So a final congrats to Mike Finster, who finished tied for 44th at +13 at the US Senior Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. His score matched such luminaries as Fred Couples and John Cook. Mike ended up second in the amateur race to Jeff Wilson, who finished +10. Again, congrats to Jeff.
Mike will begin immediate preparations for the 2019 US Senior Open at the Warren Course at the University of Notre Dame, June 24-30, 2019. Immediate preparations meaning he will sell some roofing, regularly attend Mass, enjoy his beautiful family and groom the next great Finster golfer, young Joseph. He will play in some local amateur tournaments, including the Florida Open starting July 13 at Innisbrook, and will continue to dominate Tampa Bay area member/guest tournaments.
As for 2019, check out the video below and prepare for chills:
Middle of the pack 11:26 a.m. mountain time tee time today, much better than the dawn start last time Mike made the cut at an open (three years ago, when he was in last place). Mike’s paired with South African David Frost, a guy he’s played with before. The crowd (with apparently sore feet after three long days on the course) gathers for the final slog around The Broadmoor.
Mike starts off +8 and tied for 39th, one behind yesterday’s partner Jeff Wilson for low amateur honors. Winning that, by the way, would earn an invite to the US Amateur at Pebble Beach and an automatic bid in 2019 to the US Senior Open to be played at—wait for it–the Warren Course at the University of Notre Dame. Mike’s daughter attends ND, and Mike’s dad and brother went there. I look forward to visiting my alma mater June 24-30, 2019.
Mike autographs for adoring fan.
MB with some of Mike’s classmates at Northwestern.
Starts with a par on the tough #1, but doubles #2 to go +10. Gets one back with a birdie on the long par 5 #3. Wilson, meanwhile, bogies #1 to start his day.
Mike cruises with four pars in the middle of the outward nine, but finds trouble and a bogie and a double to finish the front, 4 over and a 40 on the card for the day. Wilson has his own troubles, finishing bogey/bogey but cards a 38 and opens up a 2 shot lead on our favorite.
Back nine starts off again with colorful numbers, par/double/par–then a birdie on lucky 13 and a nice reaction.
Par, bogey, then another birdie on 16.
Two more pars on 17 and 18 and it’s over–a gritty 75, +13 for the tournament. Jeff Wilson, meanwhile is doing what he needs to do to stay in the amateur lead. He’s coming up 18 at +10, pretty much guaranteed to take the coveted amateur honors. Congrats to him.
