ORLANDO, Fla. – Just in time, as the rain started to fall, we crowned two Champions at the Inaugural Net Tour Championship at Waldorf Golf Club. Danilo Liwanag raised the trophy in the Men’s Division while Dale Topolski triumphed in the Women's Division.
This invitation-only event is based on players’ performance in One-Day events, and a handful of Net Championships. This Championship featured 18-holes of individual stroke play, and players were separated into two divisions, Men’s and Women’s. This was the first format of its kind with the FSGA under the new rules of the World Handicapping System. Here’s what happened.
Men’s Division
Liwanag came out strong and quickly seized the lead, maintaining control throughout most of the round. He began with an eagle on his 4th hole, setting the tone early. He would go on to add four net birdies, including back-to-back ones on his 7th and 8th holes, and again on his 11th and 12th holes. However, Liwanag faced a brief challenge on the next few holes– a net double bogey on the 13th and a net bogey on the 14th allowed the field to close in, though he still held onto the lead. A crucial net birdie on the 15th hole propelled him three strokes ahead of the field, and he maintained that advantage to claim victory and raise the trophy, carding a 2-under 70.
We had three players tied at 1-over and used holes 10 through 18 to break any ties. In second place was Michael Hermiller, while Roberto Schuback captured third place.
Women’s Division
The Women’s Division was tight at the top throughout the round, building excitement as the final holes approached. Lynn Robbins took an early lead, but after sinking back-to-back net birdies on her 11th and 12th holes, she faltered with a net double bogey on the 15th and a net bogey on the 16th. These setbacks dropped her out of contention, and she finished at 3-over (75). Angela Walker was also in the mix, but two net double bogeys on her final four holes allowed Topolski to claim the solo lead and take control of the competition.
Topolski’s round was complemented by six net birdies and three net eagles to finish with an even-par 72. Walker finished in second place, while Sandra B. Bienvenu claimed the third spot, carding a 77 (+5).
