Sunday, May 4, 2008

Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club came back from 13 points down to win the 65th Club Team Championship at Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club and Juliette Falls. Black Diamond Ranch went wire-to-wire to capture the Senior Division of the 2008 Championship. 

Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, in Tampa, posted a tournament total of 237 stableford points to win the 2008 Club Team Championship. After earning 117 points in the first round at Juliette Falls, Palma Ceia trailed the leading team by 13 points. The team came out strong in the final round to earn 120 points at Golden Hills and win the title by 12 points. John Gabler secured 89 points over the two-round tournament to lead Palm Ceia. In the final round, Gabler made nine birdies en route to recording 50 points. Paul Royak earned 41 points the first day and 34 in the final round. Also playing for Palma Ceia, Mike Walters and Max Castro contributed to the team’s success. First round leader Rio Pinar Country Club fell to second place with a final round 95. Rio Pinar, in Orlando, led after the first round with 130 points and finished at 225 for their second consecutive second place finish. Vero Beach Country Club took third place with 223 points.

In the Senior Division, Black Diamond Ranch won with an overwhelming 240 points. Black Diamond Ranch, in Lecanto, led after the first round earning 131 points and ran away with the title with 109 points in the final round. Ron Green posted 47-35 for Black Diamond as Dave Blackshear, Carl Nanni and Bill Joens also played a role in the team’s victory. Black Diamond Ranch will host the 2009 Senior Amateur Championship. Buckhorn Springs Golf and Country Club, in Valrico, took second place with 219 points and Interlachen Country Club, in Winter Park, claimed third place with 211 points.