DENIS DALE has narrowly defeated overnight leader Chris Coates to win the 2009 South Australian Senior Amateur Championship in testing conditions at the Mount Gambier Golf Club.

The popular NSW senior golfer battled it out with long time friend Coats (QLD) to snare the tournament by a single stroke in the 54 hole event after a final two days of strong winds and cool weather.

Teeing off together for the final round Coats held a one stroke lead over Dale with eventual third placegetter Dave Morrison three further back.

Coats was in trouble early and was forced to take an unplayable lie penalty on the first hole.

The top pair were now tied but when Coats hit every green for the rest of the nine and Dale three putted on two occasions Coats had a two stroke lead with the second nine remaining.

Playing some beautiful golf Morrison had narrowed the gap and was only a stroke behind Dale.
The second nine saw the consistently good play continue until Coats bogied 12 and 13 allowing Dale to draw level. A great bunker recovery and a 4 metre putt on 14 gave Coats the lead again.

The turning point came on the par 5 fifteenth. Coats went left and found trouble as did Morrison with both players having to chip out and eventually bogeying the hole.

Dale wedged to very close and holed the downhill putt to claim the lead for the first time. When he parred 16 and the difficult 17th he had a 3 stroke lead.
Both players found the green in regulation on 18 and although Coats holed a long birdie putt Dale still had 3 putts to win. Morrison finally holed a putt and his last round 77 gave him outright third place and his best performance in an Australian Senior ranking event.
Queenslander Peter King continued good recent form and a good closing round of 75 gave him fourth place, a stroke in front of Stefan Albinksi who saved his best round to last with a fine 74.
Final Result:

1    224    Dale Denis    NSW    72  -  76  -  76 Asquith
2    225    Coats Chris    QLD    70  -  77  -  78 Royal Queensland
3    228    Morrison Dave    QLD    75  -  76  -  77 Coolangatta
4    229    King Peter    QLD    75  -  79  -  75 Windaroo
5    230    Albinski Stefan    NSW    77  -  79  -  74 Mona Vale
6    233    Walker Ray    VIC    79  -  79  -  75 Chirnside Park
7    234    Beaumont John    SA    78  -  81  -  75 Mt Gambier
8    235    Giles Pat    VIC    78  -  80  -  77 Coonawarra
8    235    Percy Ross    VIC    75  -  78  -  82 Cobram Barooga
10    236    Aigner Wayne    VIC    82  -  79  -  75 Sandhurst
10    236    Bowen Graham    WA    80  -  77  -  79 Mandurah
10    236    Stephens John    NSW    75  -  82  -  79 Mollymook

(Original source material courtesy of AUSOOM)

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