Brandes comes from behind to win WSGA Senior Men’s Amateur

Tom Brandes of Bellevue, Wash. entered the final round 1-stroke behind Jim McNelis of Gig Harbor, Wash. and used a final round of 1-under par 71 to force a playoff. Brandes carded rounds of 72 and 70 earlier in the week to finish the Championship at 3-under par 213 and win the WSGA Senior Men’s Amateur title at Bellingham Golf and Country Club.

McNelis opened with rounds of 71 and 70 and closed with an even par 72 to also tie at 3-under par 213 which included a clutch 5-foot putt for par on the finishing hole. In the playoff both players birdied the 469-yard 1st hole and then made par on the par-4 2nd, 3rd and 4th holes before Brandes sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 373-yard 5th hole to seal the victory.