Fisher, Vaccaro & Austin win at Lake Jovita

Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, in Dade City, played host to the North Tampa Individual Winter Series event.  After a wet and rainy week prior for most of Florida, Monday, on Lake Jovita’s South Course, was highlighted by fantastic weather and some good golf.  Soft conditions, paired with light winds and warm weather left prime scoring conditions. The second round, on the North Course, saw an hour and a half fog delay, and then finally gave way to another beautiful Florida spring day.

In the 40-54 Age Division, Lloyd Fisher, of Dade City and Mike Damron of Zephyrhills, used some local knowledge to get around in Even-Par 72 to tie for the lead after round one.  In the final round, Fisher, winner of two previous Winter Series events this season, captured his third victory, firing another even par 72.  Fisher’s 144 total was good for a one stroke victory over John Moore, of Naples (74-71-145).

In the 55-64 age Division, Chris Wilmont, of Orlando got out to a hot start with a 4-under par 68 to lead Kevin Macy, of Tampa, by 3 strokes.  Macy carded his first career hole-in-one on the 4th hole Monday.  John Vaccaro, of Sarasota, who recently won the last Winter Series Event at TPC Prestancia, used that momentum to fire a 5-under par 67 and take the 55-64 age division title over first day leader Chris Wilmont by three strokes.

In the 65 & Over age division, Bob Sims, of Tallahassee, shot a 3-under par, 69, to lead Edward Craig, of Orlando by 3 strokes.  In the final round of play, Tom Austin, of Lake Wales, would fire an even-par 72 to finish at 146 total, good enough for a one stroke victory over Craig and perennial Super-Senior threat Ray Darmstadt, of Cocoa Beach.

The Winter Series events include seven competitions, six individual events and one four-ball event. There are three age divisions, Mid-Senior (40-54), Senior (55-64) and Super Senior (65 & over). The Winter Series is a great opportunity for golfers to compete in competitive events that normally may not because they do not live in Florida year round.