BEAUMONT, Calif. -- Thomas Herzan, of Findlay, Ohio, bogeyed the first hole and birdied the next four holes, on his way to capturing the fourth annual Callaway Golf PGA Western Winter Senior Stroke Play Championship, on the Champions Course at the PGA of Southern California Golf Club, Feb. 20, 2007.

A final round 5-under par 67, for a 203, gave second-round leader Herzan a one-shot victory over first-round co-leaders Ron Stelten, of Palm Desert, Calif., and Chris Starkjohann, of Encinitas, Calif. Stelten and Starkjohann tied for second at 204, with final round scores of 64 and 67 respectively. Stelten's 8-under par for the round was the low score of the week. Meanwhile, Starkjohann was the only player to break 70 during all three rounds.

Herzan fell behind early in the concluding round when he three-putted the first hole, as Starkjohann, the 2006 Senior PGA Professional of the Year, made birdie. But then, Herzan scored birdies on the next four holes to regain the lead.

Still, the Ohioan three-putted again at the 10th hole and was tied with Starkjohann, who made another birdie. Starkjohann then made a costly bogey at the par-5 11th hole, but birdied Nos. 13 and 16.

Herzan made birdies of his own on the 12th and 16th holes, part of a six birdie stretch among the final 10 holes that would eventually cinch the Championship.

"It's always nice to win, especially a big PGA of America event like this, being able to bring it home," said Herzan, who finished third in 2004, and tied for second in 2005, but missed the cut last year.

"I was having some back trouble, but it started coming around late last year," added Herzan, the PGA director of golf for 18 years at Findlay Country Club, before he retired two years ago. He now has the best of two worlds, teaching at Findlay in the summer and Quintero Golf Club in Peoria, Ariz., in the winter. Herzan is also a former winner of both the Arizona and Ohio Senior Opens and the Northern Ohio PGA Seniors" Championship.

Herzan, 54, received $1,000 for winning overall honors in the Callaway Golf Senior Stroke Play Championship, and $1,500 for pacing the 50-54 age group.

Other age group winners in the $15,900 Championship included: Jim White, of Lincoln, Neb., 55-59, 208; and both Ray Goodard, of Terre Haute, Ind., and Rob Brown, of Omaha, Neb., 60-and-over, 229. There were a total of 54 entries and 50 starters.

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

PGA Western Winter Championships
Callaway Golf Senior Stroke Play Championship
PGA of Southern California Golf Club - Beaumont, Calif.
Feb. 18-20, 2007
Champions Course, 6,559 yards, par 72

Overall
Thomas Herzan, Findlay, Ohio, $1,000 70-66-67--203
50-54
Thomas Herzan, Findlay, Ohio, $1,000 70-66-67--203
Ron Stelten, Palm Desert, Calif., $1,037.50 68-72-64--204
Chris Starkjohann, Encinitas, Calif., $1,037.50 68-69-67--204
Perry Arthur, Plano, Texas, $712.50 71-72-70--213
Michael Paul, Reno, Nev., $712.50 71-70-72--213
Michael Zaremba, Pueblo, Colo., $575 75-69-70--214
Jerry Herrera, Monrovia, Calif., $575 71-71-72--214
Jim Prusia, Bluffton, S.C., $500 75-68-72--215
Steve Prugh, Spokane, Wash., $450 75-71-70--216
William Loeffler, Highlands Ranch, Colo., $400 72-73-72--217
55-59
Jim White, Lincoln, Neb., $1,250 74-69-65--208
Paul Parajeckas, Woburn, Mass., $791.67 73-74-71--218
Thomas Page, N. Hills, Colo., $791.67 70-75-73--218
Paul Wise, Redondo Beach, Calif., $791.67 72-71-75--218
Greg Harmon, Mesa, Ariz., $600 78-72-69--219
Hank Woodrome, Yorba Linda, Calif., $550 76-71-73--220
Mike Darnell, Bay Shore, N.Y., $525 74-74-75--223
60-up
Ray Goddard, Terre Haute, Ind., $825 81-74-74--229
Rob Brown, Omaha, Neb., $825 78-75-76--229
Bob Phillips, Glendale, Ariz., $450 75-79-76--230