The Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne, PA stood up to the challenge of hosting the 2009 Philadelphia Section Senior Championship. The 2nd round of the Championship once again featured temperatures in the 90’s and the majority of players could not maintain their level of play from the first day. Wayne Phillips (Lehigh Country Club) and Bill Sautter (Philadelphia Cricket Club) were paired together in the 2nd to last group of the day. Their 1-over par 72’s from Wednesday left them two shots back from the leader. Both Phillips and Sautter finished their second round at 2-under par 69 to tie for the lead at the end of 36 hole tournament with a total of 1-under par 141.
A sudden death playoff was necessary to crown a champion and 36 holes extended into a three hole playoff starting on the first hole. Both Phillips and Sautter had pars on the first two holes. However, on the third hole Sautter’s tee shot went out of bounds which open the door for Phillips. Phillips seized the opportunity and birdie the hole and claimed the championship. George Forster (Radnor Valley CC) finished his second round with a tournament low, 3-under par 68, to finish the Championship at even par-142, which was good enough for third place.
The 36-hole tournament at Philadelphia Country Club was also the qualifier for the Senior Professional National Championship to be held in Port St. Lucie, FL from October 29th - November 1st.
The top eight from the Senior Section Championship have reserved a spot for themselves in the National tournament. Jeb Boyle (Centre Hills CC) and Jim Masserio (Applebrook GC) were both tied for 8th at 6-over par 148 after 36 holes. Masserio had a par on the first playoff hole to secure his spot over Boyle in the National Championship. Wayne Phillips (Lehigh CC), Bill Sautter (The Philadelphia Cricket Club), George Forster (Radnor Valley CC), Cleve Coldwater (Glenmaura National GC), Greg Farrow (Deerwood CC), JR Delich (Applebrook GC), Don DeAngelis (Woods Golf Center), and Jim Masserio (Applebrook GC) have all retained a spot in the 2009 Senior PGA Professional National Championship. Jeb Boyle (Centre Hills CC) will be the first alternate followed by Ken Peyre-Ferry (Philadelphia PGA) and John Kulhammer (Green Pond GC).
