STEVINSON, Calif. (March 30, 2008)--Chris Marin's last appearance in an amateurgolf.com event ended with a runner-up finish when Casey Boyns pulled off a highlight-reel birdie on the first playoff hole at the Christmas Classic (video), but he was able to put that setback well behind him with what he called one of his biggest victories, a come-from-behind, three-stroke win at the amateurgolf.com Mid-Am + Master & Senior.

The Monterey resident trailed Jeff Dare of Pleasanton by seven strokes entering the final round at Stevinson Ranch and said he looked to put pressure on the leader from the get-go, which he accomplished with a birdie on the first hole.

He caught Dare at the turn and ended up pulling away with a final-round 69 and a 2-under-par 142 finish.

"I used to hit it everywhere, now I'm getting more consistent," said Marin, who is also the reigning Monterey City champion.

Dare had trouble keeping his momentum after his incredible 66 in the first round, carding a 79 for a total of 1-over 145 and sole possession of second place. Still, he had a smile on his face joining his fellow competitors for a post-tourney beer.

In the Master Division, Jose Sanchez's shot on the par-3 4th hole may have been the best of the tournament, and surely played a major role in his one-stroke victory. After his tee shot found a water hazard near some old railroad ties, Sanchez opened the face of his 60-degree wedge way up, and blasted the ball out of the muck to within a few inches of the pin, saving par. It was a "don't try this at home" type of shot that could have led to a big number had he not pulled it off. He finished 73-74--147

Reigning amateurgolf.com Tournament Series Player of the Year Randy Haag took second place at 148, along with Jamie Looper of Oakdale.

Capistrano Beach's Steve Yavorsky fired a 68 in the first round of play, but still trailed Conrad Nilmeier by a stroke in the Senior Division. Yavorsky paired that with a 72 in the final round to take a four-stroke victory at 4-under-140. Nilmeier finished in tie for third with Jeff Burda and Mark Miller at 146. Frank Abbott carded two steady rounds of even-par 72 to place second.

In the Net Division, Harvey Hunter of Elk Grove never let the competition get close, going 69-67--136 to take a nine-stroke victory.

***** Reporter's notebook *****

-- Jeff Dare's tournament-record 66 was the talk of the tournament after Day 1, but it wasn't close to the course record, an unbelievable 59 shot from the 7,205-yard tournament tees by current Nationwide Tour player Matt Hansen, who calls Stevinson Ranch his home course

-- The senior field was the strongest in amateurgolf.com tournament history, with close to 40 players including several U.S. Senior Amateur and Open participants, as well as California State Senior champions.

-- Mark Miller, the 2007 NCGA Senior Player of the Year, wins the comeback of the tournament award, following up an opening-round 80 with a flight-best 66 to take third, passing 18 players in the process. Fellow third-place finisher Jeff Burda wasn't far behind, going 77-69 146.

Final round results from the par-72 Stevinson Ranch Golf Club follow, with Mid-Am and Master flights playing from 7,060 yards while Senior and Net flights played from 6,646.