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53^rd Senior Championship
The Members Club – Woodcreek Course
Elgin, SC
May 10-12, 2011

Ford Wins Championship by Six

Three time Senior Player of the Year, Frank Ford shot a tournament total of six under par 210 to win the 53^rd SCGA Senior Championship.  Being contested over the Fazio designed Woodcreek course, this was the first Senior Championship for Ford.  In second place, six shots back was Bill Smunk at even par 216.

After playing the front nine at three over par and seeing his lead slip from five to two, Ford a Charleston native, battled back and birdied three of his final eight holes to finish at even par for the day.  The 59 year old Ford birdied both par fives, 14 and 17 and the short par four 11^th.  Ford’s closest opportunity prior to this victory in the SCGA Seniors came in 2007 at Colleton River when two time Champion Bill Palmer beat him in a one hole playoff.

Finishing second alone at even par 216 was the 2009 Champion Bill Smunk.  First round leader Jim Martin finished third at 218 and five players were tied for fourth at 219.  Defending Champion Bill Palmer was one of those five after a final round of 72.

The 2011 SCGA Senior Championship was played at The Members Club on the par 72 - 6,550 yard Woodcreek course in Elgin, SC. The field consisted of 102 players over the age of 55 and was cut to the low 60 and ties after the first two days of play. The Senior Championship is one of 19 Major Championships conducted by the South Carolina Golf Association and is in its 53^rd year of existence.