Schuller goes wire-to-wire to win second consecutive Maryland Senior Open title; Offterdinger wins Super Senior Division
Bethesda, Md. — PGA Professional Rick Schuller (Stonehenge G & CC) fired a second round 1-under-par, 69 to go wire-to-wire and win his second consecutive Maryland Senior Open Wednesday at Bethesda Country Club. Amateur Ed Offterdinger (Bethesda CC) came from the middle of the pack to win the Super Senior Division at his home club.
The 2021 Maryland Senior Open was the 21st version of the event and was contested at the Bethesda, Md. club for the first time. The par 70 course played at 6,384 yards.
With overcast conditions during the first round the Ault designed, Hills renovated course used it’s firm fairways and undulating greens to get the better of the field. All players recorded over-par rounds except for Schuller and PGA Professional Dirk Schultz (Beaver Creek CC). Schulz’s even-par, 70 was good enough to keep the title within his sights after the first day. Amateur’s Michael Meyer (Woodmont CC) and Tucker Sampson (Manor CC) were only three shots back after tallying 1-over-par, 71’s.
Schuller’s first round started off with a birdie on the No. 1, 330 yard par 4 but then followed that up with a bogey on the No. 2, 198 par 3. From then on, he steadied the ship and recorded seven more pars on the front nine. With birdies on Nos. 11, 12. 14 and 15, Schuller was able to get his round to 3-under-par, but a bogey on No. 16 brought his first round total to a 2-under-par, 68. Schultz, the 2018 & 2016 Champion, recorded two bogeys and two birdies on his front nine to keep things at level par. On the back nine he was able to get it to 2-under-par with birdies on Nos. 10 and 13, but stumbled on his way to the finish with bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18.
After sleeping on the lead, something he had not done the year prior, Schuller came out of the gates fast. He recorded birdies on No. 2 to get his lead over Schultz and the rest of the field to three. Three additional birdies on Nos. 4, 6, and 11 got Schuller all the way to 5-under-par for the championship and he really never looked back. Quietly putting together the low round of the day was PGA Professional Jim Estes (Olney Golf Park). After shooting a 2-over-par, 37 on the front nine, Estes kicked it into gear recording five birdies on the back nine to bring his second round total to a 2-under-par 68 which was good enough to finish runner up for the championship. Meyer and Sampson remained the low amateurs for the championship after firing matching even-par 70’s for the second round.
In the Super Senior Division, both Offterdinger and fellow amateur Greg Henry (Beaver Creek CC) managed to climb their way back from the middle of the pack to sit atop the division after 36-holes. Offterdinger needed one more hole to walk away with the silver for both the division overall and Super Senior low amateur. The first playoff hole was on the 390, par 4 No. 10. With his approach in the right side bunker, Henry almost holed out for birdie. However, there was little else he could with Offterdinger hitting his approach to about one foot. With the birdie, the longtime Bethesda member sealed his victory.
The Maryland Senior Open wraps up the 2021 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 competition.
Notes:
- Rick Schuller becomes the first back-to-back winner since John Howson 2009-2010
- This is Jim Estes third runner-up
- Schuller becomes the fourth player to win at least two Senior Open’s. He joins Dirk Schultz, John Howson, and Larry Ringer
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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.
