Greyserman Fires 62 to Conquer Black Diamond's Quarry and Win the FSGA Amateur
by Dave Daubert | Dec 21, 2020 | NEWS
LECANTO, Fla. – Just one hour after Dean Greyserman had finished the round of his life, he stepped up to the 18th tee again. This time, he was facing off against Nicholas Gabrelcik in a playoff for the 103rd FSGA Amateur title.
Greyserman survived that playoff and was crowned the Amateur champion on Sunday at Black Diamond Ranch. He posted a final-round 62 to capture the championship at 10-under 278. The 17-year-old became the first junior golfer to win the Amateur since Sam Horsfield in 2013.
"It means a lot," Greyserman said. "It's my first time playing in this event, but I know how much history it has. I know how many good players have won this tournament and I know I am one of the youngest to win it. It was such a good field this week, so it means a lot to win. It shows me how good I am."
Teeing off about an hour before the final group, Greyserman started the day at even par and nine shots back of the leaders. He put together a trio of birdies between Nos. 5-7 to move to 3 under for the day. The Boca Raton native eagled the par-5 ninth hole to make the turn at 5 under.
"After nine, I saw that I was still four or five back," Greyserman said. "I still wasn't really thinking that I was in it. I just kept plugging along, hoping for a miracle or something."
He kept it going on the back side, birdieing two of the first three to head to the quarry holes at 7 under and three shots back of the leaders. Greyserman made it to the green in two on the 14th and two-putted for another birdie.
The Stanford University commit had a big up and down to save par on the 15th. He rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th to move to 9 under and one shot back of Gabrelick. Greyserman hit his second shot on 18th left of the green, but got up and down for birdie to post a final-round 62 and take the clubhouse lead at 10-under 278.
Greyserman's final-round 62 set the course record on the Tom Fazio designed Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch, breaking Doug LaCrosse's, a past Amateur champion and FSGA Hall of Fame member, record of 63.
Gabrelick, who began the day two shots back of Michael Mays, rattled off three birdies to start the final round and take the solo lead at 10 under. After playing the next 10 holes at even par, Gabrelick birdied the 14th to take a one-shot lead over Greyserman.
He ran into some trouble on the 16th, finishing with a bogey. The University of North Florida freshman hit his tee shot left on the par-3 17th and was forced to take an unplayable. Gabrelick finished the hole with a bogey and headed to the 18th tee at 9 under and one shot back of Greyserman.
Gabrelick went for the green in two and sank a 10-foot birdie putt to force a playoff. The two players headed back to the 18th. Greyserman hit his tee shot left, but a great second shot put him short of the green. After Gabrelick had missed his birdie putt, Greyserman rolled in a short birdie putt to secure the championship, while Gabrelick finished runner-up.
This is Greyserman's second Florida State Golf Association Championship, after he captured the Boys' Junior title last year at Streamsong.
"When I was on the back nine, just having that experience of playing under pressure helped a lot," Greyserman said. "It helped knowing how to play when I am in contention and the tournament is on the line."
Michael Mays, who began the day with a two-shot lead, posted an even-par 72 in the final round. The Winter Park native birdie the 16th to sit one shot back of Greyserman on the 18th, but finished with a par to take a third-place finish.
Jordan Batchelor took home a fourth-place finish at 3-under 285, while Greyson Porter finished fifth at 2-under 286.
Dave Daubert
Dave, a member of Golf Writers of America and International Golf Travel Writers Associations, has been writing about all things golf since the turn of the century. He was Managing Editor at a regional golf magazine for 11 years before joining eSouthernGOLF in 2013 as Editor. Dave has been published at TriStateGolfer, FairwaysGolfCanada, GeorgiaGolf&Travel, TexasGolfInsider, GolfTrips, NewEngland.Golf, ProGolfWeekly, and numerous regional and state publications. His unique perspective and insight make for an enjoyable read and interesting articles. Contact him at [email protected]
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