Saturday, December 15

The South Florida Amateur Golf Tour concluded its first season on Saturday with another fantastic afternoon of golf at one of our flagships venues, TPC Eagle Trace.

Donald Wolfe III carded an even Par 72, despite a couple of tough breaks due to lack of course knowledge. Wolfe III birdied four of his first six holes, to go out in 2 under 34 and lead the event. Justin Onorati was the closest pursuer, who remained at 3 over par for most of the back nine before settling for a 76 and the runner up finish. This is victory #2 for Wolfe III in just his second start on the SFLAGT circuit.

New winners were crowned in both the Players and Eagle division. TPC Eagle Trace member Mike Fouts used a little home course knowledge to navigate his way around for a steady 79 and the victory. Kirk Conners got within striking distance after a birdie on the groups 16th hole, but he and John Abrahamsson ended up tied for 2nd, five strokes back. This is the first win for Fouts, who has played multiple events on the SFLAGT this year.

In the Eagle Division, two necomers battled it out as Chris Genske recovered from a tough stretch to finish with two late birdies and edge friend Eric West by one stroke. SFLAGT tour regulars Robert Marrero, Jorge Skala, and Omar Anitgua were battling to get in contention in the group in front of Genske, but came up short. This was Chris Genske's first appearance and of course first win on the tour.

The South Florida Amateur Golf Tour has concluded its first season of events! It is an exciting time for the SFLAGT as we look forward to announcing our 2013 schedule very soon!

With each passing event we are gaining increased interest and exposure to new players who are enjoying the prospects for the SFLAGT, and we look forward to continued growth after the new year!

To all those who came out to play, and others following our events..Thank You for your interest and support of the SFLAGT!

Saturday, November 17

The SFLAGT field enjoyed a picture perfect day of golf as the November stop was hosted at the beautiful Parkland Golf and Country Club. The course was in fantastic shape as always, and while some occassional breezes presented a challenge, it was largely an ideal afternoon to be out on the course!

Donald Wolfe III, playing in his first SFLAGT event, played an impressive round of golf to win the event comfortably. Wolfe III carded 5 birdies enroute to an easy one under par 71 and the victory. 

In the Players division, Brian Casey carded two birdies on the last five holes to post a 79, and his par on the 18th hole was the difference as Casey earned a two stroke victory over runner up John Abrahamsson. PGCC member Mike Sacks checked in at 3rd place, five off the pace. 

In the Eagle division, two time SFLAGT event winner Robert Marrero was unseated as first time participant Omar Antigua started with birdies on the first two holes, and hung on to earn top honors. 

Again, the SFLAGT is pleased to have worked with Parkland Golf and CC to offer its players another event at the club, our second this year. PGCC is without a doubt a fantastic venue and one that we look forward to hosting at again in the near future.

The SFLAGT had several new players at the Parkland Fall Classic, and we look forward to maintaining that trend as we continue to grow the tour...to our a regulars who play almost every event, and our new players...Thanks for coming out! 

Next stop is the TPC Classic, December 15 at TPC Eagle Trace Golf Club.

 

Saturday October 27- The Club at Emerald Hills

The SFLAGT held its 7th event of the season Saturday at The Club at Emerald Hills. With the tour hosting events at some of South Florida's best courses, there is certainly some challenging tests as the area's best venues aren't always the easiest courses. That concept was taken to a new level on Saturday, as the already difficult Emerald Hills provided for perhaps one of the most taxing afternoons of golf, as winds were steadily in the 25mph range, and gusting north of 30mph! Needless to say, it was an experience for the field; a requirement in patience and understanding that sometimes mother nature will get the best of us.

The Championship division was certainly a battle of survival, with Tom Christensen carding an 8 over par 80, which was good enough to take home the win. Christensen, playing in the first twosome, stumbled on 17 and 18, but his steady play throughout the day provided him with the cushion he needed to earn the victory. This was the first win for Tom, who has played in several SFLAGT events this year.

David Gochin hung tough on an up and down day to narrowly defeat Mike Sacks in the Eagle Division. With the outcome still in doubt on 18, Gochin carved a beautiful 5 iron to 4 feet, sinking the birdie putt to win in style!

In the Eagle divison, Robert Marrero played some steady golf, and avoided having too many big numbers. Marrero was able to cruise down the stretch and win convincingly for his second SFLAGT win of the season.

A sincere thank you goes out to the entire field for playing in the Emerald Open and hanging in there on a day they wont soon forget. The Emerald Open was hands down the most challenging event for the SFLAGT this year! We know it will only get easier!

 

Saturday September 29- Grande Oaks Golf Club

The SFLAGT was back in action Saturday, hosting the Grande Oaks Fall Classic on what turned out to be a picture perfect afternoon. 

Donnie Lowe struck the first tee shot, and in another impressive pace of play display, the group of Lowe and Griffin played in 2 hours and 59 minutes!

Taylor Griffin was steady all day, carding three birdies en route to an even par 71; Griffin earned the victory in his first SFLAGT start. Kevin Garbizo and Tom Christensen were in contention after solid opening nines, but both lost a few strokes to par on the back nine before settling for second and third place respectively.

The Players Division provided some nice drama as David Gochin and Corey Ryan went back and forth, each person holding the lead and advantage at different times. The 18th hole at Grande Oaks is one that will make any player "earn it"; with water down the entire left side, the hole requires two good shots. Both Gochin and Ryan struggled on the hole, but in the end, Gochin authored a great up and down, holing a 4 footer for the win. 

In the Eagle Division, it was another crowded leaderboard as all 4 players were tightly packed after the turn. In the end, Robert Marerro surged ahead with a very steady performance. Despite an admittedly tough finish at the 18th, Marerro hung on for a one stroke victory over three time Eagle division winner Jorge Skala. 

Again, the SFLAGT prides itself on creating an enjoyable experience of golf and Saturday was no different. Grande Oaks Golf Club provided for a fantastic day of golf as many of the players got to tee it up on a course that they do not often or have not ever played. Further, the pace of play was again impressive, the first group (a twosome) played in 2:59, and all other groups were in well under 4 hours.

The respective division winners received nice trophies and gift certificates to the fantastic pro shop at Grande Oaks. It was nice to see the victorius players receive not only a great experience on the course, but some hardware and merchandise to go with it! 

The South Florida Amateur Golf Tour returns to action on Saturday October 27, with the second event of its "Fall Series." 

The South Florida Amateur Golf Tour held its fifth event of the season and second event at TPC Eagle Trace Golf Club Saturday. Intermittent showers made for some challenging conditions, with the players gaining another afternoon of quality experience at one of South Florida's best courses.

Carlos Parra, playing in his second consecutive SFLAGT event, hung tough with two late birdies to surge ahead and claim the victory. Doug Phillips finished runner up.

In the Eagle Division, Scott Sloane, earned his redemption after a close call at the Parkland Challenge. Sloane started strong and was able to cruise to the victory, holing several nice putts along the way.

Due to a variety of circumstances, we had a light field on Saturday, but we look forward to a nice turnout in a month as the SFLAGT heads to the private Grande Oaks Golf Club on September 29th.

Our next event marks the beginning of our "Fall Series", which consists of events at Grande Oaks, Emerald Hills, Lago Mar CC, and more.

Thanks again to all of the players who came out!

 

Another South Florida Amateur Golf Tour event has reached it's conclusion, but not before a sudden death playoff was needed to decide a winner, making this the third time in four events during the inagural season that the tour has needed extra holes.

Inclement weather caused some early delays; but the skies were able to clear and the sun came out. With blue skies and a light breeze the field pressed forward on what turned out to be a beautiful afternoon.

The event was certainly up for grabs after 9 holes as Doug Phillips carried a one shot lead over two players. The back nine was where the separation ensued as Kevin Garbizo holed a 20 footer for eagle on 13, and birdied the 16th en route to a back nine 35 and a round of 74. Phillips carded three birdies of his own, including a lenghty birdie on the 18th to force the playoff!

Garbizo used a booming drive to create an advantage on the first sudden death playoff hole, and after Phillips was unable to convert his par putt, Garbizo cleaned up from a couple feet for the victory!

In the Players Division, David Gochin played a steady round of golf and lead the entire way. Gochin was able to afford a couple late bogeys to hold off friend and hard charging Michael Sacks, a Parkland Golf and CC member.

Jorge Skala won the Eagle division, besting Parkland Golf and CC employee and SFLAGT newcomer Scott Sloane. Skala's birdie at the 16th was the key to victory as he was able to hold on to his 3 stroke lead over the final two holes.

A thank you goes out to Parkland Golf and CC, host venue for the Parkland Challenge. PGCC is easily one of the best conditioned golf courses we have in South Florida and the SFLAGT looks forward to coming back to the Club for a future event. 

Also, thanks again to all the players who came out to the Parkland Challange!

The South Florida Amateur Golf Tour returns to action Sunday, August 19 at Lago Mar Country Club! 

 

The third event of the South Florida Amateur Golf Tour Summer Series is in the books as Ben Gardner finished strong with three pars on the difficult closing stretch at Emerald Hills to win by one shot. Gardner made three birdies on the day and surivived what was a difficult test of golf as Emerald Hills once again proved why it is one the most challenging courses in South Florida. 

Andrew Mangini found himself in contention for the second consecutive event and once again provided some dramatic shot making before coming up just short. Mangini opened with an eagle on the Par 5 first hole, and four consecutve pars before reaching the Par 3 6th Hole, where he would hit a shot he will remember for a long time. With a front hole location on the Par 3, Mangini hit a perfect shot that landed right behind the flag, spinning back and falling in for a HOLE IN ONE!!

Matthew Minlionica turned in a strong front nine and was in the mix again before settling for 3rd place.

Douglas Haynes made it 2 for 2 as he earned his second victory in the Senior Division. Haynes carded 3 birdies on the day, and was two shots clear of Tom Dosdourian who finished in 2nd place.

In the Eagle Division, Luis Restrepo outlasted two time SFLAGT Eagle Division Winner Jorge Skala and Greg Carvajal to turn in the victory. 

The SFLAGT players were treated to a fantastic course and a great day of competition. 

The first group was done in 3 Hours and 9 minutes! The remaining groups all completed play under four hours. 

The South Florida Amateur Golf Tour returns to action Saturday July 28 at Parkland Golf and CC. Another fantastic venue, Parkland GCC is consistently one of the best conditioned golf courses in South Florida. 

Thanks to all the players who came out to Emerald Hills!

A picture perfect morning gave way to a breezy afternoon as the field was treated to the well conditioned Jacaranda East Golf Club, albeit under some windy conditions. 

The Championship Division was indeed a "shootout", with a tightly bunched leaderboard as the players reached the 16th hole, where the tees were moved up to create a short, exciting par 4. Five players were within 2 shots of the lead, which was held by Matthew Minlionica. In the end, Donnie Lowe and Andrew Mangini tied after regulation, both carding 76.

Now this is when things got interesting! After signing thier cards and hitting a few more balls, the players made thier way to the 1st tee for a Sudden death playoff. Although, there was nothing "sudden" about the ending, as Lowe and Mangini went shot for shot for 9 holes! Lowe had a couple of early opportunities, but couldn't get the clinching putt to drop. On the 4th playoff hole, the Par 5 9th, Mangini put a great stroke on a 30 foot eagle putt that nearly dropped. Again on the 6th playoff hole, Mangini hit another great putt from 25 feet that caught a lot of the hole before spinning out. Lowe would go on to hole a clutch 10 footer to extend the playoff. The tournament came to an end on the 9th playoff hole as Donnie Lowe holed a 3 foot par putt for the win!

Both players seemed to get stronger as the day went on, as Lowe and Mangini hit several high quality shots throughout the playoff. It was certainly an event they both won't soon forget!

Matthew Minlionica finished alone in 3rd, one shot out of a playoff- Doug Phillips finished two shots back.

In the Eagle Division, Jorge Skala managed the golf course well, turning in a steady round to earn the victory over runner up Luis Restrepo.

The South Florida Amateur Golf Tour thanks all the players who came out! We return to action in June at Emerald Hills.

The inaugural SFLAGT event came to a conclusion Saturday, with the field battling through adverse conditions on a wet afternoon at TPC Eagle Trace. Tyler Gentilella played the final five holes in one under par to survive and earn the victory. 

Kent Morris fashioned a crafty up and down at the last to earn solo second while TPC Eagle Trace member Tom Christensen and Scott Jacobs shared 3rd place.

There was some bonus golf played in the Senior Division, as Douglas Haynes and Jim Dubois entered a sudden death playoff. Haynes holed a 7 foot putt for par on the second playoff hole to win the Senior Division. 

Jorge Skala managed to hang tough in the Eagle Division and earn a one shot victory.

Tom Christensen hit the opening tee shot at 11:45 am. In an impressive display, the threesome of Christensen, Morris, and Fouts played in 3 hours and 19 minutes.

That is certainly some exemplary pace of play!

Despite the conditions, the field was treated to a fantastic golf course. TPC Eagle Trace, home to Champions Tour Q School, is widley regarded as one of the best golf courses in South Florida.