Over the weekend, one of amateur golf’s biggest majors crowned new champions.
The International Mid-Am & Senior Championships took over Pawleys Island, South Carolina, for three days of elite amateur golf. With both individual and team titles up for grabs, both True Blue and Caledonia gave the field their toughest tests en route to naming amateur golf’s newest winners.
California’s Marc Engellener began the third and final round four shots behind 36-hole leader Justin Young. Knowing he’d need to post a number, Engellener got to work. Out in 2 under, Engellener hopped onto the birdie train as he came down the stretch.
Six birdies over an eight hole stretch allowed Engellener to do just what he wanted to do heading into the day; Post a number. His 66 was good enough for the clubhouse lead, but would it be enough to fend off Young who had been so dominant all week?
Unfortunately for Young, it would be too much to overcome. Sputtering to a halt, Young could not close out his overnight lead. A final round that featured 13 pars is nothing to hang your head at, but with a charging group of players hot on his heels, Young’s 1 over final round left him three shots shy of Engellener who finished at 9 under.
Brendan Kelly (-4) rounded out the podium with three other golfers claiming shares of fourth place at 3 under.
Posting the lowest round of the tournament is never easy, especially, when there are players more than half your age. For Jon Lindstrom, it felt like a walk in the park. He posted a tournament-best 6-under 66 in Friday’s first round.
With an early three shot lead, it seemed as though it was Lindstrom’s tournament to lose, despite some of the biggest names in senior amateur golf lurking just behind him.
After an even par second round, Lindstrom held a one shot lead.
Bob Royak, a known name to those who follow the senior am circuits, took it upon himself to apply pressure to Lindstrom in the final round. With a bogey-free 67, Royak (-3) put himself in prime position in case Lindstrom fell.
Even through No. 10, Lindstrom made bogey on the par 4 12th to drop a shot. Holding onto a two shot lead, he was able to coast through holes 13-17 with pars. On No. 18, Lindstrom was able to save a bogey for a final round 74 to hold onto his lead and win by one stroke.
Coleman Tidwell (-2) finished third while Jack Larkin (-1), Wes McNulty (E), and Doug Hanzel (E) rounded out the top five.
In the team portion of the competition it was Team Maryland who came away with the win. Brendan Kelly, Charlie Winegardener, Ryan MCCarthy, and Billy Peel were able to knock off Team West Virginia thanks to a scorecard playoff. Finishing at 7 under for the week, Team Maryland turned on the afterburners on Sunday, besting West Virginia by a whopping 17 shots.
On the senior team side South Georgia took the top spot. With Bob Royak and Doug Hanzel netting top five finishes, the squad was able to post a 4 under total to win by the same number.
North Carolina (East) and Team Arkansas shared second place honors at even par.
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