Casino Del Sol’s Sewailo Golf Club was the perfect backdrop for the opening round of 2022 Golfweek Senior Desert Showdown.
Arizona’s senior amateur golfers have gathered in Tucson to play 54 holes. Many scores were achieved by players who are between 55 and 75 years old.
Terry Cook is the leader in the 55-64 age group senior division. The Iowa native leads the field by four shots, shooting a blistering 6-under-66. Cook was penalized by a single bogey at the par-4 5th, but Cook managed to make a strong finish with three birdies in his last five holes to cap off his impressive start.
Four players are at 2 under, with another pair finishing Wednesday’s first round five back. Golfweek’s No. 2 ranked senior amateur Kevin VandenBerg finished his day at even par. VandenBerg couldn’t keep his card clear of bogeys, but he was able finish the day on a high note with a birdie at No. In the hopes of gaining some momentum going into Thursday’s second round, VandenBerg played 18.
VandenBerg is the only opponent to No. 1 Rusty Strawn is the 2022 Golfweek Player-of-the Year. VandenBerg’s strong finish would be enough to take the 1,930 points between him and Strawn, with less than three events remaining in the season.
Super Senior Don Kuehn sits at the top of the leaderboard. Kuehn posted a 2-under 70 for an early lead of two strokes. Kuehn, who has won 44 championship events during his career, hopes to win 45 more before he returns home to Kansas to be inducted into Kansas Golf Hall of Fame.
Florida’s Jim Starnes leads by two after a 72. Robin Rubrecht and Dan Parkinson are hot on trail after they match each other with 1-over-73s.
John Hamilton is the leader in the Legends division. Hamilton, a New Yorker, completed the cross-country trek and loves the change in pace. Hamilton shot a 5-over-77 but didn’t look his age, but will be taking a one-shot lead into Thursday hoping to change that.
Craig Collins and Steve Wilson brought some of the best golf to the clubhouse. The pair shot matching 1-under 71s in Super Legend (75-year-olds and older).
Wilson was unbogey-free on the day, his only birdie being on the par-5 14. Collins’ scorecard was much more colorful and highlighted by an eagle at the par 5 8. It’s not a two-horse race, so neither man can relax. Richard Hunt and Dan Nicholson are at 2 over par. This makes the Super Legend age bracket one of the most important to watch as the championship looks to the second round.
