LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – Despite Hurricane Helene coming through earlier in the week, Lakewood National was in fantastic shape for the weekend, and proved to be a tough test. Saturday brought gusty winds and periodic rain showers, so the course only yielded six scores of Even Par or better in round one. Luckily, we saw some more favorable conditions on Sunday, allowing players to give it their best effort to win a Net Championship Title.
Under 50 Division
It was jubmled at the top of the leaderboard after round one, as five players sat within two shots off the lead. Up at the top was Clinton Larrabee who came in with a score of 72 (E). Larrabee's round was highlighted by four net birdies and one net eagle on hole number six. On the prowl and only one shot back was Mitchel Perez, Desmond Figgins, and John Walters who all fired an opening round of 73 (+1). Rounding out the Top 5 was Eric Stupski, who shot 73 (+2).
The final round saw a shift at the top of the leaderboard with three under-par scores. Devon Peaslee, of Saint Petersburg, started the second round strong with three net birdies and a net eagle on the front-nine. A round of 69 on Sunday moved Peaslee into first place with a final score of 145 (+1). Two-strokes behind, tied for second place, finished Florian Rodegra and defending champion, William Gariepy. Rodegra, of Winter Garden, posted a final round 68, 10 strokes lower than round one, to move into second place while Gariepy posted a two-under 70 to tie Rodegra at 146 (+2).
50-59 Division
Jorge Garrido was one of the few that was able to string together an under-par round round on Saturday, as he set the tone with a 71 (-1). Despite a costly double bogey on hole number five, his net birdies on Holes 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, & 13 were enough to spring him into the lead heading to the final round. Net Two-Man Shoot-Out Champion, Michael Mendoza, was sitting just three shots back along with Stephen Cheatham.
Garrido played steady golf in round two to claim a wire-to-wire win at even-par. The Wellington resident posted five net birdies in the final round to secure his seven-stroke victory. Mendoza, of North Miami, captured second place by one-stroke over Brian Soldano. Soldano, of Land O’ Lakes, advanced up the leaderboard three spots with a final round 74 to finish third.
60-69 Division
The 60-69 division saw the best scores across the board, as three players were able to come in even par or better. Tony Vertuca was leading the way after round one with an impressive score of 71 (-1). Vertuca's round was highlighted by the net eagle on the difficult Par 5 - second hole, and was also able to string together four more birdies. James Ehr & Steven Mummaw were looking up at the leaderboard, but only one shot behind after shooting scores of 72 (E).
Round two finished with a tie at the top as Dan Perez and Graham Tomlinson both posted rounds of 73-72 to finish one over-par. Perez, of Riverview, started his final round the exact same as round one with two back-to-back birdies to climb three spots up the leaderboard. Tomlinson, of Lake Mary, carded four birdies in his final round to move two spots up the leaderboard and tie Perez for first. Using the USGA scorecard tie breaking method, Perez captured victory with a lower net final nine-hole score. Mark Ball posted a red number 71 in round two to move 10 spots up the leaderboard to third place.
70 & Over Division
Danilo Liwanag was the only round in the red for the 70 & Over Division on Saturday. Five net birdies gave Liwanag a four-stroke lead heading into round two. Rommel Lozada, Richard Cline, and Ronald Walker tied for second with a first round 74.
Liwanag captured first place in wire-to-wire fashion with a final round 75. The Dade City resident, proved consistency is key after posting five birdies in both round one and two to win by two-strokes at 145 (+1). Lozada, of Lutz, claimed second place with a steady second round of 73 and 147 (+3) finish. Leonard Carothers rounded out the top three, three-strokes behind, in third place with a final round 73 and 148 (+4) finish.
