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Brooking, Pippin, and Sanford become First
Time Champions at the 65th Senior Amateur
Championship
The MGA reported an exciting day of golf
for its final rounds of the Senior Amateur at
Timberton Golf Club. Round three brought
three new champions in each division.
Lynn Pippin of Ocean Springs had a four-
shot lead going into Sunday in the Grand
Masters division. He continued to carry his
consistent play with him, posting a final score
of 80 and doing just enough to hold off second-
place finisher, George Hinman of Brandon, who
posted a 79.
Pippin became a first-time state champion,
winning his division by three strokes and posting
a total score of 221 for three rounds. In the
Super Senior division, the leader going into
the final round was Robert Willis of Grenada,
a past champion of the 2012 Senior Amateur
Championship. He held a two-stroke lead over
past champion, Ricky Sims of Canton.
In what was a tight race in the Championship
flight of the Super Senior Division, Greg
Brooking of Natchez posted an outstanding low
score of 67, coming back from a four-stroke
deficit to defeat Willis, who posted an even par
72, by one stroke.
Brooking posted a total score of 214 for three
rounds to also become a first-time champion. For
the Senior division, Robert Sanford of Meridian
looked to continue his hot streak going into
Sunday. Posting another round under par of 71,
Sanford became a first-time champion winning
by six strokes. He posted a total score of 209. The
second-place finisher of the Senior division was
Michael Hammett of Hattiesburg who posted a
final round score of 72 and a tournament total
of 215.
The MGA congratulated the three winners on
outstanding play. Sanford and Brooking are both
leading their respective divisions in rankings for
Player of the Year. They have also both earned
a spot on the 2019 Governor’s Cup team as well.
The MGA thanked Ron Hickman, Richard
Walsh, Doug Martin and the entire Timberton
Golf Club for hosting the championship.
Naaman Clutch Down the Stretch to
Secure a Victory
24
Michael Naaman shook off pressure of
low first day scores to win the 2018 Grenada
Invitational.
The MGA reported that the Grenada
Invitational started out with a bang as Hunter
Logan came out firing during the first round. His
65 for the day bested the field and gave him the
lead after the first round.
Jon Wilson was not far behind as he was able
to shoot a 3 under 68 to keep Hunter within
range. Ricky Sims, Naaman, and Cade Lott all
shot 69.
These low scores would set the stage for an
eventful second day at the Grenada Invitational.
Day 2 in Grenada brought more low scores
as the day carried on. As the tournament came
to a close, it came down to the last hole of the
day. Naaman sank a clutch par putt on 18 to
secure the victory over Logan. Naaman's par on
18 gave him a great score of 66, this was low
enough to bring the trophy home.
Logan shot an even par 71 to fall into second
place. Griffin Agent shot a 2 under 69 to secure
third place.