by Alan Hoskins
Nothing like hitting a birdie on the final two holes to win the 39th annual Wyandotte County Senior Open – which is what Chris Faddis did Friday at Sunflower Hills.
The 2020 senior champion, Faddis ran in a 4-foot putt on the par 5 17th hole and a 12-footer on the par finishing hole to close with a one over par 73, one shot in front of Ritch Nigh, a perennial WyCo Open and WyCo Senior contender.
Only two other players broke 80. Ray Loya had a 78, Ed McFadden 79, on a day when play got started in 40-degree weather and never got much warmer.
Low net honors went to Mike Super, whose 86 turned into a net 69, the only player under 70 in the handicap competition.
Faddis’ round was highlighted by four birdies and perfection off the tee.
“I hit every fairway; my partner told me ‘you hit 14 fairways,’ “ said Faddis, 59. In addition to the final two birdies, Faddis was also one under on No. 2 and 11, both par 5s. His 12-footer on 18 was the longest of his four birdie putts.
While the last two putts were the margin of victory, Faddis was equally happy with his start.
“A good start. No. 1 was into the wind and I never par No. 1 and I did and then the birdie on No. 2,” he said.
Retired after a lengthy career as supervisor of public works in Shawnee, Faddis said the 73 was his best in the last couple of years. His all-time best is a 2-under 70.
While Faddis got off to a fast start, Super’s start was anything but. He started his round with a triple bogey 7 on the 12th hole and was nine over par at the turn. However, he was just 3-over-par on the front nine highlighted by birdies on No. 4 and No. 9. He finished 39-47-86.
“A rough start but then my tempo got better. And I warmed up. It was cold,” Super said. Employed at the Liberty Park Mental Lab, Super, 65, was playing in just his second senior tourney. “Best I played in about a year,” he added.
Flight winners were Nigh, McFadden, Greg Loethen, Rick Richardson, Jerry Reid and Phil Stines while Fred Kropf, Craig McKinley, Randall Foster, Moe Kancel, Gary Hudgens and Everett Marmon were net flight leaders. Dave Klein and Phil Stines had the lowest scores compared to age.
39th Annual WyCo Senior Championship
Overall champion – Chris Faddis. Low net champion – Mike Super
Kids flight (ages 55-63) – 1. Ritch Nigh, 74; 2. Ray Loya, 78; 3. Jim Yoakum, 83; 4. Danny Burgess, 84. NET – 1. Fred Kropf, 70’ 2. Jeff Manning, 3. Greg Schmidt, 73; 4. Bob McNellis.
Freshmen (64-67) – 1. Ed McFadden, 79; 2. (tie) Rick Friederich, Scott Ramsey, 83; 4. Jim Padelli, 87. NET – 1. Craig McKinley, 73; 2. Keith Brown, 76; 3. Mike Sharp, 78; 4. Dave VanDerwell, 79.
Sophomores (68-69) – 1. Greg Loethen (won scorecard playoff), 85; 2. Randy Kancel, 85; 3. Marcus Allen, 93; 4. Tony Kovach, 98. NET – 1. Randall Foster, 70; 2. (tie), Dave Pierce, Jolene Christopherson, 76; 4. (tie) Steve Lacky, Dave Dover 79.
Juniors (70-72) – 1. Rick Richardson, 81; 2. Keith Johnson, 85; 3. (tie) Les Darrio, Ray Giesler, 91. NET – 1. Moe Kancel, 70; 2. Phil Morris, 74; 3. Dan Ksiazek, 75; 4. Dennis Murphy, 76.
Seniors (73-75) – 1. Jerry Reid, 81; 2. Roger DeLong, 75; 3. Bob Janesko. 86; 4. Steve Burke, 87. NET – 1. Gary Hudgens, 73; 2. Gary Burgess, 76; 3. Robert Ulmer, 78; 4. Don Clayton, 83.
Senior seniors (76 and over) – 1. Pat Stines, 84; 2. Dave Klein, 86; 3. Jorge Prieto, 88; 4. Tom Butler, 90. NET – 1. Everett Marmon, 70; 2. Bob Stephan, 72; 3. Burt Cavin, 74; 4. Dennis Manis, 77.
Proximity prizes – Closest to pin: Bob McIntosh, No. 4; Steve Bock, No. 8; Dave Pierce, No. 13; Don Dawson. No. 16. Jim Padelli, longest putt No. 9. Ed McFadden, closest second shot, No.10.
