McGuire wins inaugural Super-Senior POY Award
Mike McGuire poses with the champion's crystal at the Super-Senior Amateur
BROOMALL, Pa. - In its inaugural edition of the Super-Senior Player of the Year honor went to Hannastown Golf Club’s Mike McGuire with 625 points. He edged out runner-up Indiana Country Club’s Lee Lykens (542.5 points) for the award.
His title-clinching campaign was highlighted by a thrilling win in the Super-Senior Amateur Champion held at Lancaster Country Club. Entering the second and final round, McGuire trailed Buck Jones by two shots, which grew to five shots after taking a two-stroke penalty on the 8th hole. McGuire didn’t give up, though. He erased that deficit with a strong back nine, finishing with a two-round total of 147 (+7) to win the title.
“Winning the Super-Senior Amateur was a bit of a surprise,” said McGuire, 68, of Greensburg, Pa. “I was not expecting to overcome Buck Jones's lead after 27 holes, but my steady play on the last nine was enough to do the job.”
Another McGuire highlight came in the Senior Four-Ball Championship at Schuylkill Country Club. McGuire and Joe Ruby made it a threepeat there with a five-stroke victory and a score 7-under 137.
“That was one of this year’s highlights for me,” said McGuire. “And of course, Joe and I are very proud of that accomplishment, the three peat.”
A fourth-place finish in the 76th George Dressler Memorial Championship at Carlisle Country Club, in addition to a semifinal appearance in the 10th Senior Match Play Championship at Lookaway Golf Club, helped propel McGuire to the top of the Super-Senior Player of the Year standings by season’s end.
“It came down to finishing high in all the Pennsylvania events I entered this year. I guess I owe it to good health and good scrambling,” said McGuire.
In the bag:
Driver: Ping G25 (10-degree loft)
Fairway wood: Callaway XR Pro 5 wood (18-degree loft)
Hybrids: Ping G30 5 (26 degree) and 4 (22-degree loft)
Irons: 5 - gap wedge, Taylor Made Slider
Wedges: 58-degree and 54-degree wedges are Cleveland Model CG16.
Putter: Taylor Made Ghost Spider Si
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x