Pate, an AmateurGolf.com member, shot a final round 4-over 76 and survived a late charge by Randy Haag, claiming his second California Senior Amateur title in three years by three shots on a cold and blustery Wednesday at par-72 Lake Merced Golf Club. With the victory, Pate joined Jeff Burda (2008-2010 ) and Jim McMurtrey (1994, 1995 and 1998) as multiple winners of the championship.

“I feel like as a Mid-Amateur that I underachieved,” said the 57-year-old Pate, who finished with a three-day total of even-par 216. “Maybe as a senior I’ll overachieve.”

The keys to Pate’s win came in the first and second rounds, when he posted rounds of 71 and 69, respectively, on a Lake Merced course that was playing tough due in part to thick rough. His 69 came on a day when the next lowest score was a 72. It would give him a comfy four shot lead entering the finale.

“I could’ve gone lower than the 69. I left a lot of shots out there,” said Pate, who captured his first California Senior Amateur crown in 2014 at Poppy Hills in his senior debut. “My short game really came through.”

In a final round that he described as a “dumpster fire”, Pate. the brother of professional Steve Pate, went 5-over through 17 holes with zero birdies. He’d collect his lone birdie at a perfect time, however, sinking a 3- footer on the 18th to seal the deal. The 18th was the only fairway he hit in regulation.

Earlier on the par-4 16th, he escaped with only a bogey after his ball found an indentation on the collar of the green.

“The ball was so down so much that I thought I was going to whiff it,” Pate said. “I was lucky to get out of there with a bogey.”