The Match Play Tournament of the County Golf Association produced some extra-hole dramatics. On his 36th and final hole in the Aug. 19 event at Seminole Lake Country Club, Belleair's Jake Clark found himself in a tie and playoff for the title in the First Flight with Treasure Island's Bo Whitley. The distance was set at about 35 feet on the practice green. Clark, who plays to a 17 handicap, went first. His wedge shot broke a foot and found the bottom of the cup, a feat Whitley could not duplicate to extend the match.
"That was the best shot I made all day," said Clark, who dropped to the ground in joy after seeing his winning stroke fall.
"We were both pretty tired after playing 36 holes, advancing to the finals of our flight," Clark said. "The CGA plays a lot of great courses in the area, and I really enjoy the camaraderie."
Danny Bulson of Apollo Beach won the Championship Flight over Hudson's Kip Dabbs, 3 & 2.
CGA NOTE: The association has morning and afternoon matches scheduled for award-winning Mangrove Bay on Sept. 9.
To sign up, call 530-7226 in Clearwater or go online to www.countygolf.com
MID-SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Greg Perenich of Tarpon Springs was the top Pinellas finisher in last week's Florida State Golf Association championship for men 40-and-older. Rounds of 79-82 enabled the Clearwater attorney, 45, to make the 36-hole cut before dropping to a final 86 for 247.
"I kind of fell apart in that third round," said Perenich, who plays to an 8 handicap. "It was my swing, but overall I'm pleased by making the cut in my first FSGA tournament. I'm strictly a recreational player."
Merritt Island's Rick Barger won with a 54-hole 214. Englewood's John Corzilius, a three-time winner of the New Year's Invitational at St. Petersburg Country Club, finished third at 217.
CHRYSLER CHAMPIONSHIP: Tickets for the PGA Tour event, scheduled for Oct. 28-31 at Innisbrook, are on sale at area Kash n' Karry and Pinch A-Penny stores.
The tournament has commitments from British Open winner Todd Hamilton and runner-up Ernie Els. U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen is committed to defend his Chrysler title, and 2003 runner-up Vijay Singh has said he is planning to play.
Last year, 40 of the top 50 players on the PGA Tour money list were in the field of 132. Locally, Tim Petrovic of Dade City, who tied for fourth, is in the fold, as is Clearwater's John Huston.
LPGA: Seminole's Brittany Lincicome, 18, is playing in this weekend's State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill. Television coverage begins at 3 p.m. Friday on ESPN2.
MEN'S PRO WRAP-UP: The top 20 finishers on the Nationwide Tour's money list receive full exemption to the 2005 PGA Tour.
The top 30 in the fall's PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament advance with exempt status.
Area candidates include Palm Harbor's Bob Heintz, a two-time veteran of the PGA Tour, and Clearwater's Ryan Gildersleeve, who is playing on the Nationwide Tour. St. Petersburg's Dan Stone also will try to qualify.
In eight previous attempts, Stone has advanced to the second stage three times. However, the two-time All-American for the Florida Gators is coming off a big Golden Bear Tour win at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens where he was 11-under for 54 holes and won $22,300.
Host pro Jay Overton, fresh off a nine-stroke victory in the North Florida PGA Section Championship at his home course, Innisbrook, moves on to a Club Pro Championship qualifier in Lakeland on Thursday and Friday.
Next week, he travels to Maineville, Ohio, for the Monday qualifier of the Championship Tour's Kroger Classic.
JUNIOR INVITATIONAL: Pinellas golfers didn't dominate the Sam Parks Jr. at Belleair as they have in the past, but the tournament showcased some talented prep players emerging this fall.
Coach Dave Jackson's Northside Christian girls team had three players in the tourney. His daughter, Danielle, finished second, ages 15-18, with 79-74-153. Teammates Whitney Wenglasz (154) and 11-year-old Dakoda Dowd (156) weren't far back.
Seminole High's Rachel Edwards shot 155 to tie for third with Dunedin's Lara Smilnak, who left Monday to enroll at Boston College.
Courtney Harter of Palm Harbor University High crafted a final-round par 71 to win the 13-15 division.
The top girls in 16-18 competition were Heather Burgner (72-73-145) and Delores White (74-73-147), teammates at Lakeland's George Jenkins. PHU's Andrew Henning captured the boys 13-15 title (75-74-149). The tournament's best overall score (142) came out of that division and was crafted by Matt Cooney of Tampa's Gaither High. His second-round 4-under 67 was a career best and matched last year's winning performance by Belleair's Adam Messer.
Cooney eagled the 515-yard par-5 ninth hole Sunday by hitting a 178-yard approach shot to within 6 feet and draining the putt.
Clearwater Central Catholic boys showed a gritty ability to bounce back. Jordan Becker followed an opening 82 with 72. Michael Myregard improved on that by 14 strokes, going from 92 to 78 on the second day.
Ian McConnell, 12, from Riverview, went in another direction - 73 to 80 - but won the Futures Division by a stroke over Belleair's Westin Jensen. MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT: The Sgt. Joe Rinaldi fund-raiser was played Saturday at Countryside Country Club, the home course of event director Bill Gilkes.
The McNeil Automotive team of St. Petersburg took first-place honors with a 16-under 56.
RADIO FEEDBACK: "I'm Teed Off," an area golf show featuring hosts Joey McGrane and Kenny V, airs 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays on WTAN 1340 and WZHR 1400 AM.
The show is informative and presents the lighter side of the game. To call in from Pinellas, dial 441-3000.
PINELLAS MEN'S INTERCLUB: The league's 28th season gets under way Sept. 7 at Belleair Country Club.
Countryside will defend its title in the monthly 10-match series among 12 clubs.
