The Public Links Championship was contested at Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club over the weekend. Eighty-four players consisting of some junior golfers, college players, and mid-amateurs played 54-holes of stroke play. To be eligible for the Public Links players must not have privileges at a private club.
Carlos Marrero, a member of the University of West Florida golf team who is from Delray Beach, took an early three shot lead after the first round with a 66 (-6). He made seven birdies and just one bogey in the first round.
Ricky Hendler, a member of the Florida Atlantic University golf team who is from Holmes Beach, fired a 67 (-5) in the second round to close Marrero's lead to two shots. Hendler bogied the first hole, but then made six birdies to post the low round of the second round. Marrero posted a 70 after a little struggle on the back nine.
Marrero dominated the front nine all week and the final round was no different. Marrero's totals on the front for the tournament were 32-33-32, which is a combined eleven under par! He took a five shot lead in to the final nine holes, but after a double bogey on 10 and a bogey on 11, 14 and 15 his lead diminished to just one shot. Hendler had a 12 foot putt on the final hole to force a playoff which did not find the hole. Marrero saved par on 18 for a one shot victory and his first state championship.
