First Winter Series Champions Crowned

Baldonick Fernandez Sr. claims the first Winter Series event of the 2014-2015 season at Indian River Club in Vero Beach, November 24-25. Jim Hammons, of the Senior Division, and Michael Smith, of the Super-Senior Division, joined Fernandez as champions of their divisions. All three winners battled through wet conditions to be crowned victorious.

Baldonick Fernandez Sr., of Pembroke Pines, fired a low second round score to capture the Regular Division. In the first round, Fernandez posted a score of 79 to finish day one tied for fifth place, four shots behind the leader, Jerry Pellegrino. Fernandez came from behind in the second round by shooting 74, for a tournament total 153. Ivan Lendl, of Vero Beach, finished in second place, three strokes behind Fernandez, with scores of 76-80. With Fernandez’s win he takes an early points lead for an exemption into the 2015 Amateur Championship held Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.

Jim Hammons, of Port Orange, prevailed to win the Senior Division with a second round even-par score. Hammons started the tournament with a day one score of 77, seven shots behind Jerry Rose who fired a first round score of 70. During round two, Hammons erased his seven shot deficit by shooting a score of 72 and claiming first place by one stroke over Mark Yogan, of Boca Raton, and Jerry Rose, of Sarasota. Rose shot the only under-par round of the tournament, but faltered during round two to finish tied for second.

Michael Smith, of Vero Beach, earned first place honors due to his consistent play. Smith held the lead after day one and did not let anyone catch him during round two. With two bookend scores of 75, Smith captured the win by four strokes over Hobe Sound’s, Paul Nunez Jr. John Osborne and Jack Heinemann finished tied for third place with a tournament total 155.

The Winter Series events include seven competitions, six individual events and one four-ball event. There are three age divisions, Mid-Senior (40-54), Senior (55-64), and Super-Senior (65 & Over). The Winter Series is a great opportunity for golfers to compete in competitive events that normally may not because they do not live in Florida year round.

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