Nakashian tops Palm Beach County Senior

TEQUESTS, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2018) – R.J. Nakashian tied his two closest pursuers in the final round of the Palm Beach Senior Amateur, but it didn’t matter. Thanks to an opening 68, Nakashian had a big enough cushion to secure the title. The Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., resident was 6 under for 36 holes at Turtle Creek Club and finished four shots ahead of the field.

The margin of victory might have been much higher, but for Nakashian’s double-bogey on No. 18 in the final round. He had gotten to 2 under on the day with birdies at No. 15 and 16, but lost ground at the last minute.

Nakashian won the Florida Mid-Senior in 2016, and also combined with Stephen Anderson to win the Palm Beach County Four-Ball that year.

Ryan Howison of Jupiter, Fla., was runner-up at 2 under. He had rounds of 72-70 at Turtle Creek. Pete Williams of Juno Beach, Fla., was third another shot back. Williams won this title a year ago.

John Wegman, in solo fourth, had the best score of the third round, a 3-under 69 that ended with a bogey on No. 18.

Robbie Dew of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., won the super senior title in a playoff with Peter Metzler of Lake Worth, Fla. Both players finished regulation at 4 under.

The legends division also ended in a playoff. Angelo Sands of Boca Raton, Fla., beat Jan Blick of Palm City, Fla., on the first extra hole after both players finished the weekend at 11 under.