Ford Takes Space Coast Senior Open In Sudden Death
By Bobby Walker, Space Coast Golf Magazine // March 3, 2013
GOLF NEWS
BREVARD COUNTY • SUNTREE COUNTRY CLUB – Brevard’s own Steve Ford captured the Sunbelt Space Coast Senior Open title in a sudden death playoff, carding a final round 68 – and a three day total 208.
Ford managed to build up the drama for the hometown Suntree Country Club crowd on Feb. 28 after he missed a 6-foot putt on the 54th hole – a chance to shoot 67 and win the event outright. However, it took him 56 holes, where he drained a 30-foot putt on the second playoff hole to take the title.
“I knocked it six feet on 18, and had a chance for another bird,” said Ford. “At that time I had no idea that putt would have been for the win. I missed the putt and ended up in a sudden death playoff with Rusnak and Ross in almost hurricane winds.”
48 Holes Without a Bogie
Ford managed to play 48 holes without a bogie, and on the inward nine of the final round, managed to birdie 14, 15 and 16.
“It’s kind of funny, I just got my new PING irons about a week before and I guess they were feeling pretty good,” said Ford. “The course was really windy the first day and I managed to get in under par, and shooting under par for the three rounds was pretty cool.”
The Sunbelt Senior Tour is recognized as the #1 Tour in the world for players 45 and over who are preparing for life on the Champions Tour or European Senior Tour.
“The best thing about it all was that this was the first senior tour event I have ever played in and I got a win – on my home course – that was pretty special,” said Ford.
“The members, in all their private carts, were watching on the playoff holes and it was pretty cool with all the support I got from them. That made it an even better win.”
Sunbelt Space Coast Senior Open Results
• 1st Steve Ford (- 8) 71, 69, 68 – 208 ($3,000)
• T2 Gary Rusnak (- 8) 65, 70, 73 – 208 ($1,750)
• T2 John Ross (- 8) 73, 65, 70 – 208 ($1,750)
