Mike Allen shot 74-69=143 over Cowan Creek and White Wing Golf Courses in Sun City to win the Sun City Invitational by five shots over Peach Reynolds and six shots over Manny Bhakta. Geoff Champlin finished in fourth place. The tournament had a small field due to the conflicts with the Firecracker Open qualifier, the Texas Amateur, the U.S. Open and Fathers Day.
As a note to those players that might be interested in playing in this event in the future, the courses were good and this event has a future. Cowan Creek is longer and more open while White Wing is more strategic and had more demanding green complexes. Andy Miller, shown here presenting the trophy to Allen, is the Head Professional at the White Wing course. Miller and staff ran a good event and players should keep this tournament in mind for the future.
Allen, who started the day one shot behind Reynolds and Bhakta birdied the first hole of play, which was #19 on the White Wing Course and took firm hold of the championship when he birdied the 14th while Reynolds made a double and Bhakta made bogey. He got to five under after 12 holes but bogied the final two holes to post a three under par 69.
Don Grider shot 71-73 to win the Senior division handily. Grider, who is 71, is an inspiration to all golfers who hope to play well as they age. Andy Miller shakes his hand and presents him with the winner's trophy.
