Palm Beach Polo Golf and Country Club hosted the first winter series event of the 2016-2017 season on The Dunes Course. The Mid-Amateur, Senior, and Super-Senior divisions enjoyed the nice weather and course conditions in Wellington to crown the first three winners of the season!
In the Mid-Amateur division, Robbie Sisca, of Port Saint Lucie, went wire-to-wire to be crowned Champion. Sisca posted an impressive first round of three under-par, 69 to lead by six strokes heading into the final round. Making the turn at two over-par in round two, Sisca carded three birdies on the back nine to finish at even-par and remain at three under-par for the tournament (141). Scott Kennedy and Jim Marcelak were tied at three over-par, 75 entering Tuesday’s round. Kennedy, of Plantation, broke the tie with a final round of one under-par 71 for a tournament total 146. Marcelak, of Fort Myers, played consistent golf posting a 74 second round to capture third place with a 149 total. Sisca earned his first Winter Series victory by five strokes!
Three birdies on both the front and back nine during round one led Harry Black to his first Winter Series win in the Senior division. Black, of Niceville, posted rounds of 71-75—146 to win by one stroke. Pete DeLongchamp and Walt Taormina tied for second place with a 147 total. DeLongchamp, of Sebring, birdied holes one, seven, and eleven to card an even-par final round that allowed him to move from sixth to second place. Taormina, of Boca Raton, posted two consistent rounds of 73-74 to tie DeLongchamp. Tampa resident, Kevin Macy took fourth place after rounds of 72-77—149.
The low tournament round came from Robert Lundquist in the Super-Senior division. Lundquist, who was coming off of a win at the Senior Four-Ball with partner Kim Schwencke in September, carded a six under-par, 66 to start the tournament with a six stroke lead. He did not let his six stroke lead decrease in the final round after posting a 76 for a 142 (-2) total. Six strokes behind, John Baldwin, of West Palm Beach, claimed second place with rounds of 76-72—148. Four players, including Mark Rubin, James Smith, Jim Bounds, and John Latowski, finished eight strokes back tied for third at 150.
The Winter Series is for players 25 years and older, and runs from late November through early March. Players will compete in one of three age divisions (25-54, 55-64 and 65 & Over) based on their age for the final event. A season long points list is kept through the winter earning players exemptions into 2017 FSGA State Championships. The next stop in the Winter Series is Southern Hills Plantation Golf Club in Brooksville, November 28-29.
Full Results