Raleigh’s Paul Simson fires 67 to win his 7th Senior Am title

Paul Simson of Raleigh has collected another Carolinas Golf Association title.

Simson first fired a final-round 67, then edged Jim Grainger of Charlotte on the second playoff hole Thursday to win the N.C. Senior Amateur title at Champion Hills Club in Hendersonville. It was Simson’s seventh Senior Amateur victory and his 29th CGA championship.

Grainger, playing in the event for the fourth time, notched his fourth runner-up finish. He has lost three times in playoffs, twice to Simson.

Simson won the 2012 tournament with a birdie on the second playoff hole at Oak Valley Golf Club in Advance to defeat Grainger. That was Simson’s 25th CGA championship title, topping the long-standing record of 24 set by Dale Morey.

Simson, who celebrated his 64th birthday on Sunday, wasn’t sure if he would be able to finish Thursday’s round. He has had health issues the past few months.

“I think this an indication that I will be playing quite a bit,” he said.

This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 9:20 AM with the headline "Raleigh’s Paul Simson fires 67 to win his 7th Senior Am title."