Top-ranked Hanzel adds another title at Florida Azalea Senior

Doug Hanzel is playing like the No. 1 man in senior golf. After winning the Jones Cup Senior on March 6 – which vaulted him to the top of the AmateurGolf.com Senior Rankings – Hanzel followed it up with a Florida Azalea Senior title. It’s the fourth time in five years that Hanzel has won the event at Palatka (Fla.) Golf Club.

Hanzel, of Savannah, Ga., is seemingly always in the mix at senior amateur events. He authored a 2017 that included victories at six major senior victories (the Florida Azalea Senior among them) and earned Senior Player of the Year honors from AmateurGolf.com. Hanzel made it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Amateur last year in addition to three major senior titles.

At Palatka, a par-70 Donald Ross layout, Hanzel had rounds of 73-71-69 for a 3-over 213 that was two shots better than Dan Caporusso of Mt. Prospect, Ill. Houston resident Scott Smith also tied for second at 5 over. Jack Hall, another Savannah player, was tied for fourth another shot back.

Rick Woulfe, who is also a former champion in the senior division (2010) was the top super senior with rounds of 70-74-68. He was seven shots ahead of James Castagna.

After an up-and-down weekend, Don Marsh won the legends division. He had a share of the lead after an opening 69, dropped out of contention when he came back with 77, but redeemed himself and set up a one-shot victory when he closed with 67. Marsh, of Johns Creek, Ga., tied for second in this event in 2008.

Charlie Busbee of Stockbridge, Ga., won the senior legends division by two shots.