Anderson, 18, prevails in experienced Florida Azalea field

March 17, 2019 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Cole Anderson

The teenager from Maine rose to the top of the field in Palatka, taking a four-shot win on a Tennessee collegian

Plenty of experienced dotted the Florida Azalea leaderboard – in terms of golf and life – but youth prevailed at Palatka (Fla.) Golf Club. Cole Anderson, an 18-year-old from Maine, walked away with the title after a four-shot win.

Anderson, who hails from Camden, Maine, was the picture of steadiness throughout the week, even though he didn’t start the final day with the lead. That belonged to Tallahassee, Fla., native Sean Butscher.

As Butscher, a former Austin Peay State player, slid down the leaderboard with a final-round 74, Anderson was there to take the spot. He had consistent rounds of 68-67-66 throughout the week on the tricky par-70 layout. Anderson graduated high school a semester early to join the Florida State roster in January. He won the Maine Match Play last summer and was runner-up at the Maine Amateur.

Anderson finished ahead of Jet Tickle, a University of Tennessee freshman. Tickle was 5 under for the week with rounds of 71-66-68.

German Leon Bader and Jake Carter of Aiken, S.C., tied for third another shot back.

Greyson Porter, a Florida State player who won the Orlando International Amateur in December, was solo fifth. Porter opened with rounds of 67-69, but slid to a final-round 71.

Butshcer tied for sixth along with three other players, including U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Kevin O’Connell.

Results: Florida Azalea

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Cole Anderson	Camden, ME	300	68-67-66=201
2	Jet Tickle	Bristol, TN	200	71-66-68=205
T3	Leon Bader	, Germany	100	70-67-69=206
T3	Jake Carter	Aiken, SC	100	69-67-70=206
5	Greyson Porter	Clearwater, FL	100	67-69-71=207

View full results for Florida Azalea

About the Florida Azalea

Anderson, 18, prevails in experienced Florida Azalea field

The Florida Azalea was started in 1958 as a two-man team tourney. The field has, over the years, boasted players who have gone on to greatness at the professional level. Tommy Aaron, who teamed with Dan Sykes for the 1960 Florida Azalea team title, w...