“Dr. Gordon Ira Golf Classic”

Hyde Park Golf Club

June 24 & 25, 2020

 

The 30^th annual “Dr. Gordon Ira Golf Classic” had some early fireworks prior to the July holiday weekend. For 30 years Hyde Park Golf Club has been hosting this incredible golf tournament on a golf course designed by Donald Ross and Known for a stretch of holes called “Hogan’s Alley”.  Of the 36+ events on the NFJG TOUR the Dr. Gordon Ira is the only event where all players, no matter in which division or from what tee can compete for the “Overall Championship”.  It’s the way Dr. Ira wanted it and it’s the way it will stay for years to come.

 

Added to the NFJGTOUR this year was the “Collegiate Division” and the word was put out before the division was activated that the collegiate players could not compete for any overall awards in 2020, but in 2021 this event will become eligible for the collegians.

 

Jacksonville’s Charles Collings from Flagler College led the field in round one with a five under par 67. Another collegian from the University of North Florida was Cody Carroll, one back firing a 68.  Then it was Jacksonville’s Tommy Bishop with 69 followed by Alexander Waller with a two under par 70.  The list of red numbers would go on as Ponte Vedra’s Stefan Ink and Jacksonville’s (Mr. Steady) Moses Compaan would card rounds of one under par to keep in stride with the field of great players and lead the “Elite Tour Boys and Boys 16-18 Divisions respectively.

 

In the Girls field of 20 Jacksonville’s Hannah Stevens was showing off her hard work on the practice tee by putting together a round one leading score of three over 75. Her closes competitor, Ponte Vedra’s Ashley Huffman would be three strokes back at 78.

 

Last year’s round one leader and overall champion came from the “Boys 10-12” Division, but this year the Boy’s 10-12 round one leader, Samuel Ha would find himself well back of the overall with a score of 77. Palm Coast’s Trevor Challice would be one stroke back at 78.

 

In round two, we would have some pretty talented pairings in each of the contests and the fireworks were starting early.  In the Girls, Hannah Stevens would start her round on hole #10. She would blast three birdies in her first five holes to take a commanding lead. A bogey at the par-4 5^th would start a bogey trail which left a trail of smoke through her 16^th hole to knock her well out of contention.

 

Also making an early move was St. Johns Shanya Arasu who birdied two holes on her opening nine to turn at 35. Arasu would play well and post her NFJG TOUR best score of one over par 73, but it was the steady and error free play of Ashley Huffman who sparkled her way to the top of the leader board. Huffman would also fire a one over par 73 to nip Arasu by 3 shots and claim rights to the Girls Overall and Elite Tour Girls Championship. Arasu would take the Silver Cup.

 

Jacksonville’s Alexa Fallis would best her round one score by five strokes to take the “Rising Tour Girls” title. Valdosta’s Molly Davis would come in six strokes back to hoist the Runner-up award.

 

In round two the fireworks continue in the “Collegiate Division” as Cody Carroll ripped off four birdies in his first five holes. Collings hanging on would birdie two of his first five to keep up with the strong charge of Carroll.  The duo would battle it out and an eagle three by Collings at their 14^th hole (the 5^th) would propel Collings back to within one of the lead, but birdies on the 16^th and 18^th holes by Carroll would wrap up a victory for a hungry Cody Carroll. Carroll would record another four under par 68 while Collings posted a great score of two under par 70 to be short changed by one stroke.

 

The round of the day would come from the “Elite Tour Boys” Division. Ponte Vedra’s Stefan Ink would card six birdies on his way to capturing the Gold Cup. Ink would be one bogey shy of having a perfect scorecard for the round.  His five under par 67 would not only be the top player in this years “Elite Tour Boys Division, but it was also explosive enough to capture the OVERALL and be crowned the 2020 Dr. Gordon Ira Golf Classic Champion.

 

In the Boys 16-18 battle Moses Compaan would battle back in round two from an unusual double bogey at the par-4 15^th with four birdies on his closing holes to nip the round one leader Alexander Waller.  Waller who played steady all week would fire 70-72 to come up one stroke short. He would be named the Runner-up.

In the Rising Tour Division St. Augustine’s Matthew Leary would best his first round score by seven strokes to outshine Fleming Island Emmet Kuhlenkamp by three strokes.

 

In the Boys 10-12 Trevor Challice would make a big bang firing an even par round of 72 to win his second event on the North Florida Junior Players Tour (NFJPT) and fourth event of the season.  Samuel Ha the round one leader would come in second with two nice rounds of 77 and 76.

 

In our one day Foundation tournament St. Johns Brady Dougan would win his second event of the Summer Series and his third event of the year.

Many thanks to the staff at Hyde Park Golf Club for their hospitality and warm welcome.  The course was in great condition and truly a joy to play.  Finally, many thanks to our sponsor the late Dr. Gordon Ira and our newest friends Joyce and Stewart Ira.

 

Next up is the “Jacksonville Junior Open” Jacksonville Golf and Country Club followed by the “St. Augustine Junior” on July 6 & 7.

 

 

See you on the links!

 

Jack Aschenbach, PGA