ATLANTA, GA — Paul Claxton, PGA Life Member from Claxton cruised to his second straight Yamaha Georgia Senior Open title. The 39thplaying of the tournament took place at the Georgia Southern University Golf Course in Statesboro this week. Tied entering today’s final round with noted amateur Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Claxton fired a second-round score of 4-under par 68 to finish at 9-under par 135 and pulled away from the field to win by five shots.
Hanzel finished as Low Amateur and tied for second in the Championship with Professional John L. Smith of Statesboro at 5-under par 139. Introduced in 2016, the Super Senior Division honors went to amateur Larry Vaughn of Greensboro with a score of 2-over-par 146 for the championship. Low Professional on the Super Senior Division was Bob Flanagan of Lawrenceville with a score of 3-over par 147.
The Yamaha Golf-Car Company has been a long-time supporter of the Georgia Section and serves as the title sponsor of the Atlanta Open and the Georgia Senior Open. Yamaha Golf-Car Company has based its North American headquarters in Newnan, located off I-85 in south metro Atlanta, since 1987. It has developed into one of the largest employers in Coweta County, with more than 1500 employees.
The Georgia PGA is one of the 41 Sections of the PGA of America. Its membership includes nearly 890 PGA professionals working at over 265 golf courses, clubs, and ranges throughout the state. Additionally, more than 35 Georgia PGA members compete on one of the PGA Tours. In keeping with the fundamental objectives laid down by its founders, one of the Georgia PGA’s primary goals is promoting the game of golf through clinics, junior and minority golf programs, consumer programs, and print, radio, and television media.