Defending MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius Champion Clark Dennis is looking forward to the final week of the season after recovering from a health scare.
The American, who tied the lowest score in Staysure Tour history 12 months ago following rounds of 63-66-64 for a 23 under par total, recently had an operation to remove moles which contained melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
Dennis won his fourth Staysure Tour title at Constance Belle Mare Plage and claimed his fifth in Germany earlier this year but used the break in the schedule after the Farmfoods European Senior Masters hosted by Peter Baker to recover before returning to action at the MCB Tour Championship – Madagascar.
The Texan nearly won his sixth event on the over 50s circuit in Madagascar, having held a three-shot lead going into the final round. However, a triple-bogey eight on the 15th hole saw his chances slip away as he carded a four over par final round of 75, but admits he is grateful to be back playing.
“I had a health scare between playing at Forest of Arden and the MCB Tour Championship – Madagascar when I had a couple of melanomas removed,” Dennis said. “I hadn’t touched a club until arriving in Madagascar. I am happy with my form but I’m glad to be playing again.
“I was grateful for the melanoma to be caught when it was. There was a health screening at London Golf Club during Staysure PGA Seniors Championship and the lady told me to go and see my dermatologist. I went to see him when I got home and sure enough, I found out it was melanoma.
I’m very grateful to the European Tour and the Staysure Tour for having that service at London Golf Club because that may have saved me.
“My advice is to wear your sun cream guys because it’s really important. Those spots were probably something I got as a kid because I’ve been in the sun my whole life. We didn’t really wear sun cream when we were kids, but it’s very important to keep covered up when you’re out in the sun.”
