Gardner, Franklin Win Texas Super Senior
SUGAR LAND — Chuck Gardner was able to sleep on the overnight lead and emerges victorious at the Texas Super Senior. Gardner continued his stellar play Wednesday with a final round 4-under-par 68 to win by six strokes over Houston’s Gary Durbin. In the Legends Division, J. Wayne Franklin followed suit and remained atop the leaderboard with his five-stroke victory over Wichita Falls’ Bill Holstead.
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Leaders: Gardner, of Texarkana, improved each round and followed up his second round 1-under 71 with his final round 4-under 68. Over his three rounds, Gardner was able to record 14 birdies. In his final round, he rolled in three birdies and suffered one bogey on both his first nine holes and his second nine holes for 34-34. Gardner finished the 54-hole championship at 5-under 211. This is Gardner’s first individual state championship victory in his career playing with the Texas Golf Association (TGA).
Franklin, of Abilene, was able to extend his two-stroke lead after 36 holes to win by five after being one of three players in the Legends Division to shoot 79 on Wednesday. Franklin kept a steady eye on his competitors as the top four players in the Legends Division were paired together in the final round. That allowed Franklin to know exactly where he stood throughout the round. Like Gardner, this, too, is Franklin’s first individual state championship victory with the TGA.
Top Finishers: In the Super Senior Division, Durbin, a first-time participant in this championship, was the only other player in the final round to post an under-par score of 71 and a three-round total of 1-over 217. Durbin is a two-time Texas Senior Amateur champion. First round leader Hollis Sullivan, of Westworth Village, finished in third place at 4-over 220. Mike Booker and Michael Puls finished fourth and fifth, respectively, while 2021 Texas Super Senior Player of the Year John Grace rounded out the top 6.
Charles Vannoy, a member of Sugar Creek Country Club, took home low net recognition in the Super Senior Division.
In the Legends Division, Holstead finished runner-up to Franklin while David Wagner, of Fair Oaks Ranch, found himself in solo third place at the end of the 54-hole championship. Holstead posted a three-round total of 237; Wagner posted 238.
Ted Egerton, the first-round leader in the Legends Division, was recognized as the low net player of the Legends Division.
Course: Founded in 1972, Sugar Creek Country Club is one of the Greater Houston area’s most acclaimed private clubs with 27 holes of championship golf all designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The three nine-hole courses the legendary architect crafted at Sugar Creek feature rolling fairways framed by mature strands of trees, large undulating greens, and numerous bunkers and water features dotting the landscape.
Over the past several years, the club has invested millions in facility-wide improvements to meet the needs of a growing and active membership. Texas-based architect Jeffrey Blume supervised the phased golf course renovation project that included extensive updates and enhancements to playing surfaces and infrastructure while preserving the features and strategy of Jones’ original design.
Wednesday’s Super Senior Division was contested at 6,261 yards. The Legends Division competitors played from 5,789 yards.
Tournament History: First played in 2015, the Texas Super Senior features two age divisions: 65 and older (Super Senior) and 75 and older (Legends). Entries are open to male amateur golfers who meet the age requirements by the first round of tournament play and have a certified Handicap Index® of 12.4 or less (16.4 or less for Legends) issued through a TGA Member Club.
The format for the championship, which will be contested on the Trent/Jones Courses, is 54 holes of individual stroke play with no cut. Each age division competes from different tees and yardages, with a separate champion recognized. Prizes are also awarded to low Net scores in both Super Senior and Legends Divisions.
POY Points Race: By winning, Gardner was awarded 1,000 points towards Texas Super Senior Player of the Year standings. Durbin received 750 for his runner-up performance. Sullivan earned 650 for third, Booker received 600 for fourth, and Puls 550 for fifth. A complete breakdown of the Texas Super Senior Player of the Year, including points allocation, can be found here.
About the TGA: The Texas Golf Association was established in 1906 with a mission to promote the playing and advancement of the royal and ancient game of golf in Texas. The association is one of the most respected in the country with an ongoing commitment to its members, contestants, volunteers and all who strive to preserve the great traditions of the game.
For More information about the Texas Super Senior, click here.