FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, April 2, 2019

TEAMS OF JOSH KENNEDY/DEVON HOPKINS, TOM TOMLIN/BOB NICKERSON
OVERCOME ELEMENTS TO CLAIM WINS
IN JAGA SCRATCH & SPRING FOUR-BALL AT MARSH CREEK CC

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Area Golf Association’s first team event of 2019, the Scratch & Spring Four-Ball, was hosted on Monday at Marsh Creek Country Club in St. Augustine. Twenty-six teams contended with a combination of rain and drizzle throughout the entire round, with temperatures hovering in the 50s.

In the Scratch division, Josh Kennedy (San Jose CC) and Devon Hopkins (Jacksonville Golf & CC) topped the field of 17 teams with a 2-under-par gross score of 70. Finishing T2 were the teams of Santiago Cavanagh (Palencia Club) and David Garratt (King & Bear) and Luke McCann and Toby Ragland. The Scratch competitors played the Marsh Creek layout from 6,833 yards.

The Four-Ball net division saw Dr. Tom Tomlin (Sawgrass CC) and Bob Nickerson (Sawgrass CC) post 10-under-par 62 to claim a one-shot victory over Randy Nader (Sawgrass CC) and Howard Matheus (Sawgrass CC). Net teams had the option to play one of three sets of tees.

On a day in which many area courses were probably not playable, Marsh Creek proved to be an excellent draining golf course, with competitors experiencing limited casual water situations.

“Marsh Creek held up incredibly well,” said Tournament Chairman Vince Celestino. “It was a tough and not particularly enjoyable day to play golf. JAGA would like to thank all the players for showing up and having positive attitudes in spite of the conditions they faced. We also wish to thank the Club staff, including golf, grounds and food and beverage, for helping us get through a challenging day.”

Supporting Chairman Celestino was JAGA Vice President/Tournaments Thomas Bozutto.

SCRATCH DIVISION (6,833 yards)

SCRATCH CHAMPIONS (left to right) – Josh Kennedy (San Jose CC), Devon Hopkins (Jacksonville Golf & CC)

Leading Scores
1st Josh Kennedy (San Jose CC) / Devon Hopkins (Jacksonville Golf & CC) 70
T2 Santiago Cavanagh (Palencia Club) / David Garratt (King & Bear) 71
T2 Luke McCann / Toby Ragland 71
4th John Barber (CC of Orange Park) / Kirk Irvin 72
T5 Tyler Averdick / Andrew Birchall 73
T5 Paul Tesori (GC of South Hampton) / Chad James 73
T5 Eric Graybeal / Alan Henderson 73

FOUR-BALL / NET DIVISON (5,778, 6,062 or 6,348 yards)

FOUR-BALL NET CHAMPIONS (left to right) – Bob Nickerson (Sawgrass CC), Tom Tomlin (Sawgrass CC)

Leading Scores
1st Tom Tomlin (Sawgrass CC) / Bob Nickerson (Sawgrass CC) 62
2nd Randy Nader (Sawgrass CC) / Howard Matheus (Sawgrass CC) 63
3rd Rusty Holsworth (Hyde Park GC) / Chris Petney (Hyde Park GC) 68
4th Todd vonNieda (Julington Creek) / Kevin Adams (Julington Creek) 69
5th David Bradley (Deercreek CC) / Mark Scott (Deercreek CC) 73

Click here for complete results

NEXT UP FOR JAGA…

The 62nd JAGA Senior Amateur Championship will be played at St. Johns Golf & Country Club in St. Augustine, April 28-30. Entries to date have been steady. The field features three divisions (age 50+, 60-69 and 70+) and a maximum of 78 players. Entries for the Championship close April 24th. Sign up at WWW.JAXAREAGOLF.ORG. Gregg Deiboldt (Sawgrass CC) is the Tournament Chairman. European Street Cafe is the tournament sponsor.

The Family Championship is Saturday, May 11th at Jax Beach Golf Club, with
Duke Butler III (TPC Sawgrass) and family chairing the event.

ABOUT JAGA

Established in 1954, JAGA celebrates its 66th year in 2019. It is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (4) corporation comprised of approximately 40-member golf clubs located in the Northeast Florida area. JAGA’s mission is to promote golf and goodwill through tournaments and related events and activities. It conducts 12 tournaments, including six championship events and six others that feature team formats. JAGA manages a scholarship program that currently provides college funding for 25 area students. Since 1974, the program has generated approximately $1.75 million in financial aid to approximately 350 students.

Anyone interested in receiving monthly “JAGA News & Notes” and announcements about JAGA and its tournaments via email may do so by signing up at www.jaxareagolf.org. Simply click on the home page link that reads “Subscribe to JAGA Email”.

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Contact: Jeff Adams
JAGA, VP-Administration
Cell: 904-607-6142
Email: jeffreytadams71@gmail.com