First at Last

Scott Thomas wins Senior Amateur with 3-under 135

Scott Thomas fired a final-round even par 69 to convincingly win the 16th Metropolitan Senior Amateur at Norwood Hills Friday, Sept. 19. Thomas (66-69-135) finished eight shots ahead of runner-up Darrel Huisinga (70-73-143).

"I am extremely pleased with the way I played. Winning this tournament was clearly one of my goals for the year when I turned 50," said Thomas, who has been among to top amateurs in the area for nearly two decades.

His victory at his former home course marked the first time in his long and distinguished career that he has won a Metropolitan Associaton championship. "I've come close several times, but this is the first," he said with a broad smile and the George F. Meyer Memorial Trophy firmly in his grasp.

The win also secured the 2008 Metropolitan Senior Player of the Year honors for Thomas. Other flight winners included: Age 50-54: Gross: Clinton Hill's Bob Suarez; Net: Gateway National's John Schranck; 55-59: Gross: Far Oaks' Randy Gibbs; Net: Aberdeen's Ron Lipovsky; 60-64: Gross: Normandie's Dave Lough; Net: Normandie's John Purdy; 65 and up: Gross: Country Club of Legends' Don Dupske; Net: Four Seasons' Andy Shanfeld.

Hail to the Champions:


Images from 16th Metropolitan Senior Amateur


CAPTIONS - From top to bottom: Metropolitan Senior Amateur champion
Scott Thomas chips to the final green at Norwood Hills. Moments
later, Thomas completed play at 3-under par 135. He is congratulated
by fellow competitors Robert Trittler and Darrel Huisinga. Thomas
and runner-up Huisinga. 65 and up age group winners (gross) Don Dupske
and (net) Andy Shanfeld; 55-59 winners (gross) Randy Gibbs and
(net) Ron Lipovsky; 50-54 winners (gross) Bob Suarez and (net)
John Schranck. Dave Lough and John Purdy, both of Normandie
Golf Club, won gross and net honors in the 60-64 age group
but were unavailable for photos.



The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association once again wishes to thank Norwood Hills Country Club, its members and staff, for their support and cooperation in hosting the 16th Metropolitan Senior Amateur Championship. MAGA Senior Director of Competition Curt Rohe (right) presents a certificate of recognition to Norwood Hills superintendent Mike Null.