Houghton captures Kenai Peninsula Senior Open

Published 9:30 pm Saturday, July 13, 2019

Michael Houghton won the Kenai Peninsula Senior Open on the third playoff hole Sunday at Kenai Golf Course.

Both Houghton and Keith Stuart tied with a two-day, net total of 130. Houghton had rounds of 8-over-par 80 and 74, including a nice eagle on No. 11 on Sunday, that computed to 130 with his handicap of 12. Stuart had rounds of 76 and 86 with a handicap of 16. Stuart looked to have the tournament in hand before the infamous gully on the par-4 No. 18 handed him a nine to force the playoff.

The duo both made par on the par-3 10th the first two times. The third time, Houghton made another par, while Stuart took a bogey.

There also was drama for third place, with Charlie Kahakauwila, Bobby Bush and Bill Haese each firing two-day nets of 136. The trio also used No. 10 as the playoff hole. Bush notched a par, while the other two made bogey, to take third. Kahakauwila then topped Haese on the second playoff hole to take fourth.

Here are the other two-day net scores from the tournament: Mike Osif, 137; Pat Bowen, 140; Skip Dove and Gary Brumley, 141; Tom Reese, 144; Kirk Hyman, 147; Chuck Ruppenthal, 149; and John Gibson, 161.