ROCKLEDGE, FL (Sept 12, 2011) -- It's been said that behind every great man, there's a great woman, and for Kevin Altenhof that holds true for two important women in his life.
"My wife let me play again this year and it was our anniversary yesterday (Saturday)," Altenhof said. "So last year, I won it and I said, 'I have to defend, honey.' "
He did just that, shooting 3-under-par 68 in the second round of the 51st Platinum Coast Invitational at Rockledge Country Club on Sunday, en route to a total score of 140 and his second straight Platinum Coast title.
The 44-year-old resident of Palm Shores dedicated the win to his mother.
"I want to dedicate this one to my mom," he said. "She passed away five years ago and she's greatly missed by everyone that knew her. It would have been nice to have her out there."
Altenhof was tied with five other golfers after shooting 72 in Saturday's first round, and his second round was fueled by three straight birdies on holes 13, 14 and 15, along with a clutch up-and-down shot on 17.
"I hit an incredible flop shot (on 17) that I could sit there with a bucket of balls and not pull that one off again," Altenhof said. "It was just a solid round of golf."
He has been playing golf for 31 years and also won the Platinum Coast Invitational back in 1989. Altenhof, who works 48 hours a week at UPS, can't seem to explain how his play has gotten better than it was 20 years ago.
"I'm playing better now and I don't understand why I'm playing better now, than I was 20 years ago," he said. "I'm hitting it better, hitting it longer, putting it better and I'm playing a quarter of the time that I used to.
"Before when I used to play, I was trying to play for a living. Now you just go out, beat it around and play for fun. It's just been a lot of fun and I hope it continues."
Rick Barger finished one stroke behind Altenhof with a total score of 141. Zach Potter and Kyle Martin tied for third, each with a score of 142.
In the Senior Championship, Ken Couturier took first place with a score of 152. Skip Doan defeated Leroy Cote in the third sudden death hole to win the First Flight.
Ron Ferrell won the Second Flight with a 160 and Justin Niermann won the Third Flight with a 173.
ABOUT THE Platinum Coast Invitational
36 holes Stroke Play - Stiff competition with good
mix of Florida & college players played since 1961.
Past Champions include Hale & Beau Baugh and
Scott Gump. Played at traditional private country
club on tree lined course built in 1919 with small
greens. A good test.
Championship, Senior (ages 50+), Super Senior
(70+) and Women's Divisions - Other Flights by
Handicap -
View Complete Tournament Information