June 5, 2011

PING Pro Bob Gilder’s 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole proved to be the clincher in his one-stroke victory at the Principal Charity Classic in West Des Moines, Iowa. On the European Senior Tour, Peter Fowler had a three-shot win at the ISPS Handa Senior Masters in Melton Mowbray, England.

Gilder birdied three of the last four holes on Sunday to post a final-round 6-under 65. The 60-year-old was emotional in a post-round interview. “It’s been a long time,” he said of his first title since 2006. “You put in a lot of work as you get older. You kind of wonder if you can do it again.”

Key to Gilder’s 10th Champions Tour title were his S56 irons, giving the model 18 wins worldwide. He also relied on a K15 driver, TiSI Tec 3-wood, i15 hybrids, Tour black nickel wedges, and a JAS Piper putter.

The 51-year-old Fowler won his first European Senior Tour event with a 10-under total. He hadn’t tasted victory since 1993, and has slowly regained his form since undergoing back surgery two years ago. “I didn’t know if I would even play Tour golf again, so this means a lot.”