(SCGA)
PASADENA, Calif. (August 7, 2013) — With a field of 32 golfers for the first time in event history, the 6th SCGA Senior Match Play Championship named what some may see as an unlikely winner. Dan Pouliot of Burbank, who entered the tournament as the No. 20 seed, defeated No. 3-seeded Michael Turner 1 up in the event's final match to win his first individual SCGA title.
With the top two seeds falling quickly in the first round of action, the Senior Match Play title was up for grabs. Defeating No. 13 Mel Collins, No. 4 James Camaione, No. 28 Tim Lawlor and No. 16 Patrick Carrigan, Pouliot had a date with Turner in the finals. Despite getting off to a rocky start, which gave Turner a 2 up advantage after the third hole, Pouliot found his stroke, remaining 1 or 2 up for nine of the round's last 11 holes.
With a slim 1 up lead entering the 16th hole, Pouliot stuck his second shot, a 135-yard approach from the middle of the fairway, to just about 10 feet from the hole, allowing him to bump his advantage to two holes with two to play. Turner, however, would not give up, capitalizing on a three-putt mishap from Pouliot and making his up and down for par.
Needing to win the 18th hole, Turner put the pressure on Pouliot, striping his drive into the middle of the fairway. Then, playing first on the second shot, he landed his approach just 10 feet from the flag, giving himself a chance for eagle on the par 5 hole. Pouliot quickly answered back, giving himself the chance for a 15-foot eagle putt, one he sunk for the win.
"There weren't many highlights, but that was definitely one of them," said Pouliot with a smile after the conclusion of the match.
Pouliot secured the victory with consistent play throughout the round, hitting 10 of 14 fairways and three-putting just twice. The SCGA Championship is his second, having won the 2008 SCGa Senior Four-Ball with partner Jerry Price.
View results for Southern California Senior Match Play
ABOUT THE
Southern California Senior Match Play
The Match Play and Senior Match Play
championships
began in 2008 as a means of bringing new credence
and incentive to the SCGA points program. The
SCGA
points program awards points to golfers who give
strong performances in SCGA, USGA, CGA and other
selected outside tournaments. This Championship is
open to SCGA members ages 55 and above with a
Handicap index of 9.4 or below. Players must qualify
or earn an exemption into the championship field.
The championship format is single-elimination match
play.
View Complete Tournament Information