The 2014 WGAT Open was held this past week at Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey in the Hills Florida just outside Orlando in Central Florida. Mission Inn was just host to the 2014 NCAA Golf Championships and will be the location of the 2014 WGAT National Championship to be played on the resorts two glorious two
golf course, Las Colinas and El Campeon.
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| Randy Bryant 2014 WGAT Open Champion |
In flight one (6-10) it was 2012 National Champion Oscar Rafols who led the charge after day one carding a 75 for a net -3 on the Las Colinas course. Oscar had 11 pars and two birdies. Greg MacGraw was a close 2nd at net -1 and 2013 Team USA member Randy Bryant held 3rd at net even par. For day two El Campeon offered a complete different test and Rafols extended his lead to three strokes after the front nine, but with bogies on 10 and 11 and Bryant’s birdie on twelve and MacGraw’s birdie on 13 all three were in a tie for first with 5 holes to play. The three remained tied for the next three holes until Rafols was the first to fold on 17. After 36 holes it was Bryant and Macgraw tied at net -2 in a sudden death playoff. Bryant who reached the green in 2 on the par 5 first hole birdied to win the 2014 WGAT Open.
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| Jerry Edwards Flight 2 Open Champion |
Carlos Gonzalez in Flight 2 (11-17) took the lead after round one by shooting an 84 for a net -3 giving him a one stroke lead over 2013 Team USA member Jerry Edwards. Edwards would have had the lead if it were not for a two stroke penalty his entire group received which included Tyler Mason and Rob Henning. On the 9th hole all three players played from the wrong set of tees which cost Edwards the 1st round lead. Gonzalez paid back the favor though on day 2 on the 2nd hole when he repaired the cup prior to putting out. Frank Lamadrid carded the Flight 2 lowest round at net even par but it was not enough to catch Edwards who shot net one over par for a 36 hole total of -1.
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| Eddie Stephens Flight 3 Open Champion |
Hold on to your belts because flight 3 (18-30) went from first to worse in a roller coster of scores. First year member Jennifer Austin stole the headlines on day one by shooting a personal best with a gross score of 82 for a net 63. What made her day was a personal best back nine score of 39. However just 4 stokes back was hometown favorite and member of Mission Inn was Frank McInerney who has recorded 38 WGAT tournament rounds shot his tour best score with a gross 85 for a net -5. Also under par was Eddie Stephens at -4, and Carman Holewinski at -2. It appeared Flight three was going to dominate the overall standings for order of Merit points however they yet were to face the justice of El Campeon. On day two 2011 Team USA member Eddie Stephens jumped out to a fast start with a gross birdie on the first hole to record a net eagle and after one Stephens was just one stroke back. He eventually took the lead on the 6th hole and was building a lead until a mental error on the 10th hole cost him penalty strokes. for the next 5 holes Austin and Stephens were neck and neck. The event turned bad for Austin on the 15th ,16th and 17th holes when she recorded two triples and a quad. Austin ended with a gross 101 for a net 86 ending at +4 for 36 . Stephens won by five strokes winning with a 36 hole total of net -1 over par.
The National Order of Merit standings has a new leader. Greg MacGraw’s over all 2nd place finish awarded him
365 points to vault him from 3rd place to 1st while Frank McInerney remains in 2nd place. Previous leader Adam Reynolds fell to third place. With the leader currently at 1192.5 points with two majors left and 1400 possible 1st place points yet to be awarded all 82 players on the rankings still have a shot of capturing the title to earn a spot on Team USA. If the last two events can average 25 players each then two spots will be awarded.
Randy Bryant’s Open victory and total winnings of $1,267.00 help him jump into 2nd place for the Player of the Year, but his 2013 Team mate Jerry Edwards takes over first place with 2819 points. Both Edwards and Bryant along with MacGraw’s $1338.00 in winnings, all jumped ahead of previous leader for the past 9 months Rich McDaniel who was not able to attend the Open.
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| Mark Wanke Low Gross Champion Pre Open Challenge |
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| Brian Neal Low Net Champion Pre Open Challenge |
In the Pre Open Challange Mark Wanke from Texas won low gross with a 78 and Brian Neal from Florida won Low net in a playoff with Rick Lopiccolo who is from New York.
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