Former Amateur Champion David Sanders Wins Minor League Event

Former NJSGA Amateur champion David Sanders of Mount Laurel, N.J., turned his game up a notch midway through the first round on Saturday, Feb. 18, making birdies on 13 of his last 27 holes for his first victory on the Minor League Golf Tour, on Sunday, Feb. 19, at the West Palm Beach, Fla., Municipal Golf Course.

After making one bogey and eight pars on his first nine holes, Sanders, 30, who won the NJSGA Amateur in 2011 at Trump National in Bedminster, finished the opening round with five birdies and a bogey for 69, then had eight birdies Sunday for 64-133 to win by five strokes. His birdies Saturday were at Nos.10, 11, 12, 14 and 18, and Sunday at 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17.

Sanders earned $3,000 from the $15,575 purse. This raised his career earnings to $7,992.60 during occasional MLGT starts since Feb. 27, 2014.

It’s the second time the Minor League Golf Tour has conducted the professional division of the West Palm Beach City Championship. Sunny Kim of Queens, N.Y., was the winner a year ago at 13 under par 131. He did not return to defend.

First round leader Mike Miller of Brewster, N.Y., and Blake Morris of Waterbury, Conn., tied for second at 138 among the 35 starters.

For information and entry, visit www.minorleaguegolf.com