Tag: Kevin VandenBerg

2022 Golfweek Senior Desert Showdown kicks off year-end rush for Player of the Year points

The Sewailo Course at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona, plays host to some of the best senior amateur golfers in the world beginning November 2nd.

The Sewailo Course at beautiful Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona, plays host to some of the best senior amateur golfers in the world beginning November 2nd. The 2022 Golfweek Senior Desert Showdown tees off on Wednesday with players beginning to make their final pushes for their chance at Golfweek Player of the Year honors.

With just three events remaining for this year’s POY title, the race is tight between No. 1 Rusty Strawn and No. 2 Kevin VandenBerg. With Strawn not in the field in Tucson, VandenBerg can take a bite out of the 1,930 points that separate the two men.

As the only player within nearly 4,000 points of Strawn, VandenBerg is mathematically the only challenger that can overtake Golfweek’s No. 1 as the season ticks down. Nonetheless, players inside the top 10 are all jockeying for strong finishes to gain momentum heading into the 2023 POY race.

No. 7 ranked Steve Maddalena is the next highest-ranked player in the field this week. A first-place finish this week would catapult him all the way to the No. 4 spot thanks to the 1,200 POY points that come with a win.

While it won’t put him close enough to challenge Strawn, Maddalena would most certainly use the late-season push as a building block for next season.

The field also includes Craig Larson, who went wire-to-wire in his victory back in late September.

In all, four different age divisions will duke it out over 54 holes in the desert. Four new champions will be crowned with winners being invited to the year-end Golfweek Tournament of Champions.

If you want to play elite golf courses across the country against some of the best senior amateurs in the world, check out Golfweek’s events schedule. There’s still time to register for the three remaining events that round out the calendar year. The Golfweek Player of the Year Classic in January kicks off the 2023 race for Player of the Year honors. We hope you join us!

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Kevin VandenBerg, three others take home wins at Golfweek Senior National Championship

Kevin VandenBerg was the highest ranked player in the field.

Kevin VandenBerg claimed what was his at the 2022 Golfweek Senior National Championship at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

The highest ranked player in the field per Golfweek’s senior amateur rankings, VandenBerg was able to overcome an uncharacteristic first round to win the inaugural championship by two strokes.

VandenBerg used four birdies to negate three final-round bogeys, good for a 1-under 71. Playing with Steve Maddalena, the Michigander kept the pressure on as he matched VandenBerg shot for shot on the front nine.

Trading momentum shifts, VandenBerg was able to keep big numbers off his card and controlled a one-shot lead as the duo stood on the 18th tee. Unable to capitalize on a scoreable par-5, Maddalena posted a par to VandenBerg’s birdie, securing the two stroke victory for the New York native.

VandenBerg also now surpasses Rusty Strawn as the No. 1 ranked player in Golfweek’s Senior Amateur rankings.

Child Guy rounds out the senior podium with a third place finish at 10 over.

In the super senior division, it was Stephen Fox who was able to hold on to a two stroke victory as he crawled into the clubhouse going 5 over in his final four holes. Larry Vaughan (6 over) and Tim Vigotsky (7 over) nabbed silver and bronze finishes.

Legend Pete Allen used a steady 1-over 73 to take home a four-stroke win. Tied with Charley Yandell heading into the day, Allen stayed relatively mistake free to coast into the clubhouse for the win.

Unarguably the most impressive performance of the week came from Super Legend John Blank. The Maryland native carded rounds of 70, 73, and 71 to run away with the 75+ age division title. Two under on the week Blank beat every single player in the field, regardless of age division, by at least six shots.

All four champions earned 1,200 points in their respective Player of the Year race. The next Golfweek senior event is the 2022  Golfweek U.S. Super Senior, Legends, & Super Legends National Championship at the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Georgia, July 2-5. 

First-ever Golfweek Senior National has attracted top amateurs to North Carolina

The Golfweek Senior National will be a pivotal tournament towards crowning the 2022 champion.

Top senior amateurs from around the country are in Greensboro, North Carolina, for the inaugural Golfweek Senior National.

Designed by two-time major champion David Graham and his build partner Gary Panks, Grandover Resort will play host to the first-ever Golfweek Senior National, June 13-15. The Player of the Year race is heating up too, with 1,200 points heading towards the winner’s bankroll when it’s all said and done.

Among those in the field is Golfweek’s No. 2 senior amateur Kevin VandenBerg. With No. 1 Rusty Strawn not playing this week, VandenBerg has an opportunity to take over the top spot as he sits just 350 points out of first.

Nearing the halfway point in the year, the Golfweek Player of the Year standings has become a two-horse race. Third-place Allen Peake is separated from VandenBerg by more than 1,000 points. Matt Sughrue (No. 4) and Billy Mitchell (No. 5) round out the top 5.

Ninth-ranked Jerry Slagle can make big strides in his ranking, just like VandenBerg. A win would catapult Slagle into fourth place with over 2,900 points.

With both the summer temperatures and the Player of the Year race heating up, the Golfweek Senior National will be a pivotal tournament towards crowning the 2022 champion.