Super Senior Division

Three rounds weren’t enough to decide a winner in the Super Senior division. James Pearson, of Charlotte, N.C., and Terry Tyson, of Perrysburg, Ohio, finished regulation tied at 1-over par, 217 for the tournament. Pearson finished with a 2-over 74 in the final round, while Tyson posted the only red figure of the Super Senior division on day three with a 2-under 70 to draw even with the overnight leader.

The duo would head back to No. 18 at Abacoa for a sudden-death playoff. With both players driving the ball well, they made two routine pars on the first playoff hole, and it was back to the 18th tee.

On the second playoff hole, Pearson’s second shot found the penalty area with Tyson about ten feet for birdie. Pearson made a great recovery shot from the penalty area and made a ten-footer to save par while Tyson’s birdie just missed.

On the third hole, it was role reversal as Tyson’s second found the penalty area and Pearson found the green. Tyson played a great shot and had a good chance for par from about 8 feet. Pearson would two-putt for par, as Tyson’s par effort slid by, giving Pearson the crown.

“I got a new driver that has been working well,” said Pearson. “I just played steady each day and tried to minimize mistakes. I had a three-putt from about 100 feet today but putted nicely otherwise.”

Pearson, who also won the Fall Classic at Pine Needles in October, added, “I made a great birdie on No. 7 [his next-to-last hole] and thought I need another one to win in regulation, but couldn’t get it done on No. 8.  On the second playoff hole, I hit my approach in the water, but then got up-and-down out of there to extend it, so that felt good.  Hats off to Terry on his fine play.”

Jim Starnes, of Ft. Myers, Fla., finished in third place, just one stroke out of the playoff after rounds of 72-74-72 for a 2-over total of 218.

Steve Humphrey, of Ocala, Fla., who finished fourth at 4-over, caught fire with four birdies in a row just before a late double-bogey derailed his comeback.  Humphrey jarred his tee shot on No. 4 for an ace during Tuesday’s second round.

Legend Division

It came down to a duel between the overnight leader, Don Donatoni, of West Chester, PA, and first round leader, Stephen Fox, of Pinehurst, NC. Donatoni slept on a three-shot lead heading into the final round, but Fox came out swinging and made birdie on his second hole of the day, and after an early bogey by Donatoni, it was game on.

Fox kept a clean card for the duration of the final round, posting two birdies and sixteen pars en route to the only red number in the Legend division on day three.  Donatoni, who posted his competitive career-low round with an 8-under 64 in the second round on Tuesday, went cold during the final round in which he could only manage one birdie from short-range on No. 18, which was his eighth hole of the day in the shotgun start.

Fox put together rounds of 67-75-70 to finish at 4-under 212 total and edged Donatoni by one stroke.

“I played well in the first round and then kind of went through the motions on Tuesday,” said Fox.

Fox added, “Today was much better. Don and I had a tight battle out there and I knew it would be tough to beat him. I got off to a good start with a two-shot swing after three holes, and I’m happy with the way I finished the round bogey-free. It’s always nice to come away with a win against tough competition. Hats off to Abacoa for being such amazing hosts.”

As a consolation prize, Donatoni did secure 2024 Legend Division Player of the Year honors.

Pete Allen, of Southport, N.C., finished in third place with a solid showing of 5-over with rounds of 74-74-73.