WILDWOOD – J.D. Tomlinson of Gainesville claimed his first victory on the Florida Professional Golf Tour, winning the 34th annual Wildwood Open by one stroke Sunday at Continental Country Club.
Tomlinson (66-64) edged Kevin Aylwin of New Smyrna Beach by one shot, 130-131, with Hunter Green of Orlando another stroke back at 132. Tomlinson earned $5,000 from the $24,965 purse, while Aylwin collected $2,800 and Green $1,400.
The winner capitalized on the par 5s with an eagle, six birdies and a par on the eight longest holes over the two days. Overall, he had 14 birdies and two bogeys in addition to the eagle at the long 10th hole Sunday. Aylwin eagled the first hole Sunday and added 12 birdies and a bogey, while Green had 12 birdies but no bogeys.
Matt Giovanelli of Ocala posted rounds of 70-66-136 and tied for 16th, earning $575. Ryan (the Great) Gildersleeve of Clearwater, who won the last FPGT event played at Golden Hills several years ago, shot 66-71-137, deadlocked for 20th and collected $475.33.
The previous week, former PGA Tour player Patrick Sheehan won the Indian River Open at New Smyrna Beach Municipal, earning $3,000 after rounds of 63-70-133, 11 under par. Ocala's Roger Rowland tied for 18th after posting a pair of 71s, 2 under; he collected $450. Marty Musgrave of Ocala shot 85-77 and was out of the money.
The Orlando-based mini-tour next plays Feb. 26-28 at Victoria Hills CC in DeLand.
The Wildwood money leaders:
1 - J.D. Tomlinson, Gainesville, $5,000; 66-64—130
2 - Kevin Aylwin, New Smyrna Beach, $2,800; 65-66—131
3 - Hunter Green, Orlando, $1,400; 65-67—132
4 - Austen Truslow, Lake Mary, $1,000; 70-63—133
Alexander Wennstam, Sweden, $1,000; 65-68—133
Will McCurdy, Auburn, AL, $1,000; 64-69—133
7 - Trey Shirley, Bowling Green, KY, $825; 66-68—134
Ty Herriott, Brandywine, MD, $825; 65-69—134
9 - Anthony Maccaglia, Alpharetta, GA, $675; 70-65—135
Willie Mack III, Grand Blanc, MI, $675; 69-66—135
Jalen Ledger, North Palm Beach, FL, $675; 68-67—135
Jhared Hack, Sanford, $675; 67-68—135
Dillon Board, Jacksonville, $675; 67-68—135
Ty Tryon, Orlando, $675; 66-69—135
Jake Scott, Strongsville, OH, $675; 65-70—135
16 - Matt Giovanelli, Ocala, $550; 70-66—136
Patrick Sheehan, Oviedo, $550; 68-68—136
Kamaiu Johnson, Orlando, $550; 68-68—136
Peter Campbell, Windermere, $550; 68-68—136
20 - Jeff Sorenson, Blaine, MN, $475.33; 70-67—137
Chris Baker, Franklin, TN, $475.33; 69-68—137
Franck Medale, Jacksonville, $475.33; 68-69—137
Preston French, Jacksonville, FL, $475.33 68-69—137
Jeff Corr, Apopka, FL, $475.33; 67-70—137
Ryan Gildersleeve, Clearwater, $475.33; 66-71—137
26 - Griffin Brown, Hollis, NH, $267; 71-67—138
Leon Fricker, Orlando, $267; 71-67—138
Emerson Newsome, Sanford, $267; 70-68—138
Reinier Saxton, The Netherlands, $267; 68-70—138
Jared Garcia, Jacksonville, $267; 68-70—138