Atkinson caps runaway victory
Not that it comes as any surprise, but Bert Atkinson cruised to his first Charleston City Senior Amateur golf championship Sunday afternoon. The five-time City Amateur winner won by an amazing 17 shots, firing a final-round 67 for a 54-hole total of 15-under-par 201.
Winning the non-Bert Atkinson division was Mike Weiner of Kiawah Island, who closed with a 73 for a 218 total. Tony Morelli took third at 77—222. Defending champion Warren Peper, who came from nine shots behind a year ago to win, tied for fourth at 224 with Kent Hall. Peper shot a final-round 77 while Hall closed with a 74.
Marion Hair beat Ty Cline in a playoff for the Super Seniors (ages 60-69) title after they tied at 217. Keitt Hane claimed the Super-Super Seniors (age 70-plus) with a score of 226.
Atkinson, who became eligible for the City Seniors after turning 50 in April, entered the final round with an uncomfortable 11-shot lead.
"I've had an 11-shot lead in the City Amateur before," he said. "Your greatest fear is losing an 11-shot lead. Yeah, there's some pressure there."
Atkinson said his first tee shot of the final round was a little sloppy, but after playing three or four holes he felt comfortable with his swing and his position.
He ended up making birdies on 2, 3, 6, 7, 15 and 16. His only bogey came on the course's No. 1-handicap hole, the par-4 ninth.
Weiner, who played all three rounds with Atkinson, said the winner's accuracy was amazing.
"He hit iron after iron right at the flag, laser-like irons," said Weiner, who managed only one birdie Sunday.
Weiner said he won the S.C. Senior Amateur a year ago with a nine-shot final-round comeback, "but I didn't have Bert in front of me."
E-mail this story 
Printer-friendly version
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Post and Courier does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our Web site.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Comments
This article has 0 comment(s)
