by Alan Hoskins
Tom Bachelor and Gary Hudgens proved to be the best at playing through a late morning rainstorm in the 35th annual Wyandotte County Senior Golf Championship Friday.
Bachelor shot a sizzling 4-under par 68 to win the low gross championship while Hudgens took low net honors with a 61 on the par 72 Sunflower Hills course in Wyandotte County Park. The tourney drew a field of 92 seniors.
The championship was the second in a row for Bachelor, who spiced his round with a spectacular eagle on the 391-yard 12th hole, holing out his second shot with a pitching wedge from 117 yards.
He also had four birdies to offset a pair of bogeys in finishing three shots in front of Todd Milberger and four ahead of Ed McFadden and Jerry Reid.
“I hit a couple of shots in the trees but was lucky enough to have clear shots,” said Bachelor, 65. “I didn’t have any three putts which is always good. I’ve been putting pretty well since I went to a claw grip last year.”
A resident of Olathe, Bachelor is a regular in most of Sunflower Hills’ Saturday, Sunday and holiday tournaments.
“It was a good round,” he said. “Playing the shorter tees makes it a little easier but you still have to hit good shots and you’re playing against your peers. I’ve been pretty fortunate in staying healthy and being able to still hit the ball at my age.”
Now semi-retired, Bachelor spent 23 years selling coffee for Proctor and Gamble.
For Hudgens, his round of 79 with an 18 handicap is one he’ll not forget.
“Best round ever,” he said. “I had an 85 yesterday and an 89 last week.”
Hudgens, 69, credited his putting for his all-time best, which was four shots better than anyone else in the tournament.
“The putts just kept falling for me. I’m not very long so I can’t reach most of the greens so I’ve been working on my wedges and putting.”
A resident of Grain Valley, Missouri, Hudgens was playing in his third WyCo Senior. He’s now semi-retired after a long career in the fork lift business.
Frank Payne, who had a net 68 to take low net in the Senior Seniors (78 and over), had the lowest score compared to his age.
35th WyCo Senior Golf Championship
At Sunflower Hills (Par 72)
KIDS (ages 55-62) – 1. Todd Milberger, 71; 2. Ritch Nigh, 74; 3. Chris Faddis, 75; 4. Brad Burton, 77. NET – 1. Ray Loya, 65; 2. (tie) Greg Schmidt, Dave Orel, 66; 4. Kevin Jones, 68.
FRESHMEN (63-66) – 1. Ed McFadden, 72; 2. Vern Cline, 76; 3. Joe Carillo, 77; 4. Rick Egnatic, 79. NET – 1. Jay Sutera, 66; 2. Lew Levin, 67; 3. (tie) Randy Kelley, Tom Kanatzar, 69.
SOPHOMORES (67-69) – 1. Jerry Reid, 72; 2. Bob Chatterton, 74; Bob Janesko, 77; Bill Toepfer, 80. NET – 1. Herb Hume*, 69; 2. Keith Johnson, 69; 3. (tie) Sonny Mason, Tom DeKeyser, 73.
JUNIORS (70-72) – 1. Bob Ulmer, 85; 2. Dick Davis, 86; 3. Stewart Nelson, 87; Herschel Hendrix, 96. NET – 1. John Dufresne, 67; 2. Tom Vrabac, 68; 3. (tie) Stewart Nelson, Don Clayborn, 69.
ADULTS (73-77) – 1. Emmitt Hightower, 79; 2. Jorge Prieto, 80; 3. Dennis McWilliams, 83; 4. Dale Moore, 85. NET – 1. Phil Stines, 66; 2. (tie) Dave Klein, Tom Butler, Burt Cavin, 70.
SENIORS (78 & over) – 1. Bill Palmer, 77; 2. Richard Johnson, 82; 3. Clarence Nigh, 84; 4. Jerry Savner, 87. NET – 1. Frank Payne*, 68; 2. 2. (tie) Stan Maxey, Kirk Witt, $15; 4. John Smarekar, 70. * – won scorecard playoff.
PROXMITY PRIZES – Longest putt No. 9, John Dufresne. Closest to pin – Richard Johnson, No. 4; Dave Palcher, No. 8; Bill Toepfer, No. 13; Bill Campbell, No. 16. Closest second shot – Randy Kelley, No. 10; Burt Cavin, No. 18.