Doug Hanzel (L) and Bob Royak (GSGA photo)
On paper, the team of Doug Hanzel and Bob Royak are about as formidable as it gets in senior amateur golf. Each is a U.S. Senior Amateur champion, with Royak the reigning champion and Hanzel winning in 2013, and each has racked up an impressive collection of Georgia state titles.
At the Georgia Southern University GC, the pair validated their credentials, winning their second straight Georgia Senior Four-Ball Championship.
Last year they dominated, winning by seven shots at the Sea Palms Resort. This time, they found themselves trailing by two shots to the team of Billy Mitchell and Tom Lape, who opened with a 6-under 66.
But a two-shot swing on the very first hole pulled them into a tie, and by the third hole Hanzel and Royak pulled into the lead. From there they would never let Mitchell and Lape get even again.
Remarkably, though Mitchell and Lape would make five birdies in a ten-hole stretch after falling behind, Hanzel and Royak matched them on each and every hole they made their birdie.
It was only when they were three shots down with three to go that the trailing pair finally gained a shot on the leaders.
In the end, Mitchell and Lape shot another 66 for a 12-under total, which normally would be enough to win. But Hanzel and Royak's 10-under 62 was the difference, and enough for a two-shot win.
The teams of Chris Hall / Donny Phillips and Bryan Hancock / Louis Brown tied for third, five shots back.
In the Super Senior division, Jack Kearney and Mike Pass cruised to a six-shot win over Larry Saheim and Gene Henderson.
View results for Georgia Senior Four-Ball
ABOUT THE Georgia Senior Four-Ball
Open to male amateur golfers; entrants must
be at
least 55 years old on or before the first day of
the
Championship; a maximum stroke differential
of six
strokes is allowed
between partners; if the differential is more
than six
strokes, the higher index will be adjusted down
to six
strokes.
Field:
96 teams - 48 teams based on low team index
comprise the Championship flight; remaining
Senior
Division teams drawn
by lottery (1 exempt spot held for each host
club; 4
exempt spots held for flight winners).
Format:
54 holes of flighted four-ball stroke play.
View Complete Tournament Information