2016 Senior Championship

 

 

Chris Hall Wins Georgia Senior Championship

 

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BRASELTON, Ga. --- Chris Hall of Marietta wins his first Georgia Senior Championship with a three-stroke victory over runner-up Jeff Belk of Marietta. The 30th edition of this competition took place at The Legends at Chateau Elan, August 23-25.

Hall recorded a birdie and three bogeys over the final 18 holes to secure the three stroke victory over Belk. His 2-under-par 214 (69-71-74) finish was the only total score in red numbers, as Belk finished at 1-over-par 217 (69-74-74).

The top two finishers were tied after the first 18 holes on Tuesday, as Hall posted five birdies on two bogeys and Belk three birdies of his own to each score a 69. Hall was 1-under on Wednesday, while Belk was 2-over, giving Hall a three-stroke cushion going into the final 18. On Thursday in near-perfect conditions at The Legends at Chateau Elan, Hall and Belk both somewhat struggled as both players finished with 74 scores, making Hall this year's winner.

This victory is Hall's first at the Georgia Senior Championship, but has been in the winner's circle before. He is a two-time winner of the Georgia Senior Match Play Championship. His first came in 2013 at White Columns Country Club in Milton. A year later he went back-to-back and won in 2014 at Governors Towne Club in Acworth. He also won the Georgia Senior Four-Ball Championship in 2013 at the Country Club of Columbus when he partnered with Jack Hall of Sea Island.

Belk claimed a GSGA win earlier this year at Horseshoe Bend Country Club in Roswell as he won the Georgia Senior Match Play Championship. Back in 2001 he teamed up with Bob Young of Dunwoody to win the Georgia Four-Ball Championship at Doublegate Country Club in Albany.

Three-time Georgia Senior champion, Doug Hanzel of Savannah, finished third this week at 3-over-par 219 (73-71-75). In fourth place was Gay McMichael of Macon, who finished at 4-over-par 220 (76-69-75). Alan Thielemann of Woodstock came in sixth at 6-over-par 222 (74-74-74). Two players tied for seventh at 8-over-par 224, including William Lavender of St. Simons Island (79-74-71) and Dave Nichols of Roswell (73-78-73). Don Marsh of Johns Creek finished ninth at 9-over-par 225 (74-78-73). Four players rounded out the overall top 10 at 10-over-par 226: Al Bello III of Kathleen (76-77-73), John Foster of Woodstock (76-75-75), Mel Mendenhall of Marietta (76-74-76) and Phil Pavoni of Macon (73-77-76).

Once 36 holes were played, 71 players made the cut at 19-over-par 163 and better and advanced to the final round.

Entries were open to male amateur golfers who were at least 55 years old as of August 23, 2016. The format was 54 holes of individual stroke play with the field cut to the low 70 and ties after 36 holes.