Bentley wins in tough CGA field, weather

Difficult playing conditions usually call for a different strategy.

In last week's County Golf Association match at Seminole Lake Country Club, Tampa's Mitch Bentley had the right formula to score well against rain and strong wind.

Bentley, playing to a 5 handicap, shot par-72 gross. He not only won the senior division by three strokes over runner-up Jim Hunter but beat all the younger players in the regular division.

Bentley is 55, the debut age in the senior class.

"Under adverse conditions, like those we had to deal with on Thursday, you have to concentrate more on what shot will work and what won't work," said Bentley, a member at the Country Club of Carrollwood.

"The key for me was using my driver off the tee to keep the ball low to the wind. That way it doesn't get held up. It behaved for me," he said.

Bentley, who runs a sales promotions company in Tampa, had 4 birdies, 2 bogeys and 1 double. "I pushed a 3-iron on a 195-yard par-3 out of bounds for the double bogey," Bentley said, "but, overall, it was a very good round for me under the conditions.

"In all, I hit 13 fairways in regulation and 11 greens. I don't remember how many putts I had, but I'll take 36 putts in a round any day."

Bentley's performance comes on the heels of a better-ball match he won last month with Tampa's Bill Pawlicki. At River Wilderness, they fired a 1-under 71.

Asked why he competes on the CGA circuit when he can play his own course any time he wants, Bentley said he likes the variety.

"I love playing the different CGA courses," he said, "and (director) Ray Goodman runs some great tournaments."

CGA NOTES: The regular division and seniors at Seminole Lake played from the same tees, measured at 6,340 yards.

Clearwater's Gil Day won the regular division with a 74, three strokes better than runner-up Danny Harrington.

The victory for Day, a 4-handicap player, was his second of the month. He had won the CGA match at Cypress Creek in Ruskin.

Brian Crane of Indian Rocks Beach took the net division with a 67 and 13 handicap. Jim Fannin and Chris Spong tied for second at 70. The senior net competition was won by Bob Blay with a 67 shaved off his 93 gross. There was a three-way tie for second, a stroke back, among Don Thompson, Bob Tremblay and Joe Chuck.

Carol Stevens of Pinellas Park prevailed among a small women's field, firing a net 75 with her handicap of 21.

The morning group had 75 players. The afternoon match was canceled due to inclement weather.

The CGA's final event of the year is scheduled for Thursday at Seminole Lake. The starting times are 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Members are reminded that individuals earning gift certificates at East Lake Woodlands and Countryside Country Club pro shops must claim their prizes at those clubs by Dec. 31 when they close their books.

PINELLAS INTERCLUB: Despite rain and strong wind, 11 of 12 county clubs showed for Thursday afternoon's match at Cove Cay. Lansbrook posted its second victory of the season to strengthen its lead in the 10-tournament series.

The club was led by the better-ball 61 recorded by Al Horkey and Skip Gibney, and John Doyle teamed with Glen Myers. Dunedin's Ken Holloway and Greg Gracy shot a 61, one more than leaders Will Gable and Paul Trinkwon of Cypress Run.

Linzy Clark of Innisbrook's Troon Golf Institute didn't let his first time at Cove Cay hold him back.

Clark crafted a 71 for 18 holes since he completed only 17 before play was halted. The 40-year-old golf instructor had three birdies and two bogeys.

The Vinoy's Randy Mosley, Dunedin's John Falcone and Steve Purviance of Crescent Oaks tied for second at 75. JUNIORS: Mike Bezanson of Northeast High School was the top Pinellas finisher in last weekend's Florida Junior Golf Association Christmas Classic Tournament at Hawk's Landing in Orlando. He carded a 79-77-156. Zach Zehnder of Clearwater Central Catholic and Seminole High's Mike Kowalski shot 36-hole totals of 172.

Greg Koch, the son of former PGA Tour player Gary Koch, won with a 3-over 147, fighting off a blustery wind and intermittent rainfall.

In Bee Park of Eustis topped the girls division with a 77-75-152. She captured the national championship earlier this year.

ELECTION: Johnny Williams of Seminole has been elected to the Tampa-based Florida State Golf Association's board of directors.

The FSGA, organized in 1913, is a not-for-profit group that governs amateur golf. It conducts 18 state championships and is responsible for 38 USGA national qualifying tournaments.

For information, go online to www.fsga.org or call (813) 632-3742.

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