Bob Graham was first the Governor of Florida, then a U.S. Senator. In keeping with that tradition Shula’s Golf Club held its 10th Annual Competition known as the Senator Cup, with two teams of members competing in Ryder Cup style competition: The Governor Team and The Senator Team.
Members played throughout the year to be able to qualify for this most prestigious event. Each team ended up with 16 players, 2 players on each side serving as alternates.
Captain Rick Nealis, of the Governor’s Team and Avelio Carmanate of the Senator’s Team, each day put forth players to meet opponents in these exciting matches. After a practice round on Friday, January 16, the game began on Saturday, January 17. The morning matches were played with teams of two from each squad facing off in a Four-Ball Match which means the lowest score of each of the 2 players on a team counts versus their opponents score of the same.
After the morning rounds in which 7 matches were played, with 1 point awarded for each win and ½ point if both teams tied, the Nealis-led Governor’s Team had a commanding 6-1 lead. The afternoon matches on Saturday, also featured teams of two in an alternate shot format. The Senator Team under Captain Carmanate won 3 of the 5 matches, and tied another for a final score of 3 ½ to 1 ½.
At the end of Day 1, Governor’s Team had a 7 ½ to 4 ½ lead, setting up a dramatic Sunday finish. The first team to earn 13 ½ points would win, and on Sunday there were 14 individual matches planned.
Captains teed off first at 7 a.m. followed by the other 13 matches. Nealis disposed of Carmanate 5 holes ahead with 4 to play and the Governor’s Team never looked back.
The event ended on the 18th hole with both teams congratulating each other after a great weekend of golf, looking forward to the awards session and the surf and turf dinner to follow.
Next year’s Captains Adolph Zunino of The Governor’s Team, and Scott Lowery of the Senator’s Team, were selected to take the lead for 2016. The Senator Cup will take place next year on the Senator Course once again.