Rumson's Bill Britton Heads to U.S. Senior Open with Confidence

With two state tournament victories under his belt this season, Rumson's Bill Britton heads into this week's U.S. Senior Open at the famed Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio with a load of confidence.

Britton flew in Sunday and has played 54 holes on the course during practice rounds to prepare. He is scheduled to tee off at 1:05 p.m. Thursday for his first round with playing partners Jeff Thomsen of Boise, Idaho and Ron Vlosich of Lakewood, Colorado.

The same threesome goes out early for Friday's second round at 7:50 a.m.

Britton, who has served as Director of Golf Instruction & Schools for Trump National Golf Club in nearby Colts Neck for the past three years, enters this week on a high as he captured the New Jersey Senior PGA Championship for the second time in his career with a two-shot victory over three-time defending champion Chris Dachisen and Baker Maddera on July 19^th at Arcola Country Club in Paramus.

Britton, who won the event in 2006, shot a two-day total of 5-under-par 139, including a final round 2-under-par 70.

"I've been playing good for awhile now, hitting the ball well and playing well," said Britton, who won his second tournament in the past two months. "I played well in the NJ Senior PGA and it was encouraging as far as hitting the ball. I feel like I'm heading in the right direction with my game."

Britton won his first-ever New Jersey PGA Charity Clambake in June with a 6-under-par 210, one stroke better than Frank Esposito of Brooklake Country Club.

Last year, the 55-year-old Britton shot a 17-over par 297, including a solid final round even-par 70 (tied for 53^rd place), in his first-ever U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington, just outside Seattle.

"Last year at Sahalee, it was one of the best courses and experiences I had," said Britton via phone Tuesday night. "It was a real treat, a little more exciting, the crowds were huge and it just had that feel of a regular PGA major. I didn't play real good the first three days, so it was great to shoot par for the final round. For me to shoot par on that course, it was a good feeling."

A Donald Ross designed golf course which opened in 1903, Inverness will play 7,143 yards this week (37-34--par 71) and hosts its seventh USGA Championship and second U.S. Senior Open. Bruce Lietzke won in 2003.

Inverness has also had some great golf moments during its storied history including Bob Tway's hole-out from a greenside bunker, where he jumped up-and-down in celebration, at the 72nd hole to edge Greg Norman in the 1986 PGA Championship.

Hale Irwin won the second of his three U.S. Open victories in 1979 and in 1931, Billy Burke and George Von Elm staged the longest playoff in U.S. Open history. Tied after 36 extra holes, yes 36 extra holes, they were forced to play another 36, where Burke finally prevailed by a mere one stroke.

"The course is hard, but fair. The rough is not that brutal like some other tournaments, but its still tough," added Britton, who will have Nick Reaper, a local and Inverness caddy, on his bag. "You can play out of the rough, but with many tournaments, it boils down to making putts."

To follow Britton's real-time live scoring during the tournament, go to http://www.usga.org/ChampEventContent.aspx?id=2147493081