The bad news - Buck Jones will not be at FDR to defend his Philadelphia Publinks Senior Championship which he won last year with a 65. The good news, it's because he will be at the Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh Indiana preparing for the USGA Senior Amateur Championship, which will be contested Sept. 16-21.

The hot month started with a runner-up finish in the Philadelphia Publinks Championship at Rancocas on August 3. Jones recorded a 72 which was good enough for a spot in the playoff which was eventually won by Sean Clifford. Next up was the Montgomery County Amateur two days later, August 5 & 6, which Jones led after one round and finished third. In the GAP's Warner Cup at Woodcrest CC on August 23 an even-par 71 earned Buck another runner-up, this time to Overbrook's Andy Thompson. Five days later Jones earned the coveted trip to Indiana in the USGA Senior Am qualifier.

Jones has been a fixture in Philadelphia Publinks events since winning the Publinks Championship at Wyncote GC in 2003. After more than 10 years in the professional ranks, Jones regained his amateur status in 1985. "Business pressures resulted in little tournament golf after that for awhile." After years of pursuing business interests, Jones said "I finally decided to try tournament golf with some of the Publinks tournaments."

Jones' golf career started early as a member of the Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School and Gettysburg College golf teams. Buck turned professional in 1974 and gave PGA Tour School a shot before returning to the Philadelphia area to work as an assistant professional. He played in local tournaments, highlighted by winning the Philadelphia Section Assistant's championship in 1981.

"I really had my mind on Senior events since age 55 came in late 2005. My senior debut was a 65 at FDR to win the Senior Publinks." Since then, Jones has targeted 2006, the senior events in particular, as both an opportunity and a challenge.

"Association with the Publinks allowed me to try some GAP events," which Jones took full advantage of in starting his strong summer. In June, Jones paired with Mike Nilon of Philadelphia CC to win the GAP Senior Better-Ball of partners with a 6-under par 65. "I owe a lot to the Publinks for giving me a base to start playing tournament golf again. The organization runs a great group of tournaments that allow anyone to compete. And every year the competition gets better, which means you better raise your game too."

The PPGA is guaranteed to crown a new senior champion this year without Jones. "Sadly, I can't defend because 2006 has been a very good year so far."

Jones capped an impressive August of golf with his 4-under 68 at Cherry Valley Golf Club in Skillman, NJ which was good enough for 2nd place and a spot in the USGA championship. "It might be a national stage but I know that if I keep playing the way I have been, I can qualify and make some noise in match play," said Jones. Stay Tuned...

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