Esplanade Golf and Country Club played host to the first winter series event of the 2017-2018 season. The new golf course tested players with some very undulating and challenging greens.
Michael Basinski came out firing on Saturday with an even-par, 72. In a unique situation because play was suspended on Saturday, Basinski was actually the only Mid-Amateur to finish on Saturday, meaning he teed off his second round with no idea how his competitors stood. As it would turn out, Brian Polick was nipping at Basinski's heels with a 73 in the first round. Baskinski would keep it going on Sunday as the wind blistered players. His 75 was the third lowest in the flight on Sunday, and Basinski would finish with a four shot victory.
The Senior flight saw a number of impressive scores come in on Saturday, led by David Tassell and his one-under, 71. A host of others remained in close competition as four players spent the night within four shots of Tassell. One of those within four, John Vaccaro turned in the lowest score of the day for the second round at 71. Tassell would go on to shoot 75 in the second round, leaving the two players tied at the top. After both players parred the first playoff hole, they went back to 18 and Tassell left no doubt as he birdied the difficult 18th, playing with a twenty mph crosswind.
In the Super-Senior Division, John McCreary bested the difficult, wet conditions on Saturday to post the lone under-par round of the day for his flight. McCreary's 71 put him in a great spot going into Sunday, two ahead of Jerry Young and three ahead of Bob Casamento and Carey Watson. McCreary played steady golf on Sunday as well as he posted a 75, assuring that someone would have to play stellar golf to catch him. Carey Watson did everything he could, but couldn't quite muster enough birdies as he shot 74 on Sunday to finish two behind McCreary.
The Winter Series is for players 25 years and older and runs from late October through early March. Players will compete in one of three age divisions (25-54, 55-64 and 65 & Over) based on their age for the final event. A season long points list is kept through the winter earning players exemptions into several 2017 FSGA State Championships. The next stop in the Winter Series is Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach on November 12-13.
