PALM HARBOR, FL (November 1, 2017) - In wire-to-wire fashion Allen Barber took the Society of Senior Championship hosted by Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.
Playing the final day at the Copperhead Course Barber shot a 6-over 77 to finish 7-over and as the winner by one. After starting the tournament with a 3-under 68 on the Copperhead Course things were a bit different for Barber as he struggled his way through a one birdie, seven bogey final round. His lone birdie came on No. 4 and it seemed like Barber was in control but he was forced to hang on the rest of the way as he bogeyed seven of the next 12 holes. Barber did close strong with consecutive pars.
Prior to his first ranking win of the year Barber, ranked seventh in the AmateurGolf.com Senior Rankings, had seven top-10 finishes with his best finish coming in the form of a T3 at the Canadian Senior Amateur.
Stepen Maddalena and Keith Decker shared second at 9-over Richard Kerper was fourth at 10-over while Emile Vaughan was fifth at 12-over.
Decker, ranked second in the AGC Senior Rankings, was in a position to win but he finished double-bogey, bogey, bogey.
SUPER SENIOR DIVISION
In the Super Senior Division Don Donatoni carded the round of the day, an even-par 72 in the Island Course, to finish 10-over and as a come from behind one-stroke winner. 3-over after eight holes Donatoni played the final 10 holes in 3-under as he carded two birdies, an eagle on the par-5 11th and just one bogey. Donatoni began the round four off the pace.
Neil Spitalny was second at 11-over and in third it was George Walker at 12-over. 36-hole leader Pete Allen dropped into a tie for sixth at 14-over.
GRAND MASTER DIVISION
Like in the Senior Division it was Jerry Hutton winning the Grand Master Division in wire-to-wire style. Playing on the Island Course Hutton closed with a 4-over 76 to post 7-over and then he had to win a playoff over George Washburn to capture the title.
Both players had a chance to win the tournament in regulation but Hutton bogeyed the last two while Washburn bogeyed the 18th.
Frank Guise was third at 10-over.
ABOUT THE
SOS Dale Morey
54 hole stroke play event that honors one of the
founders of the SOS, Dale Morey, who won more
than 250 events in a lifetime of golf. In 2021 the
tournament switched
to a single division. SOS annual meeting and
banquet is held with this tournament.
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