Until the Final Putt Drops
A tightly contested Senior Club Championship brought birdies, eagles, momentum swings and an unforgettable battle for the title that came down to the very end.
The Senior Club Championship delivered a weekend of tight competition, dramatic swings and a finish that came down to the final hole.
Mike Gilliand emerged as the Gross Champion after rounds of 73 and 65 for a 138 total, but his path to the title was anything but straightforward.
Gilliand entered the championship feeling good about his game, and during the final round, he began to believe he had a real chance to win. That belief grew on the back nine as he found his rhythm, making three consecutive birdies on holes 12 through 14 to catch Sal Kayed.
“I felt like I was in a groove from 12 to 14,” Gilliand said.
Then came Number 15.
A triple bogey abruptly halted Gilliand’s momentum and left him thinking he had lost his chance at the championship. Instead of letting the mistake end his run, he gave himself a pep talk and decided to keep going for it.
That determination set up a dramatic finish.
Gilliand arrived at the 18th hole two shots behind Kayed and needed something special to stay alive. From 156 yards out, he delivered, holing out for eagle to pull even and put the pressure back on Kayed.
Kayed still had a five-foot par putt to secure the championship, but the putt lipped out, giving Gilliand the Gross title after a remarkable final-round 65.
Kayed could only laugh afterward at what it had taken to stay in contention.
“Birdie 10, eagle 11 and birdie on 12, and I still lost,” Kayed joked.
The excitement extended beyond the final hole, with three eagles recorded during the championship by Chuck Madesiak, Kayed and Gilliand.
Walt Pietila earned the Net Championship with rounds of 69 and 71 for a 140 total, securing his own title during an exciting weekend of competition.
The championship was also made possible by those working behind the scenes. Special recognition goes to Sergio Saucedo for the hard work that kept the event running smoothly, along with Tim and Sheryl Breidenstein, who prepared burgers for everyone to enjoy.
From birdie streaks and dramatic swings to a 156-yard hole-out with the championship on the line, this year’s Senior Club Championship was a reminder that the tournament is never over until the final putt drops.
Photos by Hannah Anderson
