Shauna Wins Third in a Row

The South West Florida Winter Championship lived up to its name with chilly temperatures  in the 60‘s and wind gust of up to 30 mph. South Florida has had an unseasonable warm winter with temperatures in the mid to high 80’s but not on Sunday.

The tournament, unexpectedly turned out to be a significant milestone for the WGAT South Florida Tour early in the season. The event produced the tours 25th round which allows to the SF tour to send a member to the USA National Championship with no Entry fee, and with the 2 of the top 4 current point earners on the SF Local of Merit The winner would be in the front seat to earn that spot. The other would be in good position to earn one of the future spots with 6 months left in the Season.  

Shauna who has had an incredible start to the season with two wins in her first two starts, and is currently in 2nd place behind Mark Lott. Bob Benser with three starts has yet to win his first title but has placed well in his events and is currently in 4th place in the standings. both have an opportunity to take over the lead with a win.

Shauna came out of the gates strong shooting four under after nine holes and developed a 10 stroke lead over Bob. Shauna faltered a bit on the back nine shooting 5 over for a total of net 73 but it was enough to win by 6 strokes. Shauna won 200 order of merit points putting her in first place with 539 points giving her a lead over 2011’s player of the year Mark Lott by 156 Points.

Mike Gabbard wins Wellinton Shootout on the 18th hole

Michael Gabbard
Tournament Champion

SE Florida’s first event of for the World Golfers Amateur Tour  was filled with a little bit of everything. From an opportunity for staring in a Golf Pride commercial paying out $15,000.00 to 10 golfers, a last hole victory, and past National Champions flexing their muscle to send a message they intend to repeat.

Michael Gabbard
Flight 1-2 Winner

After nine holes it was Jason Lambert, who was the 2005 Flight One National Champion and went to Turkey to compete in the World Golfers Championship and Shauna Federico, who was the 2010 Flight 4 National Champion and went to Thailand to compete in the World Golfers Championship, were leading the pack with a net 39 and they both were leading their respected flights. Making an early statement that the road to South Africa in 2012 will have to go through them.

Both Mike Gabbard and John Siena shot a net 41 on the front nine two strokes back of Lambert in the Flight 1-2 division, but when Lambert faltered on the par 4 15th with a triple bogie that opened the door for Gibbard to take a one stroke lead. After 17 Both were tied for the lead but Gabbard’s net par to Lambert’s bogie gave Michael Gabbard his first flight victory on tour.

Shauna Federico
Flight 3-5 Champion

In the Flight 3-5 division it was Shauna all the way. After starting with a three stroke lead after the first hole she never relinquished the lead on won by 19 strokes over Adam Radillo and Mike Aybar.

Shauna’s fight was for tournament champion and had a 2 stroke lead after 17 going into the 18th hole, but she finished with a triple bogie again giving Michael Gabbard his first Tournament Champion win on Tour. Shauna’s earned 139 local order of Merit Points to put her in second place behind Mark Lott. 

Next Event is the SW Florida Winter championship. Sunday February 26th in Alva Florida. For Details and Registration Click HERE


Next SE Florida event is the Hollywood Championship. Sunday March 4th at Hillcrest Golf and C.C.
For Event Details and Registration Click HERE

Current South Florida Rankings

Jesse Amaya
Making a putt on the 18th Green

Event Trophies

2010 National Champion makes 2012 tour debut with a bang

Jay Molina
Flight 1-2 Champion
Net 74

Shauna Federico
Tournament Champion
Net 72

Shauna, three year WGAT veteran and 2010 flight four National Champion continues to amaze all. After a career as a profession beach woman’s volleyball player she took up the game of golf to fill her competitive spirit. Her success can easily be found in her work ethic. She is always the first one at the course prior to every event giving herself at least two hours to practice putting, chipping, sand shots, driver and Irons.

Unfortunately all the years of such hard work on the beach and on the greens, it took its toll on her body and she needed to have a hip replacement.

In December of 2011 she went in for surgery and in only 7 weeks she was cleared to play golf. Only being free from walking with a cane for two weeks she entered her first event for the 2012 season. Not only did she win her flight over Bob Benser Sr. by one stroke she was also awarded Tournament Champions beating the entire field with a net 72. Her first place finish awarded her 200 Local Order of Merit points putting her is a tie for 3rd place and well on her way for qualifying for the 2012 USA National Championship.

In the Flight 1-2 Division it was 2010’s Player of the year Jay Molina starting off his 2012 campaign with a win in his debut. Jay shoot a net 74 to beat Mark Lott by two strokes. Todd Eldridge had the early lead after nine holes when he recorded a gross 36, but Jay was consistent recording net 37, 37 that led him to victory.

Event Payouts:

		WGAT
		FLIGHT	OPTIONAL SIDE GAMES
		LOW	WINNINGS
		GROSS	Chicago		FRONT 9	TOTAL
		PRIZES	Quota	SKINS	BACK 9	WINNINGS
Bob	Benser	32	32	6	64	$134.00
Shauna	Federico	80		18		$98.00
Jay	Molina	84				$84.00
Adam	Reynolds		32	12		$44.00
Todd	Eldridge			38		$38.00
Mark	Lott			16		$16.00
Don	Smith			6		$6.00

2012 Player of the year Standings

			Tournament	Flight	Events	Winnings	Total	Player of
	Name		Wins	Wins	Played	Feb 5, 2012	Money won	The Year Points
1	Milton	Harshman	1		2		$198.00	418
2	Shauna	Federico	1	1	1	$98.00	$98.00	408
3	Mark	Lott	1		3	$16.00	$174.00	404
4	Jay	Molina		1	1	$84.00	$84.00	194
5	Bob	Benser			3	$134.00	$154.00	184
6	Joe	Anastasi			1		$146.00	156
7	Adam	Reynolds			1	$44.00	$44.00	54
8	Todd	Eldrege			1	$38.00	$38.00	48
9	Don	Smith			1	$6.00	$6.00	16

Shauna Federico

Jay Molina

       

Todd Eldridge

Mark Lott

Adam Reynolds