The two NSW golfers have had some epic battles over the years and a show down between the two top seeds had loomed all week as 32 entrants battled each other as well as some uncertain weather conditions.
Oliver and Dale finished one two in that order in this year’s Men’s Senior Amateur Australian Order of Merit and Dale was delighted to reverse the tables.
In perfect conditions today, he won 6/4 on the 14th hole in a match many expected would go right down to the wire. Dale played excellent, golf missing just one green in regulation and was one under the card when the match concluded.
Oliver played solidly but narrowly missed a few vital putts on the tricky Barwon Heads greens.
The photo below of the outcome of their first two tee shots shows just how evenly matched they are.
Seeded one and two respectively, Oliver and Dale both won tightly contested semi-finals 2/1. Oliver had a close tussle with John Beaumont (SA) with the match all square after 13 hole whilst Dale established an early advantage over Norm Way (Qld) but was only 1 up after 15 holes.
Final Result:
Score: Denis Dale has won 6/4
Hole 1 (par 4): Halved
Hole 2 (Par 3): Denis had a par to go 1up
Hole 3 (par 4): Halved
Hole 4 (par 3): Halved
Hole 5 (par 5): Denis had a birdie to go 2up
Hole 6 (par 4): Halved
Hole 7 (par 4): Halved
Hole 8 (par 3): Denis had a par to go 3up
Hole 9 (par 4): Denis had a par to go 4up
Hole 10 (par 4): Halved in birdies
Hole 11 (par 4): Denis had a par to go 5up
Hole 12 (par 4): Rick had a par to close the gap and go 4 down
Hole 13 (par 3): Denis had a par to go 5up
Hole 14 (par 5): Denis had a par to win 6&4
Photos courtesy Golf Australia
For full results visit www.ausoom.com