing for a final round 6-under 66, Steinberg headed back to the 18th tee for a sudden death playoff with McPherson.
As the hotter hand, Steinberg was able to secure the title on the first playoff hole with a par.
Rounding out the top five, all at even par, were Terry Rice, Mike Lohner and Golfweek’s No. 2 ranked senior amateur, Kevin VandenBerg. VandenBerg was not able to grab all 1,200 points, but he was able to take a bite out of Rusty Strawn’s 1,930-point lead, as VandenBerg was awarded 543.33 points for his top-five finish.
In the Super Senior division, Robin Rubrecht cruised to a five-shot victory, thanks in large part to his tournament-best 7-under 65 in the second round. Jim Starnes took second at 2 under.
John Hamilton outlasted the competition to take a two-shot victory back to Stillwater, New York. Steve Wilson was able to shoot his age or better all three days to take the top spot in the 75+ age division. Rounds of 71, 76 and 75 secured a four-shot victory.
If you think you have what it takes to compete with some of the best senior amateur players in the country, check out the 2023 Golfweek senior amateur schedule to put your game up to the test on some of the best courses around the country.
