Records and Results: Senior Amateur Championship®

U.S. Senior Amateur Records

The remarkable growth of senior golf prompted the USGA to establish the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship in 1955 for players 55 and older. Many senior golf associations had come into being on the local, state, and regional level, proving that the competitive instinct among golfers was not diminished by age.

The inaugural Senior Amateur, at Belle Meade Country Club, in Nashville, Tenn., drew 370 entries from 30 states and the District of Columbia, with J. Wood Platt, 56, the eight-time Philadelphia Amateur champion, beating George Studinger, 5 and 4, in the final.

Former USGA President William C. Campbell and Marvin "Vinny" Giles are the only players to have won a U.S. Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur title. John (1987) and Kemp Richardson (2001 and 2003) are the lone father-son tandem to have claimed a USGA championship.

In 2013, Type 1 diabetic Douglas Hanzel won the championship a year removed from making history by qualifying for match play in the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur as well as being the low amateur at the U.S. Senior Open. Gene Elliott, Chip Lutz and Paul Simson are the only players to have won the national senior amateur titles of the U.S., Canada and Great Britain.

U.S. Senior Amateur Champions (1955-Present)

1955: J. Wood Platt d. George Studinger, 5 and 4; Belle Meade C.C., Nashville, Tenn.; Medalist — 72, Martin M. Issler; Entries: 370

1956: Frederick J. Wright d. J. Clark Espie, 4 and 3; Somerset C.C., St. Paul, Minn.; Medalist — 72, Weller Noble; Entries: 282

1957: J. Clark Espie d. Frederick J. Wright, 2 and 1; Ridgewood (N.J.) C.C. (West and Center nines); Medalist — 73, Thomas M. Green Jr.; Entries: 349

1958: Thomas C. Robbins d. John W. Dawson, 2 and 1; Monterey Peninsula C.C., Pebble Beach, Calif.; Medalist — *71, (Dunes Course), J. Clark Espie; Entries: 370

1959: J. Clark Espie d. J. Wolcott Brown, 3 and 1; Memphis (Tenn.) C.C.; Medalists — 73, J. Wolcott Brown, George Dawson; Entries: 391

1960: Michael Cestone d. David Rose, 20 holes; Oyster Harbors Club, Osterville, Mass.; Medalist — 74, S.S. Rockey; Entries: 517

1961: Dexter H. Daniels d. Col. William K. Lanman Jr., 2 and 1; Southern Hills C.C., Tulsa, Okla.; Medalist — 74, Joseph Morrill Jr.; Entries: 481

1962: Merrill L. Carlsmith d. Willis H. Blakely, 4 and 2; Evanston G.C., Skokie, Ill.; Medalists — 72, James M. Johnson, Henry L. Robison, William S. Terrell; Entries: 525

1963: Merrill L. Carlsmith d. William D. Higgins, 3 and 2; Sea Island G.C., St. Simons Island, Ga.; all match play; Entries: 494

1964: William D. Higgins d. Edward Murphy, 2 and 1; Waverley C.C., Portland, Ore.; Medalist — 150, A.L. “Jim” Miller; Entries: 357

1965: Robert B. Kiersky d. George Beechler, 19 holes; Fox Chapel G.C., Pittsburgh, Pa.; Medalist — 149, Curtis Person Sr.; Entries: 448

1966: Dexter H. Daniels d. George Beechler, 1 up; Tucson (Ariz.) National G.C.; Medalist — 143, Curtis Person Sr.; Entries: 449

1967: Ray Palmer d. Walter D. Bronson, 3 and 2, Shinnecock Hills G.C., Southampton, N.Y.; Medalists — 153, J. Wolcott Brown, David Goldman, Ray Palmer; Entries: 563

1968: Curtis Person Sr. d. Ben Goodes, 2 and 1; Atlanta (Ga.) C.C.; Medalist — 146, John C. Tullio; Entries: 674

1969: Curtis Person Sr. d. David Goldman, 1 up; Wichita (Kan.) C.C.; Medalist — 146, David Goldman; Entries: 576

1970: Gene Andrews d. James Ferrie, 1 up; California G.C. of San Francisco, South San Francisco, Calif.; Medalist — 147, Bruce N. McCormick; Entries: 683

1971: Tom Draper d. Ernest Pieper Jr., 3 and 1; Sunnybrook G.C., Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; Medalist — 148, Robert E. Cochran; Entries: 655

1972: Lewis W. Oehmig d. Ernest Pieper Jr., 20 holes; Sharon G.C., Sharon Center, Ohio; Medalist — 145, William Hyndman III; Entries: 617

1973: William Hyndman III d. Harry Welch, 3 and 2; Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Ill.; Medalists — 147, Sam Friedman, William Hyndman III; Entries: 633

1974: Dale Morey d. Lewis W. Oehmig, 4 and 2; Harbour Town G.L., Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Medalist — 144, Ed Tutwiler; Entries: 743

1975: William F. Colm d. Stephen Stimac, 4 and 3; Carmel Valley G. & C.C., Carmel, Calif.; Medalist — 143, William Hyndman III; Entries: 737

1976: Lewis W. Oehmig d. John Richardson, 4 and 3; Cherry Hills C.C., Englewood, Colo.; Medalist — 145, Ed Tutwiler; Entries: 833

1977: Dale Morey d. Lewis W. Oehmig, 4 and 3; Salem C.C., Peabody, Mass.; Medalist — 143, Dale Morey; Entries: 789

1978: Keith K. Compton d. John Kline, 1 up; Pine Tree G.C., Boynton Beach, Fla.; Medalist — 143, William Stewart; Entries: 930

1979: William C. Campbell d. Lewis W. Oehmig, 2 and 1; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalists — 143, Dale Morey, William C. Campbell; Entries: 1,023

1980: William C. Campbell d. Keith K. Compton, 3 and 2; Virginia Hot Springs G. & T.C. (Cascades Course), Hot Springs, Va.; Medalist — 147, William C. Campbell; Entries: 1,000

1981: Edgar R. Updegraff d. Dale Morey, 2 and 1; Seattle (Wash.) G.C.; Medalist — 148, Edgar R. Updegraff; Entries: 952

1982: Alton Duhon d. Edgar R. Updegraff, 2 up; Tucson (Ariz.) C.C.; Medalist — 142, Roger McManus; Entries: 1,104

1983: William Hyndman III d. Richard Runkle, 1 up; Crooked Stick G.C., Carmel, Ind.; Medalist — 148, Edgar R. Updegraff; Entries: 1,102

1984: Robert Rawlins d. Richard Runkle, 19 holes; Birmingham (Mich.) C.C.; Medalist — 144, William C. Campbell; Entries: 1,159

1985: Lewis W. Oehmig d. Ed Hopkins, 20 holes; Wild Dunes B & R.C., Isle of Palms, S.C.; Medalist — 143, Ed Hopkins; Entries: 1,345

1986: R.S. “Bo” Williams d. John Harbottle, 3 and 2; Interlachen C.C., Edina, Minn.; Medalist — 149, William Hyndman III; Entries: 1,362

1987: John Richardson d. James Kite Jr., 5 and 4; Saucon Valley C.C., Bethlehem, Pa.; Medalist — 145, John Richardson; Entries: 1,485

1988: Clarence Moore d. Bud Stevens, 5 and 4; Milwaukee (Wis.) C.C.; Medalists — 148, John Harbottle, Richard Goerlich Jr.; Entries: 1,440

1989: R.S. “Bo” Williams d. Joe Simpson, 19 holes; Lochinvar G.C., Houston, Texas; Medalist — 147, Frank Tenfel; Entries: 1,508

1990: Jackie Cummings d. Bobby Clark, 3 and 2; Desert Forest C.C., Carefree, Ariz.; Medalist — 150, William Godden; Entries: 1,658

1991: Bill Bosshard d. Morris Beecroft, 5 and 4; Crystal Downs C.C., Frankfort, Mich.; Medalists - 150, Clarence Moore, Morris Beecroft; Entries: 1,724

1992: Clarence Moore d. Robert Harris, 6 and 4; The Loxahatchee Club, Jupiter, Fla.; Medalists — 151, John Procter, Bob Hullender; Entries: 2,058

1993: Joe Ungvary d. Jerry Nelson, 7 and 6; Farmington C.C., Charlottesville, Va.; Medalist — 136, John Harbottle; Entries: 2,275

1994: O. Gordon Brewer d. Bob Hullender, 5 and 4; The Champions G.C., Nicholasville, Ky.; Medalist — 141, Bob Hullender; Entries: 2,046

1995: James Stahl Jr. d. Rennie Law, 2 and 1; Prairie Dunes C.C., Hutchinson, Kan.; Medalist — 141, William Erwin; Entries: 2,069

1996: O. Gordon Brewer d. Heyward Sullivan, 2 up; Taconic G.C., Williamstown, Mass.; Medalist — 141, Bob Wernick; Entries: 2,131

1997: Cliff Cunningham d. Ed Bartlett, 5 and 3; Atlantic G.C., Bridgehampton, N.Y.; Medalists — 146, Bill Heldmar, Edward Fletcher; Entries: 2,140

1998: Bill Shean Jr. d. William King, 5 and 3; Skokie C.C., Glencoe, Ill.; Medalist — 144, Jim Gibbons; Entries: 2,149

1999: Bill Ploeger d. Gary Menzel, 3 and 2; Portland (Ore.) G.C.; Medalist — 143, Joel Hirsch; Entries: 2,026

2000: Bill Shean Jr. d. Richard Van Leuvan, 2 and 1; Charlotte (N.C.) C.C.; Medalist — 144, Marvin “Vinny” Giles III; Entries: 2,265

2001: Kemp Richardson d. Bill Ploeger, 2 and 1; Norwood Hills C.C., St. Louis, Mo.; Medalist — 142, Joe Cadle; Entries: 2,242

2002: Greg Reynolds d. Mark Bemowski, 4 and 3; Timuquana C.C., Jacksonville, Fla.; Medalist — 139, Billy Clagett; Entries: 2,357. Final Results

2003: Kemp Richardson d. Frank Abbott, 19 holes; The Virginian G.C., Bristol, Va., Medalist — 137, Robert Kulp; Entries: 2,252. Final Results

2004: Mark Bemowski d. Greg Reynolds, 4 and 3, Bel-Air C.C., Los Angeles, Calif.; Medalist — 144, Ronald Vannelli; Entries: 2,420. Final Results

2005: Mike Rice d. Mark Bemowski, 1 up, The Farm G.C., Rocky Face, Ga.; Medalist — •134, Billy Clagett; Entries: 2,498. Final Results

2006: Mike Bell d. Tom McGraw, 1 up, Victoria National G.C., Newburgh, Ind.; Medalists — 143, Bill Leonard, Paul Simson; Entries: 2,448. Final Results

2007: Stan Lee d. Sam Farlow, 4 and 3, Flint Hills National G.C., Andover, Kan.; Medalist — 137, Steve Bogan; Entries: 2,255. Final Results

2008: George “Buddy” Marucci Jr. d. George Zahringer, 2 up; Shady Oaks C.C., Fort Worth, Texas; Medalist — 140, Paul Simson; Entries: 2,393. Final Results

2009: Marvin “Vinny” Giles III d. John Grace, 1 up; Beverly C.C., Chicago, Ill.; Medalists — 140, Paul Simson, Patrick Tallent; Entries: 2,182. Final Results

2010: Paul Simson d. Patrick Tallent, 2 and 1; Lake Nona Golf & C.C., Orlando, Fla.; Medalist – 140, Patrick Tallent; Entries: 2,287. Final Results

2011: Louis Lee d. Phillip Pleat, 1 up; Kinloch Golf Club, Manakin-Sabot, Va.; Medalist – 139, Paul Simson; Entries: 2,084. Final Results

2012: Paul Simson d. Curtis Skinner, 4 and 3; Mountain Ridge Country Club, West Caldwell, N.J.; Medalist – 136, Jim Holtgrieve; Entries: 2,260. Final Results

2013: Douglas Hanzel d. Pat O'Donnell, 3 and 2, Wade Hampton Golf Club, Cashiers, N.C.; Medalist – 138, Chip Lutz; Entries: 2,344. Final Results

2014: Patrick Tallent d. Bryan Norton, 2 and 1; Big Canyon Country Club, Newport Beach, Calif.; Medalist – 137, Alan Fadel; Entries: 2,252. Final Results

2015: Chip Lutz d. Tom Brandes, 5 and 3; Hidden Creek Golf Club, Egg Harbor Township, N.J.; Medalist – 138, Randal Lewis; Entries: 2,381. Final Results

2016: Dave Ryan d. Matthew Sughrue, 2 up; Old Warson Country Club, St. Louis, Mo.; Medalist – 138, Tim Jackson; Entries: 2,382. Final Results

2017: Sean Knapp d. Paul Simson, 2 and 1; The Minikhada Club, Minneapolis, Minn.; Medalist – 138, David Brown; Entries: 2,395. Final Results

2018: Jeff Wilson d. Sean Knapp, 2 and 1; Eugene (Ore.) Country Club; Medalist – 139, Gregory Condon, Jeff Wilson; Entries: 2,381. Final Results

2019: Bob Royak d. Roger Newsom, 1 up; Old  Chatham Golf Club, Durham, N.C.; Medalists – 142, Michael McCoy, Dean Channell, Doug Hanzel; Entries: 2,466. Final Results

2020: Championship canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

2021: Gene Elliott d. Jerry Gunthorpe, 1 up; Country Club of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; Medalist – •134, Tim Hogarth; Entries: 2,565. Final Results

2022: Rusty Strawn d. Doug Hanzel, 3 and 2; The Kittansett Club, Marion, Mass.; Medalists – 140, Miles McConnell, Jeff Wilson; Entries: §2,865. Final Results

2023: Todd White. Jody Fanagan, 4 and 3; Martis Camp Club, Truckee, Calif.; Medalist – 144, Todd White; Entries: 2,752. Final Results

• Record qualifying score, 36 holes (2005, 2021)

* Record qualifying score, 18 holes (1958)

§ Record entry (2022)