PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts – On seven previous occasions, the coveted Cranberry Jacket of the Southers Marsh Club Champion has adorned the broad shoulders of Eric Fernandez. On the 36th and final hole of the tournament this year, with a striped drive on the long par-4 18th and with a second shot to within eight feet, Fernandez’ easy par stripped both Tyler Mason and Jack Flynn of their apparel-wearing hopes.
Eric Fernandez, a club fitter and a golf instructor at Joe & Leigh’s Pine Oaks Golf Course and Performance Center in South Easton, Massachusetts, has played at Southers Marsh since its inception 25 years ago and has been a dominant force both as a competitive player and as a champion of the unique par-61 cranberry bog layout.
“I have loved Southers Marsh since day one,” said Fernandez after the awards ceremony and which club is celebrating its 25th year. “I have competed against so many talented golfers and true gentlemen at Southers. To me, what makes this place so special is the Stearns family and the fun and inviting culture they have created for their guests and their staff.”
After the first round, Steve Hart and Tyler Mason were tied for the lead at 62 with Jack Flynn one stroke back at 63, and Dave Marathas, Eric Fernandez, and Evan Hallissey all lurking at 3-over par 64. Walter Hartley was only three strokes back with a 65. In the second 18, Hart, Hallisey, and Hartley all faded away on the leaderboard. Former champion Marathas was undone by a double bogey on 16 and finished 4 strokes back in 4th place.
The Fernandez, Mason, and Flynn triumvirate were the DraftKings Sportsbook favorites and were paired together in both rounds. After 27 holes, Mason held a two-shot lead over Flynn and Fernandez, but all three were tied for the lead on the 15th tee before the birdies and then the bogeys began to fall.
Flynn birdied 15, but Fernandez then birdied 16 before Flynn took a one-shot lead to the 18th tee with a birdie on 17, although Mason also made birdie on 17 to tie with Fernandez. The 18th hole revealed the champion within Fernandez with his first two solid shots and routine par. Both Flynn and Mason missed their drives and then missed their shots at the jacket with more miscues on the hole. Fernandez’ even-par 61 gave him a 125 total, two better than both Mason (62-65=127) and Flynn (63-64=127).
1. Eric Fernandez – 64-61=125
2. (t) Tyler Mason – 62-65=127
2. (t) Jack Flynn – 63-64=127
Net
1. Bill Brunstrom – 148 (gross) – 112 (net)
2. Eric Opachinski – 143-117
3. Scott Ibbitson – 136-118
https://newengland.golf/southers-marsh-golf-club-celebrates-25-years/
