WEST PALM BEACH, FL (January 20, 2006) -- Reigning U.S. Senior Amateur champ Mike Rice of Houston birdied the final hole of the day Friday to give him and partner Steve Earsley a one-shot victory in the Senior Division of the of the 72nd Southern International Four-Ball Championship at Mayacoo Lakes C.C.
The pair combined for a better-ball, one-under-par 70 to pass 54-hole leaders Bill Boles and Marty West for the winning total of 274. A pair of teams finished one stroke back at 274 including Vinny Giles and Barry van Gerbig. Pennsylvanians Chick Kozloff and Robin McCool also were at 275.
In the Mid-Am Division, Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, IA and Cincinnati developer Robert Gerwin scored an equally tight victory with a 12-under-par total of 272. Elliot registered five of the winner's seven birdies in a final round 66, but Gerwin's birdie on the 16th proved the margin of victory.
They finished just one shot in front of a trio of teams including 54-hole co-leading Virginians Allan Strange and Keith Decker. Tennesseans Trey Lewis and Dan Crockett, also tied for the lead into the final round, missed forcing a playoff with a bogey five on the 16th hole.
The site of the 2007 Four-Ball is yet to be determined.
72nd Southern International 4-Ball Final results, Mayacoo Lakes, West Palm Beach, Par 71; 6,788 yards:
Mid-Am Division
- 272 - Gene Elliott, W. Des Moines and Robert Gerwin, Cincinnati 68-69-69-66
- 273 - Trey Lewis, Hendersonville, TN and Dan Crockett, Franklin TN 71-66-69-67; Keith Decker, Martinsville VA and Allan Strange, Richmond 71-67-68-67; 273 -- Logan Jackson, Winston-Salem and Brad Burris, High Point NC 71-69-67-66
- 274 - Mike McCoy, W. Des Moines and Buddy Marucci, Malvern, PA 69-70-68-67; Trip Kuehne, Dallas and Danny Green, Jackson, TN 74-65-70-65
- 275 - David Abel, Jupiter FL and Bryan Norton, Kansas City 73-69-68-65
- 278 - Alan Fadel, Toledo and Eoghan O’Connell, Palm Bch Gdns 72-68-67-71
- 279 - Jack Hall, Macon GA and David Noll, Dalton GA 71-74-65-69
- 280 - Tripp Davis, Norman OK and Tim Jackson, Memphis 74-70-67-69
Senior Division (Par 71, 6,400 yards)
- 274 - Steve Earsley, Hobe Sound FL and Mike Rice, Houston 71-67-66-70
- 275 - Ronnie Grove, Raleigh NC and Larry Boswell, Jamestown NC 70-69-68-68; Vinny Giles, Richmond and Barry van Gerbig, N. Palm Beach 66-70-68-71; Chick Kozloff, Coopersburg, PA and Robin McCool, Bethlehem, PA 70-65-71-69
- 276 - William Bole’s, Wilson NC and Marty West, Rockville, MD 71-68-64-73
- 277 - Rick Woulfe, Ft. Lauderdale and Joe Keller, Osterville, MA 72-65-72-68
- 278 - Stan Fischer, Richmond VA and Charlie Green, Tazewell VA 70-76-66-66
- 282 - Woody Green, Linville NC and Jim Dowtin, Greensboro NC 72-70-71-69; Bill Ploeger, Columbus GA and Alan Foster, Manlius NY 71-68-70-73
ABOUT THE International Four-Ball
Started in 1957, the International Four-Ball is one of
the most
prestigious amateur events in the country. The
Championship includes Mid-Amateur (ages 25-54),
Senior (ages 55-64)
and
Legends (ages 65 and up) Divisions. All divisions
compete in a Four-
Ball
Stroke Play format which is contested over 3 days
and
54 holes. This prestigious event has a rich history,
with past champions such as Jack Nicklaus, Deane
Beman, Dick Siderowf, Vinnie Giles, Jim Holtgrieve
and Downing Gray.
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