ORLANDO, Fla. - Dubsdread Golf Course played host to the third playing of the Florida Hickory Open, where four players claimed victories after two days of fierce competition. In the Men’s Open Division, Will Peterson defended his title once again, remaining the only golfer to ever win the division in the event’s three-year history. In the Women’s Open Division, after two top-three finishes in the previous two years, Alice Brown emerged victorious. In his third time playing the event, Gary Cole took home the win in the Men’s Net Stableford Division. After winning the Women’s Net Stableford Division in the inaugural Florida Hickory Open, Natalie Wells claimed her second title.
Men’s Open Division
Peterson, of Tampa, held a two-shot lead over after a round-one score of 3-over par, 73. On Tuesday, the Tampa native would repeat his performance from the first round to eventually capture a five-shot victory over Eddie Peckels, of Winter Springs.
Peterson has won the Men’s Open Division title all three years in which the championship has been held.
Women’s Open Division
Brown, a resident of Valrico, posted scores of 80 and 86 on her way to a six-shot victory over runner-up, and two-time defending champion, Bailey Wiegandt, of Louisville, KY.
This win for Brown, her first FSGA championship, comes after finishing second in 2021 and third in 2022.
Men’s Net Stableford Division
After the first round, during which he posted a score of 36 points, Cole was tied atop the leaderboard with Will Jacoby, of Saint Pete Beach. But with a division-high 40 points on Tuesday, Cole was able to clear the rest of the competition and secure a five-point victory over Richard Grula, of Winter Park.
After finishing fourth and sixth in past playings of the Florida Hickory Open, Cole claims his first FSGA championship.
Women’s Net Stableford Division
Wells, of Winter Park, began the second round three points behind the lead. On Tuesday, she compiled a decisive 36 points, highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 third hole. This gave her a two-point victory over BJ Hayden, of Middleburg.
After finishing first and second in the first two iterations of the event, Wells now has two FSGA championship victories on her ledger.
