Keith Decker rallies to SOS Spring Classic Victory

February 22, 2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Keith Decker <br>(VSGA Photo)

In the Super Senior Division Dan Smith while in the Legends Division Jack Vardaman emerged victorious

JUPITER, FL (February 22, 2017) -- Keith Decker was three shots off the pace to begin the final round of the Society of Seniors Spring Classic but that didn't faze him one bit. With a final round 72 at Abacoa Golf Club Decker (Martinsville, VA) rallied from behind to finish at 218 and one shot in front of Mike Occi (Columbia, MD) and Stephen Sharpe (Greensboro, NC). For Decker, a four-time AmateurGolf.com ranking event winner last year, this was his first ranking win of the season. Decker (71-75-72--218) had previously finished tied for third at the 2017 Old Corkscrew Senior. On Wednesday Occi (75-69-75--219) was making a bid for his third ranking title of the season after winning the Kingsway Senior Invitational and the Gateway Senior Invitational earlier in the year. Sharpe joined Occi in second place with tallies of 71-75-73--219. Behind the runner-up duo was the fourth place combination of Allen Barber (Yorktown, VA) at 72-77-71--220 and 36-hole leader Robbie Dew (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) who posted scores of 70-73-77--220. In the Super Senior Division Dan Smith (Naples, FL) held on and captured the title. Smith fired rounds of 71-68-77--216. Two shots back in second place was Dan Houlihan (Rockford, IL) following days of 72-72-74--218 while three others at 220 shared third. For the third straight day the lead in the Legends Division changed hands and when the dust settled it was Jack Vardaman (Washington, DC) leading the way with scores of 76-70-69--215. Second round leader George Washburn (Frederick, MD) at 73-71-72--216 ended up second and Tom Knapp (Tequesta, FL) after scores of 74-75-70--219 was third. ROUND TWO RECAP Robbie Dew broke free of a two-way tie at the start of the round and now leads the Society of Seniors Spring Classic by himself. However, after rounds of 70-73--143 Dew's (Palm Beach Garden, FL) lead is just a slim one shot advantage. With one day remaining at Abacoa Golf Club Jeffrey Poet (York, PA) with days of 71-73--144 and Michael Occi (Columbia, MD) thanks to rounds of 75-69--144 are tied for second. On Wednesday Occi will be looking for his third AmateurGolf.com Ranking event victory of the season. Three players including Keith Decker (Martinsville, VA) are tied for fourth at 146. In the Super Senior Division Dan Smith (Naples, FL) is leading the way after days of 71-68--139. Four shots behind in second place is Allan Small (Savannah, GA) at 69-74--143. A trio of players sit at 144 and in a tie for third. The lead in the Legends Division has changed hands and it is now George Washburn (Frederick, MD) at the top of the leaderboard. Washburn has tallied scores of 73-71--144. Jack Vardaman (Washington, DC) 76-70--146 is in second place and Bill Robischon (Pittsford, NY) 77-71--148 is in third place. ROUND ONE RECAP With first round 70's Robbie Dew (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) and Tom Hyland (Marlton, NJ) share the the Society of Senior Spring Classic. Beginning the second round at Abacoa Golf Club one shot behind in a tie for third are Jeffrey Poet (York, PA), defending champion Keith Decker (Martinsville, VA), Pat Tallent (Vienna, VA) and 2014 champion Stephen Sharpe (Greensboro, NC). The Super Senior Division is being paced by Pete Allen (Southport, NC) who fired a first round 68. Only a shot behind in second place is Allan Small (Savannah, GA) while five others are tied for third following 71's. In the Grand Masters Division it is Jerry Jackson (Kokomo, IN) after his 71 out in front. Bill Engel (Alexandria, VA) trails by a shot while George Washburn (Frederick, MD) is one more stroke further back.

Results: Society of Seniors Spring Classic

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Keith Decker	Martinsville, VA	700	71-75-72=218
T2	Michael Occi	Bonita Springs, FL	400	75-69-75=219
T2	Steve Sharpe	Greensboro, NC	400	71-75-73=219
T4	Allen Barber	Yorktown, VA	300	72-77-71=220
T4	Robbie Dew	Palm Beach Gardens, FL	300	70-73-77=220

View full results for Society of Seniors Spring Classic

About the Society of Seniors Spring Classic

Keith Decker rallies to SOS Spring Classic Victory

54 hole stroke play tournament for Society of Seniors Members only, with Senior (ages 55 and over), Super Senior (65+), Legend (70+) and Grand Master (75+) divisions.