Late birdie run helps Baker shoot final-round 67, claim title
After missing an opportunity to win the Houston city amateur 10 years ago in a playoff loss, Buzz Baker made sure there weren’t going to be any extra holes to decide a winner on Sunday at Memorial Park Golf Course.
Eligible for the Greater Houston Senior City Amateur Championship for the first time, the 55-year-old Baker birdied four consecutive holes down the stretch to beat runner-up and 2012 champion Gary Durbin by five shots.
This time, the congratulations were directed toward Baker, who shot a 5-under-par 67 on Sunday and a 5-under 211 overall.
“I’m usually happy for the other guys, so it’s really nice to be on the receiving end for once,” said Baker, who birdied holes 14-17 to distance himself from the pack.
Baker, a mortgage banker for Houston-based Network Funding, LP, and a former golfer at Stephen F. Austin State, carded rounds of 71-73-67 in what he said is the highlight of his individual amateur career.
“I’m the young old guy. It’s very humbling,” Baker said. “Kind of the same fraternity of guys over the years.”
Scott Smith finished third at 1-over-par 217, and Hunter Nelson was fourth at 2-over-par 218 in the 54hole tournament conducted by the Houston Golf Association.
On the 14th hole, Baker, who plays out of Shadow Hawk, hit his approach 6 feet above the hole. On 15 and 16, respectively, he placed his approach shots 18 inches and 10 inches from the hole. And his brilliant shot making continued when his second shot on No. 17 stopped 6 feet of the pin.
“Catching Buzz was tough duty today,” said Smith, who had rounds of 75-69-73. “That’s awesome to bear down and get it done. It’s awesome to be in the moment and actually perform.”
Durbin, Nelson and Marshall Piper were tied at 2-under going into Sunday’s final round. Durbin, who plays out of Champions Golf Club, shot 74 for his even-par 216.
“I’m very pleased with the second-place finish,” said the 60-year-old Durbin, an All-American golfer at Penn State in 1979. “When you’re leading, you’d like to finish it off. Today was an opportunity to win the senior twice.”
Baker is one of the more popular golfers on the Houston-area amateur circuit and fellow competitors lauded his winning the prestigious tournament as well as his outstanding play.
“He’s a great guy and everybody likes him,” Smith, 58, said. “I’m pleased for him.”
Added Durbin: “Buzz has been a very good longtime amateur here. He got it going. Today, 5-under is very strong.”