Tough conditions in Holland test the best on Seniors Tour
American Clark Dennis closed-out with a solid round of 70 in the Dutch Masters (6-8 October) to capture his second title in his rookie year on the European Senior Tour. In doing so, he denied ‘Super Senior’ Englishman Carl Mason the chance of breaking his own amazing record of 25 victories on the Senior Tour.
The 51-year old from Houston, Texas had led the way on day one at The Dutch in Spijk after opening with a 69 (2-under par) in blustery conditions. Mason, 13 years his senior, lay just one stroke behind along with Andre Bossert (Switzerland) and Stephen Dodd (Wales). On Friday, more rain and even stronger winds tested the grit and determination of some of Europe’s most experienced golfers still further. Yet despite his senior status, it was Carl Mason, who is attached to The Fox Club Florida, that snuck one ahead of Dennis ending the day at 2-under par (70-70).
The weather could not have been more uninviting for the inaugural Dutch Masters at The Dutch GC but the players from the European Senior Tour thrilled their amateur partners during the first two days in the Dunhill Links-style part of the tournament. From then on it was down to even more serious business for the over fifty pros on a thankfully mainly sunny Sunday in Spijk.
“This is a golf course where you have to be patient. There are a lot of difficult shots and there is danger lurking everywhere.”
Clark Dennis
The stride for the Dutch Masters title and the lion’s share of the 180,000 euro prize fund was on. No less than sixteen players were within eight shots of Carl Mason. A tall order perhaps on Monty’s lengthy inland-links creation in the province of Gelderland. Yet with former Ryder Cup players such as Paul McGinley (Ireland) and Barry Lane (England) among them, it’s always good to keep an open mind.
Carl Mason visualising his tee-shot at the 16th hole. The English Senior Tour pro, who already has 25 senior victories under his belt, was 3-under par for the tournament after nine holes and led by one.
Eales makes a surprise charge at 17
It was Clark Dennis, number two on the Senior Tour Order of Merit at the start of the tournament, who took the lead at the 14th nudging one ahead of Mason and another strong contender this week, Paul Eales who is attached to Royal Birkdale GC. When his birdie putt hovered on the lip for a few seconds before dropping into the hole at the 17th, it looked as if Eales, the Essex-born player (pictured below) was destined to become the 2017 Dutch Masters Champion. Clark Dennis had other plans however. Playing together in the final group, he made a superb up and down from the bunker at the same hole moments later, sinking a crucial putt from 15 feet to save par and maintain his lead. It was a lead he would not relinquish.
Up ahead, another feisty player, Andrew Oldcorn was looking to equal the best round of the day: a 4-under par, 67 carded by England’s Gary Marks and perhaps force a play-off. The 57-year old from Scotland missed a tricky birdie putt at the final hole to eventually shoot 68 and finish in a tie for second place on 1-under par together with Eales and Mason who both suffered the same fate at the par-five 18th.
In the end, Clark Dennis had the luxury of two putts for the Dutch Masters title, his second this season, after winning the Senior Italian Open presented by Villaverde in September. His latest victory in Holland also exalts him to the top of the European Senior Tour ranking with just two events left on the calendar.
Many congratulations to you Clark! Not only on your Dutch Masters victory but also on your rise to Number One Senior – a terrific double Dutch delight!
Wendy Hoad
CHECK OUT: DUTCH MASTERS LEADERBOARD
LISTEN TO: Clark Dennis and runner-up Paul Eales
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: The new Dutch Masters Champion, Clark Dennis. MINIS from left to right: Paul Eales, Gary Wolstenholme, Clark Dennis and Paul Wesselingh. © Photography by Golfing Inspirations