One can make many memories over a lifetime of golf, and in his 50th year in the sport Bob Dumas made a big one last weekend.

The lifelong, 54-year-old Auburn resident and former Auburn University golfer brought home the Alabama State Senior Amateur Golf Championship, shooting a 4-under 68 in the final round to overtake two competitors.

While the win was a highlight in Dumas’ career, it was far from the first, as he recalled from his many years on the links.

“I’ve been beatin’ it for almost 50 years,” Dumas said. “My dad introduced me to it.

“I had an outstanding junior career. I won two straight Alabama high school championships in 1969 and 1970, and a number of junior tournaments. Doing that gave me the ability to earn a scholarship collegiately. I’ve been told I was the first golfer at Auburn University to be offered a four-year scholarship.”

Dumas went on to letter all four years he was on the Plains (1973-76) and was named All-SEC in 1974. He was also a member of Auburn’s first SEC Championship team in 1976, which he acknowledged as a point of pride.

“We were all from the state of Alabama, and we all came because of our love of Auburn,” he said. “We wanted to elevate Auburn golf, and we felt like we accomplished that.”

When Dumas’ career at AU ended, his pursuit of the sport did not. He played in the State Amateur up through the mid-80s, and says he has always hit the course at least two times a week.

“Golf has been part of my entire life,” he said. “The friendships I’ve made over the years have been part of it. There’s been a tremendous outpouring of support (since winning the tournament), and I’ve really enjoyed that.”

While hacking away at courses across the state, Dumas also started his career and a family.

His degree in finance from Auburn got him into the banking world, where he has worked since graduating in 1976. He has spent the last 24 years at Auburn Bank, including the last 10 as CEO. He will also be incoming president of the Alabama Bankers Association in 2010.

“The education I received at Auburn helped tremendously in my banking career,” he said.

And Dumas has made sure his family, which includes his wife, Martha, and two grown daughters, Katie and Kristi, learned to love his sport as well.

“It’s a good family thing,” he said. “My whole family plays golf. It’s something we’ve always enjoyed doing together.”

And while Katie graduated from Auburn and is now a pharmacist, his youngest daughter, Kristi, is working with the American Junior Golf Association in Atlanta in the public relations department.

When asked how golf had become such a huge part of his life, Dumas had several answers.

“I love all sports,” he said. “I played baseball, football, basketball and golf growing up. But as I got older I began to excel more in golf and it became apparent I needed to pursue it more. I still enjoy the competition.

“But being with friends and being outdoors is also part of what makes it so special. And it’s a great teacher of character. It’s the only sport where you’re your own referee.”

And Dumas may have gotten his biggest payoff for all those years of patience last week.

Heading into the final round at Riverchase Country Club in Birmingham, Dumas trailed Tom Jungkind of Pelham and Steve Hudson of Birmingham by one stroke.

He shot 4-under, including a 32 on the front nine, to best Jungkind by one stroke and Hudson by two.

“It was very rewarding to win an Alabama Golf Association state title, especially this late in my career.

“I’d have to rank (the final round) extremely high (among his best rounds). To make a birdie on 17 to go one shot up in the tournament, to have six birdies and two bogies when you go in trailing two competitors by one stroke, that’s something you dream about. It doesn’t always happen for you, but I was fortunate that I played a good round.”

And he’ll be back next year in Selma to defend his title.

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