Dennis Takes Home the Championship

Johnny Dennis shot a final round score of two over par 73 to come from behind and win the 46th Annual SCGA Senior Championship. His three-day total of 215 bettered his nearest competitors, Dave Hambly and Jimmy Hawkins, by 4 shots. Second round leader Steve Pachol slipped to a tie for 7th after a frustrating round of 81.

Dennis, a Greenville native, started the day shooting even par on the front side. His first nine holes included birdies on the par three 4th hole and the short par five, 8th. Bogies on the two other par three holes, 2 and 7, brought him back to level par for the day and holding a one shot lead at the turn. The tide really turned for Dennis after he made a spectacular up and down on the 10th hole for par and a birdie 3 on the par four 11th. At the same time, Pachol three putted the 10th hole for bogey and had a plugged ball in the bunker on 11 eventually making triple bogey. With a five shot lead after eleven holes, even bogies on three of his last six holes, couldn’t stop the 55-year-old senior rookie from taking home his first SCGA Senior Championship by 4 shots.

Finishing tied for 2nd was Bluffton resident Dave Hambly and Irmo resident Jimmy Hawkins. Both players shot a final round, three over par 74 for a three-day total of 219. Tied for 4th at 220 were three players, Bill Barber from Pawleys Island, Dean Demattio from Myrtle Beach, and Michael Weiner from Kiawah Island.

The 2004 SCGA Senior Championship was played on the par 71, Florence Country Club in Florence, SC. The field consisted of 123 players over the age of 55 and was cut to the low 60 and ties after the first two days of play. The Senior Championship is one of 17 Major Championships conducted by the South Carolina Golf Association and is in its 46th year of existence.