Whitman Shoots 66 to Claim Title at Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open

Final Scores (pdf)

COOPERSTOWN, NY – Ed Whitman, of Blairstown, N.J., shot a Friday-best 66, for a three-day total of 202 to capture the Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open golf championship on Friday. Whitman was in the lead heading into Friday's play and birdied the last five holes on Friday to clinch the win.

"This is always a great event, it's the highlight of our season," said Whitman, who took home the $8,000 winner's check. "This is my seventh time in the Otesaga Seniors Open, and I'm always excited to come back. The entire staff is so gracious, and it helps such a great cause with Pathfinder Village."

Also shooting a 66 on Friday was second-place finisher Mark Balen, of Lackawanna, N.Y., who had a three-day total of 203 and just three shots off the lead was Ron Schroeder of Montgomery, Texas with 205.

Scott Spence, of Portsmouth, R.I. and Ken Tarling of Sandford, Ontario, finished tied for fourth with a three-day score of 207.

The 28th annual tournament featured 103 senior golfers from throughout the country competing for a total purse of $75,000. The traditional post-Labor Day event is hosted by the Otesaga Hotel and its Leatherstocking Golf Course, and presented by sponsors NBT Bank, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Strategic Financial Services of Utica.

Proceeds from this event benefit Pathfinder Village, located in nearby Edmeston, a residential community dedicated to children and adults with Down syndrome. Annually, the Seniors Open raises more than $50,000 for scholarships for Pathfinder Village.

Proceeds also benefit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum educational programs, which enable the world-famous Museum to fulfill its educational mission and care for its collections.