Bechtol, Arnold & Watson Capture Winter Series

The Stadium Course at TPC Prestancia, in Sarasota, played host to the Sarasota Individual Winter Series event on January 4th and 5th. Robert Bechtol, Mike Arnold, and Carey Watson battled tough competition to win their age division.   

In the 40-54 Age Division, Robert Bechtol, of Tallahassee, prevailed after a three hole play-off to earn the win. After round one, Bechtol stole the lead by shooting one under-par, 71. Two strokes behind Bechtol, Jeff Neugebauer, of Tampa, finished round one in second place. Neugebauer played consistently in round two and fired an even-par score of 72. Bechtol finished round two by shooting a 74, which caused him to tie Neugebauer for first place with a tournament total 145. The leaders went head to head in a sudden death play-off that Bechtol, pictured top left, ended on the third hole with a birdie to win. Stevenson Clarke finished the tournament in third place with a tournament total 152.

In the 55-64 Age Division, Mike Arnold, of Fort Myers, fought back from fourth place to claim the win. Pete DeLongchamp, of Sebring, posted an even-par, 72, to finish round one in first place. DeLongchamp was followed closely by Mark Rubin in second place with a round one score of 73. Mike Arnold, Gordon Marshall, and Craig DelFabro tied for fourth place by posting a first round score of 76. The top of the leaderboard faltered during round two, while Arnold came from behind with a three under-par score of 69. Due to Arnold’s great second round, he claimed first place by one stroke with a tournament total 145. Jim Stone, of Bradenton, followed close behind Arnold, pictured right,  in second place by shooting a 69, tournament total 146.

In the 65 & Over Age division, Carey Waston, of Plantation, won after an even-par second round. After round one, Pat Kaylor, of Clearwater, stole the lead with a score of 74. Jerry Young finished round one in second place followed by Kim Schwencke in third place. There was a tie for fourth place, with a score of 78, between Tommy Piazza and Carey Watson. During round two, Young, of New Port Richey, fell to second place with a tournament total 152. Watson, pictured left, fired a second round even-par score to capture first place by two strokes. Schwencke, who was tied with Watson for first place after round one in the Bradenton Winter Series, finished in third place with two scores of 76.   

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. The next Winter Series will be held January 19-20 at Buckhorn Springs Golf and Country Club in Valrico.  

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