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