Pilossoph claims long-awaited MGA title at Senior Masters
TUXEDO PARK, N.Y. (September 22, 2016) – A hot start proved to be key for David Pilossoph of Bronx River Golf Club, as two early birdies fueled his run to the 5th MGA Senior Masters Tournament title on Thursday afternoon at Tuxedo Club.
Related: Results | Photos | Pilossoph Interview
“I’ve been playing in MGA events since I was a junior, way back in 1968,” expressed the 65-year old, who bested the field by two shots with a 2-over 73. “I was never fortunate enough to win one, so for me this is an accomplishment of a lifetime.”
Pilossoph got off to a hot start, carding birdies on the par-3 17th and par-5 18th—his first two holes of the shotgun start. “I just tried to hold it together from there,” he explained.
While Pilossoph dropped shots on Nos. 1 and 5, he bounced back with a birdie-two on the 135-yard sixth. A double-bogey on the par-4 11th and a bogey on the par-3 15th pushed him over-par down the stretch, but a par on his finishing hole secured the victory.
“I haven’t played the course in 30 years,” Pilossoph remarked before crediting his caddie and Tuxedo Club club champion Tyler Cline. “He really guided me around the greens.”
Al Small of Fairmount, who was also making his debut in the event which welcomes golfers aged 65 and over with a Handicap Index of 10.o or less, finished second with a 4-over 75. Peter Van Ingen of Deepdale and William Frazier of Huntington Country Club had matching 5-over 76s to tie for third. Van Ingen registered a field-best four birdies on the afternoon, but also scattered in six bogeys and a pair of doubles.
Jim Tierney of Richter Park, Alan Finkelstein of Fresh Meadown and Roy Pera of Rockaway River tied for fifth with 6-over 77s, while two-time champion Ron Vannelli of Forsgate, 2012 champion Bob Howe of Winged Foot and MGA eClub – Long Island member Richard Schmidt rounded out the top-10, tying for eighth with 7-over 78s.
Tuxedo Club continued its longstanding tradition of hosting MGA championships by welcoming the MGA Senior Masters Tournament for the first time. The course played to a par of 71 at 6,212 yards.
The 6th MGA Senior Masters Tournament will take place at Bedford Golf and Tennis Club in Bedford, N.Y.