Doug Hanzel
LEWISTON, N.Y. — Doug Hanzel is one round away from adding to his illustrious career as a senior amateur.
After posting a spectacular 65 at Niagara Falls Country Club on day two of the Senior Porter Cup, Hanzel will take a three-stroke lead to Friday's final round, which he holds over 18-hole leader Chris Kertsos of Canada.
Hanzel, of Savannah, Ga., won the 2013 U.S. Senior Amateur, and since, has taken home titles at other major events such as the Dixie Senior Amateur, "The Vinny", and Jones Cup Senior in 2014, as well as the Florida Azalea Senior and Timuquana Senior Cup in 2015. This victory would be Hanzel's first Senior Porter Cup win.
Kertsos, who fired 68 in round one to lead Hanzel by a stroke, fired a more-than-respectable 69 on Thursday, but he couldn't keep up with Hanzel's gem. Kertsos holds second place by five over fellow Canadian Dan Partland, and by six over one of two defending champions Steve Hudson.
Hudson, along with Mike Jackson, were crowned co-champions in 2014. Jackson is not in this year's field.
In the Super Senior division, John Blank and Skip Snow share the lead at 144, followed by Mike Rice at 146. Blank fired 69 on Thursday to jump into a tie at the top while Snow, the 2011 Super Senior winner, posted his second consecutive 72.
ABOUT THE Senior Porter Cup
The Senior Porter Cup is an invitational
amateur
event conducted at stroke play over 54 holes.
The
Tournament Committee reserves the right to
invite players of national and international
reputation to participate. Contestants are
selected
on the basis of their competitive record and
accomplishments in major amateur and senior
amateur tournaments. Players must be at least
55
years of age prior to beginning of tournament.
The Senior division was added to the annual
Porter Cup Invitational in 1992 and has been
played as as a separate tournament since
2008.
View Complete Tournament Information