Weiner Comes From Behind For Title

Kiawah’s Mike Weiner came back from a nine shot deficit with a final round of 68 and a tournament total of 217 to capture the 50th Annual Senior Championship at Greenville Country Club’s Chanticleer course.

Weiner’s round was highlighted by a three hole stretch from holes 10 to 12 where he went birdie – birdie – eagle. The Kiawah Club member’s eagle came from the fairway with a 9 iron from 130 yards. After following that run with a bogey on the par four 13th, Weiner added one more birdie on the par five 15th. Not even a bogey on the final hole from the water hazard could deter the Champion as he finished two shots ahead of second place finisher, Gary Shimmin.

Second round leader Jim Van Ooteghem struggled to a final round of 80 to finish tied for third with Columbia’s Steve Pachol. First round leader and Greenville CC member Johnny Dennis finished at 222 tied with Heyward Sullivan and Gene Spencer for 5th. Defending Champion Bill Palmer finished at 223, tied for 8th.

The 2008 SCGA Senior Championship was played on the par 72 - 6,399 yard Chanticleer course at Greenville Country Club in Greenville, SC. The field consisted of 125 players over the age of 55 and was cut to the low 60 and ties after the first two days of play. 62 players made the cut at 161 and played the final round. The Senior Championship is one of 19 Major Championships conducted by the South Carolina Golf Association and is in its 50th year of existence.