Allen Peake (L) and Rusty Strawn; Super Sr
champs Don Russell and Bill Blalock

After finishing in the runner-up spot in three of the last four years, Peake and Strawn took control of this year's event early with a tournament-record 10-under 60 in the first round, giving them a four-shot lead over the team of former touring pro Peter Persons (Macon, Ga.) and Jack Larkin (Atlanta, Ga.), the former U.S. Junior champion coming off of a final 16 finish in the U.S. Senior Amateur.

In round two, Persons and Larkin, twice champions in the event, shot a 62 but amazingly still lost ground to the leaders, who followed up their 60 with a 61 that pushed their lead to five shots heading into the final round.

But winning is never easy, and things would tighten up in the final round. While Persons and Larkin were able to maintain their pace keep making birdies, the leaders found themselves treading water. With their lead shrinking throughout the final round, Peake and Strawn were able to do just enough to hold on with a closing 68 for a one-shot win, and their first Senior Peach Blossom title.

Their 54-hole total of 189 (-21) set a new tournament record. Persons and Larkin finished with a 64 to finish solo second at 20 under.

Gay McMichael and Phil Hardin, both of Macon, shot consistent rounds of 64-65-65 to finish third at 16 under, while Michael Standard (McDonough, Ga.) and two-time Georgia State Amateur champion Rick Cloninger finished fourth at 14 under.

The defending champions, Donny Phillips and current Georgia State Senior Amateur champion Chris Hall could not replicate their performance from a year ago, finishing in a tie for 14th overall.

In the Super Senior Division, Don Russell and Bill Blalock rode an opening-round 59 to a four-shot victory over Phil Pavoni and Don Marsh. The 59 gave Russell and Blalock a five-shot lead, which they pushed to six after a second-round 66, and were able to cruise home with a 69 and a 16-under 194 total.

Steve Melnyk and John Darr finished third, one shot behind Pavoni and Marsh at 11 under par.

The defending Super Senior champions, Billy Hatton and Dana Sutton, finished another shot back in fourth at 10 under.