ESTERO, Florida – To paraphrase baseball legend Yogi Berra, it looked like deju vu all over again. For the third year in a row Trent Gregory posted the winning score after 54-holes from among an invited field of 96 senior amateur golfers from around the country in the third edition of the Estero Senior Amateur Invitational.
Last year at the meticulously manicured par 72, 6,450-yard Estero Country Club layout, Trent Gregory posted a record 6-under par total and cruised to a 12-shot victory over a trio of competitors including Kevin Vandenberg (New York), Donald O’Connor (Texas) and Chris McCarthy (Florida), who all finished at 6-over par, 222.
This year the 58-year old retired software executive from Wake Forest, North Carolina, had to work hard to edge Doug Jones, of Bradenton, Florida. The two players were tied at 3-under par after 36 holes and the going got rough for both on the back nine at Estero. Despite little wind, but challenged by super-fast greens and some testy pin placements, only one player – Earl Lanoue, of Tampa, Florida – boke par with a 1-under, 71.
Jones turned nines of 35-40, but stumbled on the final nine posting a double-bogey on No. 10 and registering bogies on No. 15 and 17 posting 75. Meanwhile, the two-time defending champion Gregory felt the heat, going out strong in 34, but collecting three bogies on his last five holes to close with a sloppy 39, 75 total, and two shot victory.
“This win is really satisfying,” said a happy Gregory in his post-round interview. “Only two months ago I could barely break 80 and actually gave some thought to taking a break. Instead, I got a tip from Mike McCoy and my game has turned around completely.”
Gregory said he occasionally listens to tapes or watches videos from golf guru Dr. Rob Rotella to help with his mental game. Before the final round he credits a 30-minute YouTube video by Rotella that created a path to his third consecutive victory.
Attempts to connect with Doug Jones for his reaction to the thrilling final round were unsuccessful. According to one player, after Jones signed his card he “turned and burned” his way off the property.
The Estero Senior Amateur Invitational offers competition across four age divisions: Senior (55–64), Super Senior (65–69), Legends (70–74), and Grand Masters (75+)/
The flight winner in the Super Senior Division (65-69 years old) was Allen Peake (Macon, GA) who posted rounds of 73-76-75-224, for a 8-over total score. Finishing T-2 with a 9-over total were Jim Starnes (Fort Myers, FL) Brian Secia (Plymouth, MA) Steve Cannady (Pooler, GA) and Earl Lanoue (Tampa, FL)
In the Legends Division (70-74) Buzz Fly (Memphis, TN) fired rounds of 71-74-75-220, total 4-over par edging Mark Weston (Windermere, Florida) by four strokes.
In the Grand Masters Division (75-plus) Wayne Sanders (Port Charlotte, FL) won on the fourth playoff hole over Rick Woulfe (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Both players posted total score of 15-over for 54 holes on a shortened course.
The Estero Senior Amateur Invitational Tournament Committee is co-chaired by Don Edwards and Mark Bonner along with Mark Mitchell and Head Pro Andrew Plesz.
“We are thrilled with the success of the third annual Estero Senior Invitational,” said Co-Chair Don Edwards. “This tournament has quickly developed into a must-play event for some of the best senior amateurs in the country. You know you’re doing something right when the waiting list to play keeps growing.”
Ninety-six players, 54 holes, 3 days, one course and one overall champion golfer – Trent Gregory – again and for the third time- who admitted he is looking forward to trying for a fourth title when the tournament returns April 27-39, 2027!
