Scott Brandt sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the 9th hole at Willow Creek Country Club on July 12 to take a 1-up lead over Joe Summerhays in the final match of the Utah PGA Senior Match Play Championship.
However, the back nine belonged to Summerhays.
Joe won four of the next five holes, clinching the victory on the 16th hole with a score of 3-and-2.
The 2024 Senior Match Play Championship began with a field of 31 players on May 28, including defending champion Mark Owen, who received a bye in the opening round at Stonebridge Golf Club.
The round of 16 also took place at Stonebridge, with winners advancing to the quarterfinals on June 25 at Bountiful Ridge. The semifinalists at Willow Creek included Matt Johnson, Scott Brant, Kevin Connole, and Joe Summerhays.
In the morning semifinals, Summerhays defeated Connole 7-and-6 and awaited the outcome of the Brandt/Johnson match, which extended to 20 holes, with Brandt securing victory with a par on the second play of the 18th hole.
Summerhays, 52, had a break for lunch before facing Brandt, 65, who had just emerged victorious. “I was a little concerned about that,” said Summerhays, now a two-time Match Play Champion. “I knew I’d come out a little flat.”
Indeed, Summerhays stumbled with a short chip shot on the 2nd hole, giving Brandt an early 1-up lead.
Brandt led three times on the front nine, thanks to birdies on holes 4 and 9, but Summerhays managed to even the match each time. Summerhays then took control, winning the par-5 10th, the par-3 11th, the par-5 12th, and the par-4 14th to go 3-up. After matching pars on holes 15 and 16, Summerhays claimed his second Match Play title in the last three seasons.
The Utah PGA senior circuit continues on July 17-18 at Toana Vista Golf Club in West Wendover, NV, for the Bob Rudd Utah Senior Open, where Summerhays will defend his title.
Special thanks to the host professionals and staff at Stonebridge Golf Club, Bountiful Ridge Golf Club, and Willow Creek Country Club for making this season’s championship possible. Click here for the 2024 Utah PGA Senior Match Play bracket and scoring.