Last week, The Forest Golf & Country Club in Ft. Meyers, Florida, served as the battleground for the highly-anticipated Golfweek senior amateur tournament. Over the course of three challenging days, with wind gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour and wet conditions, 96 skilled golfers put their abilities to the test.
Seniors (55-64)
Vance Welch entered the final round with a two-stroke lead, positioned at 1-over for the championship. However, the pressure proved to be too much as Welch stumbled on the last three holes, recording a double bogey on No. 16 and a closing bogey on 18. Consequently, Ft. Meyers native Patrick Stayer seized the opportunity by delivering an impressive bogey-free final round of 71, the lowest round of the entire tournament in the senior age division. With this remarkable display of skill, Stayer emerged as the deserving victor of the 2023 Golfweek Senior Tournament of Champions.
Golfweek’s current No. 3 ranked player, Kevin VandenBerg, secured a t-10 finish in this tournament, edging closer to the coveted No. 1 spot in the Player of the Year rankings. The upcoming Society of Seniors Ralph Bogart Tournament will determine the ultimate Golfweek Senior Player of the Year. VandenBerg, along with the second-ranked Jon Lindstrom, will have the chance to claim the top position, given the absence of No. 1 ranked Bob Royak in the competition.
Super Seniors (65-69)
Heading into the final round, Steve Humphrey found himself trailing the 36-hole leader, Greg Goode, by five shots. In order to surpass the current No. 1 ranked player, Marcus Beck, Humphrey knew he had to unleash his finest golf skills. Pulling off a remarkable even-par 72, Humphrey finished the tournament at 8-over par and anxiously awaited the completion of the remaining competitors’ rounds.
Following a birdie on No. 17, Goode unfortunately bogeyed the 54th hole, setting the stage for an exhilarating three-way playoff between himself, Humphrey, and Mike Arter. Fueled by the gravity of the situation, Humphrey capitalized on the opportunity and emerged victorious on the second playoff hole. Not only did he claim the Tournament of Champions trophy, but he also solidified his position at the top of the 2023 Player of the Year Super Senior rankings. This playoff victory also marks a successful title defense for Humphrey, who triumphed in the TOC super senior division last year at PGA National.
Legends (70-74)
Pete Allen of North Carolina dominated The Forest Golf & Country Club, remaining in the lead throughout the entire tournament. Allen proved his unwavering prowess by posting scores below 80 on all three days, solidifying his championship win. With a four-stroke advantage heading into the final day, Allen maintained his composure, carding a final round of 79, ensuring a victorious finish with a total score of 13-over, 229. Vince Scarpetta and Bob Casamento shared the runner-up position at 17-over.
Super Legends (75+)
Gary Hardin, after impressively shooting his age or better during the initial two rounds, overcame the challenging course conditions, securing a wire-to-wire triumph in his age bracket. With scoring proving to be an arduous task, Hardin’s birdie-free round of 80 played a pivotal role in his steadfast victory. Jack Marin finished in second place, posting a score of 14-over. John Blank, Gil Stenholm, and Henry Cole rounded out the top five with scores of 15-over, 16-over, and 16-over, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2023 Golfweek Senior Tournament of Champions?
Patrick Stayer, a native of Ft. Meyers, Florida, emerged as the victorious champion of the 2023 Golfweek Senior Tournament of Champions.
How did Steve Humphrey secure his title defense in the Super Seniors division?
Steve Humphrey secured his title defense by playing exceptional golf in a three-way playoff, ultimately capturing the tournament victory on the second playoff hole.
What was Pete Allen’s winning score in the Legends division?
Pete Allen finished the tournament with a winning score of 13-over, demonstrating his exceptional skill and dominance throughout the competition.
Who emerged as the champion in the Super Legends division (75+ age group)?
Gary Hardin emerged as the champion in the Super Legends division, defying the challenging conditions to secure a wire-to-wire victory.
We hope these answers provide clarity regarding the Golfweek Senior Tournament of Champions and its remarkable champions across various age divisions.
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