LOWE, HARRIS, CLEMENS AND ENGEL MOOT THOMAS WINNERS

All of the second round leaders in the Moot Thomas Invitational hung on to win their respective divisions on the final day of this three-day event.

In the Senior Division it was Ocala’s Tommy Lowe going wire-to-wire to win the title. Lowe opened up the tournament with a 65 and never looked back, although runner-up and defending champion Daniel Owen (Ocala) pulled to within one shot mid-way through the front side of the final round. It was at this point Lowe ran off four straight birdies on holes 7, 8, 9 and 10 to pull away from the pack. Owen finished at 11-under-par 204 (68-71-66). Finishing in third place was Kevin VandenBerg (NY) with a 10-under-par 206 on rounds of 68-71-67. Fourth place was Scott Ray (KY) with a 208 (71-66-71) and fifth place was Chad Ibbotson (Sanford) at 208 (70-71-69).

The Super Senior Division battle for the title was tight for all three days and it was Doug Harris grabbing the top spot. The Franklin, TN resident fired a second consecutive 4-under-par 68 for a three-day score of 10-under-par 206 and a two-shot win over Brad Rollison (Ponte Vedra Beach) who shot rounds of 67-72-69 for a 208 score. Tied for third were Terry Tyson (OH) and Apopka’s Doug Snoap with 210 total. Tyson shot 72-69-69 and Snoap shot 68, 73 and 69. Ft. Myer’s James Starnes finished fifth with 211 (71-71-69).

A record setting performance by Dick Clemens easily allowed him to win the Legends Division. Clemen’s three-day score was the lowest ever shot by any participant in the history of the tournament. The Tampa resident shot rounds of 69-62-67 for an 18-under-par 198. It’s the only time that anybody has been below 200. A gallant effort by John Armstrong fell short of catching Clemens but was good enough for second place. The Maryland resident closed the tournament with a 65 giving him a total score of 13-under-par 203. In third place was Robert Parmar (Ocala) with a 208 (69-64-75). Fourth place went to last year’s winner Phil Pavoni who shot a 6-under-par 210 (71-68-71). In fifth place was Bill Zylstra (Ocklawaha ) with a 74-71-68 – 213 score.

St. Augustine’s Bill Engel won the Super Legends Division pulling away from the field by firing a final round 3-under-par 69 for a three-day score of 11-under-par 205. In second place was John Osborne (Vero Beach) with a 5-under-par 211 (68-71-72). Third place went to Green Grove Springs’ Jack Hennemann who shot a 3-under-par 213 on rounds of 71-71-68. Brian Sachs (Newberry) finished in fourth place at 1-under-par 215 (70-73-72). Tied for fifth were Pete Andrews (Lithia) and Don Marsh (GA) as both posted even par 216 scores.

CHIP SHOTS – The winners of the Senior and Super Senior won an exemption into the 2024 North South Senior Amateur Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina…..Many of these top senior amateurs in the country who were in the tournament shot their age, too many to mention them all but there’s two that stood out more than the others with both of them shooting 14 shots under their age – Dick Clemmens’ round of 62 was 14, yes 14 shots better than his age and Jim Pfrogner also shot 14 shots under his age a final round 68 – do the math and you’ll see how old they are…..There were players from 16 states and one from Canada in the tournament…..

For all the final scores see: TOURNAMENT INFO/Results/FINAL SCORES MOOT THOMAS

TOMM LOWE – SENIOR WINNER
DOUG HARRIS – SUPER SENIOR WINNER
DICK CLEMMENS – LEGENDS WINNER
BILL ENGEL – SUPER LEGENDS WINNER

VANNUCCI, OWEN, HIMELSBAUGH CCO INVITATIONAL WINNERS

Mother Nature did not cooperate over the weekend at the Country Club of Ocala and because of her persistence the 2-day Invitational event had to be shortened to a one-day event. With that being said all of the first-round winners ended up being champions. Troy Vannucci, Daniel Owen and Walter Himelsbaugh who all managed to shoot under-par won their respective divisions.

Vannucci’s 4-under-par 68 gave him a 8-shot win in the Open Division. Coming in second place was Justin Grant with a 74. Martin Musgrave’s 75 put him in a third place finish with Riely Owen finishing fourth with a 76.

Owen’s 2-under-par 70 gave him a one-shot win over Thad Hudgens (71) in the Senior Division. Tied for third place were Steve Humphrey, Bobby Bryant and Doug Jones with 74’s.

Winning the Super Senior Division was Himelsbaugh with his 1-under-par 71. Second place went to Carlos Sera with a 73. Jack Easton ended up in third at 75 and Brian Duffy was fourth at 77.

CHIP SHOTS – Vannucci doesn’t mind making the trip from Palm Coast to Ocala. This is the second tournament he has played in this year, and he’s won both of them. His first win was last month – The Memorial.

The entire field scores are under TOURNAMENT INFO/Results/FINAL SCORES – CCO INVITATIONAL

DORMAN WINS MARION MASTERS SENIOR

Brent Dorman successfully defended his Marion Masters Senior title. The 36-hole tournament, which is for Marion County residents who are least 50 years old, finished at Ocala Golf Club.

Dorman shot a final round 4-under-par 68 which gave him two-day total of 4-under-par 140. Finishing in second was Steve Humphrey who was also under par. Humphrey, who finished second nationally for Super Senior Amateur in 2023, shot a 1-under par 143. In third place was Tommy Lowe with a 148 score. Fourth place was Jeff Morley at 149 and tied for fifth were Richie Crile and Scott Goldbach with 150s.

Winning the Super Senior Division was Jeff Faulkner. Faulkner shot back-to-back 3-under-par 69’s for a 6-under-par 138 total. Coming in second place was Robert Parmar with a 2-under-par 142. Tied for third were Phillip Yancey and Bob Bailey with 145. Bill Zylstra was alone in fifth with a 147 total.

In separate division play it was Dorman winning the 50-59 title with his 140 finish followed by Richie Crile and Scot Goldbach at 150. In fourth place was Lyle Livengood with a 152 and Paul Irvin was fifth with 155.

Winning the Silver Senior Division (60-64) was Humphrey with his 143 followed by Lowe at 148. Third place went to Morley at 149 and finishing in a tie for fifth was Bill Knapp and John McLeod at 150.

In the 65-69 Super Senior Division Faulkner topped the list with his 138 followed by Parmar at 142, Yancey at 145, Dave Falcone with 150 and David Mears at 152.

In the Golden Seniors Division (70-74) Bailey was first at 145 with a Zylstra second at 147. Jim Prendergast was third at 148 with Mike Arminio and Laurie Harrison tied for fifth at 150.

There was a tie for the top spot in the Legends (75+). Randy Briggs and Ron Russo ended up with 155 scores. Briggs shot 78-77 and Russo shot 76-79. Finishing third was Tom Stephenson at 157 (83-74) and Dick McDonough was fourth with 162 (88-74)

CHIP SHOTS – Several participants shot their age in the tournament. Dick McDonough (75) shot 74, Bob Bailey (71) shot 69, Bill Zylstra (72) shot 71, Mike Armino (74) shot 71 Robert Parmar (69) shot 67, Jim Prendergast (72) shot 72, Tom Stephenson (76) posted a 74 and Ron Russo (80) shot 76 and 79.

For al the final scores and breakdown by divisions see: TOURNAMENT INFO/Results/FINAL RESULTS – MARION MASTERS and FINAL RESULTS – MARION MASTERS SENIOR DIVISIONS

BRENT DORMAN MARION MASTERS SENIOR CHAMPION

CLARK CREAMER INDUCTED AS MEMORIAL HONOREE

“The Memorial Honoree is one who, through their relationship to the game of golf, has made meaningful contributions to the community.”

Clark Creamer was recognized as the Metropolitan Rotary Club’s 2023 Memorial Honoree at a special luncheon recently at the Ocala Golf Club. Creamer was the 36th recipient of this honor. Sixty friends, family and fellow honorees shared this special moment with Clark. Bo Briggs emceed the event and made the presentation of the prestigious trophy and gray jacket.

Some 26 years ago Ocala Director of Golf Mike McGinnis needed a golf professional in the city golfing program. McGinnis immediately offered the position to his long-time associate Creamer who was at the time working in the Florida Panhandle, packed up his bags and along with his wife (Julie) and daughter (Sara Katherine) moved to Ocala. Upon his arrival Clark was embraced by the local community and Clark being Clark, embraced them back. Clark has since given Marion County a professional who has been compassionate, knowledgeable and most of all lovable.
These are just some of the areas that Clark has had a great influence in … Youth Golf – Clark has mentored countless youngsters on and off the course and was a huge factor in the First Tee Program. Competitive Golf – Clark organized, assisted and ran numerous tournaments. Some of the most notable being The Pine Oaks Invitational and the Marion Masters Seniors. The Community – Clark was always there to listen, analyze and give constructive advice on subjects that weren’t always golf related.
Clark serves on the Marion County Golf Association board and is a lifetime member of the PGA. Clark has been the professional at several of the area courses, Pine Oaks, Ocala Golf Club and the Country Club of Ocala. Clark, Julie and Sara Katherine still call Ocala home and guess what, Clark hasn’t totally retired yet, you can find him behind the counter and also giving lessons at Baseline Golf Club. Drop in there and say hello … he’ll be glad you did.

Pictured above are some of the Memorial Honorees that were a part of Clark Creamer’s recognition luncheon. From left to right are: Randy Briggs, Berger Warner, Mike McGuiness, Doug Johnson, Ron Russo, Brent Dorman, Steve Albright, Clark Creamer, Phillip Yancey, Jim Yancey, Bill Zylstra and Jim Williams.

VANNUCCI, LOWE, BAILEY MEMORIAL WINNERS

The weather that the golfers faced on the final day of The Memorial at Eagle Ridge Golf Club was not ideal. Braving cold, windy conditions however did not deter anyone.

Troy Vannucci, Tommy Lowe and Bob Bailey ended up coming as the winners in their respective divisions.

Vannucci (Palm Coast) successfully defended his championship by shooting an even-par 144 two-day score (70-74) and finished two-shots ahead of runner-up Matt Giovannelli. Gio posted a 146 (74-72). Justin Grant finished with a 149 total (71-78) ending up third. Martin Musgrave finished fourth with a 152 (75-77) and Brandan Brookshire was fifth with 156 (80-76).

In the Senior Division Lowe claimed the top spot with a 147 total on rounds of 75 and 72. There was a three-way tie for second place as Bill Wright (75-79), Scott Goldbach (78-76) and Bobby Johnson (77-77) all shooting 154 scores.

Bailey shot the low round of the day, a 3-under-par 69 to claim the top spot in the Super Senior Division. Bailey’s 5-under-par 139 score was three better than Robert Parmar who was also under par for the event with a 2-under-par 142 (70-72). Finishing alone in third place was Richard Keene (Ga) with a 1-under-par 143 total on rounds of 71-72. Chris Hall (Ga) finished fourth with an even-par 144 (71-73) and finishing fifth was Kevin Macy (Tampa) with a 147.

For the final scores see TOURNAMENT INFO/Results/FINAL RESULTS-MEMORIAL

LOCKER/LETTERLY, MORLEY/JOHNSON, MEARS/HESS OCALA CUP WINNERS

The teams of Ben Locker/Ryan Letterly, Jeff Morley/Johnson and David Mears/Rob Hess survived the winds and rain for two days to come on top of their divisions in the Ocala Cup at Ocala Golf Club.

For Locker and Letterly, it was a successful defend having won the Open Division title last year.

In the Senior Division Jeff Morley and Bobby Johnson went wire-to-wire to capture the top spot.

Winning the Super Senior title was also a wire-to-wire win for David Mears and Rob Hess.

The entire field scores are under TOURNAMENT INFO/Results/FINAL RESULTS – OCALA CUP