Jimmy Dales (Wyoming Athletics Photo)

And it came down to the final hole.

Dales finished at 6-under, one shot better than 36-hole leader Josiah Gilbert. Gilbert shot a final round 2-over 74 after opening rounds of 68-68, giving him a four-shot lead heading into the final round. 

It was a roller coaster of a round for Gilbert, recording four birdies, an eagle, three bogeys, a double bogey, and a triple bogey.

Dales was persistent, even though he trailed by five shots after 13 holes, recording five birdies compared to two bogeys to finish 3-under. Dales bogeyed No. 7 and was 1-over through 8 holes, but he birdied Holes No. 9, 10, 13, 14, and 18 to shoot a 33 on the back nine and win by one shot. 

Gilbert was 8-under through 15 holes and held a three-shot lead, but after a double-bogey on the par-3 No. 14, and a bogey on No. 16, Dales and Gilbert entered the final hole tied at 5-under. Dales made a birdie on the last hole, and a par from Gilbert ensured Dales won the Championship.

The first and final round was held at the El Campeon Course, while the second round was played at the Las Colinas Course.

Dales has had a great 2023, capped off with this win. He was the medalist at his local qualifying site for the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur, finished T6 at the Northern Amateur, finished in solo fifth place at the Southwestern Amateur, and made the semifinals of the Michigan Amateur. 

The Orlando International Amateur Championship is an annual golf tournament gathering high-level amateur golfers from the United States of America and abroad. It is a 54-hole stroke play championship, playing 18 holes per day.

It is open to low-handicap amateurs, players who play college golf, players who have qualified for any of the current year's USGA or R&A championships, and those who have the recommendation of their country’s Federation or Association.