Simson Steals Show at N.C. Senior Am

5/14/2015 4:37:00 PM

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- Final results from the 30^th North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship at Champion Hills Club in Hendersonville on Thursday, May 14. (6,400 yards, Par 35-36--71, Course/Slope Rating: 71.4/143)

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Paul Simson of Raleigh earns record 7th N.C. Senior Am title. [+] Enlarge

Paul Simson of Raleigh defeated Jim Grainger of Charlotte on the second playoff hole, the par-3 9^th at Champion Hills Club. For Simson the win marked his record-setting seventh N.C. Senior Amateur title and 29^th overall CGA championship. For Grainger his fourth year playing in the event ended in his fourth runner-up finish, third loss in a playoff, twice falling to Simson.

At the 2012 N.C. Senior Amateur, Simson’s birdie on the second playoff hole at Oak Valley Golf Club in Advance defeated Grainger to seal Simson’s 25th CGA championship title which surpassed Dale Morey’s long-standing record of 24.

Simson, who celebrated his 64^th birthday on Sunday, wasn't sure if he would be able to finish today's round. Over the last several months he has battled health issues.

"[Entering this championship] I just wanted to see how I recovered from all the health problems that I've had," Simson reflected. "But, I think this an indication that I will be playing quite a bit."

When Simson teed off this morning five groups before the leaders, he trailed Grainger by eight shots. Simson's round started off sluggish with a bogey on the par-3 4th, but quickly recovered with a birdie on the par-5 5th. Pars on holes 6 thru 9 had him at even par for his round. With nine holes to play, he was still seven shots back of Grainger. But on the back nine his putter caught fire; making a 40-foot putt for birdie on 10, two-putting for birdie on 13, a 7-foot birdie putt on 15 and a 12-foot birdie putt on 18. His four-under-par 67 was not only the best round of the tournament, it was enough to force a playoff with Grainger. "I had no idea that 67 would prevail in a playoff," Simson said.

Both Simson and Grainger finished with three-day totals of one-over-par 214, but took different routes. Simson shot 70-77-67 while Grainger posted 70-69-75. Grainger, the reigning Carolinas Senior Amateur champion, faltered down the stretch of his four-over-par final round, playing his last ten holes at five-over-par. The two times he played the par-3 9th - in regulation and in the playoff - Grainger made double-bogey, meaning Simson's tap-in bogey at the second playoff hole was enough for the win.

"I didn't deserve to win today the way I played," said Grainger about playing down the stretch with the lead. "I just started thinking about it." His missed six-foot par putt on 18 resulted in the playoff.

Playing in the final group with Grainger, first round leader Pat Thompson made birdie on the par-3 17th to close the gap with Grainger to one shot. But Thompson, 56, of nearby Asheville missed a par putt on 18 for his ticket to join the playoff. He finished alone in third at two-over-par 215.

Defending champion Jim Pearson of Charlotte is recovering from surgery.

The CGA would like to thank the members and staff of Champion Hills Club for their hospitality and help conducting this championship at a beautiful site.

The North Carolina Amateur Championship is 54 holes of stroke play. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the low 60 scores and ties. Entry is open to any male golfer who has reached his 55th birthday by May 12, 2015, is a legal resident of North Carolina, is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) and has a current USGA Handicap Index^® at a member club that does not exceed 10.4.

30th North Carolina Senior Amateur Championship
Champion Hills Club, Hendersonville, NC
6,400 yards, Par 35-36--71, Course/Slope Rating: 71.4/143

Final Results
May 14, 2015

Place	Competitor		Score	Payout
1	Paul Simson, Raleigh, N.C.		70-77-67--214 (+1)* won in playoff	$ 575.00
2	Jim Grainger, Charlotte, N.C.		70-69-75--214 (+1)	$ 575.00
3	Pat Thompson, Asheville, N.C.		68-76-71--215 (+2)	$ 450.00
4	Arlis Pike, Kernersville, N.C.		75-72-71--218 (+5)	$ 400.00
T5	Steve Wright, Deep Gap, N.C.		74-72-73--219 (+6)	$ 337.50
T5	Brandon Godfrey, Nebo, N.C.		72-73-74--219 (+6)	$ 337.50
T7	Don Detweiler, Raleigh, N.C.		71-76-74--221 (+8)	$ 262.50
T7	Brad Buxton, Greensboro, N.C.		74-71-76--221 (+8)	$ 262.50
T7	Gary Robinson, Fayetteville, N.C.		71-76-74--221 (+8)	$ 262.50
T7	John Rudolph, Charlotte, N.C.		72-74-75--221 (+8)	$ 262.50
T11	Robert Vespa, Summerfield, N.C.		73-77-72--222 (+9)	$ 186.67
T11	Ernie Newton, Winston Salem, N.C.		72-76-74--222 (+9)	$ 186.67
T11	Alan Dirk, Sanford, N.C.		69-76-77--222 (+9)	$ 186.67
T14	Phil Bland, Waynesville, N.C.		74-77-72--223 (+10)	$ 150.00
T14	Jeffery Rausch, Charlotte, N.C.		73-73-77--223 (+10)	$ 150.00
T14	Mark Macejko, Pinehurst, N.C.		74-72-77--223 (+10)	$ 150.00
T14	Robby Kirby, Charlotte, N.C.		70-74-79--223 (+10)	$ 150.00
T18	Brian Reep, Morganton, N.C.		77-69-78--224 (+11)	$ 111.25
T18	Joe Davis, Gastonia, N.C.		71-75-78--224 (+11)	$ 111.25
T18	David Eaker, Forest City, N.C.		73-77-74--224 (+11)	$ 111.25
T18	Jerry Horton, Wilmington, N.C.		77-72-75--224 (+11)	$ 111.25
22	Edward Mills, Fairview, N.C.		79-71-75--225 (+12)	$ 95.00
T23	Jack Nance, Pinehurst, N.C.		76-76-74--226 (+13)	$ 73.75
T23	Cliff Seastrunk, Raleigh, N.C.		76-74-76--226 (+13)	$ 73.75
T23	Russ Perry, Winston Salem, N.C.		74-76-76--226 (+13)	$ 73.75
T23	Keith Waters, Raleigh, N.C.		78-74-74--226 (+13)	$ 73.75
T23	Dennis Helms, Monroe, N.C.		72-75-79--226 (+13)	$ 73.75
T23	Charlie Parks, Asheboro, N.C.		74-74-78--226 (+13)	$ 73.75
T23	Tim Andersen, Pinehurst, N.C.		75-75-76--226 (+13)	$ 73.75
T23	Richard Hackel, Hendersonville , N.C.		70-76-80--226 (+13)	$ 73.75
31	Mike Arnold, Mooresville, N.C.		72-81-74--227 (+14)
T32	Dave Moser, Charlotte, N.C.		75-78-75--228 (+15)
T32	Grant Hoffman, Asheboro, N.C.		79-75-74--228 (+15)
T34	Scott Baltz, Raleigh, N.C.		77-76-76--229 (+16)
T34	Mark Stephens, Troutman, N.C.		72-76-81--229 (+16)
T34	Wesley Clark, Charlotte, N.C.		78-74-77--229 (+16)
T34	Charley Hodges, Charlotte, N.C.		75-74-80--229 (+16)
T34	John DeLuise, Raleigh, N.C.		80-74-75--229 (+16)
T34	Peter Allen, Southport, N.C.		74-81-74--229 (+16)
T34	Gary Strickfaden, Southern Pines, N.C.		76-75-78--229 (+16)
T41	Scott Danals, Bryson City, N.C.		77-73-80--230 (+17)
T41	Spike Smith, Pinehurst, N.C.		76-76-78--230 (+17)
T41	Charlie Thompson, Hendersonville, N.C.		73-82-75--230 (+17)
T41	James Morgan, Greensboro, N.C.		79-77-74--230 (+17)
T45	Ed Donlin, Concord, N.C.		74-79-78--231 (+18)
T45	Garland Yates, Asheboro, N.C.		78-76-77--231 (+18)
T45	Marc Cox, Greensboro, N.C.		76-77-78--231 (+18)
T45	Sid Blythe, Hendersonville, N.C.		75-81-75--231 (+18)
T49	Bob Yow, Clinton, N.C.		78-78-76--232 (+19)
T49	Gene Queen, Advance, N.C.		77-76-79--232 (+19)
T49	Mark Wagner, Statesville, N.C.		77-79-76--232 (+19)
T49	Mike Bivins, High Point, N.C.		79-77-76--232 (+19)
T53	Michael Sprouts, Newton, N.C.		75-78-80--233 (+20)
T53	Bill Long, Ahoskie, N.C.		74-76-83--233 (+20)
T53	Elton Trent, Reidsville, N.C.		73-80-80--233 (+20)
T53	Bradford Kroll, Charlotte, N.C.		76-77-80--233 (+20)
T53	Preston Edmondson, Morrisville, N.C.		73-75-85--233 (+20)
T53	Rick Kline, Davidson, N.C.		79-73-81--233 (+20)
T59	George Leight Jr., Apex, N.C.		79-74-81--234 (+21)
T59	Steve Lubbers, Raleigh, N.C.		78-78-78--234 (+21)
61	Richard Condrey, Nebo, N.C.		79-74-82--235 (+22)
62	Rick LaFata, Raleigh, N.C.		78-74-85--237 (+24)
T63	Bill Phillips, Charlotte, N.C.		78-76-85--239 (+26)
T63	David Ogden, Pinehurst, N.C.		73-83-83--239 (+26)
T65	Arch Reed, Pinehurst, N.C.		78-78-85--241 (+28)
T65	Mickey Pennell, Lenoir, N.C.		75-79-87--241 (+28)
T67	Robert Desjardins, Matthews, N.C.		78-78-WD--WD (WD)
T67	Ed Byman, Raleigh, N.C.		75-78-WD--WD (WD)
-------- Failed to Qualify for Final Round --------
T69	Larry Cowman, Charlotte, N.C.	81-76--157 (+15)
T69	Lawrence Hicks, Greensboro, N.C.	77-80--157 (+15)
T69	Phil Blake, Asheville, N.C.	75-82--157 (+15)
T69	David Millis, High Point, N.C.	80-77--157 (+15)
T69	Eric Ardery, Durham, N.C.	77-80--157 (+15)
T74	Bill Boles Jr., Wilson, N.C.	79-79--158 (+16)
T74	Ken Powers, Concord, N.C.	78-80--158 (+16)
T74	Trip Boinest, Shelby, N.C.	80-78--158 (+16)
T74	Mike Schmid, Monroe, N.C.	80-78--158 (+16)
T74	Roy Greene, Waynesville, N.C.	85-73--158 (+16)
T79	Jim Gallagher, Charlotte, N.C.	82-77--159 (+17)
T79	Barry DeLapp, Hendersonville , N.C.	76-83--159 (+17)
T79	John Walters, Charlotte, N.C.	81-78--159 (+17)
T79	Ben Yeager, Clemmons, N.C.	81-78--159 (+17)
T79	Lennie Younce, Lenoir, N.C.	77-82--159 (+17)
T84	Terry Rathman, Gastonia, N.C.	79-81--160 (+18)
T84	John Mitchell, Asheville, N.C.	81-79--160 (+18)
T84	Robbie Armistead, Raleigh, N.C.	81-79--160 (+18)
T84	Steve Lambert, Greensboro, N.C.	78-82--160 (+18)
T84	Rodney Jones, Apex, N.C.	81-79--160 (+18)
T84	Willis Nance Jr., Clarkton, N.C.	83-77--160 (+18)
T90	David Watterworth, Charlotte, N.C.	83-78--161 (+19)
T90	James Brown, High Point, N.C.	81-80--161 (+19)
T90	Chris Tucker, Hendersonville, N.C.	79-82--161 (+19)
T90	Bill Thaxton, Monroe, N.C.	80-81--161 (+19)
T90	Rodney Brecheisen, Pinehurst, N.C.	79-82--161 (+19)
T90	Chuck Latham, Vass, N.C.	85-76--161 (+19)
T96	Bill Shake, Charlotte, N.C.	82-81--163 (+21)
T96	Jeff Jackson, Goldsboro, N.C.	80-83--163 (+21)
T98	Phillip Greene, Charlotte, N.C.	80-85--165 (+23)
T98	John Ervin, Hiddenite, N.C.	78-87--165 (+23)
T98	Andy Burnette, Raleigh, N.C.	83-82--165 (+23)
T98	Ron Carpenter, Creedmoor, N.C.	81-84--165 (+23)
T98	John Green, Charlotte, N.C.	81-84--165 (+23)
T103	David Shackelford, Cary, N.C.	82-85--167 (+25)
T103	Trip Barclift, Raleigh, N.C.	80-87--167 (+25)
T105	Bob Norman, Rocky Mount, N.C.	85-83--168 (+26)
T105	Glen Subin, Pinehurst, N.C.	88-80--168 (+26)
T107	Todd Turner, West End, N.C.	83-86--169 (+27)
T107	David Williams, Cary, N.C.	84-85--169 (+27)
T107	Mike Tarulli, Matthews, N.C.	86-83--169 (+27)
110	Rick Chapman, Granite Falls , N.C.	85-85--170 (+28)
111	Tom Cavanaugh, Matthews, N.C.	88-84--172 (+30)
112	David Cox, Huntersville, N.C.	86-96--182 (+40)
T113	Robert Fortner, Cary, N.C.	80-WD--WD (WD)
T113	Bob Olsen, Monroe, N.C.	81-WD--WD (WD)
T113	Dick Hogan, Burlington, N.C.	82-DQ--DQ (DQ)
116	John Stratton, Greensboro, N.C.	WD (WD)
117	Larry Barnacle, Charlotte, N.C.	WD (WD)

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)

The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals.

Now in its 106th year, the CGA annually conducts 43 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 140 One-Day (net and gross) events and qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping; Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed more than $1,500,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs.

For more information about the CGA, visit www.carolinasgolf.org.

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