With a field of 32 golfers for the first time in event history, the 6th SCGA Senior Match Play Championship named what some may see as an unlikely winner. Dan Pouliot of Burbank, who entered the tournament as the No. 20 seed, defeated No. 3-seeded Michael Turner 1 up in the event's final match to win his first individual SCGA title.
With the top two seeds falling quickly in the first round of action, the Senior Match Play title was up for grabs. Defeating No. 13 Mel Collins, No. 4 James Camaione, No. 28 Tim Lawlor and No. 16 Patrick Carrigan, Pouliot had a date with Turner in the finals. Despite getting off to a rocky start, which gave Turner a 2 up advantage after the third hole, Pouliot found his stroke, remaining 1 or 2 up for nine of the round's last 11 holes.
With a slim 1 up lead entering the 16th hole, Pouliot stuck his second shot, a 135-yard approach from the middle of the fairway, to just about 10 feet from the hole, allowing him to bump his advantage to two holes with two to play. Turner, however, would not give up, capitalizing on a three-putt mishap from Pouliot and making his up and down for par.
Needing to win the 18th hole, Turner put the pressure on Pouliot, striping his drive into the middle of the fairway. Then, playing first on the second shot, he landed his approach just 10 feet from the flag, giving himself a chance for eagle on the par 5 hole. Pouliot quickly answered back, giving himself the chance for a 15-foot eagle putt, one he sunk for the win.
"There weren't many highlights, but that was definitely one of them," said Pouliot with a smile after the conclusion of the match.
