2012
GOLFWEEK AMATEUR TOUR/ORLANDO
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
(L-R) RAY RODRIGUEZ
(SrB), ED PATERNITI (SrA), JOSHUA JOHNSON (D), DENNIS FRANTZ (C), GARRETT
MORRISON (CHAMP), ROB KEMPINSKI (SrCHAMP), TOM DILLON (A), JIM KENNEY
(B)
CONGRATULATIONS!
_______________________________________________________
Regular Season Ends at ChampionsGate; Eric Baker Fund Distributed
at Special Awards Luncheon
You
can always count on a sky full of ballons on visits to
ChampionsGate
The tour closed out the regular season September 15 at the National
Course at ChampionsGate. Chad Frank warmed up for the Tour
Championship with a 2 under 70 to take Championship flight by 4 strokes over
Player of the Year Garrett Morrison. Matt Tickle took third
with 76. In senior Championship flight play, Bill Foster topped
Rob Kempinski by four (75-79). Still it was not enough to
overtake Kempinski for Player of the Year.
Tom Dillon capped off a stellar season in A flight,
shooting 75 to win for the sixth time in 2012. Steve Johnson
was a shot back after a 76. Gene Johnson, up from the
West Palm Beach senior tour, shot 77 and took third. Steve and
Gene finished 1-2 in the senior A flight.
In B flight Brad Bettin seems to be rounding into
postseason form as he topped the field with a nice 81. Mike Salik
was second at 83 and Mike Ferretti followed with 84.
Brad also won the senior B flight over Ben
Hamby.
First year player Jude Bien-Aime won the C flight with a
terrific round of 84. He was five shots clear of second place Jay
Freeman. Brian Mack was third.
D flight belonged to Dan Salik this week. He scored 86
on a perfect September day for golf. Brandon Prokop finished
second after a 92.
_________________________________________________________
2012 Awards Luncheon--A Special Event
The
2012 Awards Luncheon followed the golf at ChampionsGate. Every year we honor
the Players of the Year along with the top performers in each flight. This year
was no exception as the players pictured at the top of the page were properly
recognized this year. But there was more this year...
Tour members played all season with a heavy heart after the death of
Eric Baker last winter. The tour created an Eric Baker
Memorial Fund to be distributed to junior golf programs desicnated by
Eric's parents, Andy and Chaddi Baker. Three
of the designated receipient organizations were present at ChampionsGate. In
addition the tour establilshed the Eric Baker Sportsmanship Award
that will be given each year. The first award was presented to Eric's
father, Andy.
Tour
Member Greg Takacs Donated the Trophy &
Made the Presentation to
Andy
The
Eric Baker Fund collected over $5,000 in
2012.
The
largest donation, $2,000 went to the Little Linksters program.
PGA Member and Little Linksters founder Brendon Elliot spoke
about the program and how the donation will help.
Brendon
Elliot Accepts Donation to Little Linksters
The
Eric Baker Fund donated $1500 to the US Blind Golf Association
and its junior golf program. It was a special award as blind golf is one ot
tour director Tom Mirus' passions. He accepted the award on their
behalf.
The
Citrus Junior Golf Tour received $1,000. Tour director Doug Holloway
of St. Cloud Golf Club accepted the award.
Andy
& Chaddi Baker Watch as Doug Holloway Speaks About
Citrus Junior Golf
Tour
The Lake
County Junior Golf Association received $500
Now
it is on to the Tour Championship in Hilton Head, a tournament where Eric
finished fourth last year. 47 Orlando members will make the trip to play for
individual titles as well as for a team trophy. The event is October 19-21,
2012.