What a Tournament!

Our 100th New Year’s Invitational showcased good weather, excellent course conditions and strong play from a number of participants. It also provided the most unusual finish in the event’s 100-year history.

Friday’s first round produced 18 rounds in the 60’s, led by University of Richmond sophomore Carson Baez and high school junior Lucas Gimenez with matching 66’s. FlStronger breezes the second day reduced the number of sub-70 scores with the first round leaders remaining on top, Gimenez firing 68 for a two-day total of 134, Baez one shot back after a second round 69. 5 other players were within 4 shots of the lead.

Gimenez led throughout the day Sunday, coming to the final hole needing a par 5 for a winning 205 total. His second shot was wide right and his wedge recovery was long, leading to a bogey 6, bringing five other players into a tie at 206: Kentucky’s Jacob Lang; Notre Dame’s Calen Sanderson; Carson Baez; Florida freshman Parker Severs; Windermere high school sophomore Chase Bauer. The 6-way playoff was reduced to 2 as Gimenez and Bauer both eagled 18, eliminating the other 4 competitors. Gimenez and Bauer’s second trip down 18 resulted in 2 pars but Gimenez secured his victory by two-putting for birdie after Bauer missed a six-footer that would have extended the playoff to a fourth edition.

In all, 17 players bettered the 54-hole par of 213. Included in that group was the low mid-amateur, Tampa’s Joe Trim, whose 3-under par 210 total gave him a 3-shot margin over Plant City’s Kyle Martin.

After accepting his first place crystal award Lucas indicated that he would take advantage of the additional prize of participation in the Lecom Suncoast Classic, the Korn Ferry Tour event to be held at Lakewood National this coming April. This is the second year that this perk has been made available via agreement between the club and that tournament’s management, and the help of several of our members. We wish Lucas every success in this undertaking and, despite his young age, expect him to do well.