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Allen qualifies for State Amateur

 
Published June 15, 1993|Updated Oct. 9, 2005

Denny Allen of Crystal River will be making his second appearance in the Florida State Amateur Championship after shooting a rather strange 73 Thursday in a qualifying tournament at Silver Springs Shores in Ocala.

Allen failed to make any birdies. He had 14 pars, three bogeys, and an eagle-3 on No. 14.

"I drove the ball real well using my son's driver," he said. "It was a gift which he hit for a while but didn't like, so I said, "Let me try it.' The ball's going straight so I think I'll keep using it."

Allen's other State Amateur appearance came in the mid-'70s. He will be joined this time at Bay Hill in Orlando by two Brooksville golfers, Tom Kirby and Blane Brown. The dates are June 24-27.

Kirby called Silver Springs Shores "the hardest golf course I've ever played" after also shooting a 1-over-par 73 Thursday.

Tough courses connected with major tournaments are nothing new for Kirby, however.

"This is the second time I've qualified (for the Florida State Amateur)," he said. "About eight years ago I played at Sawgrass in Jacksonville where I shot 79, 79, 74 and 80. That course was so hard, yet two 79s made the cut."

Brown had a tougher route in his bid for a berth at the Florida State Amateur, where 120 golfers will compete. The recent Hernando High graduate shot a 75 Thursday at Lone Palm in Lakeland, where 63 golfers were chasing 11 spots.

"Blane was involved in a five-way playoff for the final three spots," Kirby said. "He parred the first (extra) hole while two guys bogeyed it, so he ended up making it."

Kiwanis Club raises $7,000: The Kiwanis Club of Brooksville's 22nd annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament was a rousing success last Wednesday.

"We raised about $7,000 and had a great day with over 130 hole sponsors," tournament director Tom Kirby said. "We've worked real hard on sponsors and that effort was headed up by Nanette Cioni."

Last year, about $5,500 was raised through the tournament, and that was the previous best effort. Last week's event _ a four-man scramble at Brooksville Golf and Country Club _ attracted 104 golfers.

Darryl Johnston, John Sandy, Tim Jinkens and Rick Carlton each picked up $75 in gift certificates with a top score of 55.

There was a three-way tie for second at 56, with each golfer receiving $25. Those teams included Steve Barry, Frank Reso, Wayne Bauermeister, David Oliver; Bill Bell, Jay Wilkes, John Rhoden, David Williams; Wayne Johnson, Dave Johnson, Chris Kingsley and Tom Kirby.

Kuntz, Brennan tie: Seven Rivers head pro Ross Kuntz and Plantation head pro Jim Brennan tied for first place at 66 during a West Central PGA Chapter seniors event June 2 at Belleview Mido Country Club in Clearwater.

Brennan was supposed to play in the seniors division (60-and-over) with Citrus Springs' Harry Bono. But when Bono had to skip the tournament at the last minute, Brennan dropped down into the juniors group (ages 50-60) and teamed with John McIlhenny. Kuntz paired with Dunedin's Van Tanner in the scramble format, in which the better shot of two is played.

The week before saw Brennan on the winning team in another tournament, the monthly North Florida PGA Section Seniors Championship held May 27 at Glen Lakes. Brennan, Dick Myers, Arnie Willadsen and Bob Ahern combined for a score of 128 in a best-two-balls-of-four format.

Johnson, Bauer set pace: Pasco's Daren Johnson and Spring Hill's Beth Bauer were winners in the boys 16-18 and girls divisions at Plantation as the North Suncoast Junior Golf Association launched its summer season Saturday.

Johnson won a match of cards with Pasco's Chris Clements after both shot 77 for the top spot. Ocala's Jason Trump was third at 80 in the boys 16-18 category.

Bauer's score of 73 put her well ahead of runner-up Sarah Cote of Spring Hill, who turned in a 85. Inglis' Cari Hill finished third with a 95.

Greg Coleman of Spring Hill won the boys 14-15 division by shooting 83. Floral City's Jason Forbes placed second with 84 and Adam Pirtima of Ocala was third at 88.

Ocala's Scott Kaylor posted an 83 to win the boys 12-13 group by four shots over Brian Coleman of Spring Hill. Crystal River's Scotty Elliott took third with a 95.

Crystal River golfers took the top two spots in the boys 10-11 division (nine holes). Doug Ponticos had a 52 and Sam Latiff a 56. Joe Boune of New Port Richey had a 60 for third.

Jerry Reed of Beverly Hills topped the boys intermediate category (nine holes) with a 65. Brooksville's Jeff Craighead was second at 66, followed by Ocala's Seth Ditty at 76.

Competition was tight in the girls intermediate division, where Crystal River's Rebecca Twiner beat Dunnellon's Leslie McElvey 52-53. Spring Hill's Michele Demeter and Ana DiDonato tied for third at 62. Demeter won a match of cards, but DiDonato also qualified for the Tournament of Champions in August.

Brad Deitemeyer's 48 made him a two-stroke victor over Inverness' Chuck Fernandez in the boys and girls 8-9 group (nine holes).

There were 74 golfers at the opening-day event. The association will take this weekend off before returning to action with a tournament at Quail Ridge June 26 at noon. Call director Marion Walker at (904) 795-7211 for more information.

Run for the Money: Plantation Inn will be the site for the Run for the Money tournament to benefit the Key Training Center.

The four-person scramble for amateurs (both men and women are welcome) is set for July 11 at 1 p.m. A $35-per-golfer entry fee includes golf, cart, beverages, lunch and prizes.

Dave Jessing is coordinating the tournament. Call him at 628-9749 or 795-7211 for more information.