Bensel captures PGA Tournament Series' second event by three shots

Frank Bensel of Jupiter overcame a day of erratic ball-striking Friday to score a three-stroke victory in the second event of the 34th annual PGA Tournament Series.

 

A final round of 1-over-par 73 for 136 at PGA Country Club was made less stressful since Bensel started the final round with a seven-stroke advantage over the field of PGA professionals from around the country after opening with 63 Thursday.

 

"I didn’t hit the ball well but I was able to keep it together and made a few putts," said Bensel, 42, an assistant professional at

Century Country Club in Purchase, N.Y. "It was a tough day but any time you putt well, you’ve got a chance."

 

Bensel birdied three of the four par-5 holes, Nos. 1, 11 and 18, bogeyed the eighth and 13th holes and made double bogey at the fifth after hitting his tee shot out of bounds. He earned $2,625 from the $13,000 purse.

 

It was Bensel’s third victory of the year following the Westchester PGA in the spring and the PGA Assistants’ Championship at the nearby PGA Golf Club last month. He now has eight Tournament Series titles.

 

Tied for second at 139 among 52 starters were Floridians Ken Martin of Wellington and Rod Perry of Port Orange, each with 68 the final round. Martin made four birdies, Perry five birdies and a bogey. Each received $1,507.50.

 

Final Event No. 2 Standings: 

 

PGA Tournament Series

PGA CC, Port St. Lucie, Fla.

6,839 yards, par 72

 

Frank Bensel, Jupiter, $2,625           63-73—136

Ken Martin, Wellington, $1,507.50       71-68—139

Rodney Perry, Port Orange, $1,507.50    71-68—139

Danny Balin, Rockville, Md., $823.33    74-67—141

Rick Schuler, Chester, Va., $823.33     72-69—141

Jeff Sorenson, Blaine, Minn., $823.33   72-69—141

Charles Meola, Mamaroneck, N.Y., $620   73-70—143

Chris Krueger, Rehoboth Beach, Del., $620   71-72—143

Brian Cairns, Bloomfield, Mich., $620   70-73—143

Travis Johns, Oswego, Ill., $502.50     73-72—145

Bill Murchison, Canton, Ga., $502.50    73-72—145

Scott Ford, Palm Beach Gardens, $405    78-68—146

Simon McGreal, Greensboro, N.C., $405   76-70—146

Mark Brown, Glen Head, N.Y., $405       75-71—146

Chris Borgen, Eagam, Minn., $405        73-73—146

Jeff Ritchey, Westlake, Ohio, $405      73-73—146