Ojai golfer wins Ventura tourney by two strokes
by Misty Volaski

After breaking his neck 17 years ago, Dan Cole thought his days of playing golf might be over. However, he recovered and has been playing actively ever since.
He just competed in the Ventura City Senior Golf Championship, where he posted a net score of 141, two strokes ahead of everyone in the 55-59 age division.
"I really like playing competitive golf. It's about going out and having fun," Cole said. "I felt like giving up (Tuesday). I double-bogied two holes. Then I went and got a Coke and settled down, and wound up going, par, birdie, par, par." Those last four holes brought Cole ahead for the win in his division.
Larry Baugher, also of Ojai, tied several other with a score of 150 in the 55-59 age group. Ojai's Pete Mercado, 83, topped the 70-and-over division with a 138.
With a handicap of 11, Cole is a member of the Soule Park Men's Golf Club and Sundowners Golf League. He recently came in second in the C flight of the local club championship, and has played in other local tournaments in the past.
An Ojai resident for the last 55 years, Cole said he's fascinated by golfers today.
"It's neat to see all these guys out there," Cole added. "I can't believe how some of these kids can pound it."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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