Tim Sheppard holds the titles of the Illinois State Amateur, CDGA Senior Amateur Four-Ball, and now, the CDGA Senior AmateurDay Four: Thursday, May 16
With his victory, Sheppard becomes the first person to claim all three CDGA-administered senior championships – the CDGA Senior Amateur, the Illinois State Senior Amateur and the CDGA Senior Amateur Four-Ball – and is the most-recent winner of each. It is the fourth senior title overall for the 2018 CDGA Senior Player of the Year in just eight tries since becoming senior eligible (55 and up) in 2016.
“It’s pretty neat,” reflected Sheppard. “I’ve been playing in CDGA events since 1997 or 1998. I always wanted to try and earn a trophy. It was nice to get this done. Hopefully, I’ll have a few more in me. It’s tough, there’s a lot of good competition and good players.”
Related Links: (Match Play Tree) / (Photos) / (Video Recap)
Sheppard parlayed his superior length off the tee into a bogey-free round during Thursday’s title tilt, which was delayed after just two holes by weather for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Sheppard held a 1-up advantage going into the delay before taking four of the first five holes coming out of the stoppage to build a commanding 5-up advantage through seven holes.
“I don’t think the game plan changed, you just try to prepare yourself for the wet conditions and wind,” said Sheppard of his mindset coming out of the delay. “For me, I try to slow it down, because my tendency is to get quick. When it gets wet and colder, I get quicker and that’s when I don’t hit it quite as solid. I was just trying to stay in the moment and keep it slow.”
Sheppard and McCoy traded pars on Nos. 8 and 9 before McCoy notched the first birdie of the match by either player on No. 10. Sheppard responded two holes later, getting up and down for birdie on the par-5 12th, before closing out the match with two more pars.
“I was hoping that I would have had a birdie or two on the board earlier than that,” Sheppard said. “With Doug making some bogeys, I wasn’t real aggressive, but I did hit several putts I thought I made that just didn’t go in. My goal is just don’t make any bogeys.”
Sheppard’s clean card came roughly 24 hours after a double bogey on No. 18 nearly cost him a chance at the title, as he entered the final hole of his Wednesday semifinal match against Dan Caporusso (Mt. Prospect / Old Orchard CC) tied. However, Caporusso also notched a six before Sheppard birdies the first playoff hole to clinch his spot in the championship match.
Sheppard, who earned the No. 2 seed in match play with a 1-under 71 in Monday’s stroke play round, also vanquished Craig Mc Donnell (Evergreen Park / CDGA Member’s Club) in the Round of 16, 3 and 2, and Young Park (Barrington / Makray Memorial GC) in the quarterfinals, 2 and 1, en route to the title.
Up next for Sheppard and the CDGA championship slate is the 5th CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship, which will be contested May 20-22 at Northmoor Country Club.
Day Three: Wednesday, May 15
It was a successful Wednesday for McCoy as he made quick work of his quarterfinal match in the morning by defeating Desmond Martello (Hinsdale / Chicago Highlands) 7 and 6. McCoy met Gary Conte (Clarendon Hills / River Forest CC) in the semifinals following Conte’s 1-up victory over Mike Carney (Crystal Lake / Crystal Lake CC). After making the turn down by one stroke, McCoy took advantage of three pars on the last five holes to secure the win, 2-and-1 and advance to his first CDGA championship final.
“I’ve played in a lot of CDGA events in my life and this is the first time I’ve gotten to a final,” said McCoy when asked what it meant to make it to the final round. “I’ve come close other times, so I’m excited about it.”
Sheppard, 3-down with four holes to play, birdied two of the final three holes in regulation to force a sudden-death playoff with Dan Coporusso (Mt. Prospect / Old Orchard CC). Sheppard’s strong form carried over to the lone playoff hole the duo played as he birdied to advance to Thursday’s final against McCoy. This semifinal match followed Sheppard’s 2-and-1 win over Young Park(Barrington / Makray Memorial GC). Caporusso advanced to play Sheppard following a 20-hole victory over 2017 CDGA Senior Amateur winner Terry Werner (Dyer, Ind. / Briar Ridge CC) in the quarterfinals.
“My motto is one shot at a time, one hole at a time,” Sheppard stated following the match. “I don’t want to be two or three down heading to the back nine (tomorrow) like I was today.”
“I know Doug’s a good player, so I have my hands full,” said Sheppard when asked about Thursday afternoon’s final. The duo will tee off at 12:30 p.m. for a chance to hoist the Charles Morgan Auld trophy.
MATCH PLAY RESULTS
Semifinals
(5) Doug McCoy def. (8) Gary Conte, 2 and 1
(2) Tim Sheppard def. (11) Dan Caporusso, 19 holes
Quarterfinals
(8) Gary Conte def. (16) Mike Karney, 1 up
(5) Doug McCoy def. (13) Desmond Maretllo, 7 and 6
(2) Tim Sheppard def. (10) Young Park, 2 and 1
(11) Dan Caporusso def. (3) Terry Werner, 20 holes
Related Links: (Match Play Tree)/ (Photos) / (Video Recap)
Day Two: Tuesday, May 14
Day One: Monday, May 13
The Round of 16 matches are slated to begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Briar Ridge. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be contested on Wednesday, with the final taking place on Thursday afternoon.
Related Links: (Stroke Play Results) / (Match Play Tree) / (Field)
Qualifying
| Date | Site | Information |
|---|---|---|
| April 24 | Silver Lake Country Club (Orland Park) | |
| May 6 | Makray Memorial Golf Club (Barrington) |
Championship Information
Created in 2002, the CDGA Senior Amateur Championship is a match play tournament for golfers age 55 and up. New for 2019, the maximum handicap limit has been increased to 10.4. The event begins with an 18-hole qualifier for the entire field, with the low 16 players advancing to match play. The champion of this tournament is the recipient of the Charles Morgan Auld Cup. Brad Kay won the 2018 event.
(2018 Recap / Event History)
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