STUART, Fla. – Ben Vertz of Coral Springs overcame two early bogeys with a 40-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole Friday to earn his second victory on the Golfslinger.com Tour. Vertz outlasted Brandon Smith of West Palm Beach after they tied at two under par 70 at the Champions Club.

In regulation, Vertz bogeyed the third and fourth holes, then made birdies at Nos. 8, 10, 13 and 17. He received $1,000 from the $4,716 purse, raising his career earnings to $4,726.69 since he joined the Golfslinger Tour last November. He won in January at the Links at Madison Green.

After two birdies and a bogey on the front, Smith took the lead with an eagle at the par-4 14th hole but bogeyed the 18th to set up the playoff. Smith, an insurance agent, has 15 Golfslinger titles, two as an amateur, and has collected $54,201.44 while playing parttime since October, 2005. He was second among 36 starters Friday, five of whom were a shot back at 71.

Five Players, Sunny Kim of New York, Justin Peters from Stuart, Sandro Piaget of Jupiter, FL, Magnus Stjarnesund and Stephen Grant of Ireland tied for third at 1-under par 71.

The Golfslinger Tour ended the first three months of its 10th season with 32 events, 987 since starting in August, 2004. Three more are scheduled next week: Monday, Fountains CC-West, Wednesday, Jacaranda GC-East, and Thursday, Links at Madison Green.

There was $170 in the skins pot with 4 skins out worth $42.50 each.
6,15- Jerry Tucker
9- Justin Peters
10- Joe Frustaci