By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Monday and Tuesday's Topeka Golf Association Bill McDonald Champions Stroke Play Tournament at Topeka Country Club was as much about perseverance as it was about golf, with the temperature eclipsing 100 degrees both days.
Gary Lucas won the Bill McDonald Champions Stroke Play title for the second straight year Tuesday at Topeka Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But just as he had in the 2022 tournament, which was also played in sweltering conditions, Gary Lucas beat the heat and the tourney field, earning the tournament championship in the city event for players aged 40 and over, shooting a 36-hole score of 146 with rounds of 74 and 72.
Jeremiah Nelson (77-70) and Phil Frost (74-73) finished a stroke behind Lucas at 147 while Dan Key (74-74) finished at 148 and Doug Hamilton (77-73) at 150.
Awards were presented Tuesday in seven different 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, who was in attendance Tuesday.
Adam Head was honored Tuesday as the 2023 TGA Player of the Year, the third time he has won the award. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Also on Tuesday, Adam Head was honored as the TGA 2023 Player of the Year.
The Player of the Year award is based on results from all TGA events.
Head earned the Player of the Year award for the third time.
BILL McDONALD CITY CHAMPIONS STROKE PLAY TOURNAMENT
At Topeka Country Club
36-hole final results
Overall gross -- 1. Gary Lucas, 146; 2. (tie) Jeremiah Nelson and Phil Frost, 147; 4. Dan Key, 148; 5. Doug Hamilton, 150.
40-49 gross -- 1. Jeremiah Nelson, 147 (won scorecard playoff)
50-54 gross -- 1. Sean McClain, 159.
55-59 gross -- 1. Dan Key, 148.
60-64 gross -- 1. C.C. Metzler, 151.
65-69 gross -- 1. Pat Haley, 156.
70 and over gross -- 1. Chuck Norris, 159.
Overall net -- 1. Doug Hamilton, 138.
40-49 net -- 1. Phil Frost, 143.
50-54 net -- 1. Jeff Quinton, 150.
55-59 net -- 1. Dan Piles, 145..
60-64 net -- 1. Scot Duddy, 153.
65-69 net -- 1. Steve Schreiner, 143.
70 and over -- 1. Dennis Switzky, 143.
