Lecanto, FL - Once we got past the early morning showers on Saturday, we ended up having a tremendous weekend for golf. The Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch proved to be a tough test, and we saw some great finishes coming down the stretch.
Under 50 Division
Leading the way after Round 1 was Will Yorgey, who carded Net & Gross 73 (+1) as was behind the eight ball all weekend by getting no handicap strokes. It was the definition of consistency as he carded 15 pars, 1 birdie, and 2 bogeys. This opening round gave him a comfortable three shot lead over Josh Proctor, and a four shot lead over past champion Andy Weber. As all golfer know though, no lead is safe when entering the final round of a tournament.
For most of the day, Yorgey was able to hold off any of his fellow competitors, as he maintained his lead. However, when it came to crunch time a few players to make a late push and do their best effort to spoil his wire-to-wire victory. With three holes to play Andy Weber sat in a tie for the lead and Richard Woodhall was only one shot back. With the Quarry holes remaining, it was truly anyone's title.
In the end, Weber & Yorgey ended up tied after 36 holes, which resulted in Weber winning with a score of 147 (+3), as the tie breaker was final 18 hole score. Rounding out the Top 3, was Woodhall who finished two shots behind.
50-59 Division
Following Round 1, this was our closest division of the four. Sitting at the top at 72 (E) was Kris Vassallo (past champion), Roberto Schuback (2023 & 2024 points champion), & Glenn Phagan. As if it wasn't close enough, Anthony Walker & Joe Rizza were only one shot behind and very much in striking distance.
Right out of the gate it was back and forth, back and forth, as it seemed like we had a new leader after each hole was completed. It was a combination of players that were narrowly out of the lead after Saturday, as well as players that were way down on the leaderboard. Making the biggest jump of the day was Shawn Cremeans, who started the day eight shots back, and saw himself tied for the lead with just a few holes to go.
Coming down the stretch, Schuback rose to the occasion and buckled down with birdies on two of his last four holes. Despite Cremeans round of 67 (-5), Schuback went on to win by a two shot margin, and finish the tournament at one under par. Tied for third and finishing four shots out was David Mealey, Joseph Rizza, & Kris Vassallo.
60-69 Division
This was our largest division by quite a bit, so anyone looking to end up near the top knew they had to bring their A game this weekend. Gene Weaver did just that, as he came out firing in Round 1 with an opening round of net 66 (-6). The round was highlighted by birdies on 1, 8, 10, 12, 14, & 15, as well as a net eagle on Hole 2. This gave Weaver a comfortable four shot lead heading into the final round. Rick Rummel, Jerry Hoelscher, Ivan Marin, Ron Reiley, & Guy Follansbee all finished in red figures on Saturday, but still had quite the uphill battle in front of them.
Weaver couldn't keep the momentum going in the early parts of the round, allowing most of the field back into the championship. The four shot lead quickly evaporated as Hoelscher was able to string together a few birdies and really put the pressure on. They battled back and forth all day, and we saw another unprecendented tie at the end of the weekend. Both players came in with a two day total of 142 (-2), but because Hoelscher came from behind and had the lower final round, he ultimately ended up with the title. Ivan Marin rounded out the Top 3 with a two day total of 146 (+2), and Alan Wrzesian finished close behind by moving up 9 spots on the leaderboard in the final round.
70 & Over Division
We saw a few familiar faces up at the top of the leaderboard after Saturday's Round, as past net champion, John Thompson, and avid One-Day player, Jack Christensen both shot net 70 (-2). Their impressive opening rounds were enough to build a two shot cushion over Jim McArdle & Art Mann, who both shot rounds of 72 (E).
Out of the gates, it quickly became a three player race as Mann, McArdle, & Christensen all held a share of the lead at some point throughout the final round. Christensen looked to have the Championship in grasp until he carded an untimely net triple bogey on the 14th hole, which allowed McArdle & Mann right back in it coming down the stretch. In his last few holes McArdle carded two clutch birdies on Holes 14 & 15 to jump into the lead. Despite Mann's net eagle on his second to last hole, McArdle was able to hold on and capture a one shot victory. McArdle finished the event with a score of 142 (-2).
