Dale Hayes

Dale Hayes (born 1 July 1952) is a South African professional golfer.

Amateur career In 1969, Hayes won the 15–17 Boys category at the Junior World Golf Championships.

In 1970, during his last year as an amateur, Hayes won the South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship as well as the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship, still 17 years old.

Professional career In 1970, Hayes turned professional. On December 6, 1971, Hayes won the Bert Hagerman Invitational on his 19th birthday, his first win on tour. Overall, Hayes won more than a dozen events in South Africa, leading the Southern African Tour's Order of Merit in 1972/73. He also finished as runner-up on the Order of Merit in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1979. In 1974, he won the World Cup of Golf for South Africa in partnership with Bobby Cole.

In 1971, Hayes won the Spanish Open at the age of 18 years. In 1973, he was fourth on the European Tour Order of Merit, improving to second in 1974 and first in 1975. He played on the PGA Tour in 1976 and 1977, with a best finish of tied for second at the 1977 Florida Citrus Open. He also finished in the top four on the European Tour's Order of Merit in 1978 and 1979, but played little professional golf after his late twenties.

Since he stopped playing tour golf, Hayes has remained involved in the sport in a variety of ways. He has worked as a broadcaster in South Africa and for the Golf Channel, started and edited a golf magazine and helped to found an internet golf shopping business. He is involved in golf course design through a company called Matkovich & Hayes, although he deals only with marketing and public relations, while the actual design is handled by his business partner Peter Matkovic, a professional golfer. Hayes also works as a public speaker and gives golf clinics. Awards and honors

In 1972-73, Hayes won the Southern Africa Tour Order of Merit. In 1975, Hayes was the European Tour Order of Merit winner.

Amateur wins 1969 World Junior Championship (Boys 15–17), South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship, German Amateur Championship, Brazilian Amateur Championship 1970 South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship

Professional wins (23) European Tour wins (4)

European Tour playoff record (0–1)

Southern Africa Tour wins (14)

Southern Africa Tour playoff record (4–2)

Other wins (5) This list is incomplete. 1971 Spanish Open 1974 Coca-Cola Young Professionals' Championship, World Cup (with Bobby Cole) 1975 T.P.D. Young Professionals' Championship 1980 Columbian Open

Results in major championships

CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1972 Open Championship) "T" = tied Note: Hayes never played in the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship.

Team appearances Amateur Eisenhower Trophy (representing South Africa): 1970

Professional World Cup (representing South Africa): 1974 (winners), 1976 Datsun International (representing South Africa): 1976 (winners)