First round co-leader Max Fain was never out of contention in the final round of the Spartanburg County Senior Amateur at Woodfin Ridge.

But by the 17th hole he needed something good to happen or Brian Kennedy, playing in the same group, would win the county title.

“I was hitting my irons so good in both rounds,” said Fain, “I hit 34 of 36 greens in regulation,” he recalled.

More than a couple of his approach shots knocked down flags and it seemed to Fain and Kennedy that one of those good iron shots would end up in the cup.

Fain had a few close calls during the final round before he came to the 17th hole.

“I never felt like I couldn’t win, but Brian had just made three straight birdies,” said Fain.

Kennedy had a two stroke lead and perennial favorite Stan Sill was a hole in front with a chance to go to seven-under par.

Fain, believing in his iron play launched a wedge from 110 yards toward the 17th green flag.

“It hit and skipped a little and then I saw it roll in,” said Fain.

Before he could react to the great shot, Kennedy had him a bear hug.

“He had hit so many good shots, I knew he was going to get one of them in the hole. I was really happy for him,” said Fain’s long time friend.

Kennedy dropped a birdie putt on top of Fain’s eagle to keep the two even at 7-under par.

In front of the two leaders Sill finished at 6-under par.

Fain hit a solid drive on the par-5 finishing hole and his second shot left him needing another good wedge to the green.

He got it when his ball rolled to 15 feet of the pin.

After Kennedy missed his birdie chance, Fain rolled in his putt for the win.

“I hit three quality golf shots on the last hole. I hit the putt a little harder than I usually would have, but it went in the hole,” said Fain.

The 2023 Spartanburg Senior champion finished at 8-under par by cutting three shots in the last two holes for his first county win since he was a junior,

“I won a junior (1984), never won the regular county and had a really good shot at a senior when we played at Carolina, so this is great to win,” said Fain.

Kennedy finished second a shot back at 7-under par with Sill taking third place at 6-under.

First round co-leader Stepp finished at even par and took fourth with Ronnie Pruitt in fifth.

Fain was very pleased with the win, but was also happy that the seniors put on a good show and played some very good golf.

“You look at the scores and you can see there were a lot of guys who can play and showed it. This was a very good tournament,” he said.

The Super-Senior championship was decided on an extra hole,

First round co-leader Roger Page and Bill Oldham finished regulation tied at 142.

Oldham had the best Super-Senior round of the tournament when he shot a 2-under par 70 in the final round.
Oldham picked up the Super-Senior title with the playoff win.

All the Spartanburg County Amateurs are presented by First Tee Upstate. The youth golf and character development organization benefits from the proceeds of the tournament.

The tournament is sponsored by Budweiser of Spartanburg and the Morgan Square Hospitality Group,
Scores from the Spartanburg County.

Scores from the Spartanburg County Senior championship https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/9375900175731575395