Scott Thomas began the final round of the 2008 Missouri Senior Amateur Championship tied for the lead with Dennis Osborne and Mike Smith and ended the day as the Champion, completing a rare Trifecta with the Missouri Golf Association. Having won the Missouri Amateur Championship in 1992 and the Mid-Amateur Championship in 1995, Thomas now adds the Senior Championship to his resume in his first try in the event since turning 50 this year.
A final round, even par 71 was good enough for a one shot victory over Columbia's Dee Sanders who followed his first round 76 up with a tournament low 69 on Wednesday. "I thought I was in pretty good shape on the 18th tee box and was surprised to hear that I might need to make par to win the title," said Thomas after the round and after making a bogey on 18 that was still good enough for the 1-shot victory. Thomas has had a pretty impressive stretch since turning 50 this year having won the St. Louis District Golf Association Senior Championship in early September, followed by the Metropolitan Senior Amateur last week and the Missouri Senior Amateur today. "I attribute a lot of my success this year to my dedication to working out and the focus I have placed on the mental side of the game."
In a tie for third place (149) were Dave Estes of St. Louis, a round that included a hole in one on the 7th hole, Andy Smith of Kansas City and Jerry Waitulavich of Chesterfield. Four time Senior Amateur Champion, Terry Tessary finished in a tie for 13th after rounds of 78 and 76. Dennis Osborne of Kirkwood and Mike Smith of St. Louis were unable to apply any pressure to Thomas playing in the final group shooting a 78 and 79 respectively. Despite the disappointing final round, Smith enjoyed his experience as a small gallery of Old Warson members and staff followed their group throughout the back nine in support of Smith. "It was great to be out there with my son on the bag and the support of the members of the club," commented Smith in a post round interview.
Video of the final group and interviews with Mike Smith of Old Warson and Champion Scott Thomas will be available soon at
www.mogolf.org and
www.golfersnetworkusa.com. For
full field results go here
