This was the 36th USGA championship for Gene Elliot, but the first time he walked away victorious.
At no point in the final of the 66th U.S. Senior Amateur did he lead, until his opponent, Jerry Gunthorpe, missed an eight foot par putt, opening the door for Elliot to claim a 1-up win at Country Club of Detroit in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.
“That match was so tough that I am not sure, did I win?” said Elliott. “I guess it just hasn’t sunk in yet. Just so much goes with that USGA title that maybe that’s why I haven’t won it in the past. It’s just so important and so meaningful to win a USGA championship.
“I’m relieved. I’m very proud. I didn’t do it by myself. I had a lot of help from a lot of different people, so it is a team win, really.”
Elliot celebrated with his caddie, then had a long embrace with his wife who was able to watch shot for shot.
Along with the win, Gene receives exemptions into a number of future USGA events including the next two U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships and U.S. Amateur Championships.
As for the runner-up, Gunthrope earned his way into the 2021 U.S Mid-Am as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur.
