Dale graduated from Deshler High School in 1969. He was a gifted athlete playing football, basketball, baseball, and was a member of the Tiger track team. In football, he played both offense and defense as well as punting, kicking off, kicking extra points and field goals. He was selected to the 
All Area team in both his junior and senior season. In addition he was chosen to the All Tennessee Valley Conference Team in 1969 and was picked to the All-State Team that same year. In baseball he was selected to play in the East-West All Star game in 1968. While Dale was an outstanding athlete in high school golf is the sport he excelled in. He is known all over Alabama for his many accomplishments in golf. Statewide, he had 74 individual tournament titles, 17 holes in one, 17 double eagles and he has won the Tennessee Valley Country Club Championship 20 times.