Tuesday, June 27, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - University of North Florida golfer Jeff Dennis shot a 5-under-par tournament total to win the 89th Florida State Amateur Tournament on Sunday at Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, Fla.

Dennis led the last three rounds of the tournament and held off Marc France and Edward Kenny to capture the win. France was tied with Dennis at 5-under par after eight holes of play on Sunday but never got closer after a Dennis birdie on the ninth hole gave the 2005-06 Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year a lead he would not relinquish.

Dennis finished the tournament with a four-round total of 280, finishing four strokes ahead of Kenny. France finished the tournament in third, five strokes behind Dennis.

"I just had to control my nerves down the stretch," Dennis said. "I had some chances to win a tournament on the collegiate level this year, but blew it. I think a win in an event like this will help me the next time I get in that type of situation."