Jagged streaks of lightning and torrential rain forced a late afternoon cancellation of the 19th Senior Four-Ball championship of the Maryland State Golf Association at Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, May 27.
As a result, a three-way playoff for the title was erased and the teams were declared co-champions, a tournament first. The playoff, at 4-under-par 68 — the highest winning score since a 69 in 2001 — involved Bobby Morris-Marty West (34-34), winners of three of the four previous years; Michael Kelly-Skip Tendall (34-34), and Larry Storck-Joe Records (36-32).
All three team made birdie at the first extra hole, the 395-yard 10th, with five of the six players putting from inside 15 feet. Kelly, West, and Storck converted their tries and Morris, the closest, never got a chance to try.
All but Records had hit their tee shots on the second playoff hole (No. 18)
when lightning and a forecast for heavy rain brought an immediate halt. With more rain predicted for the next day, Randy Reed, MSGA director of Competition and Rules, left the decision to the players. Because of several conflicts they ultimately agreed to share the title.
There was a tie for low net also, with Charlie Palmer-Ken Mattison; John Vollmer-Tim Carr, and Donald Meyer-Doug McPherson knotted at 64.
Kelly had three birdies, including the two par-5’s on the front, and Tendall, one; Morris had three birdies, West, two, and both bogeyed the 493-yard, par-5 ninth, their last hole, to drop into the tie, and after Storck and Records each made birdie and bogey on the front, they improved on the back with two birdies apiece in a five-hole stretch, Nos. 12-16.
Regulation play, over a 6,390-yard, par-72 course, was held in warm, sunny weather.