Walt McArdell shot rounds of 73 and 77 to win the Apogee Investment Management Senior Championship on July 21 at The Pompey Club.

 

Despite finishing with two bogeys and a double bogey on his final three holes, McArdell hung on to beat John Harrington by one stroke. McArdell, of Baldwinsville, led the tournament from start to finish. He finished the tournament 7-over-par 150.

 

“I leaked a little bit at the end but not too much,” McArdell said. “Except for 17 and 18, I kept the ball in play and I made a few putts early.”

FINAL RESULTS

In the first round, McArdell conquered challenging greens at Highland Park and turned in a solid round to earn medalist honors July 20 with a 2-over 73. He held a two-shot lead over David Smith entering the final round.

 

At The Pompey Club, McArdell maintained a two-shot advantage at the turn over Don McClure and 2019 Senior AIM champion Jack Weinerth. Weinerth’s highlight hole was an eagle on the 299-yard par-4 No. 2.

 

McArdell played bogey-free on the back until his last three holes. A birdie on the par-3 13th hole was key to McArdell staying atop the leaderboard in windy conditions. Harrington was the only player to shoot under par for the 36-hole tournament with a 1-under 71 in the final round.

 

Harrington did his best to catch McArdell. He was 3-under after 14 holes. But after a double-bogey on 15, Harrington’s run at the lead stalled. He settled for second place (8-over 151) for the second straight year.

 

McArdell, who has endured multiple spinal surgeries over the past few years, was pleased about capturing the 42nd annual tournament.

 

“It’s awesome (to win),” McArdell said. “I’ve been playing in tournaments for 25 years with these guys. It’s great. It’s good to be up there and get a big trophy.”

 

Two-time defending champion Tom Fletcher (158) finished tied for seventh with three-time champ Mike Naton.

 

In the Super Senior Division, Todd Dischinger shot rounds of 72 and 76 to claim the title with a 5-over 148. Dischinger, who didn’t par a hole on the back 9 but carded six birdies, beat Richard Volcko by a stroke on the 36th hole. Dischinger, who was unaware of the tight Super Senior standings, bumped his second shot onto the 18th green and sank a putt for birdie while Volcko bogeyed the hole.

SUPER SENIOR RESULTS 

 

Sixty-eight players competed in the event.

 

Many thanks to our presenting sponsors for the Senior AIM Championship:

Kevin VandenBerg and Apogee Investment Management

Charlie Falgiatano and DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, LLP.