PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – After posting rounds of 72-73 for a 145 total, Vance Antoniou has a three-shot lead entering the final round of the Golfweek Senior Tour Championship at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Tied for second after posting 36-hole totals of 148 are Bob Stephens (74-74), of Indianapolis, Sam Till Jr. (75-73) of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Peter Van Ingen (73-75) of New York, N.Y.
Antoniou, of North Barrington, Ill., and currently ranked No. 33 in the Golfweek Senior Amateur Rankings, has played nearly flawless golf in less-than-ideal conditions.
Competitors played through rain showers in Round 1 as already damp fairways become saturated. As Buddy Finch, PGA National tournament director said, “About the only thing we can’t control here is Mother-Nature.”
“I played this course growing up,” said Antoniou. “My parents had a condo here at PGA National and I love being here no matter what the conditions.”
Antoniou, who is still working as a commercial real estate developer, said he is now getting to the point where he can devote more time to his golf game.
“Golf has been in second place the last few years because of work,” Antoniou said. “I was a much better ball striker when I was younger, but I’m a much better golfer now."
Antoniou, who has qualified for six U.S. Golf Association events since turning 40 added, “The highlight of my golfing career was playing in the U.S. Senior Open. I shot 3 under in the qualifier and was medalist.”
In the Super Senior Division, Pat Vincelli of Stuart, Fla., with rounds of 70-71 for a 141 total, has a one-shot lead over Robert Currey of Boston. Currey, who has the low round of the tournament after firing an opening-round 69, posted a second-round 73, giving him a 142 total.
In the Legends Division, Gus Kozina of Beach Park, Ill., used a 148 total to take a two-stroke lead into the final round against Jim DuBois of Coral Springs, Fla.
ABOUT THE Golfweek Senior TOC
54 hole, Medal Play with Senior (55-64),
Super Senior (65-69), and Legends (70+) Divisions.
The Golfweek Senior
Tournament of Champions is open to all winners of
senior events in the last calendar year.
View Complete Tournament Information