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Golf

Pro player taking different course

By Times Staff
Published September 6, 2005

A St.Petersburg Country Club member fired on Friday a 6-under 66, including eight birdies and two bogeys.

That doesn't happen often at the popular Herbert Strong -designed course, which opened in 1924.

But the player wasn't another low-handicap amateur. It was Dan Stone , 32, a nine-year veteran on the pro circuits who has decided to make a major career move.

"I was making money on the Golden Bear and Hooters tours, not playing badly and not injured, but it was time to move on," said Stone, who grew up on the course when it was called Lakewood Country Club.

Legendary pro Skip Alexander , a Ryder Cup member, gave lessons to Stone starting at age 9.

Stone, who also played with exempt status on the Nationwide Tour, said he has accepted the opportunity to join Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., in its downtown St.Petersburg office as a financial advisor.

Stone majored in business at the University of Florida, where he played under coach Buddy Alexander , Skip's son.

Stone was a member of the Gators' 1993 NCAA championship squad and received first-team All-America honors twice. Prior to that, he twice was a Times player of the year for St.Petersburg High School.

Stone made a good showing on the Golden Bear Tour last season with a win and second-place finish in the end-of-year championship. He breezed through the first stage of the PGA Tour's Q-School last fall, then missed the second-stage cut to advance to the finals.

"There isn't a big difference between the talent of those on the PGA Tour and those on the mini tours," Stone said. "It's razor thin.

"A lot of it has to do with getting a few breaks, such as good lies in the rough. But for me and my wife, Lynda , it was time to move on. We're expecting our second child next month, and it was time to stop traveling.

"I'll probably revert to amateur status, about a three-year process, so I can play in member-guest and other amateur events," Stone said.

The Stones' son, Braxton , 5, a lefty, plays at Twin Brooks in U.S. Kids Tour events and is ranked fourth in his age division. He also competes in First Tee St.Petersburg matches.

WEST COAST WOMEN: Largo's Leslie Roberts , a Bayou Club member, shot 9-over 81 at Avila last week to win Flight A by three strokes over Jinnie Marshall of St.Petersburg Country Club.

Roberts, who plays to a 10 handicap, was competing on the 4,994-yard layout for the first time.

"We didn't get to hit range balls beforehand, and that led to my hitting two balls into the water early on," Roberts said. "But I got it together, including a birdie on No.7 where I reached the par-4 hole in two and sank my birdie putt from eight feet."

Mulberry's Sisi Hedges , the association's reigning champion, took the Flight AA crown with 76. Plant City's Jackie Currier was second (82).

WCWGA president Vickie Stafford of Cypress Run tied (76) for runner-up honors in the net division with Northdale's Judy Tickles .

CGA: Marshall Ames of Clearwater led a potent field in the Thursday match at The Eagles in Odessa. His 1-over 73 set the pace.

Net honors were taken by Jim Fannin (71). Following were former CGA champion Dalan Farren and Paul Weston .

Charlie Robbins and Wayne Banting tied (75) in the senior division. E.J. Humphrey , playing to a 16 handicap, topped the net competition with 65.

CHARITY TOURNAMENT: Fox Hollow played host to the Sydney Marrah Charity Classic on Aug.30. At $100 per entry, a full field of 132 players for 33 scramble teams sold out.

It took a match of scorecards to sort out a winning squad among three that tied at 15-under 57. The winners were Neil VanLeeuwen of Tarpon Springs, Tampa's Mike Carteagena and Jim Clifford and Gabriel Barnes , both of Lutz.

Fox Hollow pro Matt Cote , a member on one team, carded 57.

The event was arranged and organized by Trinity's Brett Weeks , who attended Clearwater Central Catholic High with Raquel Marrah , the mother of Sydney.

Weeks was assisted by veteran tournament director Bill Gilkes of Countryside Country Club. The funds raised are earmarked for Sydney's college trust fund.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Tarpon Woods Country Club is turning over Thursday's greens fees to the American Red Cross.

Checks for play that day should be made out to the Red Cross. For information, call the pro shop, (727) 784-7606.

Bardmoor and Lansbrook donated their greens fees Monday.

U.S. SENIOR AMATEUR: Clearwater's Frank Saxon , 55, tees it up for the national title in Rocky Face, Ga., starting Saturday.

LPGA: Seminole's Brittany Lincicome turns 20 on Sept.19.

Clearwater's Jenny Gleason , who has non-exempt status on the tour, will celebrate her 25th birthday Sept.28.

SCHEDULE: The Pinellas Men's Interclub 2005-06 season gets under way at 12:30 p.m. on Monday at the Vinoy Club.

Cypress Run will have a West Coast Women's event Sept.15. For information, call Kim Hollister , (727) 943-7838.

St.Petersburg Country Club will play host to the Bill T. Motley Memorial Scramble on Sept.19.

The event is a fund-raiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, Inc. For an entry form, call Herbert Murphy , (727) 327-6556.

Mangrove Bay will have the Skip Alexander City Amateur Championship on Oct.14-15.

Last year's winner, Kyle McCarthy , won't be competing since he's playing professionally on tour. Doug Root is expected to defend his senior title.

The tournament is open to all amateurs with established handicaps, not just St.Petersburg residents. For information, call the pro shop, (727) 893-7800.

A short-course City Amateur, for juniors 8-14, will be played Oct.15 at Cypress Links. For information, call (727) 551-3333.

[Last modified September 6, 2005, 03:15:21]