Competing for your country in an international competition is a rare privilege, usually limited to a few elite talented professionals and amateurs. However, five amateurs with handicaps ranging from 3.2 to 23.5, earned this “once-in-a-lifetime” honor when the United States team was decided in the World Golfers USA Amateur Tour’s national finals, a 54-hole competition at the Indiana National Black and Silver Courses at the Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Ind.
U.S. team (l-r) Oscar Rafols, Bruce Pate, Mary Hauk, Anders Bengtson, Marvin Shavers, Adam Holewinski
The winners from five handicap divisions—Oscar Rafols, Bruce Pate, Mary Hauk, Marvin Shavers and Adam Holewinski—will travel to Durban, South Africa for the 18th annual World Golfers Championship Oct. 27-Nov. 3. The 72-hole event is scheduled at the Cotsworld Downs, the Durban Country Club, Prince’s Grant Golf Estate and the Umhlali Country Club. The Southern Sun Elangene and Southern Sun North Beach hotels will serve as the host facilities.
Rafols, a 38-year-old business broker and realtor from Miami, FL captured flight 1 with net 78-78-79—235, overcoming 36-hole leader Lain Dickinson, who ended up tied for second with Christopher Gibson seven strokes back. “I just played my game and kept calm during the final round,” he said. “I had a lot of doubts before going to Indiana,” he added, pointing to a back injury that limited his play to just a few practice sessions. He then didn’t get a chance for a practice round at Swan Lake, arriving at 2 a.m. only seven hours before his tee time. “This is my biggest accomplishment in golf and I feel privileged to get the chance to represent the U.S.,” Rafols said about his first trip to South Africa.
Pate, a 44-year engineer from Germantown, WI claimed flight 2, winning a sudden death playoff from Bill Nitcholas of Carrollton, TX, who represented the U.S. two years ago in Thailand, with a two-putt par on the first hole. Trailing the leaders, John Downey of Illinos and Mike Vandiver of Florida, by six and five strokes entering the final round, Pate and Nicholas finished with net 71 and 70 to tie at 224. “I’m proud to have the opportunity to represent my country and want to help by teammates bring the cup back to the U.S. for the first time,” he added.
Hauk, a 46-year-old farmer from Canton, MI survived a playoff in a cold rain, making a three-footer for a double bogey to edge Bruce Brown of Arizona for the flight 3 title. She had traveled to South Africa the previous year on her own to play in the invitational tournament. She had an added incentive this year, “I wanted to win my way on the team and get the trip paid by someone else,” she added. “I’m excited to represent the U.S. and feel that even last year I helped clear up some misconceptions about Americans with golfers from all over the world. While I want to be respectful, I’m competitive, too, and want to win that team title.”
Consistency paid off for Shavers, a 53-year-old teacher and professional photographer from Jacksonville, FL. He posted a net 72-73-72—217 to win flight 4, using the mindset of “playing the course and not worrying about other competitors” to jump ahead by seven strokes after 36 holes and winding up nine ahead of Don Lyons of Florida. “It’s a dream come true, I couldn’t think of anything more exciting than crossing the pond to represent the U.S.,” he added.
Holewinski, a 50-year-old sales manager for GE from Kingwood, TX ran away with flight 5, posting net 70-75-74—219 to finish 10 strokes ahead of Mike Aybar of Miami, FL, who also had a bridesmaid role the previous year in San Antonio. Holewinski believes that he will not be intimidated playing in South Africa because of his having traveled and played golf all over the world. “I’m very excited about the chance to represent my country and I want to be a true ambassador for the U.S.,” he said.
“Since our national finals now consist of three rounds instead of two, as it has been in the past, I feel that the team is much stronger and more competitive than in previous years,” said Anders Bengtson, President of the World Golfers USA. “The players seemed to melt well together and will give each other all the support they need to be successful." Team Captain and National Director James Stockman said "I’m looking forward to see them bring home the World Golfers Championship Trophy this year! Hopefully we can accomplish as Amateurs what the American pros failed to do at the Ryder Cup."
In addition to the five players competing in the World Golfers Championship Team USA will be manning two-two person teams to compete in the World Golfers Invitational. One team will consist of Team Captain James Stockman of Naples Fl and the 2012 National Order of Merit Champion MD Hudon of McKinney TX. The other will be Adres Jacobs of Illinois and Carmon Holewinski of Texas who bought sponsor exemptions.
Team Florida won the first ever State National Championship and was awarded the Tumba Trophy. The Tumba Trophy was created in the honor of the World Golfers Championship founder Hall of Fame inductee Sven Tumba.
Team Florida members where (left to right) Don Lyons from West Palm, Bob Benser Sr., Naples, Frank Monicao Naples, Mike Aybar, Miami and Shauna Federico, Wellington.
Team Texas took the early lead after day one with a three stroke lead, and extended it an additional three strokes after day two, but Team Florida roared back in the final round winning by 5 strokes. “My goal was to win a spot on Team USA to play in the World Championship” Frank Monico stated in the press conference, but after shooting a 103 on day one for a net 85, finding my self in last place I was more disappointed that I let Team Florida down then my current individual standings, I am so proud of myself that I was able to bounce back the next two days to help Florida win the National Championship. Monico added.
