Elliott City, Md. — Professional Kevin Kraft fired a second-round 4-under-par, 67 to go wire-to-wire and win his first Maryland Senior Open Wednesday at Turf Valley Resort – Original Course. Amateur, John Armstrong (Cumberland CC) came from the middle of the pack to win the Super Senior Division at his home club.
The 2022 Maryland Senior Open was the 23rd version of the event and was contested at the Turf Valley Resort – Original Course, for the first time. The par 71 course played at 6,332 yards.
Conditions were benign during the first round, but the firm fairways and undulating greens got the better of the field. All players but five players recorded over-par rounds. Dirk Schultz (Beaver Creek CC) and Adam Agrenbright (Hayfields CC) joined Kraft at 1-under-par after the first round. Amateur’s Rod Frank (Maryland National GC) and Bob Kaestner (Baltimore CC) were only one shot back after tallying even-par, 70’s.
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.
Kraft got off to a rocky start, bogeying the first two holes in the second round. He followed his two bogeys with two birdies on Nos. 3 and 4. Two additional birdies on Nos. 6 and 9, got Kraft to 3-under-par after 27 holes. On the back nine, Kraft had a bogey-free 3-under-par to secure the championship at 5-under-par 137. Ricky Touma (Burning Tree Club) was the only other player to join Kraft with an under-par round in the second round. Rod Frank, was able to shoot back-to-back, even-par rounds to finish in second place and as low amateur. Kaestner rounded out the top 3, finishing one-over-par 143.
Low Amateur, Rod Frank
In the Super Senior Division, Armstrong climbed back from the middle of the pack to sit atop the division after 36-holes. Armstrong made five birdies on the back-nine to shoot a 30 and walk away with the crystal for the division overall and Super Senior low amateur.
Super Senior Champion and Low Amateur, John Armstrong
The Maryland Senior Open wraps up the 2022 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.
________________________________________________________________________________________
About the MSGA
Founded in 1921, the Maryland State Golf Association fulfills its constitutional mandate by promoting the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions; sponsoring and conducting state tournaments as well as USGA qualifying rounds each year; educating and informing Maryland golfers about changes in the Rules of Golf; fostering a respect for the game of golf as well as its Rules; and awarding scholarships.
