Bill Schumaker of Crooked Lake Golf Course is now thought to be the first super senior to claim victory at a regular Indiana PGA event. After turning 60 last November, he joined the super senior ranks and had quite the showing at Indiana’s season opener April 19 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne. He carded an even-par 72 at the first Pepsi Club Car Tournament Series to finish tied with Todd Smith of Rock Hollow Golf Club and Chris Drake of Dick’s Sporting Goods.  

The three competitors went back to the hole #1 for the playoff where Drake pulled it slightly left into the rough between some trees, and Schumaker landed his 185 out in the right fairway bunker. The advantage immediately went to Smith, who drove his into the rough. Despite the different lies, all ended up in the front greenside bunker after their approaches. It was Smith who put his bunker shot to four feet, just in front of Schumaker. Drake bladed his bunker shot to a hill over the green and took himself out of the playoff. After the other two made par, they continued to the par-5 second hole.

Schumaker again drove into the bunker and again gave Smith the advantage. This time he drove into the fairway. Smith hit the green in regulation but couldn’t convert an eight footer for the win. Two pars continued the showdown to the third and final hole.

Both players approached the green from the fairway, but left themselves long birdie putts. Schumaker was on the fringe and lagged up to within a foot. Smith left his first putt five feet short and lipped his second putt out, creating opportunity for Schumaker to end the playoff. But surprisingly, he lipped out as well and tapped in for a bogey. The small crowd that had gathered started going to the 4th tee, but was stopped when Smith missed the short putt for bogey to stay alive.

Schumaker showed gratitude to his long-time friend and competitor. With nine Player of the Year honors, Smith overshadows Schumaker’s five titles, but Schumaker’s senior status has also earned him eight Senior Player of the Year awards since 2000 – an honor Smith has to wait three more years to chase. 

The only other fact more remarkable than Schumaker’s competitiveness as a super senior and number of awards to his name, is that only six months ago he underwent heart surgery and was forced off the golf course for nearly three months. Close to Christmas this past winter, he was able to head south to Florida and pick up a club again. After a brief recovery time, his debut in Indiana in April proved that experience and determination can still win over youth.

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