Paul Simson (USGA Photo)

These can be unsettling times, a season of work coming down to the crucible of 36 holes of golf to determine if everything up to this point was a wash.

Stroke play at the U.S. Senior Amateur often involves countless phone refreshes for participants, who need the latest update on which side of the cutline they will ultimately land on in determining the final 64 who advance to Monday’s match play portion.

It’s easy to tell those who have been down this path before. They lay their phones aside, focusing their time on renewing old acquaintances and sharing the highlights of their morning round over lunch at The Honors Course. They exude a confidence that stands out like an uncanny calm in the eye of the storm.

No one exhibits that sense of genuineness and charm more than Paul Simson, the oldest competitor in the field of 156 at a young 73 years old. Playing in his 58th USGA championship – including his 17th appearance in the U.S. Senior Amateur – nothing fazes the New Jersey native who has called Raleigh, N.C., home since 1979.

Simson is ranked No. 12 in the AmateurGolf.com Super Senior Rankings.

But over lunch Saturday with his son, Phillip, who has served as his father’s caddie since the age of 12, Simson seemed to be unusually glued to his phone. He was indeed checking scores, but they weren’t of the golf variety.

“My grandson – and Phillip’s son – is playing in a soccer tournament, and they just won their first round,” Simson said. “They're up against probably the toughest team in the tournament now, and Phillip’s wife is there giving us choreographed updates.”

There was no need for Simson to worry about his standing, particularly following his tidy opening round of 2-under 70. Having won this tournament in 2010 and 2012 and finishing runner-up in 2017 – all with Phillip on his bag - he was instead reveling in the ambiance that surrounded him at The Honors Course.

Since Simson first arrived for the 1991 U.S. Amateur, there has been a symbiotic relationship between the Simson and Pete Dye-designed golf course.

“From the first time I stepped out on this place some 33 years ago, I have just loved every step,” Simson said. “I walked around here after that first practice round and I told myself I've got to figure out a way to get back here.”

That opportunity presented itself in 2005 when the John T. Lupton Memorial was introduced at The Honors. Since that time, Simson has been a fixture in the prestigious tournament, capturing three straight Senior Division titles in the Lupton from 2007-2009, before winning twice more in 2013 and 2014. His annual pilgrimage to The Honors has certainly enabled him to have familiarity with what awaited him on Saturday.

“My expectations are always very high, but realistic,” Simson said. “Today, with the conditions absolutely perfect and knowing the course like I do, I thought I was going to do pretty well the way I was hitting the ball.”

Simson’s premonition proved to be absolutely spot-on.

After a bogey on No. 4, Simson strung together a six-hole stretch where he one-putted every hole. Three of those resulted in birdies on 6, 8 and 9, while the others were clutch par-savers.

“All of a sudden, things are looking pretty good. When I got it up and down from 65 yards short of the hole on 10, and made that putt, I’m thinking this is going to be a good day if I don’t mess it up.”

Sitting in a tie atop the leaderboard with Ronald Ewing of Merced, Cal. heading into Sunday’s second stroke play round, Simson knows to not lower his guard when taking on The Honors Course.

“it’s just one of those places that if you don't go where you're supposed to go, your score can go up in a hurry,” Simson said. “It takes more than a couple practice rounds to really understand what Pete Dye was doing with his design. You can't have an ego and try to play this course and try to overpower it. If you do, you’re done.”

Simson’s frequent visits to The Honors and his tournament pedigree seem to align for a special week for father and son. No matter the outcome, he’s going to soak in the experience and relish the moment.

“How can you not love this place?” Simson said. “Everything is understated and relaxed. You're not walking on eggshells when you come here because nobody has an ego. They are just gracious hosts here. It’s like being among family.”

Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com.