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Golf

Saxon makes it look easy at start of CGA

By Times Staff
Published December 13, 2005

If the first step to a successful endeavor is a well thought-out plan, Frank Saxon is on course to winning his fourth County Golf Association title.

Saxon, 56, one of the early favorites for the Open crown despite being eligible for the 55-and-older Senior division, got off to a fast start in last week's opening round by shooting 1-over 72 at Fox Hollow.

That gave him a four-stroke margin on co-runners up Mark Wilkins of Clearwater and Odessa's Jeff Neugebauer with 18 holes to play. (See Section C for late Monday results) .

Saxon's plan was simple. The hard part, for many, is executing it.

"Primarily, I wanted to stay out of trouble," said Saxon, who peaked this year by advancing to match play in the USGA National Senior Amateur Championship. "That begins off the tee box. That was the key for me, posting 15 pars, one birdie and just two bogeys."

Saxon started well, going par-par-birdie on his first three holes. On his par-4 third, the 13th in Trinity, he drained a 15-footer for par after a long drive enabled him to reach the green with a wedge.

"Overall, my game has improved since I got some new Titleist custom irons at Missing Links Range, which were made for my particular physical characteristics," he said. "Now I've got to stay consistent in the final round at Countryside, where the fairways are a little tighter."

Wilkens and Neugebauer were tied for second (76) entering the last round. Dunedin's Ken Palladino is in contention at 78, as is Port Richey's Chris Keeley (79).

Neugebauer said he wasn't going to change anything.

"I'll continue to play one shot at a time," Neugebauer said, "and if that doesn't work, then it just wasn't meant to be."

Seminole's Matt Gesner , who was expected to be in contention, got off to a bad start (82).

Clearwater's Doug Jones , who plays to a 28 handicap, took the opening lead in the Net division with 68, one ahead of Hugh Forsythe and two up on David Cole , both of St.Petersburg.

John King of Tampa heads the seniors with 75. Odessa's Dick Ptomey is second (78) and followed by Dunedin's Wayne Mateer and Clearwater's Richard Bullock , both at 79.

Tom Bone of Dunedin posted a net 65 among seniors for a three-stroke lead over Seminole's John Erickson and New Port Richey's Warren Walka .

Bone, a native of Toronto, initially explained his success to having a lucky day but added that his driving was good in the opening round and he needed just 11 putts on the front nine.

He attributes that improve-

ment, in part, to cutting 2 inches off his putter.

The shot of the day was crafted by St.Petersburg's Dave Reber , who saw his 186-yard tee attempt on the 12th hole roll into the narrow cup.

WEST COAST WOMEN: Mary Ann Petrillo of Pasadena Country Club prevailed with a 2-over 74 on Nov.28 from 5,308 yards at Lauel Oaks. Jackie Currier of Walden Lake took second with 77.

Sue Fisher of Innisbrook tied for net honors (72). Cathy Moss of the Vinoy captured a share of first in Flight A (81), Lee Whitener of East Lake Woodlands won Flight C (89), and Nancy Stite topped Flight D (87).

COVE CAY: Jack Wileman and Larry Michael teamed up to win the Member-Member Championship.

Joe Eosso and Dick Camerlin prevailed in Flight 2, Curt Cate and Glenn Davis won Flight 3 by way of a tie-breaker, Kathy Tinsley and Pam Holmes captured Flight 4, and Margaret Young and Bev Mogavero finished first in Flight 5.

FSGA: Mike Timbers of Bonita Springs has been elected president of the Tampa-base state association. He succeeds Tracy Allen , who served from 2004-05.

JUNIORS: All three winners from last year's Innisbrook Christmas Classic return for the 54-hole tournament starting Monday. They include David Palm of Jacksonville, boys 14-18 division; Linzy Clark III , Palm Harbor, boys 14-and-under; and Andrea Messer , Belleair, girls class.

One of Messer's top challengers should be her close friend, Evan Jensen . They tied for first in the Back-To-School Junior Tournament in August at Innisbrook.

Palm advanced to the match-play field of 64 in July's U.S. Junior Championship in Longmeadow, Mass. There were 3,174 entries. According to the director of the Innisbrook tourney, Doug Laseter , Palm's top Pinellas challengers should be Countryside High teammates P.J. Kolosvary and Zach Walters .

The field consists of 114 players from 12 states.

FATHER/SON TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Tarpon Woods will play host to the second annual area-wide tournament Dec.28-29 at 8:30 a.m.

Greg McClimans , the club's director of golf, will team up with his son, Gregory . For entry information, call the pro shop, (727) 784-6062.

[Last modified December 13, 2005, 01:30:24]