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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Sharks Men’s Golfer Wins Florida Open Championship
Ben Vertz, junior golfer
Ben Vertz, a junior golfer from NSU, won the 64th Florida Open Championship at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor held July 16-18. Vertz outlasted the field of 156 players by shooting a four-under par tournament score of 210 to capture the championship.
Vertz started an opening round three-over par 75 on the Island course to trail the first round leader by five strokes. He came out firing in the second round on the Copperhead course with a two-under par 33 on the front nine, which included two birdies. His solid play continued on the back nine, where he carded a three-under par 33 for a round of five-under par 66. The round gave him a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the championship.
In the final round, Vertz started out with a bogey on the second hole, and then rattled off six straight pars before coming to the par four, ninth hole. He closed out his front nine with a birdie on the ninth hole to make the turn at even par.
“After my bogey on number two I really refocused on what I was doing out there,” said Vertz. “Making birdie on nine really jump started my round”.
Vertz concluded play with a two-under par 33 on the back nine for a final round two-under par 69. Vertz finished his round by making a 35-foot birdie putt on the final hole to capture the championship.
“This is the biggest victory of my career and is an incredible feeling,” Vertz said. “This victory is even sweeter after what happened to me at the 93rd Florida State Amateur Championship,” where he finished tied for fifth two weeks ago at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge.
Started in 1942, The Florida Open Championship has produced past champions that include Willie Turnesa, Bob Murphy, Gary Koch, Bruce Fleisher, John Huston, Dudley Hart, and Bart Bryant.