Nick Brothers prevails in a sudden death playoff to win the Florida State Public Links Championship at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club in Dade City, on June 7-9.
Nick Brothers, of Crystal River, got off to a great start in the first round posting an impressive seven-under par 65 to lead by two strokes after the first round. Brothers had company after the second round with four other players tied with him a six-under par entering the final round of play. Playing a couple of groups ahead of Brothers on Sunday was Edward Figueroa, of Naples. Figueroa fired a final round of four-under par 68 to post eight-under par 208 to hold the clubhouse lead momentarily. Brothers would need a key birdie on the 54th hole to get into the playoff and after a brilliant second shot into the 18th hole, Brothers would tap in for birdie and force a playoff with Figueroa. In the sudden death playoff Brothers made birdie on the second playoff hole to capture the title. By winning the Public Links Championship, Brothers will be awarded an exemption to play in the 96th State Amateur Championship at the Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, on June 20-23.
Three players finished tied for third place including past champions TJ Shuart, of Coral Springs, and Jon Veneziano, of Mount Dora. Veneziano had two late bogies on 16 and 18 to derail his chances of winning his second Public Links title. Michael Visacki, of Sarasota, also finished in third place with a tournament total of seven-under par 209.
The Public Links Championship is open to bona fide public course players who are not members of a private club and also do not have a handicap index any higher than 6.4. Competitors play 18 holes of stroke play on each of the three days.
Final Results
