Sunday, December 15, 2013

Hanzel wins senior title at Dixie Amateur

10:26 PM

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Doug Hanzel won the senior-division title of the 83rd Dixie Amateur at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla., posting a 5-under 211 total. Finishing in second was his longtime friend, Jack Hall, who posted a three-day total of 213.

Hanzel, who is a critical care Pulmonology specialist from Savannah, Ga., is the 2013 U.S. Senior Amateur champion.

“Practice golf or practice medicine,” said Hanzel with a laugh after becoming the low amateur at the 2013 U.S. Senior Open. “I’d like to play more golf but I have a full time job.”

Hanzel, who held the lead after each round of the 54-hole tournament, closed with a 1-under 71 in windy conditions at Heron Bay. Hall, his closed pursuer, finished with a final-round 73.

Brady Exber of Las Vegas, the defending champion, finished in solo third after posting a final-round 71 for a 216 total.

“It was a little windy today,” said Hanzel. “We had a lot of cross winds which made it difficult to judge the distance. The breeze was strong enough to keep the hole location flags fully extended during most of the day."

Hanzel and Hall, who have competed against each other numerous times, usually have a lot of good-natured conversation on the course. But, on the 17th hole, things turned a little more serious.

Hall struck his approach shot to within 3 feet keeping pressure on Hanzel who had maintained a 2-shot lead most of the day. Hanzel answered with an approach shot to within 18 inches giving his friend a “take that” as both went on to make birdie. After hitting the green in regulation on No. 18, the two putt par gave Hanzel his two-stroke victory.

In the super senior division, Bill Dorece, of Pompano Beach, Fla., shot a low round of the day, 69, for a three-day total of 216 to defeat New York resident Steve Rose, who posted a three round total of 217.

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