Mike Combs (Society of Seniors Photo)
Players at the 8th Fall Classic and 23rd John Kline Championship were treated to four days of gorgeous fall weather in the Carolina Sandhills. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club played host to 89 competitors playing across four divisions on the famed Donald Ross design that has hosted numerous major golf events, including four U.S. Women’s Open Championships and one U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship.
Senior DivisionMike Combs, of Roswell, Ga., came away with his second Society of Seniors victory on Wednesday after firing the low round of the tournament with a 2-under par 69. Combs birdied the first hole and made the turn at 2-under, then finished with nine straight pars to post the lone under-par total for the three-day event at 1-under 212. Steve Harwell, of Mooresville, N.C., finished three strokes back at 215 to take runner-up honors.
Combs also won the 2023 Founders Cup at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif., this past November.
“I stayed patient out there today, hit 16 greens, and had no three putts, so that’s usually a recipe for success on a challenging golf course like Pine Needles,” said Combs. “My irons were a little better than normal and I really played smart off the tee to make sure I hit a lot of fairways.”
Finishing in a tie for third place were Kevin VandenBerg, of Pulaski, N.Y., and Lee Porter, of Pinehurst, who each posted (+4) 217 for the tournament.
Super Senior Division
James Pearson, of Charlotte, N.C., was a model of consistency this week and won the Super Senior division by five strokes. Pearson posted rounds of 73-71-72 for a 3-over total of 216. Taking runner-up honors was Stevie Cannady, of Pooler, Ga., as he posted an 8-over total of 221.
“The driver was great this week, so when that’s the case I’m usually good,” said Pearson. “My putter was solid, save for one three-putt on No. 5 after sticking it to about ten feet.”
Pearson added, “You really need to pay close attention on these putting surfaces. I settled down and really hit some quality iron shots for the first time in a while. I have been coming to Pine Needles for a long time and just love it here. The golf course is an excellent test, and the hospitality is top notch.”
Finishing in third place at 10-over was Gregory Goode, of Salina, Kan.
Legend Division
Peter Van Ingen, of Palm Beach, Fla., is no stranger to the winner’s circle and he was able to add to his collection on Wednesday afternoon. Van Ingen fired rounds of 71-73-75 to post a 6-over total of 219, good enough to win by three strokes over runners-up Bev Hargraves, of Little Rock, Ark., and Mark Weston, of Windermere, Fla.
“I played scrappy this week, really,” said Van Ingen. “My ball-striking certainly wasn’t the best, but my scrambling was strong. The course and weather were great, and it is always nice to come away with a win.”
Don Donatoni, of West Chester, Pa., and Stephen Fox, of Barboursville, W.Va., finished in a tie for fourth at 223.
Super Legend Division
Patience was key according to John Osborne, of Charlottesville, Va., as he was ‘steady Eddie’ on Wednesday en route to a six-stroke victory in the Super Legend division (75+). His rounds of 72-76-73 added up to an 8-over total of 221. Osborne has now gone back-to-back in Society events as he also captured the Super Legend hardware in July at Turning Stone Resort.
“Patience was definitely my strength this week,” said Osborne. “I made 16 pars today and two bogeys, so it was just a lot of steady golf. The greens here at Pine Needles are really tricky, and I did well to make a bunch of pars to come out on top.”
Jack Marin, of Durham, N.C., played a nice final round of 3-over 74 to finish runner-up at 227. Sharing third place were Bill Engel, of St. Augustine, Fla., and Johnny Blank, of Frostburg, Md., who finished at 230 total.