Miles McConnell | Douglas Jones | Tom Grady
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Winter Series made one final stop in 2018 at Laurel Oak Country Club in Sarasota, Florida, where three players took home trophies.
Miles McConnell, the 2018 Mid-Senior Champion, captured the Mid-Amateur division. McConnell was tied for the lead after a first-round 2-under 70 with Paul Tesori. The Tampa native lit up the back nine in the second round, carding four birdies on his way to a 4-under 68 on Monday. He posted a 6-under 138 for the two-day event to finish 3 strokes ahead of runner-ups Tesori and Derek Hurwitch. McConnell's last winter series win came earlier this year at Lakewood National Golf Club.
Douglas Jones was victorious in the Senior Division, posting a total score of 2-over 146. Jones was tied for first after the first round at 1-over 73. He bogeyed two of his first three holes on Monday, before posting three birdies over five holes on the front nine. He finished the second round with another 1-over 73. The Brandon native took second place at the second Winter Series event of the season in November at Southern Hills Plantation Club. Three players finished tied for second at 4-over 148: Jon Empanger, Tom Myers and Rokki Rogan.
Tom Grady took home the trophy for the super-senior division on Monday, his first Winter Series win since Victoria Hills Golf Club in March 2017. Grady was in first place following Sunday's play, after posting a 2-under 70 in the first round. He shot even-par 70 in the final round, while posting a bogey-free back nine with two birdies. The Lakewood Ranch native posted a total 2-under 142 for the event. Doug LaCrosse, who won the first two Winter Series events of the season, finished runner-up by 1 stroke, after receiving a 2-stroke penalty for playing a wrong ball.
