Success as a senior

While most professional golfers 50 years and older see their skills decline with age, Ben Crenshaw seems to be an anomaly on the Champions Tour.

The 56-year-old part-time resident of Monarch Beach has actually seen his results improve since joining the Champions Tour in 2002.

Crenshaw finished tied for third Sunday at the Toshiba Classic, for his second top-20 finish in four events this year.

“I played well for the most part this week,” said Crenshaw who had rounds of 66, 69, 67. “I knocked on the door, I just needed a couple of things to happen at the right times.”

In his debut season, Crenshaw made three top 20s in 20 events. The following year he had three. In 2004, Crenshaw had none and in 2005 three.

In 2006, however, Crenshaw had six top 20s in 15 events and last year he had 10 top 20s. His earnings of $842,966 were almost more than his previous four years combined.

When Crenshaw first came out on tour he felt he needed to hit the ball farther and his quest for length altered his game negatively.

“I’ve played better in the last three years,” Crenshaw said. “I made an equipment change, I went to soft shafts in my irons that’s helped quite a bit. I have a new shaft in my driver and that’s helped my rhythm.”

That gave Crenshaw pause to look at his other equipment and tune up his game.

“I was using too shift a staff,” Crenshaw said. “I don’t try to go at the ball as hard as I did. I also changed my ball. If you can see some better shots go out that helps. You want to be able to play your misses and before I had too many debilitating misses.”

One thing has eluded him and that is a victory. He has played in 112 Champions Tour events and has not won.

“I feel a win is there,” Crenshaw said. “I just want to knock on the door a few more times. You have to put yourself in contention to do that. You have to see those things.”

Ironically, Crenshaw won in his first event on the PGA Tour, the 1973 Texas Open. He won 18 more times, his last victory coming at the 1995 Masters.

He came close at the Toshiba Classic last year, finishing tied for third and a few months later was second in the U.S. Senior Open.

“I just have to see a few more things happen,” Crenshaw said. “I had lots of chances this week. In order to get your confidence way up there you need to see things. I need to see a few more things to get a little closer.”