Davis outduels Elliott to win British Senior Amateur in Scotland
Craig Davis (R&A/Twitter photo)
Up until this week, Craig Davis’ resume highlights were mostly grounded in Southern California. The 57-year-old Chula Vista resident is a perennial contender in SCGA events. Last year, he made it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Amateur, which took place a little farther north in Eugene, Ore.
After winning a three-hole playoff for the British Senior Amateur on Friday against compatriot Gene Elliott, Davis now owns an international title.
Elliott, fresh off making the cut at the British Senior Open, and Davis both finished 54 holes at North Berwick (Scotland) Golf Club with a 9-under total. That sent them to extra holes. Davis ultimately won with a birdie on No. 1.
The top of the leaderboard looked like a who’s who of senior golf, and with a major U.S. presence. Behind Elliott in second, Jerry Slagle took solo third with his 8-under total. Slagle finished with a 7-under 65 on Friday.
Englishman John Ambridge tied for fourth with Roger Hoit and Paul Simson, both Americans. Simson is a three-time winner of this event.
After opening with rounds of 67-69, second-round leader Matthew Sughrue, a sports performance coach from Arlington, Va., produced a final-round 75 and slipped to a tie for 10th.
ABOUT THE
British Senior Amateur
The British Senior Amateur, called the "Seniors
Amateur Championship" in the United Kingdom,
was launched by The R&A in 1969 to help select
a Great Britain & Ireland side to play in the
World Senior Amateur Team Championship.
Though the British Senior Amateur, played for the
first time at Formby, was an instant success, the
team event did not survive beyond 1969. Charlie
Green has been the most successful player in
the history of the event, winning six times in
seven years beginning in 1988. Like the U.S.
Senior Amateur, players must be over the age of
55 to play. Notable courses played over the
years include Royal County Down, Royal
Portrush, Royal Aberdeen, and Walton Heath.
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