Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2017 - 24

U.S. SENIOR AM CHAMPIONSHIP
having a good week,
things
aren't going my way in a match,
[but] it's okay, we'll be home tonight.'
That's not good enough.
You really have to grind it out. "
HIS FATHER'S LEGACY
The last USGA event Knapp
qualifi ed for was the 2014 U.S.
Amateur Championship at
the Atlanta Athletic Club, but
before he hit his fi rst tee shot,
Knapp was beckoned home to
be with his ailing father, Roger.
He withdrew from the championship
and made the 11-hour
drive back to Pennsylvania with
his wife and two daughters.
Upon arriving at his father's
bedside, Knapp put his hand on
his father's chest and said, " Dad,
I'm so proud of you. We've
made it home for you. "
" Sean, just in time, " his father
replied not long before he
passed away.
The eldest Knapp, a school
superintendent with his doctorate,
received a Division I baseball
scholarship even though
his high school didn't even offer
baseball as a varsity sport.
" He pitched semi-pros for the
White Sox, " Knapp said. " I've
never seen a man with more talent
who was more humble. He
was a very religious man and
helped so many people. That's
his legacy. I'm not fi ve percent
of that, but I'm proud to say I'm
his. "
SIMSON TAKES SECOND
A disappointing fi nish Thursday,
but impressive performance
nonetheless this week
for Simson. He fi nished two
rounds of qualifying at 1-under
par 143 before earning two
tight victories to begin match
play. Jumping out to big leads
beginning in the round of 16,
Simson cruised through his
next three matches to reach the
Paul Simson
fi nals against Knapp.
" I didn't have my best game
and three-putted both 10 and
11, " Simson said after his runner-up
fi nish. " That kind of
surmises the day. I had a lot of
missed chances and when you're
playing this kind of match, you
just can't afford that stuff. "
Simson said that overall he
had a great week, especially after
a rough fi rst two matches. " The
three after that, I was on fi re. I
was hoping that would carry
into today, because it might
have been a different story had I
played that much better. "
As one of only 17 players in
the fi eld over the age of 65, it's
blindingly apparent Simson has
what it takes to remain one of
the country's best senior players.
He won the U.S Senior Amateur
in 2010 and 2012, which
still affords him fi ve more exemptions.
He earned another
two by fi nishing runner-up at
Minikahda (he would've been
the second player in championship
history to win three titles).
" To win three times would
have been great, " he said. " I still
think I'll be able to contend.
I've still got plenty of distance,
plenty of time, and plenty of
competitive spirit. "
On his dad's bag all week,
Simson's son, Phillip, added:
" What did you say yesterday,
about the quickest way to get
old? "
" [The quickest way] is to
make age an excuse, " the elder
Simson replied. MG
MIN
NE
SO
TA
REPRESENTED
JEFF TEAL, 57 (EXCELSIOR)
The former University of Minnesota golfer led the way
for locals in the fi eld, carding a 76 during the fi rst
stroke-play qualifying round Saturday. However, a
rough patch on his back nine during Sunday's second
round led to an 80, a 156 total, knocking him out of
contention for match play.
" Nothing really went right today, " Teal said. " I
actually hit it not too bad; I just couldn't make a putt,
especially on my front nine where I wanted to get off
to a good start. "
Despite a rough second round, Teal had a great
time: " It's a fi rst-class event and it ran great. Meeting
players from around the country and playing with
good guys ... it's fun to compare where you're at. "
DAVID WHITTAKER, 67 (DULUTH)
The Duluth native improved on his fi rst round of 81
with a 78 on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to make the
cut. Whittaker, who didn't start playing competitively
until his mid-40s, said qualifying for a USGA event
quickly became a goal of his.
" Even though I'm getting up there in years, I'd like
to come back, " he said. " It was a wonderful tournament.
The support was fantastic, and we felt like
members of the club. I like the direction of my golf
game, and I'm not going to get obsessive about it. I
guess gratitude is the biggest takeaway for me. I'd
like to get back here. "
DAVID BROWN, 59 (MINNETONKA)
Brown improved on his opening-round of 82 by posting
a 6-over par 78 Sunday.
" I didn't putt as well as I normally do and yesterday
I got off to a shaky start, " Brown said. " There are
areas of my game that I can work on. I played with
guys this week that seemed like they were well-oiled
machines. It was fun to compare myself to the highquality
and depth of the fi eld. " After wrapping up his
fi rst U.S. Senior Amateur, Brown added: " I'd like to do
it again. "
RANDALL GARBER, 67 (LAKEVILLE)
Gerber posted back-to-back rounds of 84 to fi nish the
stroke play qualifying at 168, along with John Barry,
55 (also of Lakeville), who carded rounds of 85-83.
24
MINNESOTAGOLFER Fall 2017
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Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2017

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