George Zahringer III, who turned 62 last week, celebrated by winning the 88th Metropolitan Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship at Westchester Country Club this week. Finishing with a 6-under 138 (a new MGA Senior Amateur record), he nearly lapped the field of 168 players aged 55 and older.
“Having made eleven birdies and one eagle over 36 holes gave me a huge cushion,” Zahringer said. He finished eight shots ahead of three-time MGA Senior Amateur champion Steve Rose of Fresh Meadow.
The win is the 16th MGA title collected by the Deepdale (and former Westchester Country Club) member. Among some 40 events he’s won since 1979 are the Met Open, Met Amateur and Ike Championships, the 2002 US Mid-Amateur, and the 2013 British Senior Amateur.
“Winning this means a lot,” Zahringer said. “Westchester Country Club is a great venue, and to win any MGA championship is a big deal.” The tournament was played on the club’s west course, which was set up for par 72 at 6,389 yards.
“I still have some aspirational goals in golf,” Zahringer added. “I’d like to play in a couple more US Senior Opens and I’m going to play in the 100th Met Open at Winged Foot—maybe surprise a few people.” He’s also going to try to qualify for the US Senior Amateur and the US Mid-Amateur.
Zahringer attributes his successful in golf, in part, to living and working in New York City, where the enforced long off-season helps him recharge and avoid injuries from over-play. “This was my first tournament of the year and I feel fresh mentally,” he said. “Competitive golf is not stale [for me].”