KILMARNOCK, Va. –– Bob Albus of Ashburn, Tom Flory of Madison and Harry Cain of Williamsburg posted victories in their respective age divisions as the 20th Virginia State Golf Association Super Senior Amateur Championship concluded today at Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club.
The 67-year-old Albus bested division medalist Jon Abbett of McLean, 2 and 1 to claim the 65-69 age category. In the 70-74 age division, Flory, 71, defeated division medalist George Owens of Virginia Beach, 4 and 3. Top-seed Cain, 76, captured the 75 and over division by getting past James Naylor of Lexington, 3 and 1.
Albus held off a surging Abbett in the final three holes after being 3 up after the 14th hole. Albus never trailed in the match and took the lead early with a birdie on No. 3. Albus went on to birdie the next hole and made a terrific recovery on the sixth hole for another birdie to move to a match-high 3-up advantage.
Abbett won No. 15 by draining a 20-foot birdie putt and scored a par-win at the ensuing hole to get to within one hole down. But on the deciding 17th hole Abbett hit his second shot out of bounds and Albus made par to claim victory. Albus captured his first VSGA championship.
“It feels good,” he said. “I felt comfortable until I started getting a little ‘leaky’ toward the end. I was comfortable for most of the round even though I was driving the ball poorly. I’ve played in a lot of [VSGA events] but this is my first win, and I’m pretty happy with it.”
Flory wiped out an early deficit and made birdies on Nos. 5, 6 and 8 to build a three holes up advantage. Flory never looked back, going 4 up on No.11 and sealed the match on the 15th hole.
“I’m surprised,” Flory said of winning his age division. “I hit some balls and played a couple of times to get ready … It’s pretty cool.
“George didn’t play quite as well as he usually does. But I played solidly. I hit all the shots I was trying to hit and I hit a lot of greens. I only missed two greens all day so it felt good. It’s so sweet to win a VSGA championship. I’ll cherish it.”
Cain won his match over Naylor on the second nine. Cain was down early but went 2 up with consecutive par wins at Nos. 12 and 13. Cain didn’t lose a hole the rest of the way and sealed the match on No. 17.
Cain won the 70-74 age division in 2012.
View results for Virginia Mid-Senior & Super Senior
ABOUT THE
Virginia Mid-Senior & Super Senior
36 holes of stroke play qualifying (18 holes per day);
the low 8 players
advance to match play. The Mid-Senior field is for
players aged 60-64,
and the Super Senior field is divided into three age
groups (65+, 70+ and 75+). Players will
only compete
against those in their
age group. Open to VSGA members who hold an
active GHIN number
issued by a licensed VSGA Member Club in good
standing.
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