GSGA Player of the Year standings

Click here for Facebook photo gallery

ATLANTA – Don Marsh of Johns Creek posted a final-round 73 to finish at 1-under-par 143 and capture the sixth annual Georgia Super Senior Championship, which took place April 2-3 at Piedmont Driving Club.  Marsh finished four strokes ahead of first-flight competitor Jim Kamis of Marietta.  A pair of Savannahians and first-flight competitors, Frank Costanzo and Stephen Schwartz, tied for third at 148.

Marsh began the day with a two-shot lead over Schwartz, and never put that lead in jeopardy.  He carded three birdies on the front nine (holes 3, 5, and 9) with just one bogey (No. 4) to turn at 2-under-par for the day, 4-under for the Championship. With Schwartz turning at 1-over, and no else threatening, he carried a five-stroke cushion into the final nine.  The cushion was valuable, as he experienced somewhat of an up-and-down inward nine. He carded a birdie on No. 10 but then went +5 over holes 12-15 (including a triple bogey on 14).  He settled down with a birdie on 16 and finished at 3-over for that side, 1-over for the day.

Marsh has been knocking on the door of this Championship since first becoming age-eligible in 2010. In three previous appearances he has finished as runner-up (2010), tied for second (2011) and tied for fourth (2012).  This victory marks his first individual GSGA title.  Marsh has also won four Senior Four-Ball Championships since 2005 with partner Larry Clark.

Don Lieb of Savannah posted the low round of the day, even-par 72, to finish alone in fifth place at 150.  Ken Benson of Alpharetta tied with second-flight winner Bob Smith of Statesboro and third-flight winner Scott Northey of Roswell for sixth overall (151).  Defending champion Dick Van Leuvan of Roswell, Eddie Register of Sugar Hill and Jim Planche of Lawrenceville all tied for ninth place at 152.

Other flight winners include Gary Briddon of Cumming in the fourth flight (161); Ralph Meyer of Roswell in the fifth (154); Marshall Seese of Marietta in the sixth (160); John Murin of Alpharetta in the seventh (164); Jack Sullivan of Marietta in the eighth (173); Ed Mathis of Rome in the ninth (177); and Bob Foley of Kennesaw in the 10th flight (188).

Entries were open to male amateur golfers who are GSGA members and age 65 or older as of the first day of the tournament.  The full field of 144 players was divided into 11 flights by handicap index (Championship, Flights 1-10) and played 18 holes of stroke play each day (36 holes total).