--photo PBCGA
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (April 17, 2011) -– Ben Gardner scored his first Palm Beach County Golf Association victory Sunday, winning the 10th annual International, a Stableford points event on the Haig course at PGA National. A former Spanish River High School and Florida Atlantic University golfer, Gardner, 26, fired a closing round of five under par 67 to earn 48 points, the best score of the weekend. His two-day total of 82 was the lowest winning score since 2005. He had opened Saturday with 76 for 34 points.
“I putted really well today,” Gardner said in explaining the difference in the two days of play. “I must have made at least six putts outside eight feet. It was a fun day.”
His card showed seven birdies, three on par-5 holes, and two bogeys. “I can’t remember the last time I won a tournament. I know it’s been a long time,” he said. Currently living in Palm Beach and working for a wholesale chocolate manufacturer in Delray Beach, Gardner says he last played in a PBCGA event two years ago. “I hope to play a little more often this year,” he added.
Gardner finished 45 minutes ahead of Saturday’s leaders and three points in front of runner-up Pete Williams, who closed with 45 points for a total of 79. They were tied for 16th Saturday. Williams was the PBCGA Senior Player of the Year in 2010. First round co-leaders Tim Stieren and Ben Adelberg earned 33 and 30 points, respectively, to drop to sixth and 10th.
In the net division, a point quota event, the winner was Brian Donnelly of Palm Beach Gardens with plus-1. He won in 2007 at plus 7.
View results for Palm Beach Stableford
ABOUT THE Palm Beach Stableford
Individual Modified Stableford for 36 Holes.
Competitors lose 1 point for a Double
Bogey or worse. 1 point for Bogey, 2 points
for Par, 4 points for Birdie, 6 points for
Eagle, 8 points for
Double Eagle. Open to all PBCGA
Members. Open, Senior and Super Senior divisions.
Maximum handicap
allowed
is 18.
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