Top Amateur Billy Mitchell wins Georgia Senior Open
Billy Mitchell
GAINESVILLE, GA (April 28, 2016) - Billy Mitchell, noted
amateur player from Roswell, won his first Yamaha
Georgia Senior Open contested at the Chattahoochee
Golf Course in Gainesville. Mitchell fired a second round
of four-under par 68 for a two-day total of 7-under par
137 and defeated mini-tour professional John L. Smith
from Statesboro in a playoff.
Mitchell started the day tied for fourth place after a
first round of three-under par 69, and got off to a torrid
start by making birdies on five of his first ten holes to
get to 8-under for the championship and a three shot
lead. A double bogey on the 13th hole brought him back
to 6-under and his lead was down to one stroke. He
then proceeded to bounce back with a birdie the par
four 14th hole and carded four straight pars to finish at
7-under. He then waited for the final groups to finish
their rounds.
Smith, who caddies on the PGA Tour, was one of
the first round co-leaders, and shot a final round of 3-
under par 69 to equal Mitchell in the clubhouse. The duo
returned to the 18th hole and a routine two-putt par
was all Mitchell needed to defeat Smith who was unable
to get up and down. For his efforts, Smith claimed the
Low Professional honors and a check for $2,200.
Mitchell also took home Low Amateur honors for the
second straight year.
Defending champion, PGA Life Member James
Mason from Dillard, finished tied in 9th place at 3-under
par 141. Three-time past champion Craig Stevens from
Brookstone Golf & Country Club in Acworth finished
alone in third place at 6-under par 138. Rounding out
the top five were PGA head professional Stephen
Keppler at Marietta Country Club and noted amateur
Don Marsh of Johns Creek who both finished at 5-under
par 139.
Introduced for the first time in this championship
was a Super Seniors Division, with amateur Dave
Nichols of Roswell taking home first place with an even
par score of 144 for the championship.
View results for Georgia Senior Open
ABOUT THE Georgia Senior Open
Open to all Professionals and Amateurs who live in
the
state of Georgia and are age 50 or older. Senior and
Super Senior (age 65+) divisions.
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