ChampionsGate CC - Champions
Mid-Amateur - Jim Marcelak | Senior - John Vaccaro | Super-Sr. - Robert Hess
Jim Marcelak traveled from Fort Myers to capture his first Winter Series win in the Mid-Amateur division. Marcelak began his final round one stroke out of first after a round one even par 72. He chased Robbie Sisca and Charles Alexander who tied for the early lead after a one under-par round of 71. With steady, consistent play, Marcelak overcame his one stroke deficit by posting a second round one under-par 71 for a 143 (-1) total. He was victorious by two strokes over Daniel Anderson, of Port Saint Joe. Anderson carded a final round three under-par 69, the low round of the Mid-Amateur division, to climb up the leaderboard to second place with a 145 total. Alexander fell to third place with a second round 75 and 146 total. John Vaccaro, of Sarasota, earned a wire-to-wire victory in the Senior Division, due to his impressive first round and tournament low score of 67 (-5). Vaccaro’s second round of 72 clinched his win by two strokes with a 139 (-5) total. Jim Skillman started the final round in second place after a day one two under-par 70. After a second round 71, Skillman, of Belleair Beach, captured second with a 141 (-3) total. Rob Norland, of Gainesville, shot back-to-back 71’s to round out the top three at 142 (-2).
In the Super-Senior Division, five players sat under-par heading into the final round. Robert Hess, of Casselberry, led after round one with a four under-par 68. Kim Schwencke, Stephen Maddox, Robert Lundquist, and Ray Seemiller tied for second place at one under-par after Monday’s round. Hess, 2016 Super-Senior Champion, remained in the red after his second round 70 and 138 (-6) win! Three strokes behind, in second place, finished Ray Seemiller after a second round two under-par 70 and 141 (-3) total. There was a three way tie for third at one under-par 143 that included Bruce Scamehorn, Robert Lundquist, and Jim Stone.
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 schedule is January 15-16 at the Country Club of Winter Haven.
