Staff Reports
Albany’s own Sonny Skinner finished tied for 28th at the 73rd Senior PGA Championship, shooting a two under par 286. Skinner finished 15 strokes behind winner Roger Chapman at the PGA’s premier seniors event. Skinner cited bizarre conditions for making it difficult to play. “But this course played totally different every day, it seemed like. The temperature would fluctuate 20, 25 degrees it seemed like and the winds would fluctuate from five to 25 miles an hour,” he said.
No one should think Skinner is blaming the course though. “I loved it. I enjoyed it. I look forward to coming back. I do not have a problem with this golf course. I like it a lot,” said after finishing up Sunday’s round.
Skinner shot 77, 70, 69, and 70 in his four rounds at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores.
“[M]y best tournament of the season on the Champions Tour so far 31st is the best I’ve been able to do,” Skinner said Saturday after shooting a 69 on what was described as a “tough” course. By finishing 28th, Skinner certainly met that goal.
Skinner, a local club professional at River Pointe Golf Club, said he enjoyed getting to play with “the big boys” in the Senior levels of the PGA. “The PGA of America really goes above board giving us an opportunity as seniors to compete with these great players from all over the world,” Skinner said.
So what does Skinner’s schedule look like after this? “My schedule for the rest of the season, first and foremost I’ll be working some at River Pointe, but at the same time I’m going to try my hand at getting in some Champions Tour events and hopefully do a little better than I’ve done so far. But I’m going to play probably in, I hope five or six more Champions Tour events,” he said.
Skinner went on to say, “I am going to skip the National Club Pro Championship this year and try to play in a Champions Tour event. Give another player out of our section, Bill Murchison, an opportunity to play. He’s a good guy, I have known him since he was born, so I wish him all the luck.”
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