Dale Hayes
Dale Hayes is a South African professional golfer.
Career
In 1969, Hayes won the 15–17 Boys category at the Junior World Golf Championships.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 won the European Tour Order of Merit winner.
Amateur wins
- 1969 World Junior Championship, 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| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result | ||||||||
| 1 | 1979 | Italian Open |  Southern Africa Tour wins (14)Southern Africa Tour playoff record
|
|1928