Claud Cooper (AGA photo)

Starting the day four shots off the lead, Cooper fired a final round seven-under 65 to finish the championship at 211 (-5) for a one stroke victory over Joey Holley of Troy. This is the first State Senior Amateur and Alabama Golf Association title for Cooper.

Cooper was eight-under par for the round and six-under for the championship giving him a one shot lead on the par four 18th tee. An errant second shot over the green left him with an improbable opportunity for a par. He narrowly missed his 40 foot par attempt that resulted in a bogey dropping him back into a tie with Holley at five-under for the championship.

Holley was playing two groups behind Cooper. Holley was five-under for his round standing on the 18th tee. Knowing he needed a par to force a playoff, he also hit an errant second shot short of the green. He was unable to get up-and-down for his par to fall one shot short of Cooper.

Defending champion Robert Nelson of Fairhope posted a final round 70 (217) to finish in sixth place.

In the 65+ Super Senior Division, Wayne Gardner of Mobile posted a final round 73 (217) to win by two strokes over Fred Clark of Mobile.

Alabama State Senior Amateur Championship is open to any male amateur golfer who has reached his 50th birthday by May 18, 2018, is a legal resident of Alabama, is a member in good standing of a club which is a member of the Alabama Golf Association (AGA) and has an active GHIN® USGA Handicap Index® at an AGA member club that does not exceed 10.4 (ages 50-64) and 15.4 (age 65+).

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