Vega Gets Second Win of 2008

 Apopka, Florida.  A tournament that was dominated by mother nature who challenged this weeks field with rain, high winds, and bone chilling temperatures came to an end today with a familiar face claiming another victory in 2008.  Briana Vega (North Andover, MA) battled the elements and walks away victorious with her second title of the 2008 Winter season.  When the golfers arrived at the course this morning it was a crisp 36 degrees and after a 1 hour and 42 minute frost delay Vega, who entered today's final round two shots back of the lead, arrived at the first tee with one thing on her mind, winning.  It didn't take long to find the groove as Vega capitalized on tournament leader Jennifer Hansen's bogey on the first hole with a birdie and the two shot swing would send all three competitors in the final group to the second tee tied for the lead after Brooksville's Kelly Lagedrost made par at the first.  Vega would make two more birdies to go out in 34 and make the turn with a two shot lead.  Most players would feel pretty good about a two shot lead with nine holes to play but Vega stood on the tenth tee faced with nine holes that she played six over par for the week.  After bogeys at the 10th, 11th, 15th, and 16th holes, Vega stepped up to the 18th tied with Lagedrost.  With both players finding the fairway and on the green in regulation, Brian Vega drained an eight footer for birdie to win by a single stroke.

"This feels great. It's nice to finally see all of my hard work coming together and paying off.  This was an exciting round for me.  I got off to a good start but I had to play the back nine and I do not like the final nine holes here.  It doesn't set up good for me visually.  From my performance on the back this week I wasn't looking forward to playing the back.  Regardless, I knew I had to keep hitting good shots to keep the pressure on Kelly. After making four bogeys going into eighteen I realized we were tied and draining that putt to win I could feel the intensity and competitiveness.  This is what it is all about.  It is why I have been working hard and I am happy to see positive results."

Vega's rounds of 72-76-72=220 earns her a second SunCoast Series title.  Lagedrosts' final round of two over par 74 earns her runner-up honors in her first SunCoast Series event.  Jeanne Cho-Hunicke (Longwood, Fl) carded a nice round of level par 72 to move her up the leaderboard in a tie for third with first round leader Kelly Froelich (Paris, France) who bounced back from yesterdays eleven over par 83 to fire a final round three under par 69, finishing at six over par for the tournament.

The SunCoast Series is in action again next week.  21 golfers are scheduled to tee it up at Zellwood Station Country Club located in Zellwood, FL.  Round one is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.