Loveland, OH — As the principle goes, things come in threes. Three hour rain delay. Three hole playoff. Three consecutive SOPGA Senior Professional Championship titles for Bob Sowards, PGA.
Sowards, the Director of Instruction at Kinsale Golf & Fitness, waited out a three hour rain delay before shooting a final-round 5-under-par 67 to force a playoff with Tim Krapfel, PGA after both players finished 7-under-par overall. Sowards made a birdie on the third playoff hole to beat Krapfel, the PGA Head Professional at Bel-Wood Country Club, after a hard-fought battle.
Rain delayed the start of play for three hours, pushing back the first starting time to 11:00 AM. Sowards started his final round two strokes behind Krapfel. He erased that deficit by the turn after shooting a 3-under-par 33 on his front nine while Krapfel carded a 1-over-par 37.
Sowards then roared out of the turn, making birdie on four of his first six holes on the back nine before finishing with his 67.
Sowards was already exempt into the national championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida on October 15-18, 2020. He will be joined by Krapfel and four others from our Section. Dave Bahr, PGA Head Professional at Maketewah Country Club, was also exempt into the field due to his play during the 2020 Winter Championships this past January.
Mike Thomas, PGA Head Professional at Vineyard Golf Course, and Barry Hinckley, PGA Head Professional at Jefferson Golf & Country Club, tied at 1-under-par overall to make the national championship. Steve Klick, PGA General Manager at Beavercreek Golf Club, made a birdie on his first playoff hole to claim the final qualifying spot.
The Section staff would like to extend a big thank you to the staff at Oasis Golf Club for hosting the event and keeping the course in good shape through all the weather this week.