Paul Royak, Brian Keenan go wire-to-wire at Florida Winter Series Four-Ball
Paul Royak & Brian Keenan (FSGA photo)
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — The FSGA Winter Series made its sixth of seven stops for the lone four-ball event at Southern Hills Plantation Club, in Brooksville. The Pete Dye Signature design was in fantastic condition and presented a challenge for the whole field over 36 holes.
In the 40-54 Age Division, Paul Royak & Brian Keenan, the 2014 Mid-Senior Four-Ball North Champions, took control of the event wire to wire. They held the overnight lead with the team of James Knight & Jimmy Morris, after an opening 69 (-3) and would make five birdies en route to a final round 68 (-4) and three stroke victory over Baldonick Fernandez and James Weick.
The 55-64 Age Division proved to be the most exciting of the event. Lenny Barthle & Ralph Remmert would jump out to a one stroke lead with a 66 (-6), but falter in round two with a 77. Tony Baccari & Dick Clements would pair an opening 67 (-5) with a second round 69 (-3) playing behind the final group to post 136 (-8). While behind them, Bill Moore & Pete DeLongchamp teamed up for a bogey free 67, the low round of any team during the windy final round, to post 69-67--136 (-8) and force a play-off. The play-off had the players return to the 18th tee. Three of the four players would find the green in regulation. Baccari would miss his birdie putt from 30 feet but convert his par. Bill Moore, just outside of Dick Clemens, would have a run at birdie for his side, after DeLongchamp missed the green, and would narrowly miss. Clemens, then on a similar line as Moore, would drain the birdie putt to get the win for himself and Baccari.
In the 65 & Over Age Divison, Kim Schwencke and Pat Kaylor would take it wire to wire. The team opened up a four-stroke lead by firing 66 (-6), led by Schwencke's four birdies. The team would return with 70 (-2) in round two, good enough for a five stroke victory over Tom Austin & Tommy Piazza (73-68--141).
The highlight of the event came early in round two, when David Tassell, of Jupiter, stepped up to the 13th tee, his first hole, and led off the group by knocking it in for an Ace from 156 yards.
The final Winter Series event will head to Santa Lucia River Club, in Port Saint Lucie, March 2-3.