North Team defeats South 16.5 - 15.5 to hoist Florida Cup for first time since 2011, and even series at 6-6
PALM COAST, Fla. – North Florida won its first Florida Cup since 2011, capturing seven singles matches on Friday at Hammock Dunes Club. The North team defeated the South 16.5-15.5 to win its sixth Florida Cup title, evening the overall record at 6-6. Marc Dull secured the victory for the North, defeating Scott Turner, 2 and 1, in the final match of the day.
Thursday – Four-Ball and Foursome Matches
The North Team had a two-point lead over the South Team following Thursday's four-ball and foursome matches at the 12th Florida Cup at Hammock Dunes Club. North Florida captured five matches in the morning four-ball matches to take an early 5.5-2.5 lead. In the afternoon, South Florida cut the North’s lead to two, winning the final four matches of the day.
Two of North Florida’s team went undefeated on Thursday earning a total of four points for the team. The duo of Whittemore and David Anthony, defeated Rose and Joyner, 4 and 3, and Barnes and Rogan, 1 up, while Jones and Kerper defeated Barnes and Rogan, 5 and 3, and Rose and Joyner, 2 up.
On the South Florida side, the pair of Kasey Denesevich and Turner also won both matches, beating Knight and Joe Alfieri, 4 and 3, and Miles McConnell and Bob Campione, 4 and 3.
Friday Morning - Singles Matches
Heading into Friday’s singles matches, the North team held a two-point lead over the South, 9-7. The South team came out strong, winning the first four matches of the day. Jerry Rose put the first point on the board for the South defeating Richard Kerper, 3 and 2. Rose, who qualified for the 2018 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, won four straight holes on the back nine to secure the victory. Ben Adelberg, Joe Shaktman and Rokki Rogan also won their matches to give South Florida an 11-9 lead early in the day.
After losing to Bill Barnes in a playoff at the 2018 Senior Amateur, Don Whittemore won five holes on the back nine to defeat Barnes 2 and 1. Whitemore was one of four players for the North Team to go undefeated in the tournament (Dull, Steve Carter and Brian Keenan).
Daniel Eggertsson tied the match at 15.5-15.5 for South Florida, defeating Cameron Knight, 1 up. The match was all square heading into the back nine, Eggertsson then went on to win three straight holes to take the lead.
The Florida Cup was ultimately decided by the final match of the day between Dull, the 2018 Mid-Amateur champion, and Turner, the 2018 Mid-Amateur Stroke Play champion. Turner took a quick lead winning the sixth hole to go 2 up. Dull brought the match back to all square with birdies on the seventh and eighth holes. Dull birdied 13 and pared 16 to win the match and the Florida Cup for the North.
Wednesday, October 17th
