Four champions were elected after a 54-hole shootout at Casino Del Sol’s Sewailo Course, Tucson, Arizona.
The final round of the senior division was a two-man race. Mike Lohner, 36-hole leader, and David Nelson tied at 1 under. After Friday’s final round, neither would finish below par.
Instead, Steve McPherson and Craig Steinberg would face off. McPherson had the head-tohead advantage and started the day at 1 over Steinberg’s 2.
McPherson finished the day with a bogey-free round of 14 holes, and was 6 under. McPherson made his first bogey at the par-3 15th. He quickly erased it by making another birdie at the par-4 16th. He held the lead solo as he stood on 18th tee. All the Hemet, California native needed to secure the clubhouse lead, and possibly the championship, was a par.
After making bogey McPherson took the waiting game to hold on to second, just one shot behind Steinberg who was still on course.
Steinberg used an electric front nine in order to propel himself into the conversation. Steinberg used the bogey free start to climb up the leaderboard in 31.
Craig Steinberg, 2022 Golfweek Senior Desert Showdown Champion
Another round of birdies on Nos. He was in complete control, and McPherson was beaten by him from 14-16. Untimely bogey on Number. 17 was Steinberg’s second of the day. He couldn’t counter it with a birdie at No. 18 was the winning number. Steinberg signed for the final round at 6-under-66 and returned to the 18th Tee for a sudden death playoff.
Steinberg, the hotter player, was able to win the title on the first playoff golf hole with a par.
Terry Rice, Mike Lohner, and Golfweek’s No. 5 ranked senior amateur rounded out the top five at even par. 2 ranked senior amateur, Kevin VandenBerg. VandenBerg could not grab all 1,200 points but was able take a bite of Rusty Strawn’s 1,930-point lead. VandenBerg received 543.33 points for his top five finish.
Robin Rubrecht won the Super Senior division by five shots thanks to his tournament-best 7 under 65 in round 2. Jim Starnes was second at 2 under.
John Hamilton won the contest by two shots to win his second trip to Stillwater, New York. Steve Wilson shot his age or better on all three days to claim the top spot for the 75+ age division. A four-shot win was secured by rounds of 71, 75 and 76.
You think you can compete with the top senior amateur players in the nation? Check out the 2023 Golfweek senior am schedule. It will put your skills to the test on the most prestigious courses across the country.
