John Barry, University Park, FL
RESULTS: 17th Jack Hesler Tournament
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Mother Nature played a prominent role in the 17th Jack Hesler Tournament this week as players were treated to an arctic blast that brought wet and windy conditions to the 1917 George O’Neil designed El Campeon Course at Mission Resort. Heavy rains overnight on Tuesday coupled with gusty conditions rendered Wednesday’s round unplayable as the event was shortened to 36 holes due to inclement weather.
Senior Division
John Barry, of University Park, FL, made his intentions known early in the final round as he chipped in for eagle on the opening par five. He embraced the challenging conditions and played even par through the first nine after birdies on No. 8 and No. 9. Barry would play the back nine in one-over after a lone bogey on No. 17 and cruised to a six-stroke win to claim his first Society of Seniors victory. Barry, who is also a Pennsylvania native, followed up his four-under 68 with a final round 73, posting the winning score of three-under 141.
“I felt pretty comfortable after the birdies on eight and nine,” said Barry. “I wasn’t necessarily checking the leaderboard, but I felt if I could stay around even, it would be pretty good, especially in these conditions. It’s great to get a win, I’m finally off the schneid.”
Derek Paton, of Lundin Links, Scotland, held a one stroke lead going into the final round, but struggled to find the same magic that was present on Tuesday during his five-under 67. Paton would post 80 in the final round and finish in runner-up position.
David Jordan, of Montpelier, VA, finished in third place with a four-over total of 148.
James Pearson, Charlotte, NC
Super Senior Division
James Pearson completed the ‘hat trick’ as he has won the last three Society of Seniors events in which he has entered. This past October and December, he won the Fall Classic at Pine Needles and Bogart at Abacoa. After an opening round of 75 at the Hesler, Pearson overcame a three-stroke deficit to Paige Hood, of Atlanta, GA, going into the final round. He carded a two-over 74 on Thursday to emerge victorious by one stroke over runner-up Dale Bouguennec, of Pinehurst, NC. Bouguennec tied for low-round of the day with one-over 73.
“I’m kind of a mudder and a pretty good wind player being originally from Kansas, so I didn’t let the conditions bother me, which is important,” said Pearson. “I kept it in position and aside from some three-putts, my game was pretty solid. It’s cool to win three-in-a-row.”
Pearson fired rounds of 75-74 to finish at five-over 149 for the event. Hood would finish in third place at 151.
Robert Hess, Casselberry, FL
Legend Division
Robert Hess, of Casselberry, FL, has endured back and neck surgeries over the past six months that resulted in little-to-no competitive golf in quite some time. Hess knocked off the rust over the past few days and won by four strokes after posting back-to-back rounds of two-over 74 for a four-over total of 148.
“It was nice just to be competing again after a long time on the mend,” said Hess. “My game was solid this week, considering the cold and wet conditions. I really hit the ball well and happy to come out on top.”
Finishing in a tie for second place were Mark Weston, of Windermere, FL and Dick Stone, of Bullard, TX, who carded eight-over totals of 152. Dan Parkinson, of Lehi, UT, finished in fourth place.
Sam Robinson, Jacksonville Beach, FL
Super Legend Division
It was a Hokie golf reunion on Thursday in the Super Legend division as Sam Robinson, of Jacksonville Beach, FL, played alongside two of his former Virginia Tech teammates, John Osborne, of Vero Beach, FL, and Bill Engle, of St. Augustine, FL. Robinson got the better of his teammates as he posted rounds of 70-74 for even par 144 to win by ten shots.
Playing his seventh hole of the day, Robinson made a hole-in-one on No. 15 with a 45-degree wedge as the group watched to ball one-hop into the cup.
“We always have fun trying to beat each other no matter what the weather conditions are,” said Robinson. “It was great being paired today with Bill and John. I played solid golf, kept the ball in play and hit a lot of greens, so that kept it simple. The greens were tricky and really quick when you got downhill and down grain.”
Engle would grab runner-up honors at ten-over 154, while Osborne would finish in third place at 155.
Special thanks to the ownership and staff at Mission Resort for their generous hospitality in hosting the event. Thanks also to Callaway Golf for their continued partnership and support of the Society of Seniors.
