Claxton Captures Third Yamaha Georgia Senior Open Title at Echelon

Paul Claxton, PGA of America Director of Golf at Willow Lake Golf Club, captured his third Yamaha Georgia Senior Open title, presented by Wilson Golf, Tuesday at Echelon Golf Club, finishing the championship at 5-under-par.

Claxton entered Tuesday’s final round at 4-under-par after an opening-round 68. He carded a 1-under-par round on Tuesday to finish with a 139 total and secure the title. The victory adds to Claxton’s back-to-back Yamaha Georgia Senior Open wins in 2020 and 2021.

“I haven’t played that much this year. I’ve been really busy at work, but I feel very fortunate and like the golf course,” Claxton said.

Claxton began the final round tied at 4-under with professional John L. Smith, with PGA Director of Golf at Augusta Country Club, Tommy Brannen joining the two in the final pairing. As windy conditions made Echelon a tougher test on Tuesday, Claxton remained steady and created enough separation to give himself some breathing room coming down the stretch.

For Claxton, closing out the championship also carried extra significance because of his previous experience at Echelon. At the 2020 Yamaha Atlanta Open held at the course, Claxton 

finished tied for third after making a seven on the 18th hole.

“I had some success here before, and I kind of lost the tournament on the last hole, so that was in the back of my mind,” Claxton said. “I didn’t want to go through that again. So fortunately I had a little bit of a lead this time, and I could coast a little bit.”

Defending champion amateur Bob Royak of Alpharetta made a charge during the final round, firing a 4-under-par round, the low round of the day, to climb into a tie for second at 3-under-par. Royak finished alongside PGA Teaching Professional at Woodmont Golf and Country Club, Tim Weinhart and Smith, two shots behind Claxton. Brannen finished tied for fifth after a 1-over-par final round.

“It played a little tougher today with the wind,” Claxton said. “Scores were probably not as good today as they were yesterday, but all in all, it was a nice two days, and a very nice facility, and we were very fortunate to be able to play here.”

In the Super Senior Division, amateur John Foster of Woodstock successfully defended his title. Foster carded a 4-under-par final round to finish the championship at 3-under-par and claim the division for the second consecutive year.

Amateur Sedgie Newsome of Atlanta captured the Legends Division title, finishing the championship at 5-over-par.

For full results and more information about the Georgia PGA, visit www.georgiapga.com.