Rod Perry prevailed
in a playoff to win the 65th Florida Open
Championship at
Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, on July 15-17.
Rod Perry, of Port Orange, outlasted the field of
156 players to capture the 65th Florida Open
Championship. Perry fired an opening round four-under
par 68 on the Ranch course to trail the first round
leader by two strokes. Perry carded another solid round
on the Quarry course with a three-under par 69 to find
himself tied for the lead heading into the final round
of play. In the final round, Perry played a perfect
round of golf with three birdies and no bogeys to post a
three-under par 69 for a tournament total of 10-under
par 206. Alan Morin, of Royal Palm Beach, posted
rounds of 69-69-68, which included a clutch birdie on
the final hole of regulation for a tournament total of
10-under par 206, to force a three hole aggregate
playoff with Perry.
The three hole aggregate playoff would be played on
holes 18, 1 and 9. Perry would birdie the par 5 18th
hole, and make par on holes 1 and 9 to capture his first
Florida Open Championship and the $12,000
check. Perry, who currently works out of
Daytona Beach Golf Club, stated “I played solid
all day hitting every green in regulation; I knew Alan
would make a move today, he is a great player and I have
the utmost respect for him. Perry stated “It was
unfortunate what happened to Alan on the first playoff
hole, he only made two bogeys in 54-holes, so for him to
make an eight was out of the ordinary. After my birdie
on the first playoff hole, I just wanted to hit fairways
and greens on the final two holes”. “This is the
biggest victory of my career. With the history behind
this event, I am happy to have my name associated with
the other great Champions” said Perry.
Carlos Velez, of Miami, finished in third place
after a final round of even par 72 for a tournament
total of seven-under par 209.
Velez, currently working out of Miccosukee Golf
& Country Club, posted a six-under par 66 in
the first round on the Quarry course to go along with
his second round of one-under par 71 on the Ranch
course.
Taking home low Amateur honors was Brant
Peaper, of Tequesta, who finished tied for fourth
place with a tournament total of six-under par 210.
Peaper, currently a junior at the University of Indiana,
posted rounds of 66-75-69.
The top 156 amateur & professional golfers in the state
played 18 holes each on the Quarry Course and the Ranch
Course on July 15-16. After 36 holes, the field was cut
to the low 60 and ties. The final 18 holes of the
Championship were played on the Quarry Course on July
17. Before reaching the Championship, more than 1000
participants attempted to qualify at one of 16 sites
across the state.
Started in 1942, The Florida Open
Championship has produced past champions that include
Willie Turnesa, Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Bruce Fleisher,
John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant. This will be
the third year the Florida State Golf Association will
be conducting this great championship.
