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Lamielle captures 2nd Charlotte County Open
EXPERIENCE RULES Past winners Lamielle, Alexandersson share CCO lead (published Oct. 9, Charlotte Sun) By ROB SHORE SPORTS WRITER
ROTONDA WEST — If the leaders falter today in the final round of the Charlotte County Open, they won’t be able to fault inexperience. Joey Lamielle and Henrik Alexandersson have both won the tournament before.
Lamielle and Alexandersson shot 71s at Long Marsh on Saturday, the only scores below par before the tournament shifts today to Kingsway Country Club in Lake Suzy. Amateur Austin Schultz was three shots behind and will also play in today’s final group along with Erik Barnes.
Lamielle won the tournament in 2007 and is bidding to become the its fourth two-time winner. He was happy with his round, especially on a course he had never played before.
“Ignorance is bliss, especially out here,” the Sarasota resident said with a smile. “There’s (hazards) everywhere on this golf course. It’s very tight, and if you’re off-line in either direction, you’re in there.”
Lamielle was playing a steady round until a double bogey on No. 10, a 400-yard par 4. But he bore down and birdied three of the next six holes, including consecutive birdies on 12 and 13.
The stretch was especially impressive considering the wind at Long Marsh kicked up on the back nine with constant heavy gusts.
“I was just hitting solid shots,” Lamielle said. “When you get conditions like this on a course like this, it emphasizes solid ballstriking. When you hit it a little off of center, the ball’s going to go everywhere. And it amplifies with the wind. So I hit it solid and putted good.”
Likewise, Alexandersson made birdies on No. 5 and No. 8 to earn a share of the lead. Alexandersson won the tournament last year, but in the Men’s Amateur A Flight. But he jumped up to the Championship Flight this year, and it seems to suit him.
“Pretty much everything (worked),” said the Swede. “I kept the drives low and the shots low.”
Golfers and organizers were keeping a watchful eye on the weather today. Forecasts called for showers, though lightning was not expected until later in the afternoon.
“The way it rains around this county and the way it doesn’t rain around this county, I’ve got a lot of confidence we’ll be able to get something in,” said Mike Burton, a tournament board member. “That’s what I’m looking forward to. Hopefully, the rain doesn’t come until (Sunday) afternoon, and we won’t have a problem with it.”
Burton said that if weather precludes the finish of the tournament today, the Charlotte County Open title would be shared between Lamielle and Alexandersson, who was looking forward to playing through the weather.
“The wind and the rain,” Alexandersson said, when asked what was in store for today. “And hopefully some good golf.”
Matt Sullivan led the Men’s Amateur Flight A, carding a 77 for a twoshot lead overnight over Bob Carlton and Scott Harvey. Thomas igan was out in front in the Men’s Senior Amateur Flight A with a 73, three shots better than Jim Pfrogner.
Erin Fitzpatrick led the Ladies Amateur Flight with a 76 to lead Nancy Smith, a three-time winner in the flight.
John Phagan led the Men’s Amateur B Flight with a 94, and Michael Bistarkey led the Men’s Senior Amateur Flight B with a 90.
Email: shore@sun-herald.com
Lamielle faces Alexandersson, weather for second Charlotte County Open title
Sica seeks history with third County Open title By ROB SHORE
Gary Sica Jr. knows his history at the Charlotte County Open, though as one of the three two-time winners at the event, he has an easier handle on it than most. Sica, who won the event last year in a playoff with Chris Trout, will try to break new ground in the 12th year of the event. He’s one of three golfers, along with Dave Hronek and Derek Lamely, to win the Charlotte County Open twice. Nobody has ever done it three times. Sica and Hronek will tee off at Longmarsh today in the effort to become the first. Former champions Joey Lamielle and Kevin Hoffer are also in the field. “I just like the golf courses,” said Sica, who also won the tournament in 2005. “My in-laws live down there, so any time I’m down there, I get to play the courses.” The Charlotte County Open has traditionally rotated its two days between a handful of area courses. Both of Sica’s victories finished at Riverwood, but his test this weekend will start at Long Marsh Golf Club in Rotonda West and finish at Kingsway in Lake Suzy on Sunday. Playing on two courses in two days is one of the biggest challenges of the tournament, as Sica acknowledged. “I think you have to completely refocus,” he said. “Two courses in two days makes it pretty difficult.” The tournament consists of 92 players, including 43 in the Championship Flight. “The players recognize when you are running a player-focused event and they keep coming back because they know what to expect – big money, a strong field and great golf courses,” Charlotte County Open president Brian Gleason said. “Long Marsh and Kingsway will post a stern test for these talented players.” Email: shore@sun-herald.com |
