Rob Moss rallies to win a brand NOPGA new event
A chip-in birdie on the 17th hole propelled Pepper Pike Club head professional Rob Moss to the Northern Ohio PGA Senior Match Play Championship on Thursday at Portage Country Club.
Moss, one of the most prolific winners in Section history, made par on the final hole to post a 1-up victory over PGA Life Member Tom Atchison.
Atchison, a multiple match-play winner, defeated Youngstown Country Club assistant professional Jon Jones, 4-and-3, in the semifinals while Moss reached the finals with a 4-and-3 win over Mount Vernon Country Club head professional Joshua Coad.
Previously played in conjunction with and as a division of the Denny Shute Match Play Championship, the new Senior Match Play Championship is a season-long tournament where participants age 50 or older schedule their matches at an agreed-upon location with a deadline set for each round. Seedings are based on the Senior Player of the Year points list at the conclusion of the Senior Section Championship. The reigning Senior Match Play Champion receives the #1 seed.
The final match was played at Portage on Thursday instead of its originally scheduled date of Friday at the Pepper Pike Club due to anticipated inclement weather.
Moss trailed by two holes as he and Atchison made the turn but he made a routine two-putt par to Atchison’s bogey on the 487-yard 11th hole and pulled even three holes later when he made an 8-foot birdie putt to Atchison’s par.
The match remained tied until the 377-yard 17th when Moss hit a 9-iron from 138 yards that ran through the green. Atchison two-putted for par and Moss’s aggressive chip from just off the green hit the stick and fell for birdie and the win.
“If that ball doesn’t hit the stick I’m afraid it might have rolled way past the hole,” said Moss. “But, that’s match play.”
FINAL RESULTS: Northern Ohio PGA
2023 NOPGA Senior Match Play Championship
Portage Country Club, Akron
Thursday, October 19, 2023 (Final Match)
BlueGolf Match Play Brackets >
Round of 16
Dan Sutton vs Gary Trivisonno – Trivisonno wins 2&1
Sean Kenily vs Rob Moss – Moss wins 5&4
Mitch Camp vs Tom Waitrovich – Waitrovich wins 3&2
Steve Parker vs Josh Coad – Coad wins 3&2
Brad Cavey vs Tom Atchison- Atchison wins 4&3
Gary Rusnak vs Dan Terry – Terry wins win 19 holes
Tony Adcock vs Scott Pollack – Pollack wins 2&1
Trevor Thomas vs Jon Jones – Jones wins 4&3
Round of 8
Gary Trivisonno ($400) vs Rob Moss – Moss wins 1 Up
Tom Waitrovich ($400) vs Joshua Coad – Coad wins 4&3
Dan Terry ($400) vs Tom Atchison – Atchison wins 1 Up
Jon Jones vs Scott Pollack ($400) – Jones wins 3&2
Semi-Finals
Rob Moss vs Joshua Coad ($700) – Moss wins 3&2
Tom Atchsion vs Jon Jones ($700) – Atchison wins 4&3
Finals
Rob Moss ($1200) vs Tom Atchison ($900) – Moss wins 1Up
