Fort Wayne’s Sam Till began the day six shots behind leader
Bob Stephens at the IGA Senior Amateur Championship at Anderson CC. After posting an opening nine of
3-under-par 33, Till quickly saw that gap diminish and suddenly he was right in
the mix of things.
“After my 33 on the front I felt like I just might have a
chance,” Till said. “I made it
from just off the front of the green on 12 for birdie. I then birdied 14, 16, and sunk about a
twenty footer on 17 for birdie to get to 7-under for the day.”
Till posted an impressive 7-under-par 65 today, for a
two-day total of 5-under-par 139.
Dyer’s Terry Werner, who began the day just one shot out the lead, also
had an opening nine of 33 this morning.
Werner was 7-under par for the tournament heading to the par 3, 15th
hole. With bogeys on holes 15 and
16, he fell back to 5-under-par.
He went on to par 17 and 18 to post 5-under-par and finish in a tie with
Till.
“I played really well today,” Werner said. “I just missed a few putts I shouldn’t
have, but other than that I can’t complain.”
Till and Werner headed to the par 5, 1st for the
playoff. Werner hit his second
shot into tall grass and weeds on the right and was forced to take an
unplayable lie, while Till hit the green in two and left himself with a 20 foot
eagle putt. He easily two-putted
for the win.
“I won match play last year, but haven’t ever won a stroke
play event,” Till said. “I feel
like it brings me full circle with senior events and at 60 you never know how
much you have left at this age. It
means a lot to me to win.”
Franklin’s Jim Anthony won the Super Senior Amateur Championship this afternoon, which was also held at Anderson CC. Anthony, the ’03 and ’11 Senior Amateur Champion, adds a win in the Super Senior Division to his list of accomplishments.
“I drove the ball really well today,” Anthony said. “Except for a couple of stray tee shots that caused a few bogeys, I played really well. To win the Senior Am twice and now the Super Senior Am feels great.”
The Super Senior Division is for players ages 65 and older.