Narrow was the lead that Nick Amelio held heading into championship weekend. The regular season saw a variety of winners. In fact, no person repeated as course winner all season long (including championship weekend). Competition was tight. This was one of the closest leaderboards in recent tournament history heading into the weekend. Everyone was still in it. Even Peter, the first national player who flew in for the weekend. Peter, who didn’t play the regular season, was the first player to take on the Gobbler Open with no strokes gained awarded.

Nick came into the weekend with strong emotions. Emotions persisting from last season where he participated in an astoundingly close finish that saw him narrowly (less than a stroke) finish 2nd. He respected that a narrow lead coming into the weekend could quickly be erased with uncharacteristic play. Nick understood what was required. With a determined focus he entered the weekend with confidence knowing that if he played his game, he’d have a strong chance of winning.

By leaning on his strong iron and wedge play, play his game he did. Finishing in the top 3 of both championship rounds, he fended off 1st day contenders and 2nd day hopefuls. By the end of the last round Nick had given himself a healthy 11 shot lead between him and the next closest.

On a sunny fall day at Horseshoe Bay, a day that could only be described as perfect. Nick redeemed himself from the spring season and left no doubt. For a second time the Amelio name will adorn the Gobbler Open Championship belt. Nick now joins his cousin (Riley) as a fellow champion.

Other Highlights

• First family with multiple champions. Riley and Nick Amelio (cousins) (Riley won in season 4)

• Peter was the first national player. Missed the entire season but flew in for championship weekend. (finished 6th, middle of the pack)

• Peter won the big par 3 pot - First season with the season long team par 3 bet. No group hit the target par 3 all season long and thus it became an individual contest. A closest to the hole shootout. Out of 11 participants Peter was the only person to actually hit the green (Dane was closer but not on the green) and walked away with a hefty sum (helps with the air fare).

• Aaron received the lil pecker - Not because of bad play. Aaron could not make the first day of the tournament and thus received the death penalty. In the round he did play, he placed 1st. It makes you wonder what could have been...