CARMEL, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2016) — Steve Hudson is one of the best senior amateur golfers in the country, with a number of major Society of Seniors titles under his belt. In 2016 alone, the Birmingham, Alabama resident has scored a win at the Senior Masters, as well as runner-up finishes at The Hesler, Golfweek Senior Amateur, and George C. Thomas Senior at Los Angeles Country Club.
Today at The Preserve Golf Club Hudson, 58, proved that the golf ball doesn’t have any idea how old the person hitting it is. He fired the low round of the tournament so far, a 5-under 67 from a course tipped out to the maximum yardage it can play. He recorded 6 birdies against just a single bogey on the 471-yard par 4 15th hole, propelling him into a tie for the lead with first round leader Joe Deraney of Nashville at 4-under 140. Deraney got to that number by backing up his first round 68 with an even par 72 today.
,br>
Giving chase at 141 (3-under) are Gene Elliott of Iowa (72 today) and Charles Waddell (72) and Nick Wood (70) who both stand at 2-under 142. 2013 champ John Sawin of San Francisco is lurking at 1-under 143, tied with the always dangerous Kevin Wolf of Lodi, Calif.
TEAM COMPETITION
Steve Hudson’s partner Lawrence Field won the PGA National Junior title way back when, then hung up the golf clubs for 20 years. He’s into the game again, and along with Hudson has the gross lead at 12-under. They are chased down by Brian Harris (Indiana) and John Brellenthin (Dallas) who stand at 10-under. Three teams at 9-under include defending gross champs Jason and Jack Anthony. It’s going to be a battle on Saturday.
In the Net Team championship (the traditional Stocker Cup) the team of first-time contestant Patrick Christovich (New Orleans) and Mike “Big Cat” Machette have tied for the lead with first round leaders John Sawin and James Student, with a solid round of 65 today for a total of 13-under. Sawin and Student follwed their stellar 8-under start with a 5-under 67 today. With four teams tied at 12-under, it’s anyone’s to win.