The inaugural Golfweek Pacific Northwest Senior Championship had little doubt as to who was going to take the trophy home this week.
Making the five-hour trip to Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington, Craig Larson kept the hardware in the Evergreen State.
The Lakeland, Washington, native separated himself from the rest of the senior field through the first 36 holes of the tournament. Building a five-stroke lead heading into Thursday’s final round, all Larson had to do was play the same brand of golf that got him there in the first place.
What changes consistent golf? Pressure.
Luckily for Larson, pressure was never really an issue. Yes, he was 4 over through 13 and finished the day there but his cushion kept his head well above water. A final round 77 isn’t the way you want to close out a championship, but hey, a win is a win is a win, right?
Cruising to a four shot wire-to-wire victory, Larson (2 over) shared the podium with Bradley Karns (6 over) and Doug Savageau (9 over).
In the Super Senior age bracket (ages 65-69), a much tighter contest needed extra holes to determine a winner.
Peter Jennings held a one shot lead over George Walker heading into Thursday’s action. Through the front nine Jennings’ lead was stretched to two thanks to a triple bogey by Walker on the par 4 9th.
With either man unable to push across a birdie, Walker scraped his way back into the fight with a back nine 2 over 38 to force a playoff after making up the halftime deficit.
Unfortunately for Walker, his valiant attempt ended up just short as he fell to Jennings on the second playoff hole. For Jennings, he walks away with 1,200 points towards the year-long race for the Golfweek Player of the Year rankings list and bragging rights over his fellow statesman.
Greg Mokler cruised to a nine-shot win in the Legend Division while Joe Barth enjoyed the same differential in the Super Legend Division. Barth also ties Larson for lowest score throughout the entire field. Despite playing in the 75+ age division, Barth matched Larson at 2 over on the week and going lower than his age every day.
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