One stroke edge gives winner fourth championship in tournament

LAPLACE – Scott Martin took the first day lead and never looked back in the annual Belle Terre Club Golf Championship held this past weekend at the LaPlace course.

The defending club champ won his fourth title in taking the crown by one stroke over Ken Spatz in the Championship Flight.

Club pro Bruce Bell flighted all the golfers from their first day scores.

Martin, a former standout athlete at Ponchatoula High School, has kept his athleticism going in golf as he shot two-over par 74 on the opening day Saturday, putting him one stroke ahead of Spatz at 75.

Then both players shot four-over 76 on Sunday, with Martin holding on to take the title with a 150 total, to 151 for Spatz.

Wiggins Edrington had the best round of the day on Sunday with a 75, taking fourth overall, with Ricky Diamond putting together back-to-back 77s for fourth place.

Pete Graffagnino broke out of a very tight race to win the First Flight title. Graffagnino shot a first day 87, tying with three others, a stroke behind Steve Lee at 86 in that flight.

But even as Lee shot an 83 on the second day of the 36-hole event, Graffagnino and Jerry Newchurch followed their 87 with an 80. The pair finished at 167 to tie for first, with Graffagnino taking the first place money on a playoff.

A.J. James came in third with a 168 in that flight, with Lee finishing fourth.

Manjit Wadhwa had a 173 to win the Second Flight by three shots over Bill Barkley, while Don Savoie continued an amazing run in the Senior Flight, winning his 10th title.

Savoie shot a first day score of 82 for the 60-and-over group, leading by two shots over Ralph Holcomb at 84.

But Savoie followed with another solid round of 82 to win by six shots over second place Kenny Polk, who came in at 170.

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

Player Score

Scott Martin 74 76 — 150

Ken Spatz 75 76 — 151

Ricky Diamond 77 77 — 154

Wiggins Edrington 80 75 — 155

Jason Donnaud 81 79 — 160

Scott Lawless 79 82 — 161

Brad Petrie 81 81 — 162

Mike Scioneaux 83 86 — 169

FIRST FLIGHT

Pete Graffagnino 87 80 — 167

Jerry Newchurch 87 80 — 167

A.J. James 87 81 — 168

Steve Lee 86 83 — 169

Tommy Casse 88 81 — 169

Matt Lawless 88 83 — 171

Derek Spitzer 87 95 — 182

SECOND FLIGHT

Manjit Wadhwa 90 83 — 173

Bill Barkley 92 84 — 176

Phil David 94 85 — 179

Jon Vankanegon 101 92 — 193

SENIOR FLIGHT

Don Savoie 82 82 — 164

Kenny Polk 87 83 — 170

Ralph Holcomb 84 87 — 171

Francis McCulla 88 90 — 178

Roland Mollere 99 97 — 196

Eric Simmons 100 100 — 200