By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Dave Carson took command of the Topeka Golf Association Bill McDonald Champions Stroke Play Tournament with an opening-round 67 on Sunday and held on for title No. 6 Monday at Lake Shawnee.
Carson carded a final-round 70 in the city event for players aged 40 and over, finishing with a 36-hole total of 137 to top Dennis Switzky by three strokes. Switzky shot an opening-round 71 before carding a 69 on Monday, the low round of the day.
"The first day was a great start and I was able to hang on the second day,'' Carson said. "It was nothing special. I had a double bogey mixed in there with some other birdies but the first day was a great start.''
Carson and Switzky played in separate groups on Monday so Carson didn't exactly know how the battle for the top spot stood during the match.
"He was keeping track but I was just trying to keep my head down and play,'' Carson said. "I didn't play 16 very well and he played it one shot worse than I did and I think he kind of figured that was kind of the end of the deal there.''
Scot Duddy (71-70) finished third at 141 while Patrick Golden (74-76), Chae Yi (77-73) and Don Jacobs (78-72) tied for fourth place at 150.
Awards were presented Monday in multiple age divisions for low gross and net (including handicap) scores.
The Champions event is named in honor of Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Famer Bill McDonald.
TGA BILL McDONALD CITY CHAMPIONS STROKE PLAY TOURNAMENT
At Lake Shawnee
36-hole final results
Overall gross -- 1. Dave Carson, 137; 2. Dennis Switzky, 140; 3. Scot Duddy, 141; 4 (tie) Patrick Golden, Chae Yi and Don Jacobs, 150.
40-49 gross -- 1. Patrick Golden, 150.
50-54 gross -- 1. Eric Ambrose, 159.
55-59 gross -- 1. Todd Zimlich, 152.
65-69 gross -- 1. Scot Duddy, 141.
70-74 gross -- 1. Don Jacobs, 150.
75 and over gross -- 1. Chae Yi, 150.
Overall net -- 1. Dennis Switzky, 138.
40-49 net -- 1. Timothy DeBusk, 152.
55-59 net -- 1. John Waldo, 155.
65-69 net -- 1. Pat Haley, 147.
70-74 net -- 1. Patrick Anderson, 155.
75 and over -- 1. Joe Wallingford, 162.