Caleb Surratt has a great affinity for the Terra Cotta Invitational at Naples (Fla.) National Golf Club and after winning the tournament for a second straight year, it's easy to see why.
The University Tennessee commit shot a 4-under 68 in his final round on Sunday to finish at 14-under 202, seven shots ahead of Virginia commit
Ben James.
Nicholas Prieto, who will be heading to South Florida next fall, and
Luke Clanton, a Florida State commit, tied for third at 5 under 210.
Filip Jakubcik from the Czech Republic was fifth at 211.
"It's pretty spectacular," Surratt told the Naples Daily News. "I've been working pretty hard and I knew I could do it. I came out here with a great game plan and sure enough it worked out, and it was stress-free. It was really a great day."
Surratt started the final round one stroke ahead of Prieto, and no one was closer than seven from Prieto. James made somewhat of a charge with three birdies on the back on the way to a 5-under 67, the best score of the day. However, Surratt slammed the door on his second straight Terra Cotta title with birdies on holes No. 15 and 17.
"I had a long talk with myself before I teed off 'I'm not going out there and try to win. I'm just going to go out there and figure out how to play every hole on every tee box,'" Surratt said.
Next year, Surratt plans on going for a three-peat if his schedule allows.
"I knew I was going to come back here as soon as I won last year," Surratt said. "I have full intention to come back next year as long as our college season doesn't prevent it.
"Hopefully I'll be back, but if not, I'll try to be back the next year. This is probably one of my favorite places and it's an honor to be here, so I don't know why I'd never come back."
Mykhailo "Misha" Golod, the 15-year-old who escaped from Ukraine in mid-March, tied for ninth. He started out with three birdies on his first five holes, but bogeyed the next three, and ended up at 1-over 73. He will leave to play in a American Junior Golf Association tournament in Savannah, Ga., next Friday, just his third in months.
"It was an awesome week," Golod said. "I really enjoyed it. The golf course was just pristine. I was not able to play good today. Unfortunately wasn't my best stuff, but I held it in, I never gave up so I still posted a half-decent score. Thankfully I got in the top 10 so I'm seeing a lot of hard work pay off, especially on the greens."
ABOUT THE
Terra Cotta Invitational
54-hole stroke play tournament with no cut.
Caddies are required. A Sponsor/Contestant
tournament is held before the event.
The Terra Cotta is an invitational. However,
they do
encourage applications and players can submit
their
golf resume for consideration.
View Complete Tournament Information