Two-Man Shoot-Out

Sponder & Ethridge Win State Gross Two-Man

Father & Son Team Claim Net Title

Steve Sponder, of Pembroke Pines, and Bob Ethridge, of Plantation, won the overall gross title as the father and son team of Tom and Charles Hendrick, of Inverness, were the overall net winners in the Florida State Two-Man Shoot-Out at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie on May 17-18.

Sponder and Ethridge won the overall gross division by one stroke over Jose Novo and Samuel Martinez, of Miami, scoring a three-round total of 200. Sponder and Ethridge also tied for third in the net division with a three-round score of 199, one stroke more the winners.

The Hendrick team scored a three-round net total of 198 as they won in a playoff over George Heider, of Miami Springs, and Milko Brito, of Miami. Tom Hendrick made a net birdie on the second hole of the playoff to claim the title. Tom and Charles Hendrick jumped from forth place in the second round to first place after the three rounds.

The Championship consisted of 48 teams vying for the overall title but winners were also decided after each round of play. After round one, four teams tied for first place in the gross division. Novo and Martinez, Clark Gnann and Brian Johnson, Fred Stones and David Muldowney and Defending Champions, Wade Gossett and Ryan Hritz all scored a 62 in the two-man scramble. In the net division, Carl Sullivan and Howard Vaughn won round one shooting a 60. Josh and Dwight Raines won the second round gross division with a 69 while the Hendrick team tied with John White and Javier Diaz with a net score of 67 in the alternate shot format. Playing best ball, Novo and Martinez were back on top in the final gross round carding a 65 and Kelly Slay and Kevin Aubuchon won the last net round with a 64.

For the sixth consecutive year, the PGA Golf Club will host a state championship. Competitors will play on the Tom Fazio-designed North and South courses that offer rolling hills, pine trees, and large greens. The Club was the fifth in the world to receive Audubon’s “Signature Status” award for wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement, energy efficiency, and water conservation

ELIGIBILITY

Entrants must both be members of the FSGA, and each having established current indexes not exceeding 22.0.

ENTRY FEE

$310 per team. ($300 for online entry.) Includes three competitive rounds, cart fees for tournament rounds and prizes.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

Day 1, morning round will be a two man scramble. The afternoon round will be a modified alternate shot where each player will drive, then select the ball to be used. That ball will be played into the hole on an alternate shot basis. The third round (day 2) will be 18 holes of four-ball (best-ball).

COURSES

North on Saturday and Dye on Sunday

CARTS

Players are responsible for practice round cart fees.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Ryan Hritz and Wade Gossett, both from Apopka, won the gross division (65-72-68--205), while Howard Vaughn, New Port Richey, and Carl Sullivan, Zephyrhills, won the net division (59-66-60--185) at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements have been made at the Hampton Inn & Suites for $76 per night for a standard room and $85 per night for a suite. The deadline for reservations is May 11. Call (772) 878-5900 and identify yourself as a FSGA competitor for reservations.

HANDICAP

Scramble - day 1: 35% of the "A" or low players handicap and 15% of the "B" or high players handicap. Modified Alternate - day 1: 60% of the "A" or low players handicap and 40% of the "B" or high players handicap. Four-Ball - day 2: 90% of course handicap (each player).