Mike Genovese’s 67 Wins at Pensacola CC
The 2021 Alabama–NW Florida Section PGA tournament season opened earlier this week at Pensacola Country Club, and a familiar face emerged with the victory.
Life member Mike Genovese fired a 5-under-par 67 in windy, rainy conditions to grab the win by one shot over host professional David Pilkington. Henry Westmoreland, also of Pensacola Country Club, finished third with a 69.
Pensacola Country Club is an ideal jumping off point for the first tournament of the season. Overlooking Pensacola Bay, it is similar to a links-style course. It’s situated between downtown Pensacola and the Naval Air Station at Forrest Sherman Field.
Forty-five players teed it up in the first event of the Alabama–NW Florida Section PGA tournament season.
Genovese made six birdies, including four in the front nine, to offset a lone bogey in completing his 67. Pilkington made four birdies and eagled the par-5 No. 8, but had two bogeys to fall a shot short.
Genovese earned $1,200 for the win.
Rounding out the top five were four players who all tied for fourth place. Robbie Blackwell (Robbie Blackwell Golf), David Hanson (Camp Creek Golf Club), Mike Giammaresi (Regatta Bay G & C.C.) and Todd Bailey (Dewsweepers Performance Academy) all finished with rounds of 2-under par 70.
Next up for Alabama-NW Florida PGA PGA: Biolyte Match Play Qualifier
Alabama-NW Florida PGA Executive Director Bart Rottier said he was glad to see the section pros back in action.
“The 2021 season promises to be a memorable one,” Rottier told alabamanwfloridapga.com. As we reflect on the past year, golf just means so much more to us now. This time last year, we were canceling our entire spring schedule and heading into uncharted territory. We learned a lot in 2020 and it’s exciting to be turning our focus to a new, brighter chapter in our Section’s history.”
The Alabama–NW Florida Section PGA schedule takes a break as it gears up for the Korn Ferry Tour Monday qualifier for the Emerald Coast Classic at Burnt Pine G.C. and Emerald Bay G.C. in Sandestin, Florida. The next tournament is the Biolyte Match Play Qualifier and first-round matches at Indian Hills Country Club in Tuscaloosa on April 19.
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News.
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Featured image: Alabama-NW Florida Section PGA
