William Mallon, Vero Beach, FL
LAKE SUZY, Fla. – It was another perfect day at Aileron Golf Club for the final round of the 18th Spring Classic. Players were treated to championship conditions all week from tee to green thanks to Superintendent Ken Gokey and his team. Aileron, part of the Sunseeker Resort, was reimagined by golf course architect Kipp Shulties in 2023 will also host this year’s Florida State Senior Amateur Championship.
Senior Division
William Mallon (Vero Beach, FL) played a self-described conservative final round to post a third consecutive round of 70 and a 210 total (-6) to win by three strokes over runner-up Todd Doss (Mandeville, LA). It almost didn’t happen this week for Mallon, who is battling a forearm injury and nearly withdrew prior to the event.
“I just kind of fought through it, a lot of ice at night and rested as much as possible,” said Mallon. “I really had to try to pick the ball off the ground and depended on my putting, which was certainly the difference this week.”
Doss did all he could down the stretch to apply the pressure, as he closed in style with four birdies in-a-row to post a final round of 70 to finish the tournament at 3-under par. Craig Hurlbert (The Woodlands, TX) finished in third place at 1-under par.
Stephen Maddalena (Jackson, MI) had the low round in the division with 69 to tie with Rick Stimmel (Pittsburgh, PA) for fourth place at +2.
For Mallon, it was his first event as a new member of the group and he looks to take this momentum into the FSGA Senior Amateur.
“It’s a great golf course in awesome shape,” he said. “Everyone was very accommodating and I’m really looking forward to coming back again soon.”
Allen Barber, Yorktown, VA
Super Senior Division
Allen Barber (Yorktown, VA) stayed consistent in the Super Senior division as some leaders struggled on the slick green surfaces. Barber turned in a final round 73 and a three day total of 219 (+3) to emerge victorious by four strokes over runners-up James Pearson (Charlotte, NC) and Bob Beck (Allentown, PA). Pearson and Beck also carded final rounds of 73 to land on +7, 223 for the tournament.
“It feels great to finally play well again,” said Barber. “This is my first win since I think 2017 in the Society. I hit the ball really well this week and made pretty much all my short putts, which I think was pivotal here on these greens. Aileron couldn’t have been better hosts, they really treated us well.”
Scott Ray (Central City, KY) and Marcus Beck (Tallahassee, FL) finished in a tie for fourth place at +8, 224.
Stephen Fox, Pinehurst, NC
Legend Division
Stephen Fox (Pinehurst, NC) led by one over Ed Turner going into the final round. He didn’t get the start he desired after a triple-bogey on his second hole of the day (No. 16, par 3). However, Fox was able to recoup his losses with birdies on Nos. 3-5 to get back to even par on the day. After bogeys on No. 8 and No. 10, Terry Tyson (Perrysburg, OH) was lurking. Fox settled down and finished with four straight pars to shut the door on Tyson, who finished runner-up just a stroke behind.
“Hole 16 (par 3, 130 yards) was my nemesis this week as I played it in six over,” said Fox. “Aside from that hole I played really solid and putted pretty well. I made a bad bogey on 10 and then Terry birdied 11 to tighten things up coming down the stretch. I was able to keep it together coming in.”
Fox posted rounds of 77-69-74 to tally a 220 total (+4).
“It’s nice to win and this place is just fabulous with the condition it’s in and the whole facility,” said Fox. “The practice facility and restaurant was very nice and they took real good care of us.”
Edward Turner (Richardson, TX) and Harold Payne (North Port, FL) finished in a tie for third at +8, 224.
Don Donatoni, West Chester, PA
Super Legend Division
In the Super Legend division, friendly adversaries Don Donatoni (West Chester, PA) and Pete Allen (Southport, NC) battled to the end. It was Allen that turned it on and down the stretch with four birdies in his final seven holes. Going into their final hole (No. 16, par 3) the two were tied and Allen stuffed his tee shot close for birdie. Donatoni was forced to respond and hit what he described as “my best putt all week” to make a birdie of his own as they finished tied in regulation.
On the first playoff hole (No. 12, par 4), both players found the fairway off the tee and Donatoni played his second to about 8 feet for birdie. Allen’s second shot went long and ended up against a bulkhead located in the penalty area and he was unable to get up-and-down as Donatoni came away with the win.
“It was really something coming down the stretch with Pete hitting close on what seemed like every hole,” said Donatoni. “When he stuck his tee shot in there on our final hole I thought he might have sealed the deal, so I knew I had to make a birdie to tie him. Thankfully I picked a good time to hit a good putt and it went right in the middle. In the playoff, he got a little unfortunate on his approach shot. We always enjoy playing together and of course we’re looking forward to our return to The Reserve Golf Club next month for the Tutwiler Four-Ball.”
Both Donatoni and Allen played stellar golf throughout to finish tied at 212 (-4) for the event.
Asked about the venue, Donatoni responded, “It was top-notch and was in the best condition of any course I’ve played in quite some time. Tee to green it was just pure and the greens were tough to read. Their staff really put on a show so kudos to the leadership here at the club.”
Johnny Blank (Frostburg, MD) and Henry Cole (Monroe, LA) finished tied for third at 224.
Special thanks to entire staff and membership at Aileron Golf Club for hosting the event, especially Head Professional Shaun Strand, Assistant Head Pro Andrew Hammett, and F&B Director Megan Preston-Orr. Thanks as always to Callaway Golf for their sponsorship of the Society of Seniors.
Event GGID: 26SOS2
