BOTH VETERANS & ROOKIES WIN IN ORLANDO SEASON OPENER

A field of 107 players opened the 2013 Golfweek Amateur Tour/Orlando season at Black Bear Golf Club on March 23.  It was exciting as 22 first year players joined returning players including players from five other GWAT tours.  A brief shower early in the day gave way to ideal playing conditions on the Pete Dye course.

It was great to see several new members step up and win prizes in their first event.  The veterans were reminded how strong the competition is each year on tour.

Championship Flight:  Players wasted little time in this flight putting up low scores.  Five time Player of the Year Chad Frank came away with a one stroke victory by posting a 1-under 71.  He needed every made putt as tour veteran John Bessette and Mike Amato—a player who returned to the tour after missing several seasons—tied for second with fine even par rounds of 72.  First year player Rafael Abad was fourth on 74.

A Flight:  First year player Donald Dunivant came out on top of the 26 player flight with a steady round of 38-40-78.  Nathan Classon was the only other A-flight player to break 80 as he finished one stroke back.  Another rookie, Mark Anderson, tied for third with David Parker.  Both shot 81.

B Flight:  The B-flight is always competitive.  And it is the largest flight this year with 28 playing at Black Bear.  Playing in the last group of the day, Brad Bettin broke everyone’s heart as his 79 gave him a three stroke victory over Dan Seidenfaden (82).  Tour veterans ruled this flight as Dave DiMauro (83), John Pringle and Jim Kenney—both with 84’s rounded out the top five.

Nick Judkins Wins C Flight in First Event

C Flight:  Nick Judkins, making his debut, enjoyed a terrific day in C flight.  He put up a solid 86 to record the victory. Second place went to Reggie Livingston from the Chicago tour.  He shot 88.  Orlando veterans Dennis Frantz and Jude Bien-Aime tied for third with 90.

D Flight:  Po Lehman from Tampa took first in D-flight after shooting 92.  Dan Salik was second on 96 and George Aylsworth (97) finished third.

Senior Flights:  Jim Hammons carded a 78 to take top honors in Senior Championship.  Bill Foster shot 80 for second. Donald Dunivant (78) took first in Senior A.   Brad Bettin claimed the top spot in Senior B with his 79.

 
Jim Hammons (L) & Donnie Dunivant Win Senior Champ & Senior A flights