The curtain came down on the final KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Sunday afternoon. The weather made a halfhearted attempt to spoil the party, but a great field of golfers in stiff competition for the coveted title won out after only a brief delay in the action.
Englishman Richard Bland won the Alfred Bourne trophy, moving away from the field with a 17 under par, three stroke victory over Australian Richard Green. Fellow Australian Greg Chalmers was third at 13 under par, with another Australian Scott Hend and American club professional Jason Caron tied for fourth. Caron’s performance was a stellar showing for the club professional ranks, an important facet of the PGA of America.
Former Western Amateur champion Chris DiMarco and fan favorite Ernie Els from South Africa tied for sixth at 11 under par. Defending champion Steve Stricker, South Africa’s Retief Goosen and American Stewart Cink rounded out the top ten at nine under.
The crowds came out early to Harbor Shores after the PGA moved up the Sunday start time to try to stay ahead of the rains. The strategy almost worked, as only the leaders were left on the course when the horn sounded, warning of lightning in the area, suspending play at 2:20 pm. 90 minutes later the remaining three groups of golfers were back at it, completing their rounds and gathering on the green at 18 to award the Bourne trophy to Richard Bland.
It was the sixth and final edition of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, coming to an end after putting Harbor Shores and Southwest Michigan on the nation’s professional golf map and calling attention to the attractions of Michigan’s Great Southwest via national television coverage of the Championship.
More on the lasting impact of the event in the days ahead here on MoodyOnTheMarket.com .
