We had another fun tournament on Saturday at Miccosukee Golf & Country Club! Fortunately, the rain stopped well before our first tee time, so the weather was great! We did have to play lift, clean and place because of all the rain on Thursday, Friday and earlier Saturday morning. The course played tough, as always, and for the most part the scores reflected it.
The shot of the delay belonged to Stephen Riccardi in the Palmer Flight, who hit a 3-wood to less than 2 feet on the very long (552 yards) and into-the-wind Par-5 16th. He made the putt for birdie – and a skin. Great shot, Stephen!
Alex Ojea posted the low score of the day, shooting a 77 to win the Championship Flight. Ojea completed the difficult back nine just 1-over par at 37. Congratulations, Alex!
In the Palmer Flight, Stephen Hagerman continues to play great golf this season, carding a 78 to take the trophy. In three events this season, Hagerman has posted a 79 (T2), an 80 (T2) and Saturday’s 78. Now that’s consistency! Congratulations Stephen! Kevin Kim finished 2nd, just one stroke back at 79, with Daniel D’Loughy, the defending champ in 3rd with an 83.
Olivier Brion, another very consistent golfer, won the Hogan Flight with a solid 82. Brion’s last four tournament rounds, going back to last July are 81, 84, 83 and Saturday’s 82. Great round, Olivier. Congratulations! Jason Ellington finished 2nd at 84 and Michael North finished 3rd with an 85. Nice rounds, guys.
In the Sarazen Flight, Mark Sapsford claimed the trophy after shooting an 84. Sapsford started out great, birdying the first hole, then stumbled a bit on the 410-yard Par-4 second hole. From there on out, he made nothing higher than a bogey and played the back nine in just 40 strokes. Great win, Mark! Gene Greystone finished 2nd with an 87 and Fernando Pallares finished 3rd with an 88.
In the Jones Flight, Frank Lamadrid pulled his back early in the round and was in significant pain. To compensate, he says he slowed down his swing – and it worked out well. His 88 was good enough for a 4-stroke victory. Tommy O’Harte finished 2nd at 92, while Robbie Wright shot a 98 for 3rd.
Tony Maroon made it two in a row at Miccosukee, successfully defending his 2012 title with an even 90 on Saturday. Congratulations, Tony! It was a very close race as Marvin Kurzban just one stroke back at 91 for 2nd Place and Domenico D’Alfonso finished 3rd with a 92.
Congratulations to all the Flight Winners!
You can view the tournament photos here (Miami/Fort Lauderdale events):
You’ll find West Palm Bach Tournament photos here:
In the Skins Game, Jorge Lorenzo was the big winner, pocketing a total of $120 for his birdies on #13 and 15. Congratulations, Jorge! There weren’t any birdies in the Jones Flight, so we have $40 rollover money for the next Miami/Fort Lauderdale tournament, which is at International Links on March 2nd.
There were a number of birdies in each of the other flights, spreading the wealth while reducing the payout for each skin. The per Skin payouts were $20 in the Championship Flight, $23 in Palmer Flight and $36 for each skin in the Hogan and Sarazen Flights.
Thanks to everyone who played for making it a great tournament – and thanks to Head Pro Al Topping and all the staff at Miccosukee!
Next up is International Links Miami on March 2nd – and Polo Trace on the West Palm Beach Tour March 9th.
Click here for the International Links Tournament Page:
And click here for Polo Trace:
See you on the course!
Jeff
