Simson wins 8th N.C. Senior Amateur title

The pertinent numbers for Raleigh’s Paul Simson now are eight and 30.

When Simson charged from behind Wednesday to win the N.C. Senior Amateur Championship, it was his eighth title in the event in the past 11 years. More so, it was Simson’s 30th Carolinas Golf Association win, a nice career milestone.

Simson had a final-round 66 at Porters Neck Country Club in Wilmington to finish at 6-under 210 and edge Jim Grainger of Charlotte and Doug Owens of Albemarle by a shot. Grainger led after each of the first two rounds.

Simson said he had not had many low scores this year, telling the CGA, “This is only the 3rd round in the 60s all year. … I played like I'm capable of playing.”

It was the fifth straight year Grainger finished as the runner-up in the tournament. Grainger, who lost in a playoff to Simson last year, had a final-round 73 Wednesday.

"I figured if I shot even par I thought I would be tough to beat, but you have to remember Paul Simson is in the field and he can shoot anything,” Grainger told the CGA.

Owens, playing with Simson, had a final-round 68, missing a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have tied him for the lead.

Ed Byman of Raleigh finished third at 214 after a 71 and Preston Edmondson of Morrisville was at 215.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Simson wins 8th N.C. Senior Amateur title."