Final Is a Promising Encore

Greg Reynolds and Mark Bemowski have become good friends since they met in the final of the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship in 2002, but that friendship will take a backseat when they face off for the title again today at Bel-Air Country Club.

Reynolds, who won that 2002 match, defeated Michael Walters of Tampa, Fla., 4 and 3, Wednesday in the semifinals and Bemowski won by the same score over Alan Foster of Manilus, N.Y., to set up the rematch.

“I’ll be trying to beat his brains out,” said Bemowski, 58, of Mukwanago, Wis.

“You have to play like you hate your opponent and you hate the golf course,” said Reynolds, 57, of Grand Blanc, Mich.

It is only the third championship rematch in the 50-year history of the senior amateur. Frederick J. Wright and J. Clark Espie split their matches in 1956 and ’57. Dale Morey defeated Lewis W. Oehmig in 1974 and again in ’77.

Reynolds and Bemowski didn’t know each other before that 2002 final but have since played numerous practice rounds and gone out to dinner. They have not played head-to-head since then, however.

“Sometimes it’s hard to play against people you consider your friend,” Reynolds said. “You just have to forget that you’re friends with him.”

Reynolds has yet to advance past the 15th hole in his five matches. When he lost the fourth hole Wednesday, it was the first time he had trailed in a match. He won the next four, however, and was 3 up by the turn.

Bemowski, a five-time Wisconsin amateur champion, never trailed in his semifinal. He won Nos. 9 and 10 to take a 3-up lead, lost No. 12, but then won 13 with a rare birdie on the 213-yard par-three.

He said he’ll approach the final with revenge on his mind.

“From the day I lost that match [in 2002], I’ve dreamt about a rematch with Greg,” he said.

“What more could I ask for? How many times do you get a second chance at something?”