Cameron Young (USGA photo)
ATLANTIS, Fla. (Dec. 29, 2018) – David and
Cameron Young of Scarborough, N.Y., playing in the Leon (Pop) Sikes Memorial Father-Son Team Championship for the first time, were among the winners Friday at Atlantis Country Club. David, the head professional at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, and Cameron, a senior on the Wake Forest University golf team, posted alternate-shot scores of 72-69 to win the pro division by eight strokes at 141.
“We had heard about the tournament from several other pros in our area,” said the elder Young, a former Senior Player of the Year in the Met PGA Section. “Everyone says it’s a lot of fun. We close our club in January and February and spend a couple of months in Orlando anyway so we decided to give it a try. The golf course and the tournament atmosphere are all a lot of fun and we had a blast.
“On a lot of the holes, Cameron would hit a big drive, I’d tried to hit the next shot close and he’d make the putt.”
In Thursday’s opening round, Team Young made five birdies, a bogey and two double bogeys. Friday, they added seven birdies, two bogeys and a double.
Cameron drew praise from several playing partners and observers. “He hits it long and straight and that’s a tough combination to beat,” said Dave Ragan III of Coral Gables. Cameron won the Westchester Open earlier this year and the New York State Open in 2017.
After sharing the first-round lead with the Youngs, the Ragans, III and IV, slipped to 78-150 but still were the net winners among the pros with 69-75—144. Ragan III is the head professional at Deering Bay Y&CC, Dave IV a junior at Columbus High School.
Among amateur teams, John Latowski of Port St. Lucie, Fla., finished one-two with his two sons. John and Joseph, 33, scored 73-72—145, John and Andrew, 39, had 76-77—153. John and Andrew were the amateur titlists in 2011-12.
Pete Sorrentino, Sr. and Jr., of Fort Lauderdale won the amateur net with 71-72—143. The Sorrentinos won gross in 2010, net in 2012.
The 65th Sikes, which began in 1954 at The Breakers Hotel’s Ocean course in Palm Beach, drew 34 amateur teams and 21 twosomes in which at least one of the two players is a golf pro. The Father-Daughter, which started in1977 and evolved into the Parent-Child in 2001, was canceled because of decreasing entries.
Kevin Butler Sr. of West Palm Beach, Fla., who won eight times with his three sons, missed this year’s tournament. It would have been the elder Butler’s 58th start, including a pairing with his late father, John, in the early years. Tom Rex Sr. of Michigan and Boynton Beach and his family now lead on 52 appearances.
The 2018 prize winners:
Pro Division, Gross – 1, David and Cameron Young, Scarborough, NY, 72-69—141. 2, Kirk and Josh Stauffer, Bradford, PA, 74-75—149. 3, Brian and Brant Peaper, Tequesta, FL, 74-77—151.
Pro Division, Net – 1, Dave Ragan, III and IV, Coral Gables, FL, 69-75—144. 2, Randy and Evan Grills, Stuart, FL, 72-75—147. 3, Randy and Alex Grills, Stuart, FL, 69-81—150.
Amateur Division, Gross – 1, John and Joseph Latowski, Port St. Lucie, FL, 73-72—145. 2, John and Andrew Latowski, Port St. Lucie, FL, 76-77—153. 3, Dave and Ian Martin, Saline, IL, 79-75—154.
Amateur Division, Net – 1, Pete Sorrentino, Sr. and Jr., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 71-72—143. 2, Bob and Rob Rex, Ardmore, PA, 70-77—147. 3, Keith and Ryder Sutcliffe, Jupiter, FL, 76-72—148.
Hole in One – Alex Grills, Stuart, No. 10, 153 yards, 9-iron, first round.