FRANKSTON – Wayne Wright shot even par 72 in the final round to win the Texas Super Senior Amateur at Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club. Don Grider held off surging Mike Rice to claim victory in the Legends Division.
Wright, of Aledo, began the final round with a five stroke lead and played steady golf on his way to his even par finish. Wright carded two birdies and one bogey on the front nine and a lone bogey on the back.
“I wanted to play smart golf today. You can do that when you hit fairways, so I limited my driver. I was focused on not making a big number. This is a great victory for me,” said Wright after his round.
This is Wright’s second TGA championship this month after winning the North Senior Amateur at Ridglea Country Club in Fort Worth earlier in April.
McKinney’s Gary Kirwan began with two rounds of 3-over 75 before a final round of 1-under par to finish alone in second place at 5-over par 221. Tom McGraw, of Montgomery, finished in solo third place at 73-76-73—222.
2016 Texas Super Senior Amateur champion Jerry Hudgins rebounded after a slow start to finish in fourth place at 82-70-72—224. Rounding out the top five was Austin’s Ken Redfern at 9-over par 225.
Georgetown’s Don Grider held off a hard charging Rice to win the Legends Division. Grider began the final round with a five stroke lead and found himself in trouble after a double bogey on the par five ninth hole. Grider scrambled around the back nine before making a clinching par putt on the final hole. Grider finished the three days at 78-75-80—233 and one stroke ahead of Rice.
Rice, from Houston, finished alone in second at 78-80-76—234. San Antonio’s Bob Hullender rounded out the top three with 83-78-79—240.
Garland’s Dave Rohde made his first hole-in-one during the final round on the par three sixth hole. Garland used a 6-iron from 147 yards to card his first ace.
The Texas Super Senior Amateur is comprised of two divisions, the Super Senior consisting of players at least 65 years old and the Legends for those over the age of 75.
The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the membership and staff at Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club for being a gracious host for this year’s Championship.
For more information about this year’s Championship and results, please CLICK HERE.