COUCH AND SLATER WIN ON THEIR HOME TURF

DURHAM, NC--Final round results of the 4^th North Carolina Senior Partners Championship of the Carolinas Golf Association hosted by Treyburn Country Club in Durham, NC on Wednesday, August 18. (6500 yards, par 36-36--72).

Treyburn Country Club members Lea Couch of Bahama and Donald Slater of Durham fed on the home cooking and won the 4^th North Carolina Senior Partners Championship by six strokes. Couch, 59, and Slater, 56, fired a final round four-under par 68--131 in the rain-shortened event. The tournament was shortened to 36-holes due to inclement weather over the weekend.

Couch and Slater began the day with a narrow three-shot lead over Jim Dowtin of Greensboro and J.D. Lawson of Greensboro. The final round format of modified alternate shot tends to lead to higher scoring. Dowtin and Lawson faded early and eventually posted a final round 80--146.

Through nine holes, Couch and Slater were clinging to the same three-shot advantage. But that’s when they separated themselves from the field. Birdies on the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th holes vaulted them to a five-stroke lead. A final birdie on the par three 17^th hole secured the championship.

"We really teamed good this week", stated Couch. "Don (Slater) played really well." Slater recently finished second at the North and South Senior Championship at Pinehurst Country Club.

Finishing in second place with a final round 70--137 are perennial favorites Ronnie Grove of Raleigh and Larry Boswell of Jamestown.

This championship is conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association.