(OVGA) – The 2023 OVGA Senior Championship was held on Monday and Tuesday, July 24/25 at Prescott Golf Club and Rockland Golf Club. Congratulations to Tom Henderson, who took first place in the Men’s Division and the W.G. Bedard Trophy, and Susan Pearl, who took first place in the Women’s Division and the Janet Matthews Trophy.
Both Tom Henderson of Smiths Falls Golf & Country Club and Greg Clarke of the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club played to a tie of +7 after regulation play, with Tom winning on the first playoff hole. Close behind was André Barbe of Club de golf Algonquin, who shot even-par on Day 2 to end with +8, and was the top finisher in the 65+ age group.
Tom, who was the top finisher in the 55-64 age group, says he was able to stay patient, especially on the second day when he came from a four-stroke deficit after the first day at Prescott. Tom’s success lay in consistently hitting fairways (13 out of 14) and then hitting greens, followed by steady putting. He commented that Greg was a very good competitor, and that they were a good pairing, but was pleased to have come out on top in the end.
Susan Pearl of Rideau View Golf Club and Lise Jubinville of Hylands Golf Club played to a +15 tie after regulation play. But in their case, it took six playoff holes for Susan to finally win the Championship when she sank an 8-footer for birdie. Susan was top finisher in the 60+ age group, and Lise was top finisher in the 50-59 age group.
Susan attributes her success to staying patient for the entire second day, and despite Lise’s distance advantage, Susan played her game. She admitted to some play-off nerves, but again grounded herself once the play-off began. After suffering a personal loss not long ago, Susan began playing a lot more golf and her game has rounded into competitive shape. Overall she is very pleased to be the 2023 Senior Women’s OVGA Champion.
Susan Pearl was inducted into the OVGA Hall of Fame in 2023 in the Player category. See her profile under the Hall of Fame tab on the OVGA website.
The OVGA Senior Championship is a two-day individual stroke play tournament, open to men aged 55+ and women aged 50+. It is a sanctioned event for OVGA Order of Merit points, and eligibility to play in the OVGA Cup at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club on September 11. The top two women, and top eight men in the Senior Championship qualify for spots in the OVGA Match Play Championship at Greensmere Golf & Country Club on August 7/8.
Many thanks to Christine Chambers from Smiths Falls, who volunteered to help at Prescott, and Diane Korim and Diane Naugh, who were Club Ambassadors from Rockland Golf Club.
See this link to Golf Genius for full results.
