Another First Coast victory for Samuel Anderson as Wisconsin graduate wins Clay County Open
Former University of Wisconsin golfer Samuel Anderson has now won golf tournaments in two First Coast counties.
There were 10,000 reasons his latest victory was different: the amount he earned for capturing the Clay County Open on Wednesday, in a four-hole playoff against former LSU player Garrett Barber.
The tournament is part of the Minor League Golf Tour, based in Stuart. The tour operates a series of 18-, 36- and 54-hole tournaments, mostly in South Florida.
Anderson, of Stoughton, Wis., birdied the par-4 fourth hole at Eagle Harbor on a 7-foot putt to finally outlast Barber after both players two-putted for par on each of the first three playoff holes.
Both finished regulation at 10-under-par 206. Anderson opened with rounds of 67-66 but fell into the playoff with a 1-over 73 in the third round. Barber, who opened with a 73, got into contention with a second-round 64 and shot 69 in the final round.
Anderson won the 2020 St. Augustine Amateur, rallying from four shots behind at the St. Johns Golf Club.
Past PGA Tour members Luke Guthrie of Ponte Vedra Beach and Brad Adamonis tied for eighth at 4-under 212.
UNF women break 54-hole school record
The University of North Florida women's golf team shot 10-under 854 at the Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Ariz., breaking the previous record for team score by two shots.
The Ospreys were led by senior Christin Eisenbeiss, who had bookend rounds of 68 to finish in a tie for 12th individually at 9-under 207. She was bogey-free in the final round.
Junior Casilda Allendesalazar opened with rounds of 70-70 and tied for 32nd at 4-under.
North Florida's previous record was 8-under at the 2021 Palmetto Intercollegiate Classic.
UNF was 13th as a team in the low-scoring tournament. Kansas won at 43-under.
Nick Gabrelcik scores another ASUN award
North Florida senior Nick Gabrelcik broke the ASUN record with his 14th Player of the Week award two weeks ago.
Last week he added to it.
Gabrelcik earned his 15th ASUN Player of the Week award for his second victory of the season and ninth of his career at the Gator Invitational. He shot 13-under 197 to match his career-best 54-hole score and shot 64 in the final round to nose out teammate Andrew Riley. His three rounds in the 60s extended his career record to 65 rounds, with 78 under par.
Gabrelcik has won nine tournaments at UNF. He's been inside the top 15 in eight events as a senior, with seven top-10s and four top-threes.
UNF's next tournament is The Hayt, the event the Ospreys host at the Sawgrass Country Club March 8-10.
Junior Foundation to host free clinics
The North Florida Junior Foundation will host a series of free junior clinics, beginning on March 9 at the Brentwood Golf Club from 1-3 p.m., and March 23 at Queen's Harbour from 1-3 p.m. Other clinics will be at South Hampton, Deerwood and Palm Valley. Information can be obtained by visiting nfjg.org, then clicking on "PLAY NFJG" and clicking on "Clinics, Camps and Lessons." ... Kyra Gravelle of Creekside has committed to play golf at Berry College in Mount Berry, Ga. ... Luke Balskiewicz of Jacksonville shot 2-under 142 at the Stone Creek Golf Club in Ocala to tie for second in the Florida Junior Tour Stone Creek Open 16-18 boys division. He finished two shots behind winner Parker Severs of Lakewood Ranch. Maddie Rathjen of St. Augustine (147) tied for fourth in the girls division. ... Jack Cole of Jacksonville shot 148 at the Cypress Head Golf Club in Port Orange to tie for second in the boys 11-12 division of the FJT Cypress Head Open. Benny Ossi of Ponte Vedra Beach (153) was sixth and Lily Wachter (149) of St. Augustine was solo sixth in the girls division.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Samuel Anderson adds Clay County Open title to St. Augustine Amateur win
