Keith Decker wins the SOS Championship by four

SOUTHERN PINES, NC (October 26, 2016) -- The third ranked senior in the AmateurGolf.com Rankings Keith Decker finished off his run to the Society of Senior Championship on Wednesday. Decker, from Martinsville, VA, finished four-stokes in front of the field thanks to rounds of 74-72-71 that set him at 217. Adam Kugler (Closter, NJ) finished second with scores of 79-72-70--221 and Walter Todd (Laurens, SC) 76-74-73--223 was third. The fourth and fifth place spots were occupied by Keith Smith (Franklin, MA) and Paul Simson (Raleigh, NC). In the Super Senior Division Paul Schlachter (69-76-71--216) of Bridgeville, PA ran away to win by five shots. Three players shared second with a 221 total --Bev Hargraves (Little Rock, AR), Charlie Yandell (Cashiers, NC) and Logan Jackson (Winston-Salem, NC). The Grand Masters Division was claimed by Jared Long (Aiken, SC) who after rounds of 75-75-80 finished at 230. Jack Vardaman (Washington, DC) 75-76-82--233 was second three behind. The three-day event was contested on both Mid Pines and Pine Needles. ROUND TWO RECAP Keith Decker, the third ranked Senior in the AmateurGolf.com rankings has taken over the lead at the Society of Senior Championship. Decker, from Martinsville, VA, leads by two after rounds of 74-72 to post 146, the second of the two rounds coming at Mid Pines. In second place through 36-holes are a trio of players at 148. Keith Smith (Franklin, MA), Paul Houvener (Mill Creek, WA) and Paul Simson (Raleigh, NC). Two others tied for sixth with a 150 tally. The duo includes James Gallagher (Yorktown, VA) and Walter Todd (Laurens, SC). The Super Senior and Grand Masters Division, both played at Pine Needles on the second day of action. In the Super Senior Division Bev Hargraves (Little Rock, AR) and Paul Schlachter (Bridgeville, PA) are tied for first and ahead by three-strokes. Jared Long (Aiken, SC) holds a one-stroke lead over Jack Vardaman (Washington, DC) in the Grand Masters Division. ROUND ONE RECAP With a first round 71 Harold Payne of Hurricane, WV has taken the lead at the Society of Senior Championships. Payne will lead seven other players who are tied for second following 74's. The group is comprised of David Pulk (Williamsburg, VA), David Steingart (Edina, MN), Keith Decker (Martinsville, VA), Murphy Mitchell (Scottsdale, AZ), Paul Simson (Raleigh, NC), Steve Walczak (Greenville, DE) and Tom Yellin (New York, NY). Three others finished the first day at Pine Needles four back following 75's. The Super Senior Division spent the day at Mid Pines and they are being paced by Paul Schlachter (Bridgeville, PA) who shot a 69. Bill Blalock (Atlanta, GA) is in second place thanks to a 70 while two others share third after 72's. In the Grand Masters Division, which also played at Mid Pines, four are tied for the lead. The quartet includes Douglas Tambara (Huntington Beach, CA), James Weeks (Savannah, GA), Jim Kamis (Marietta, GA) and Joe Whisenant (Roopville, GA).