A Brief History of the Senior Stroke-Play Championship
The Sun Country Senior Stroke-Play Championship first began in 1981 with Fred Atkins of El Paso winning the inaugural event. It would be his first of three in a row. The Senior Stroke-Play Championship is also held in conjunction with the Senior PGA Professional National Championship Qualifier. The Senior PNC is the biggest tournament for senior PGA club professionals in the organization. The top thirty-five finishers in the senior PNC go on to play in the Senior PGA Championship.
In all, two Sun Country PGA seniors have participated in the Senior PGA Championship. Joe McDermott, six-time Sun Country PGA Senior Stroke-Play Champion, has qualified for six senior PGA Championships and has the best finish of any section senior with a tie for 46th in 1996. Bill Eschenbrenner also qualified for the Senior PGA in 1991 and finished in a tie for 68th.
In 2010, Mark Pelletier of El Paso CC completed the four-peat and cruised to victory posting rounds of 65 and 67 for a 36-hole total of 10-under par 132. Pelletier edged Tanoan CC Head Golf Professional Dal Daily by 3 strokes. Carlton Blewett of Spring River Golf Course finished third, shooting a 5-under par 137. All three gentlemen qualified for the 22nd Senior PGA Professional National Championship held at Toscana CC in Indian Wells, CA., from Oct. 7 - 10, 2010.
