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9-4-08 WISCONSIN STATE SENIOR OPEN
Paul Schwarz isn’t the best-known player in Wisconsin golf circles, but he took home one of the state’s top prizes Wednesday in come-from-behind fashion at The Racine CC. Schwarz, a bank manager from Appleton, won the Wisconsin State Senior Open on the strength of a final-round 69. That followed a first round 73 and allowed Schwarz to finish the tournament at 2-under-par 142.
Another amateur player, Mark Bemowski of Mukwonago, tied for second at even par 144, along with professional Steve Krause of Hales Corners. Both Bemowski and Krause shot identical scores of 73-71. John Pallin, an amateur from Kenosha, shot 75-70–145 and finished fourth.
Defending champion Clark Eitchstedt, a professional from Kewaskum, tied for ninth with scores of 72-76–148.
Thanks to an early morning weather delay Wednesday, the day’s tee sheet was tossed aside and the final round was played under a shotgun-start format.
Schwarz, 50, rallied on the back nine to overtake Bemowski, who was in the same group. Schwarz made four birdies in an eight-hole span to put the finishing touches on his round of 69. Afterward, Schwarz admitted that the State Senior title was the highlight of his golfing career.
“Without a doubt, this is the biggest tournament I’ve ever won,” Schwarz said. “I’ve had to exorcise a lot of demons, but I finally won one.”
Schwarz did not participate in the Wisconsin State Golf Association State Senior Amateur Championship, which was also played at The Racine CC at the end of August. He shot 78-89–167 and missed the cut at the Wisconsin State Amateur Championship, presented by Tiziani Golf Car Corp., in July at Old Hickory GC in Beaver Dam.
Among the perks awarded to Schwarz is an exemption for the 2009 Wisconsin State Open Championship, which will be held on the Meadow Valleys Course at Blackwolf Run in Kohler next August. The 2009 Wisconsin State Senior Open will be played at Mascoutin GC in Berlin next September.
The State Senior Open is scheduled to return to The Racine CC in 2012.
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