Upper Marlboro, Md. — Professional Brendan McGrath fired a second-round 3-under-par round to win his first Maryland Senior Open Wednesday at Lake Presidential Golf Club. James Fitzgerald shot an even par round to win the Super Senior Division.
The 2023 Maryland Senior Open was the 24th version of the event and was contested at the Lake Presidential Golf Club for the first time. The par 72 course played at 6,431 yards, but for the second round, the 8th hole was skipped due to course maintenance, and the final round was only 17 holes.
After the first round, All players but two players recorded over-par rounds. Amateurs Vance Welch (Hobbits Glen Golf Club) and Pete Regala (Chartwell Golf & Country Club) were 1-under-par after round 1. 2008 Champion Jon Corliss was only one shot back after tallying an even-par 72.
Kraft’s first round started with a birdie on the No. 2, 370-yard par 4 but followed that up with a bogey on the No. 4, 414-yard par 4. Then, he made two birdies and three pars on the front nine to shoot a 2-under 34. With bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14, Kraft made a birdie on No. 18, bringing his first-round total to a 1-under-par 70. The 2018 & 2016 Champion, Schultz started his front nine with a 2-over-par 38. On the back nine, he got it to 3-under-par with birdies on Nos. 16-18, to finish his round at 1-under-par 70. Adam Argenbright started his round with a birdie on the par-5 first hole. After he made twelve straight pars and another birdie on 507-yard par 5, fourteenth. With a bogey on No. 17, Agrenbright was the low amateur after the first round.
Welch and Regala struggled in the second round, while Brendan McGrath made a charge after finishing 2-over-par in the first round. After bogeying the first hole, he went on to birdie Nos. 3,5, and 6. After his front nine, McGrath was 1-under-par for the round and 1-over-par for the tournament. He got off to a great start with a birdie on No. 10 and went on to birdie No. 13. McGrath was able to shoot 2-under-par on the back nine to finish the tournament a 1-under-par. Professional Joseph Hodsden, and Amateurs David Nocar (Chartwell Golf & Country Club), and Tom Winegardner (The Cannon Club) were the only other players to join McGrath with an under-par round in the second round. David Nocar finished at even-par to finish tied for second place and earn low amateur honors.
In the Super Senior Division, James Fitzgerald shot a 3-over-par round in the first round and an even-par round in the second round to finish in first place. Fitzgerald made a total of five birdies over the two rounds and walked away with the crystal. Amateur Greg Henry (Beaver Creek Country Club) shot 11-over-par to earn low amateur honors in the Super Senior Division.
The Maryland Senior Open wraps up the 2023 Men’s Championship Schedule. The MSGA would like to thank all who participated throughout the season. Additionally, the MSGA would like to thank all of the host clubs for opening their tee sheets for competitions.
