Steve Dallas: The long-time Mesa amateur is a familiar face on the East Valley golf scene. Along with his considerable golfing prowess, Dallas is the club manager and co-owner of Las Colinas Golf Club in Queen Creek; manages Bear Creek Golf Club in Chandler; and is an integral part of the management team at Alta Mesa Country Club in Mesa.

He’s also the reigning Mesa City Senior champion after winning that event on Sunday at Dobson Ranch. Dallas, who was not among the top 10 after Saturday’s opening round of 70, came back strong for the final round with a 6-under 66 (8-under 136 total), which edged Mesa’s Dayle Stefuik and Phoenix’s Bob Munoz by a stroke. “I think I was like 12 th after the first day,’’ Dallas reported. “But on Sunday, I hit the ball to within three feet of the cup on the very first hole -- made it for eagle -- and I just took that great start and ran with it.’’

It’s been that kind of season for Dallas, who opened 2005 by winning the Arizona Short Course Championship at Ahwatukee Lakes in January, and recently teamed up with Scottsdale’s Roger Brown and Jim Hayes, and Mesa’s Ed Smith to win the prestigious U.S. Senior Challenge Cup at Desert Mountain.

“It’s kind of hectic at times, running all three courses and still playing a little competitive golf,’’ said Dallas, 58, who competes in 25 to 30 tournaments a year. “But we recently hired a new general manager at Alta Mesa, so it’s going to let up a little bit real soon.’’

Good thing, as Dallas played in his second event of the week on Wednesday, when he successfully qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship by winning a six-way playoff for two spots at Moon Valley Country Club. It will be Dallas’ first appearance in that national championship, which will be held at The Farm near Atlanta on Sept. 15-20.

Dallas always has had plenty of game. “I turned pro in 1974, and for the next year played on and off the (PGA) Tour as one of those Monday qualifying rabbits,’’ said Dallas, who grew up in Seattle. “I also played professionally in Canada, South America, South Africa, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.

“Then, from 1976 to ’80, I took a job as head pro at Sahalee Golf Club (near Seattle), and worked at a few other clubs in Washington before moving out here in 1982.’’ A year later, he regained his amateur status, and has been playing in Arizona Golf Association events ever since.

“I know this might be hard to believe, but I think my game has actually gotten better to the point where it’s the best it’s ever been,’’ Dallas added. “It’s all about experience, as I don’t let things upset me like I once did, and I’ve learned the strengths and weaknesses of my game.’’

Oh, yes, and one other thing: “The technology has gotten so good . . . everybody’s better.’’

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Three-peat?: Don Yrene, an assistant golf pro at the Golf Club Scottsdale, will attempt to win a record third straight Southwest Section PGA Championship when the tournament takes place Monday through Wednesday at Las Vegas Country Club. The SWPGA Player of the Year the past two seasons, Yrene could become the first player in the 45-year history of the event to post a three-peat.

Medal time: Three Fountain Hills-area courses -- Eagle Mountain, SunRidge Canyon and We-Ko-Pa -- will play host to the third edition of The Medalist golf tournament on Sept. 9-11. The 54-hole, stroke-play event pays homage to a formative era in golf, when Scottish golfers began competing for medals rather than trophies. The entry fee is $225, and players can register at www.themedalist.net.

NOTEWORTHY

Tiger AWOL: Woods told reporters covering the WGC-NEC Invitational this week that he left the PGA Championship at Baltusrol early Monday morning despite being the leader in the clubhouse, and despite the fact he could have missed a playoff had the five guys in front/tied with him all backed up.

“Not all five of those guys were coming back,’’ Tiger reasoned.

Induction on hold: Golf World reported this week that Vijay Singh, who got into the World Golf Hall of Fame with 56 percent of the vote only because no candidate received the required 65 percent, has asked that his induction be delayed a year because of a business conflict in Asia. “I’m definitely going to be here next year to do that,‘’ Singh told the magazine. Gee, at least we know his priorities.