Senior Amateur Championship Comes to a Close

At Jug Mountain Ranch, Sheryl Scott led wire-to-wire to come away with her first Women’s Senior Amateur title. In a summer that has included victories at the IGA Match Play, the River Club Women’s Club Championship and qualifying for the USGA Senior Women’s Am, Scott continued her streak by posting a final round 76 to win by 6 shots over former champion Karen Darrington. Scott made the turn at one-under par, which included an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole. She could feel the victory within her grasp on the back nine, as she shot 3-over par, but was able to hang on for the win. Scott’s three day total was 75-75-76=226. Darrington was making a run as she shot her best round of the tournament today. She turned at 42 (+5) but fought back hard with a three-under 33 on the back nine. Darrington made three birdies and all pars enroute to a 75, bringing her three-day total to 81-76-75=232. 

There was a battle to the end in the Men’s Senior Amateur Championship, but Scott Vermeer walked away with the victory after shooting an even-par 72 in the final round. At the turn, Vermeer was one shot back of the lead when he birdied back-to-back holes on #12 and 13 to give him a one-shot lead. A clutch up and down for par on the 16th hole sealed his victory as he parred in for the round. Over the three days, Vermeer had rounds of 71-73-72 to finish even for the event and a one-shot victory over Gary Vanier of Tetonia, Idaho. Vanier fought hard with an even par score on the back nine in the final round but it just wasn’t enough to capture the win. Vanier shot 74-69-74 (+1) for the event. The low round on the final day was from Bo Davies, who shot 68 to finish in solo third place.

In the Super Senior Women’s Amateur, Shawna Ianson continued her exceptional play by shooting her lowest round of the tournament in the final round. Ianson shot a 39 on the front but some birdies on the back helped her come back with a one-over 37 on the back to shoot 76 on the day. Her three day total of 78-80-76=234 was good for a landslide victory. Ianson is no stranger to the winner’s circle at IGA events, but this third title is her first IGA Super Senior victory of her career. Coming in second is Jean Smith, one of the most decorated players in Idaho history. Smith shot scores of 88-86-86 to finish five shots clear of third place.

In the Super Senior Amateur, defending champion Paul Lodge walked away with another victory after firing a final round 74 today. Lodge’s round was highlighted by five birdies, extending his lead to 11 strokes over second-place Kip Reeder. While most of the field found the par-5s particularly difficult, Lodge played the par-5s at 5-under for the week, which helped contribute to his victory. The putts just weren’t falling today for Reeder, who shot 80 (+8) in the final round with only one birdie on the day. His rounds of 73-75-80=228 kept him three shots clear of third place.

Congratulations to all the contestants who played and thank you to Jug Mountain Ranch for hosting.