Gibstein tops the leaderboard at Senior Masters
BAY SHORE N.Y. (September 19, 2024) A 2-over par 73 earned Edward Gibstein of Glen Head the victory at Southward Ho, as the 65-year-old edged former champion Jim Graham of Winged Foot Golf Club by one shot along with Frank Geiger of Sterling Farms Men's Golf Club.
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Gibstein is familiar with the course having played in the Havemeyer, an annual invitational hosted by the club every year. Gibstein was grateful for the past experience having not played much golf recently.
“I spent most of July and August not playing, I had my first injury year and hadn’t played much golf until about a week or two ago.”
Gibstein started on the 13th hole in the 1 p.m. shotgun start. Gibstein had a good start to the day making a birdie on the 15th hole and would follow up with pars until the second, a par 5 where he made another birdie. Gibstein followed with a rough stretch on holes 3-6 making bogeys to climb above par. After finishing with all pars Gibstein finished with a one-shot lead which was a surprise.
“I didn’t have high expectations," said Gibstein. "I drove the ball well and am very excited to win. I didn’t expect to win but I know when I tee it up, I have a chance.”
Gibstein had a crowd chasing after fin including several former champions. Jim Graham of Winged Foot, the 2019 champion, finished one shot back at 3-over par after making four birdies and seven bogeys. Frank Geiger of Sterling Farms also finished one shot back with a 74. Rounding out the top five was Jim Romaniello of Shorehaven and 2022 champion Tom Yellin of The Stanwich Club.
Ron Vannelli of Forsgate Country Club topped the Net Divsion with a score of 1-over par 72.
This was the first championship hosted at Southward Ho since 2019 when they hosted the Met Junior Championship.
Players were faced with outstanding conditions and a tough test on the challenging Tillinghast greens that had plenty of speed.
The site of the 14th MGA Senior Masters Tournament has yet to be announced.