This week in Tampa, Florida is not all roses and sunshine. At Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club where the 2023 Golfweek Senior Player of the Year Classic is held, scoring has been difficult to find.
One man has managed to put together enough information to be able to lead his age division as well as the entire field.
Mike Finster led the field for the second consecutive day after his first round 71. He shot a 1-over-73 for an even-par score of 36 holes. Despite the unusual Florida weather conditions and difficult course conditions, Finster has remained steady throughout week.
Finster leads Georgia’s Danny Nelson by three shots. Rusty Strawn is in third place at 4 over.
After 36 holes, Super Senior coleaders Steve Humphrey & Mike Poe have yet to separate from one another, with Mike Poe at 8 over. Marcus Beck, Super Senior leader, slipped back to solo second on Tuesday with a 6-over par 78. He is currently at 9 over and sits one shot behind Poe and Humphrey. He will be the primary contender to the co-leadership.
Don Donatoni, the current Golfweek Legend Player Award winner, is looking to continue his winning streak in 2023. Donatoni is now on track for an early season win after a round 75 moved him past Bev Hargraves, the round one leader from Pennsylvania.
Donatoni is 8 over for the week and Florida’s Don Russell is 3 strokes behind. William Everett still has a chance to win, as he played into the final foursome in the second round 76. At 12 over, he is still four behind.
It’s still anybody’s race in the Super Legend division.
After his first round 80, Gene Bingman of Ohio continues to lead the field with an 82 in the second round. There are still a few players who have a chance to climb the leaderboard, but only two shots behind the field. Jack Marin and Dan Nicholson are leading the pack at 20 over. There are five golfers within seven strokes of Bingham.
More of the same scoring conditions will be available for Wednesday’s final round. A solid round of golf is required to surpass any leader.
