TAMPA, Fla. — Mike McCoy came out on top at the 61st Senior Amateur Championship on Thursday at Avila Golf & Country Club. He was the lone player to finish under par to capture the two-shot victory at 1-under 212.
"It’s great to win," McCoy said. "There’s so many good senior players in Florida, so happy to win."
This is the first FSGA championship victory for McCoy, who has previoulsy appeared in 65 USGA Championships, and captured the 2013 USGA Mid-Amateur Championship at the age of 50.
McCoy fired a 2-under 69 to open the championship on Tuesday to take the first-round lead, carding a bogey-free front side with two birdies. The North Palm Beach resident followed that up with a 1-over 71 in the second round to sit in second place behind Michael Arasin and Terry Werner, who shared the 36-hole lead.
“The course played challenging, very demanding,” McCoy said. “It was an great test this week and it was in beautiful condition.”
Beginning the final round one shot back of the leaders, McCoy played the first seven holes at 2 over. He rolled in a birdie on the eighth to take a share of the lead. The future Walker Cup captain birdied the 11th to take the outright lead.
McCoy continued his strong play, birdieing back-to-back holes on the 15th and 16th to extend his lead. Heading to the final hole with a one-shot lead, McCoy finished with a bogey to secure the victory with a final-round 71.
"The first day I made some putts," McCoy said. "Today, I kept the ball in play and didn’t beat myself."
Arasin finished runner-up at 1-over 214. He posted rounds of 71-69-74 for the championship. Three players finished the championship in a tie for third place at 3-over 216: James DiBiase, Brian Keenan and Terry Werner, while Joe Shaktman finished sixth at 4-over 217.
Shaktman fired the low round of the championship with a final-round 65, while DiBiase posted a 5-under 66 in the final round.
Avila Golf & Country Club was well represented in the event, having three of it's own members making the cut and in contention. Brian Keenan, who is the curent Senior Club Champion and a multiple Club Champion, finished tied for third. Former Miami Hurricane's standout and NFL Quarterback, Vinny Testaverde, finished tied for 15th, and Jack Hannon finished T21.
Avila was created in 1980 as a vision of Bob Sierra, and is a luxery community in North Tampa. In 1989, Jack Nicklaus redesigned the golf course and it has been one of the top facilities in the Tampa area since. This was the third FSGA Championship hosted at Avila, having previously hosted the 1998 Mid-Amateur Championship and 2003 Florida Cup.
