Author: Mike Sorensen, Deseret News
WENDOVER — Mike Borich has been winning golf tournaments in Utah for more than 40 years, ever since he was a teenager.
The 55-year-old Borich added another trophy to his collection Thursday at Toana Vista Golf Course, where he captured the Utah Senior Open by one shot over Jimmy Blair, Dave DeSantis and Stu Nelson.
Borich added a 73 to his opening-round 67 for a 140 total and earned the $1,200 first-place check. It’s the third Utah Senior Open win for Borich, who also won the trophy in 2008 and 2009.
“That’s a nice win for me,” Borich said. “I putted real good yesterday and played pretty good today with a nice run of four birdies in a row.”
Borich had led going into Thursday’s round and after a run of birdies at 9, 10, 11 and 12, he was “coasting” along with a five-shot lead over his playing partner Blair with three holes to play.
However, Borich double-bogeyed 16, missed a short birdie putt at 17 and bogeyed 18 and “backed in” for the victory.
The win was especially satisfying for Borich, since he stopped competing for a couple of years before picking it back up this year. The Senior Open win was Borich’s fourth senior victory this year.
Borich also earned a spot in the PGA Senior Club Pro Championship in Virginia in October as did Nelson, DeSantis and Blair. If any of them finish in the top 30 there, they have the chance to compete next year in the PGA Senior Tournament, one of the majors on Champions Tour.
Promontory’s Tom Rogers won the Super Senior Division (over 60) with a 143 total that included a hole-in-one at the par-3 No. 2 hole.
The amateur winner was Orem’s Scott Fairbanks, whose 74 Thursday gave him a 143 total and a one-shot win over Jeff Powars.
David Fischer was the Super Senior winner among the amateurs at 144, while Randy Davies was the First Flight winner at 164.
Utah Senior Open
at Toana Vista Golf Course
Professionals
140 – Mike Borich (67-73)
141 – Stu Nelson (70-71), Dave DeSantis (72-69), Jimmy Blair (69-72)
143 – David Hall (72-71)
145 – Kim Thompson (76-69)
147 – Tom Costello (76-71)
148 – Quentin Sasser (74-74)
149 – Brad Stone (77-72), Scott Brandt (71-78)
Super Senior Pros (60 & over)
143 – Tom Rogers (71-72)
148 – Roy Christensen (70-78)
150 – Steve Burke (76-74), Reid Goodliffe (72-78), Ken Cromwell (75-75), Kean Ridd (77-73)
Amateurs
Championship Flight
143 – Scott Fairbanks (69-74)
144 – Jeff Powars (73-71)
145 – Rob Bachman (72-73), Bill Probst (71-74)
147 – Michael Hacker (75-72)
149 – Rick Groendyke (74-75)
150 – Russell Hook (75-75)
First Flight
164 – Randy Davies (82-82)
167 – James Fowler (83-84)
169 – Kim Schenck (84-85)
170 – Mark Pennels (85-85)
Super Senior
144 – David Fischer (70-74)
145 – Allen Simkins (71-74)
146 – Eric Anderson (72-74)
UWGA Senior Am
Annette Gaiotti won the UWGA Senior State Amateur with scores of 70 and 75 at the Hubbard Golf Course at Hill Air Force Base . It marked the fourth State Senior title for Gaiotti, who plays out of Hidden Valley Country Club. Karen Killpack finished second in gross and Mary Herman was the net winner.
Flight winners included Jean Labrie, Eileen Rich, Paulette Birdsall, Relia Maughan and Shelly Ann Stevens.
— Mike Sorensen