Southern Dunes in Perfect Condition For Golfweek Tour Players
Photo by Angi Forsyth

FRANK WINS FOR FIRST TIME IN 2012; KEMPISKI WINS SECOND STRAIGHT PLAYOFF

Five time Player of the Year Chad Frank won for the first time in 2012 at Southern Dunes.  The golf course was in absolutely perfect condition--we may not find a better conditioned course all year.  With green running fast and true, Frank posted 34-38-72 for a four stroke win in Championship flight over first time player Tal Johnson.  Tour veterans Ray Vigeant and John Bessette followed right behind with 77 and 78, respectively.

For the second straight week, Rob Kempinski (pictured) topped the Senior Championship flight by winning a playoff.  Last week it was Bill Foster who took Kempinski to extra holes; this week it was Jim Hammons.  They each shot 78 in regulation.  Rob prevailed on the second hole.

First year player Michel Dion, a former NHL player, claimed victory in A flight with a very nice round of 77.  It is his first year on Orlando's tour, after he transferred from the Hilton Head tour.  Sam Bellamy posted one of his best scores on tour with a 79 that put him T2 with Dennis Cargo.  Another two strokes back, five players matched scores of 81 as the field really bunched up.

In Senior A flight, Michel's 77 was good enough to send him into a playoff with tour regular Larry Barousse.  It was over quickly as Michel won the first extra hole.  Greg Takacs (81) took thrid place in a scorecard match with Ed Paterniti.

Three players shot 82 to send the B flight to extra holes.  New member Mike Ferretti, veteran Scotty Garcia and Tampa member Lou Savinetti headed out to #10 to find a winner.  They found one on the first playoff hole as Ferretti made the only par as the others bogeyed.  Savinetti's 82 was good for first place in Senior B flight.  Chet Parker's 84 took second place over Bill Robertson's 84 on the scorecard.

Chase Forsyth Chips To Green at Southern Dunes
Photo by Angi Forsyth

On a day when we had a number of players from other tours join us, C flight saw two Tampa members take home prizes.  Orlando member Gregg Sargent took the top prize with a very good score of 83.  Still, he needed every putt as Tampa's Brian Lipsey shot 84 for second.  Tampa director Len Benedetti posted 86 for third place.  Chase Forsyth and Enrique Saez finished T4 with 87.

D flight went to a first time player as Jude Bien-Aime shot 85. He will go into C flight next time out.  James Rearden of the North Central Florida tour shot 89 to finish second.  Mark Watson took thrid with 91.  Mark, too, will be headed to the C flight next time out.

Next event is May 19 at Stoneybrook West.

MORRISON WINS FOR THIRD TIME; PRESSLEY GOES LOW; KHOKHAR WINS, EARNS PROMOTION

Garrett Morrison Has Won 3 of 4 Events In 2012

Garrett Morrison shot a fine 69 at Harmony to win the Championship Flight in the Golfweek Amateur Tour event on April 28.  It was his thrid win in four events this season and gave him a 400+ point lead in the Points Standings over John Henry, winner last time out at Duran.  Garrett was four strokes clear of second place finisher Bill Shufelt (73).  Chad Frank and Bill Foster tied for thrid with 74's.

Marvin Pressley Shoots 70 at Harmony

A Flight saw Marvin Pressley shoot a fantastic round of 2-under par 70.  His round included six birdies and four bogeys.  It was the lowest of many good scores in A Flight.  Scott Puttick and Arnie Guerra posted 74's that would win A Flight on most any other day.  At Harmony, they tied for second.  Dan Seidenfaden playing in A Flight this year was excited to put up a 76.  He tied with Ed Paterniti for fourth.  In all, 13 players broke 80 in A Flight.  Great playing guys!

Dan Seidenfaden Finishes T4 in A Flight

The good play carried on into the B Flight.  Andy Khokhar shot a fine 77 to capture his first victory on tour.   The margin was four strokes as Ben Hamby carded 81 to take second by one stroke over two players.  Jim Kenney and Ernie Hallare tied with 82's  Matt D'Auria rounded out the top 5 with 83.  Khokar joined the tour in the second half of last year and with the victory has earned a promotion up to A Flight beginning with his next tournament.  It is one of the great things about the tour--when a player "takes his game to a new level", he earns the right to step up his competition.  Good job Andy!

First year player Enrique Saez topped the C Flight with a nice 84 at Harmony.  He, too may be headed for a promotion--time will tell.  Another first year player, Dennis Frantz was second with 87, followed by yet another rookie, Lorenzo Perez (89).

Mark Watson Putts as George Alysworth Watches

In D Flight Mark Watson topped the field with 87.  Lawrence Blunk took second with 90 and Brandon Prokop finished thrid on 91.

In Senior Flight play, Rob Kempinski and Bill Foster needed a playoff to decide the Senior Championship Flight.  They both played 18 holes in 74.  Rob won on the second extra hole.  Senior A went to Arnie Guerra with 74.  Ed Paterniti was second with 76.  Five players--count 'em!--tied on 77.  Jeff Bradshaw won the scorecard match for the third place prize.  Senior B went to Ben Hamby with his 81.  Chet Parker carded an 82 for second.  Rick Whitman was thrid with 86.

Next up is Southern Dunes on May 5.

In Memory of Eric Baker (1990-2012)

The Golfweek Amateur Tour/Orlando mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars.  Eric Baker died in a traffic accident on February 10, 2012.  The Tour leadership and every Orlando Golfweek Amateur Tour member extends its sympathy to his father, Andy Baker and the entire Baker family.  The 2012 season will be dedicated to Eric's memory.