rolex logo

Britton Takes Low-Club Pro Honors at Senior PGA

ELMSFORD, N.Y., (May 27, 2012)  Continuing the strong play in 2012 that has earned him a victory in the New Jersey Senior Open and a spot in U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying at Canoe Brook on June 4, Bill Britton shot an even-par 71 in the final round, earning him Low Club Professional honors at the 73rd Senior PGA Championship at The Golf Club of Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Britton, 56, finished at even par (T35) for the championship, two shots better than the next club pro Sonny Skinner.  

Not faring as well as Britton this week was fellow Met Area professional Darrell Kestner of Deepdale, a three-time Met Open champion and two-time MGA Senior Open winner. Kestner, struggled in the first round and needed to go low on Friday, but a 73 (plus-10 overall) wasn't enough to make the 36-hole cut.

RELATED: To view the full field and television times, click here.

While this is the first Senior PGA Championship for Britton, he is no stranger when it comes to majors. The current teaching pro at Trump National in Colts Neck, N.J., has played in two PGA Championships (finishing fourth in 1990), two Masters (T7 in 1990), two U.S. Opens and one British Open. Among his notable professional victories are the 1979 Met Open, 1986 Westchester Open, 2005 and 2006 NJPGA Championships, 2006 MGA Senior Open, and 2009 Senior PGA Professional Championship. He also just won the New Jersey Senior Open at Montammy Golf Club last week.

Britton was also a regular on the PGA Tour from 1979-1995, winning nearly $2 million. He became eligible for the 2012 Senior PGA by finishing in the top 35 of last year's Senior PGA National Championship.

As for Kestner, the 58-year-old head professional at Deepdale Golf Club on Long Island doesn't need much of an introduction. This is his 19th major championship: he's been in the field at eight U.S. Opens, nine PGA Championships, and one Senior PGA Championship (2010). Professionally, Kestner boasts three Met Open victories ('82, '83, '95), two MGA Senior Opens ('03, '05), five Met PGA Championships ('94, '95, '97, '03, '04), and two New York State Opens ('93, '94).

Kestner qualified for this year's Senior PGA by finishing T3 in last year's Senior PGA National Championship.

 

 

Year: 
News Type: 
Month: 
Image: