At last year?s Constellation Energy Classic, Bob Gilder picked up his first career win on the Champions Tour by never trailing in the tournament.
In this year?s tournament at Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley, Gilder had to fight his way to the top, but he finally broke through Sunday with a 7-under-par day for a total of 14-under 202 to win. Gilder blasted by an eight-deep crowd at 10-under or better, carding birdies on five of his last 10 holes for a two-shot win over Brad Bryant, Jay Haas and Don Pooley.
Recommended Stories
“It?s the first time I?ve ever defended a title,” Gilder said. “It?s really nice and was totally unexpected.”
Starting the day tied for ninth, Gilder knew he had work to do if he wanted repeat.
“I was taking it one hole at a time,” he said. “Go to the fairway, hit it at the pin, make a putt.”
While Gilder tried to separate from the field, his streaky putting kept things interesting. Bryant, tied for second at the start of Sunday, used five birdies compared to only one bogey to keep the pressure on.
Haas was looking to make up ground on the absent Loren Roberts this weekend. Had he won, Haas would have overtaken Roberts on the Champions Tour money list and Schwab Cup standings.
Pooley could only muster a 2-under 70 on Sunday, and failed to maintain his grip on first place.
Tom Kite, who finished the day with a wonderful 6-under 66, hurt his chances for the win by missing make-able birdie puts on 17 and 18. Kite tied for 10th at nine-under.
One of the pleasant surprises on the day was newcomer Chip Beck. Playing in the first Champions Tour event of his career, Beck made a great debut, shooting a 6-under-par 66 on the last day to finish tied for third place at 11-under.
The day though, belonged to Gilder.
“Well after the success I had last year, it?s nice coming backto a course that sets up for you.”
The Gilder file
» Bob Gilder walked onto the golf team at Arizona State University and was the 1973 Western Athletic Conference individual champion.
» He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
