Amateur Golf

Las Vegas, Nev., resident Brady Exber put together a final-round 71 including a terrific birdie on the 14th hole to win the Senior division of the 82nd Dixie Amateur at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla.

Exber finished one ahead of Peter Wegmann of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at 205, 11 under par. Wegmann was within “three dimples” of a tie, but his birdie attempt on the 17th hole came up just that short.

“It was pitiful today,” Exber said after receiving the first-place trophy, “but I’m not going to apologize for winning.” Exber might have clinched the title with that birdie on 14. His tee shot found a fairway bunker and his second shot—“I just hit it fat and it didn’t go anywhere”—landed in another fairway bunker. But his third from about 180 yards finished within five feet of the cup for a kick-in birdie.

Wegmann’s 71 was one ahead of Naples, Fla., resident Dick Pfiel, the first-round leader, seven-time Dixie Amateur champion Rick Woulfe of Fort Lauderdale and John Vaccaro of Sarasota, Fla. Woulfe missed two short birdie putts on the home nine, including a three-footer on 17 which eliminated any chance he had of going home with the title. Pfiel and Vaccaro had final rounds of 71 while Woulfe had a 70.

In the Super Senior division, Stuart, Fla., resident Pat Vincelli closed with a 68 to capture his second straight title. His three-round total of 210 edged Tom Knapp by one shot. Knapp, of Tequesta, Fla., had a 69.

Heron Bay, a ClubLink facility, was playing at 6,500 yards for the Senior division and 6,100 yards for the Super Seniors.

The men’s Amateur championship begins Dec. 18 and will be contested on three ClubLink courses—Heron Bay, Woodlands Country Club and Palm Aire Country Club.

For full final round results, please visit www.dixieamateur.com.