April 2005 James Pierce who came off his 2nd victory this year had a good start after nine holes at one over and two strokes off the lead. But it was newcomers Rick Assini at even par and Dave Berzon at –1 heading the leader board after nine. James Pierce though stayed steady, shooting one under on the back and heading off good back nines at –2 from both Bryant Johnston (2004 Player of the year runner up) and David Leichtman. At the conclusion of day one both James Pierce and David Leichtman held the lead at even par, with Bryant Johnston just two strokes behind. James’ winning on day one of $252.00 catapulted him to 2nd place on the money list. Day two became the best shoot-out in FGA history. Bryant Johnston led the charge by shooting 6 under on the front nine, followed by David Leichman’s 5 under, Bob Benser’s 4 under, and Rick Assini’s 2 under. After 27 holes Dave Leichtman held a one stroke lead over Bryant, but Bryant quickly took a one stroke lead on the 28th with an Eagle and had a 4 stroke lead after the 29th with another Eagle. David Leichtman quickly got back in the contention, cutting the lead by 2 when he birdied the 30th hole to Bryant’s bogie. And with 6 holes to play, they went “mano a mano” for the next four holes. Bryant with a two stroke lead with two holes to go lost one when he double bogied the par-3  17th (35th hole) and David bogied.  With one hole to go David Leichtman stepped up to the plate and birdied the 36th hole, forcing a play-off. It took 4 holes, but David prevailed. This is David’s first victory of the year and it’s his first major. David’s victory put him from 14th on the money list to 6th. CONGRATULATIONS David! Name 1  2  total Bryant Johnston  74  64 138 David Leichtman  72  66 138 James Pierce  72  75 147 Rick Assini  79  68 147 Bob Benser  81  66 147 James Stockman  82  76 158 Andrew Beck  78  80 158 Ray Moncion  85  82 167 Christian Kouresch from Coral Springs, FL won the Sarazen division of the Michelob Tour event at the Pelican Preserve on April 3rd, with a gross 83 over Mike Orstad by 5 strokes. Russ Yoder from Sarasota, FL, won the Jones division with a gross score of 86. In the Snead Division it was a close race between Dennis Morris and Sam Patel.   March 2005 By winning the 2005 Stoneybrook Championship with a net 69/71 for a two total of 140, I am convinced that the changes I made to my clubs made all the difference. I have always been the believer that it is the golfer not the golf club but after the 2004 season I was headed to golfer suicide and needed to find an answer to my problems. It turns out that I had out grown my clubs or more specifically my shafts. Six years ago when I bought my clubs, it was suggested that I use regular shafts at regular weights. Since at the time I still had a bit of an out to inside swing , I wasn’t generating a lot of power or swing speed, so at the time the clubs I bought were perfect. Well over the past six years my swing has evolved to at least a glimpse of what a golf swing should look like and in return I’m generating more power and higher swing speeds. My old shafts couldn’t handle the change resulting in loss of control. After consulting with Larry Zee of Zee’s Proline Golf and buying some new clubs and getting tested by Ian Mossmann of Ian Mossman Golf they suggested that I change all my shafts to a stiffer and higher weighted shaft. The results were immediate. Using the stats of the last ten rounds I played before changing and the first ten rounds after changing, you can see for your self the improvement. If you have never had your swing tested for proper clubs, I highly recommend it. Jim’s Stats Before After USGA index 14.4 10.5 Scoring Average 93.9  86.7 Pars Per 18 5.3 7.2 Bogies per 18 6.7 7.0 Double Bogies 2.6 2.4 Others 3.0 1.0 Driving  Distance 217 237.6 Fairway  Accuracy 39.2% 54.8% Greens in Reg. 28.9% 34.4% 2005 Stoneybrook Results Jim Stockman 69/71 140 Bryant Johnston 77/75 152 James Pierce 73/80 153 Milton Harshman 78/76 154 David Leichtman 80/74 154 Marcellus Osceola 78/79 157 Ray Moncion 80/86 166 Adam Reynalds 77/89 166 Doyle Hayes 87/83 170 Dennis Morris 96/77 173   Other News Ron Hassett wins the first tournament of 2005 by shooting a 86. Ron has played twice this year and is already in the top five on the money list. Ron celebrated the new year on a high note. Marcellus Osceola coming over from the East Coast shot a net 70, which was exceptional considering having to deal with 35 mph gusts of wind. Right behind Marcellus with a net 72 was Mike Orstad.

December 2004

Andrew Beck wins First Monthly Championship Of the 2005 Season.

After coming into his own late in the 2004 Season, Andrew Beck is making a statement early in the 2005 season by placing 2nd place in one event and winning the 2005 Golden Gate Championship.

The championship which is now a 2 day event this year started off as a close race with Andrew leading by one over Jim Stockman after 9 holes but with a blistering wind dictating the day's play, it was Andrew who was able to handle the extreme conditions to take a commanding lead after 18 with 6 strokes over his nearest competitor and winning $316.00 in the process. 

After day 1 with condition much calmer on Sunday, it was Terry Schmidt making a run on Andrew. Terry after day 1 was in 5th place, 13 strokes off the lead.  After 27 holes Terry had shoot a 32 to Andrews 38 to put him with in 7 strokes and second place by one over Dan Anderson. After 35 holes Dan had made a serious push and proceed to eagle the 18th but Andrew still had a 5 stroke lead going into the 18th. Andrew missed his tee shot into a gully approx 50 yards and took two shoots to get out, with 220 still to go to the hole, Andrew played safe and laid up just right of the green now lying 4, Andrew had 5 strokes to get it in from 30 yards. Andrew proceeds to scull his chip shot over the green, now leaving him a cushion of 3 strokes for victory.  Andrew collected himself and calmly chipped on and two putted for his 2nd Monthly Championship. 

Andrew ended up with a 72,78 for a net 150, Just edging out Dan Anderson with 80,71 for 151 and in 3rd place Terry Schmidt shot a net 85, 69 for 154. Terry had the low round of the event.

Mike Orstad wins  his first event of the new season by shooting a net 75. Right behind  Mike was Jim Stockman with a net 76.

George Hunter, the FGA most consistent player, wins his first of the new season . George beat out Andrew Beck by 1 stroke and Jack Crouse by 5 strokes.

Terry Devanzo starts the new FGA season on a high note, by winning the first event. Terry shot a net 68  with Jim Stockman right on her heels with a net 69.

November 2004

Doyle Hayes wins the Virginia Raeber Memorial

Doyle Hayes wins the Virginia Raeber Memorial which just happens to be his first win with the FGA. Doyle shot a net 72. He beat out his closest competitor Carolyn Clinkscales by 2 strokes to win. Doyle jumped 18 spots on the money list to now be 15th with 1,120.

Mike Orstad won at Bonita Bays Marsh course, by shooting a net 70 , but not by much ,Tony Sofos was right on his heels. Tony had a great round, he lit up the first 9 holes of the course. Mike’s back 9 was great which lead him to the win.

George Hunter shot a gross 76 to win at Bonita Bay Marsh course. George who always has a very consistent game shot a 39 on the front and a 37 on the back. George beat out his closest competitor Paul Wittenberg by 1 stroke

Thank you to all of you who so generously donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in Virginia’s name.

Congratulations to the following players for their 2004 achievements

2004 Player of the Year - Bryce Koch

Bryce Koch just edged out Bryant Johnston for this honor, by the smallest of margins. The closest race in FGA history. They were tied going into the last stat rankings of sand saves and ups but since and downs, but since Bryant didn’t keep those statistics, Bryce won by default. Bryce ended up 2nd on the money list to Bryant by only 85 dollars. Bryce tied Bryant and George Hunter with 4 wins, but 3 out of Bryce’s 4 wins were majors including the Gulf Harbor Open , ABI Mortgage Open and the Spanish Wells Open. Bryce tied Doug Keebee in 2002 and Jack Lothridge in 2003 with 3 majors in one season.

Money List Champion - Bryant Johnston

Bryant takes the crown away from 2 time champion Dan Anderson who finished 11th.

Female Player of the Year - Pat Tunanta

Pat had the best all around year for a female in FGA history. She averaged 135 dollars in winning per start. She had one win and set the female scoring record at 79.

Senior Player of the Year - Jerry Coley

Jerry had his best year finishing 3rd on the money list and recording the biggest FGA payout for a single event with $1,012.

Super Senior Player of the Year - George Hunter

George Hunter tied for 1st with 4 wins and is the most consistent player on the tour. George ended up 5th on the money list .

Most Improved Player of the Year - Andrew Beck

Andrew in four years had never won an event. In 2004 Andrew won a major and came in second in two others. Andrew ended up 12th out of 121 on the money list.

Most Dedicated Player of the Year - Ray Moncion

After a great 2003 season and awarded Senior Player of the year , Ray almost repeated but was edged out by Jerry Coley. Ray had 2 wins and 8 MUGT flight wins and ended up 4th on the money list.

August 2004

Andrew Beck wins First tournament of his career, by winning his first major the Colony Open.

James Pierce wins his First event of the 2004 season. James’s win moved him up to 9 th place on the money list. Terry Schmidt broke the FGA record for longest drive with his 380 yard drive.

Terry Schmidt wins 3rd tournament in 2004. Terry won $199 dollars . He is currently in 6th place on the money list with $1,534.

Donahue Silvis Wins First Major at the 2004 Olde Cypress Open.

Dave Davis of Boynton Beach was able to shot a net 72 to win the last MUGT event of the regular season. Dave beat out his closest competitor Andrew Beck by one stroke and a few other good players by 2 strokes, to make it a very close round.

Paul Wittenberg of Boca Raton was able to edge out a consistent performer, George Hunter by firing a gross round of 78. Paul is becoming an up and coming competitor, with 2 wins out of 4 events.

The FGA Loses Good Friend Virginia Raeber to Her Battle with Cancer

In Memory of

Virginia Raeber ? – July 28th 2004

The FGA has lost a dear friend and competitor in Virgina last month. As you all know Virginia has been battling cancer for the past few years, and a battle it was. Virginia captured our hearts with her refusal to allow this disease to diminish her quality of life and her love of the game of Golf. I’ll never forget the three hats and wigs, she would interchange throughout a tournament to provide the best comfort, and to never allow anything except herself to be an excuse for her play on any given day. Virginia became my hero and I can only hope I have half the courage she had in the face of death.

In tribute, the FGA will permanently be renaming the FGA annual championship to THE VIRGINIA RAEBER MEMORIAL. Virginia wanted to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research in lieu of flowers, so the entry fee will be $5.00 extra to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in Virginia’s name. The FGA will also accept any additional donations that you may want to offer. The goal is to raise money in Virginia’s name for years to come and keep her memory alive amongst her friends at the FGA.

So don’t miss the Virginia Raeber Memorial September 25th at Bonita Bay on the Bay Island course.

May 2004

Frank Monaco wins 1^st Major in his four year career

 Frank Monaco wins his first major in his career with the FGA. Frank shot a 92, which is his best score in three years. It was Frank’s usual pace with 51 on the front and on the back an amazing 41. It was an awesome day for Frank.

Pat Tunanta won her first event of her career with the FGA winning the FGA-MUGT event #8 at Grandezza. Pat shot an 85.  Pat toke a huge leap in the money list with her win. She jumped 44 spots. She is currently at 16 the with $529.00.

Ray  Moncion Gets his second win for the 2004 season. He shot a 94, which ended up to be a net 69. He is currently in 4th place on the money list with $1,935.

BOB BENSER wins with a net 75 , beating out his closest competitor by 6 strokes. Bob is currently in 12th place on the money list with $746.00.

March 2004

Terry Schmidt wins the 2004 Golden Gate Open while Bryant Johnston wins The 2004 Vasari Open.

Bryant Johnston won the first monthly championships this month at the Vasari Open. Bryant edged out Bob Benser and Bryce Koch by two strokes to take home the Crystal. Bryant had one of the best months in FGA history with four strait flight wins and two tournament victories along with winning close to $1,500.00  

Terry Schmidt the 2003 Player of the year has had a rough 2004 and finally went to his proctologist to pull his head out of his A… Prior to winning the 2004 Golden Gate Open Terry had an opportunity to win his first event of the year a couple weeks earlier. But 5 putted the 18th green from 10 feet away to post a 9. It was calculated that each putt on 18 cost him $50.00. This last Saturday though was a different story. Terry shot a net 72 to edge out Hank Caron and James Pierce who both Came in at Net 74.   

Craig Bamberg won his First event of the year beating out Troy Grabow and David leichtman in a Tie breaker. All three came in at net 69. Craig also won the Sarazan Flight putting him in first place over Butch Sutton.

George Hunter won his second event of the year also by tiebreaker over Ray Moncion who was Looking for his second win of the year. George’s victory put him in a tie for tenth place on the 2004 money list, and a five way tie for most wins in the year.

January 2004

December 2003