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Wiemiller, Ellenburg, Stamey Win Arizona Senior Match Play Titles

MARICOPA, Ariz. – Aaron Wiemiller, Frank Ellenburg and Alex Stamey took home top honors in their respective divisions at the 2020 Arizona Senior Match Play Championship, played Thursday at Southern Dunes Golf Club.

“I’ve won some club championships growing up and I’ve advanced quite far in some other Match Play events, but I never thought this would happen.” said the champion, “I’m going to cherish this win.”

Wiemiller, the 2019 AGA Masters Player of the Year, beat Mark Ewing 3&1 in the Masters Division. Wiemiller was one down going into the ninth hole but was able to make a birdie to bring the match back to even. He then made birdie on 10 to go one up, followed that up with a long par putt on 11, and never lost momentum to the finish.

“My putter was working well today,” said Wiemiller. “I made some long putts for par, eight to ten footers, and I also made some birdie putts, which you need in match play”.

In the Legends Division, Frank Ellenburg raced to a 7&5 victory over Bob Burton. While the result on paper looked like a blowout, the match was far from a stroll in the park for Ellenberg, who admitted feeling nervous the entire match.

“I just couldn’t get the butterflies out of my system, but I think sometimes that’s good,” said Ellenberg. “This is something that I really – I can’t explain it but I really wanted to win it pretty bad. I can’t tell you how happy I am.”

Ellenburg was three up through nine then ran away with the match on the back nine with birdies on holes 10 and 11, followed by an eagle on 13. The win is his first match play tournament victory in Arizona.

In contrast, Stamey and John Hernandez had a battle on their hands going back and forth through 18 holes, ultimately needing 20 holes to crown Stamey the Seniors Division champion.

“It was a very close match between John and I, the most he was up was one,” said Stamey. “I was not up at all the whole match, until the winning a whole on the 19th.”

For Stamey, this is his first Arizona Golf Association title, as he just moved to the Grand Canyon State from Oregon.

I just got involved last summer,” said Stamey. “I love the events here and it’s just it’s a lot of fun. I love to competitive golf.”

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