4th Annual Ocala Open at the Candler Hills Golf Club

Phil Mickelson…the Masters Champion; Ted Potter...the 2010 Ocala Open Champion. What do Phil and Ted have in common, you might ask? Both golfers are lefties and both golfers have won meaningful championships. Ted Potter is a name you may not yet know, but watch out! This Ocala golfer is making quite a name for himself on the mini tour scene!

Winning any golf tournament is quite a feat in itself, but to come from behind the way Ted did is quite remarkable.  The Ocala Open, in its fourth year at Candler Hills Golf Club at On Top of the World Communities, attracts top golfers not only from the United States,  but also the world.  Players from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Austria, Peru and Slovenia took to the links in quest of the Ocala Open honors.

After barely surviving the 36 hole cut with opening rounds of 70-69, Potter got down to business. His final 36 holes were posted at 66-63. How did Ted go low? A few birdies on the opening holes got Ted to 6 under rather quickly. However, a double bogie from the front bunker on the ninth hole brought him back to the pack. At this point, Kelly Sellers, Robert Rohanna and Tim Cantwell, Jr. were also charging with birdies of their own.  As the golfers toured the back nine layout at Candler Hills, the lead seesawed back and forth.  It was on the 17th hole where Potter took fate into his own hands – a hole in one put him at 20 under par for the event.  Sellers also was at 20 under through 17, but an errant drive on the 18th hole led to a disastrous bogie and dropped him into a three way tie for second.  A two putt par on the final hole was all Ted Potter needed to claim his first Ocala Open title.

Golfers are not the only winners in the Ocala Open. Hospice of Marion County, Inc. was the benefactor of this year’s Pro-Am event.  A $25,000 check was presented to the local charity to assist them in their many endeavors in the local community.