NOPGA TO CONDUCT 38TH OHIO SENIOR OPEN MAY 31-JUNE 1 ON FIRESTONE’S FAZIO COURSE
A field that contains many players with championship resumes will gather on a venue of championship caliber when the Northern Ohio Section of the Professional Golfers Association of America conducts the 38th Ohio Senior Open next week on the Fazio Course at Firestone Country Club.
The 36-hole stroke-play event, sponsored by Michelob Ultra and presenting sponsors Firestone Country Club and the House of LaRose, will be conducted in two divisions on May 31-June 1. The Senior Division is for players 50-and-over as of June 1, 2023. The Senior Plus Division is for players 60-and-over.
The Ohio Senior Open is the first of approximately 10 “major” events conducted by the NOPGA. This will be the 21st consecutive year – and the 26th overall – that the event has been held at Firestone. The Fazio Course formerly was known as the West Course.
OHIO SENIOR OPEN FAST FACTS
WHAT: The 38th Ohio Senior Open conducted by the Northern Ohio Section of the Professional Golfers Association of America.
WHEN: May 31-June 1, 2023
WHERE: Firestone Country Club, Fazio Course.
WHO: Professionals and amateurs in age divisions: 50-and-over (Senior) and 60-and-over (Senior Plus).
FORMAT: 36 holes, stroke play
TITLE SPONSORS: Michelob Ultra; House of LaRose
SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Invited (Formerly Club Corp); Firestone Country Club.
ABOUT THE FAZIO COURSE: Par 35-35—70; 6,500 yards (6,095 for Seniors Plus).
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: Bob Sowards (Dublin, Ohio), is seeking a record fifth straight championship. Sowards won in a one-hole playoff last year against Sam Arnold (Cincinnati). Ed Steiber (Cincinnati) won the Seniors Plus title.
ADMISSION: THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FREE OF CHARGE.
BOB SOWARDS RESUMES OHIO SENIOR OPEN RECORD CHASE; CAN BECOME THE FIRST TO WIN FIVE CONSECUTIVE TITLES
Sowards, the Director of Instruction at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio, has an opportunity to make Senior Open history by winning a fifth consecutive championship.
Sowards, who turns 55 on June 9, and NOPGA Hall-of-Famer Gary Robison, currently share the record of having four titles each. However, only Sowards has won four in a row.
BOB SOWARDS IN WINNING THE LAST FOUR OHIO SENIOR OPENS
2022 67-68 – 135 (-5)
2021 65-68 — 133 (-7)
2020 68-68 — 136 (-4)
2019 69-63 — 132 (-8)
AVERAGE SCORE: 134 (-6)
REVIEW THE LIST: All Ohio Senior Open and Senior Plus Champions with venues and scores.
